When the final evening of the year arrives in Portland, The Press Hotel offers a New Year’s Eve that feels both timeless and distinctly local – stylish rooms, an Old Port address, and on-site dining that makes planning effortless. Tucked at 119 Exchange Street, the hotel places you steps from galleries, boutiques, and cobblestone charm, with everything you need for a seamless celebration under one roof.
Check In, Dress Up, Exhale
From the moment you arrive, the hotel’s newsroom-inspired design sets a celebratory tone. Guest rooms and suites pair custom furnishings and local artwork with comforts like spa-style bathrooms and rain-head showers – ideal for slipping into party attire, pausing for a toast, and unwinding after midnight. If you’re making a weekend of it, a larger suite gives extra room to get ready and lounge between outings.
Start the Evening at Inkwell
Kick off the night in Inkwell, the lobby lounge where polished cocktails and a relaxed, design-forward setting make an easy pre-dinner meet-up – or a late-night nightcap once the countdown is done. Its location just off the elevators keeps the whole evening conveniently anchored at the hotel, so you can celebrate without bouncing across town. For current hours during holiday periods, check the hotel’s page for Inkwell before you go.
Dinner Plans, Solved: UNION
For the main event, book a table at UNION, the hotel’s signature restaurant known for an “altogether local” approach to Maine’s seasons. With breakfast on weekdays, weekend brunch, lunch on weekdays, and dinner nightly (later seatings on Friday and Saturday), it’s simple to design the evening you want – an early dinner before you wander Old Port, or a leisurely, late seating to linger into the night. Holiday weeks are popular; reservations are suggested.
Your Countdown, Your Pace
One of the joys of staying downtown is choice. You might begin with cocktails at Inkwell, continue to UNION for a chef-driven dinner, and then step out to feel the city’s energy before returning for a final toast. Or keep everything close: celebrate entirely on property, then ride the elevator home to a quiet, comfortable finish. Either way, you’ll wake up in the heart of Portland—no driving, no logistics, just a beautifully paced New Year’s Eve.
Make It a Weekend
New Year’s Eve is the headline, but The Press Hotel shines all weekend long. Start the next morning slowly with weekend brunch at UNION, or fuel up with weekday breakfast if you’re extending your stay. With lunch on weekdays and nightly dinner service, you can map easy meet-ups with friends and family without leaving the building – a welcome luxury when winter weather rolls in.
Why The Press Works for New Year’s
Design & comfort. Rooms that feel artful yet relaxing make getting ready—and winding down – part of the pleasure.
All under one roof. Inkwell for cocktails; UNION for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner—all on site and downtown.
The Old Port address. Step outside to Portland’s historic core, then return to a quiet, refined retreat when the night ends.
A Few Planning Tips
- Reserve early. Secure your dinner at UNION and confirm Inkwell’s hours for your preferred time.
- Plan your flow. Consider an early dinner before exploring the neighborhood – or a later seating that carries you toward midnight.
- Stay put. With dining and drinks on site, your most important commute of the night is an elevator ride.
Whether you’re clinking glasses in the warm glow of Inkwell or savoring a locally minded dinner at UNION, The Press Hotel turns New Year’s Eve into an experience that’s celebratory, convenient, and unmistakably Portland. Book your downtown stay, set your reservations, and welcome 2026 with style – right here at The Press.