Located in the charming Parkside neighborhood, The Francis Hotel & Spa offers 15 uniquely designed guest rooms and a small spa in a beautifully renovated historic mansion. The Francis is locally owned & operated by fourth-generation Mainers and has been a part of the Portland community since 2017. We can't wait for you to come experience Portland and see all the reasons why we love this amazing city.
The Francis provides a unique blend of historic charm, modern amenities, comfortable rooms with plenty of character, a welcoming, dedicated team & a location that can't be beat. Take advantage of our 24/7 text concierge during your stay to get insider recommendations from our team of locals on all the best food, drinks and activities Portland has to offer.
The Francis provides a unique blend of historic charm, modern amenities, comfortable rooms with plenty of character, a welcoming, dedicated team & a location that can't be beat. Take advantage of our 24/7 text concierge during your stay to get insider recommendations from our team of locals on all the best food, drinks and activities Portland has to offer.
Services
The 15 guest rooms at The Francis all have their own story to tell. From our historical rooms located in the original 1881 mansion to our spacious, newly built suites, each and every room was uniquely designed with comfort and style in mind. And while no two rooms are exactly alike, they all offer our guests a perfect reprise from downtown Portland.
Whether you're in search of relaxation or invigoration, our spa treatments are the perfect addition to your stay at The Francis. We want to assure you that the health and safety of our guests and our staff is our top priority. Below is a list of the procedures we have implemented in The Spa at The Francis.
Located in the charming West End neighborhood and just steps from downtown Portland, The Francis offers 15 uniquely designed guest rooms and a small spa in a beautifully renovated historic mansion. Located right across the street from The Francis, known for delicious freshly roasted coffee & inventive baked goods.
Reviews (22)
AnnaMaria Piccininno
Dec 31, 2021
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Beautiful hotel. The rooms are big and clean. They had the best creams and shampoos I have ever tried in a hotel. They also had amazing wine and local snacks. I was so impressed. The decor in the rooms and hotel were beautiful. I would definitely go back. We had dinner at the restaurant attached and it was delicious yet expensive. The best part of out experience there was the attention we got from the gentleman at the front desk, Mauro. He was thoughtful, entertaining and helpful. We had a fantastic time. Excellent service
Phoebe Hall
Oct 24, 2021
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I rarely write reviews. Even if I have something constructive to say, I figure that the internet trolls and outspoken types will certainly do what they do best and that usually they manage to capture the “bell curve” average of the experience.
Well, our experience at The Francis - from the moment of booking last minute with Tony over to phone to the very last moment of relaxing in their heavenly bed before check I got out - was truly fantastic. The decor is on point; a blend of historical integrity combined with a warm modernism that’s calms the nerves. The staff could not be more attentive
Well, our experience at The Francis - from the moment of booking last minute with Tony over to phone to the very last moment of relaxing in their heavenly bed before check I got out - was truly fantastic. The decor is on point; a blend of historical integrity combined with a warm modernism that’s calms the nerves. The staff could not be more attentive
Nick Saccente
Oct 16, 2021
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The Francis feels really strange to me. It seems like it almost knocks so many different aspects of hospitality out of the park, but continues to fall just short of great. The location of this historic building is wonderful for on-foot travelers, with at least a dozen restaurants within a 5-20 minute walk. There's a Walgreens and a 7/11 just a block away for any last minute toiletries, gas, and snacks. But location isn't everything...
My wife and I purchased a queen bedroom at about $250 per night (after taxes and fees) for 6 nights. We sprung for the "Romantic" package, which included a bottle
My wife and I purchased a queen bedroom at about $250 per night (after taxes and fees) for 6 nights. We sprung for the "Romantic" package, which included a bottle
Betty Huang
Sep 23, 2021
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Pros:
-Allows dogs! Nice ground floor pet room, almost looks like a 1/2 basement type room.
-Nice amenities such as water/beer/wine in fridge for purchase.
-Good location.
Cons:
-Front desk was lukewarm for reception.
-Coffee not available in lobby or anywhere if you need an early start for work. They have instant coffee in your room if you care for that, no cream available.
-The Tavern was not open and listed as open. No room service.
-Didn't offer to help with luggage.
-Allows dogs! Nice ground floor pet room, almost looks like a 1/2 basement type room.
-Nice amenities such as water/beer/wine in fridge for purchase.
-Good location.
Cons:
-Front desk was lukewarm for reception.
-Coffee not available in lobby or anywhere if you need an early start for work. They have instant coffee in your room if you care for that, no cream available.
-The Tavern was not open and listed as open. No room service.
-Didn't offer to help with luggage.
Lindsay A.
Jul 30, 2021
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A little outside old port, but still can walk or Uber easily! When we arrived, Roman and Noami at the front desk were so helpful and got us signed in quickly! Roman helped us bring in all our luggage and showed us everything we needed to know. The room they had us in was spacious and the beds were super comfortable. I would definitely stay here again and maybe next time try the spa!
Josh F.
Jul 10, 2021
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A lovely hotel in Portland! Highly recommend to anyone visiting. The small vibe makes you feel right at home, and my wife and I went for our honeymoon. We told them that is why we were visiting, and they upgraded us to a nicer room and gave us a free bottle of wine! The staff are very kind and helpful! A good local choice!!
Gary Kentigian
May 25, 2021
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Diego Ribeiro
Apr 13, 2021
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Christopher J. Blackett
Jan 05, 2021
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We really wanted to like this hotel. The renovation, location, and structure itself were beautiful. The room itself was very clean, but it was small and pretty average, especially for $200/night. Space for a queen size bed, and an open dresser, but nothing else—literally just enough room to walk around the bed. We didn’t spend much time in the room, though, since The Francis is an easy walk to downtown Portland.
Our main complaint, though, was how thin the walls and ceiling are. Our room, 003, was below an odd-conjoining of hotel stairs and rooms, so we heard people stomping around at all
Our main complaint, though, was how thin the walls and ceiling are. Our room, 003, was below an odd-conjoining of hotel stairs and rooms, so we heard people stomping around at all
Richard D.
Aug 20, 2020
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So, even though I have yet to stay in the hotel, I was shocked to find out there is NO coffee available on the property, (unless you consider instant coffee, coffee. I do not) I was also informed when I called the hotel that I could order for $20.00 - coffee and pastry from the place nearby to be delivered (no protein involved). I am paying over $320.00 a night for this highly upscale hotel which is charging me a surcharge to stay during the pandemic, but they cannot give me nuts, fruit, coffee or anything else else even moderately healthy, even to buy on the premises. They did tell me there are
Madeline B.
Nov 12, 2019
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Found this hotel through Expedia (perks at work) and was excited to book.
Booking attempts (2 or 3) resulted in an error and no confirmation, so we found an alternate locations. The next day a $400 charge came through from The Francis - a no show fee for a reservation we never received.
Multiple calls to Expedia and The Francis have come to no resolution. The lack of urgency to return that amount of money charged by a system error is incredibly frustrating. No customer service to support this issue, which seems to have happened before. It's been almost a month.
Place looked great, this
Booking attempts (2 or 3) resulted in an error and no confirmation, so we found an alternate locations. The next day a $400 charge came through from The Francis - a no show fee for a reservation we never received.
Multiple calls to Expedia and The Francis have come to no resolution. The lack of urgency to return that amount of money charged by a system error is incredibly frustrating. No customer service to support this issue, which seems to have happened before. It's been almost a month.
Place looked great, this
Mark K.
Nov 12, 2019
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I was charged 4 times a $93 dollars, was never given a confirmation number, was then told it was perks at works fault, then Expedia's fault. Blame is placed the way around, but meanwhile I was still charged close to $400, when I called, they said I was a no show, there is no paper trail.
So to be super clear I was charged $400 for something I never got, they have no customer service, until after I got a text message asking how my stay was. From reading other yelp reviews, I believe they are happy to rip you off.
Be wary traveller, this place is happy to rip you off without offering any
So to be super clear I was charged $400 for something I never got, they have no customer service, until after I got a text message asking how my stay was. From reading other yelp reviews, I believe they are happy to rip you off.
Be wary traveller, this place is happy to rip you off without offering any
Susan M.
Oct 24, 2019
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We found The Francis on a whim and were able to snag a room on our way in from Vermont. It was a long day on the road so we were really hoping for a comfy spot in a decent hood, as we didn't really dig into researching the surroundings. We rolled up
after dark and checked in - the gentleman that met us was kind and efficient. We had booked a king jr suite, very clean and comfortable with modern touches aside vintage details. There are parking spots for guests behind the property. The neighborhood is sweet. We did walk a few doors down for dinner and the following morning across the
after dark and checked in - the gentleman that met us was kind and efficient. We had booked a king jr suite, very clean and comfortable with modern touches aside vintage details. There are parking spots for guests behind the property. The neighborhood is sweet. We did walk a few doors down for dinner and the following morning across the
Simone O.
Feb 22, 2019
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We loved our stay here! The staff were very accommodating, squeezing us in for a massage, providing ample food recommendations, allowing for early check in and late check out, and gifting a complimentary bottle of wine for our celebration. Lots of local snacks and even local beer/liquor available for purchase in the room. Gas fireplace and board games in the lobby. Local art throughout the building. Great vibe, lush modern renovation of a historic brick building in West End. Walking distance to Old Port and even East End if you can bear the cold. As other reviewers have mentioned, parking is not
Julie B.
Oct 04, 2018
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My husband and I stayed 2 nights at the Francis in late sept 2018. I had booked the room and was confident I hadn't booked room 001 as I had read that you hear early am footsteps above the bedroom. I wasn't very thorough because we indeed booked that room and indeed heard early am foot traffic above. We wanted to get up early each day so to us it was ok but if you do not want to wake up early do not book room 001. We loved the bar area and the quaint restaurant, Bolster Snow and Co in the hotel. Sat at the counter so we could watch the chefs and it was a lot of fun. They
Roger E.
Jul 04, 2018
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We saw the hotel listed on Hoteltonite. We decided to visit the hotel before booking. We asked the front desk person to see if we can pay the price listed on the discount website directly thru the hotel. She checked with the manager and he told us we should book thru the discount website.
He then immediately changed the price on the discount website from $189 to $250. Of course we decided not to use this hotel.
He then immediately changed the price on the discount website from $189 to $250. Of course we decided not to use this hotel.
Jan B.
May 28, 2018
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The Francis is adjacent to an ambitious and behind schedule townhouse project. Construction noises, including cement cutting and grinding, heavy equipment, back-up safety beeping and copious clouds of dust are not uncommon on weekends and holidays beginning as early as 7:30 am.
If this scenario does not appeal to you, it might be wise to wait until the townhouses are complete- which, by the looks of it, are several months away.
If this scenario does not appeal to you, it might be wise to wait until the townhouses are complete- which, by the looks of it, are several months away.
Theresa W.
Mar 20, 2018
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We found this hotel on Expedia and unexpectedly had to cancel our reservation a few hours later. Unfortunately, we were very disappointed to find that even though Expedia reached out to the hotel on our behalf to ask that the $35.00 cancellation fee be waived due to our cancelling right away, the hotel manager refused. I would recommend not booking this hotel through Expedia if you don't want to be charged a cancellation fee. The manager was very unreasonable and we will not be booking with them again.
Nicole H.
Jan 22, 2018
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We had a really great stay here last night. The bed was comfy. The bathrooms were clean and really pretty. I loved the fireplace downstairs in the living room. The morning coffee came in adorable cups (arguably too small?) and was delicious and hot. The rooms had some neat touches--loved the bedside table lamps and the decadent mini bar.
We felt very well taken care of-- we wandered into the restaurant around 10pm seeking a cup of hot tea to take up to bed. Figured we'd pay for it-- but the bartender brought us a little pot of chrysanthemum tea, free of charge.
Will come back to
We felt very well taken care of-- we wandered into the restaurant around 10pm seeking a cup of hot tea to take up to bed. Figured we'd pay for it-- but the bartender brought us a little pot of chrysanthemum tea, free of charge.
Will come back to
Aidan S.
Jan 17, 2018
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I was a little worried since this property has so few reviews-- but my hesitation was completely removed as soon as I arrived.
The Francis is unassuming from the outside and expectations start quite low due to the incredible price, but inside, the property is like no other. The rooms are very cute, rather spacious, decorated well, and full of great amenities. I love the personalized touches and the extra toiletries most hotels don't provide. The spare blanket in the room is large and comfortable. Everything feels cozy! The hallways are gorgeous and fun to walk around. There's a great
The Francis is unassuming from the outside and expectations start quite low due to the incredible price, but inside, the property is like no other. The rooms are very cute, rather spacious, decorated well, and full of great amenities. I love the personalized touches and the extra toiletries most hotels don't provide. The spare blanket in the room is large and comfortable. Everything feels cozy! The hallways are gorgeous and fun to walk around. There's a great
Jacqueline L.
Dec 28, 2017
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Absolutely stunning. The elegance that you would expect from an interior design magazine.. The setting is warm, inviting, rich and the vibe is romantic and alluring.
Exceeded my expectations in terms of design and service. The front desk is available 24/7 and you have direct text communication with them upon check in.
This place is wonderful, and the price point is beyond generous. These pictures are just renderings and not the actual hotel. The hotel is GORGEOUS. Think Restoration Hardware.
Thank you so much, The Francis!
Exceeded my expectations in terms of design and service. The front desk is available 24/7 and you have direct text communication with them upon check in.
This place is wonderful, and the price point is beyond generous. These pictures are just renderings and not the actual hotel. The hotel is GORGEOUS. Think Restoration Hardware.
Thank you so much, The Francis!
Kringlos P.
Dec 10, 2017
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Wow! This is a truly outstanding, high-end hotel. The Frances manages to be both historical and modern at the same time -- architectural character is preserved, but the furnishings are sleek and new. I loved small details, like the complimentary Maine moon pies, the cozy fire in the front hall, the leathery room keys (not generic cards), and the hip selection of beverages in the minibar. The staff were extremely friendly and hospitable -- in fact, this is probably the closest I will ever feel to being royalty! The restaurant downstairs is great for brunch too. And the location is perfect -- just
