A weekend away is just what this girl needed after finishing up my last semester of pharmacy classes. On Friday afternoon, I checked into a hotel that I had had my eye on for a while now. 250 Main was actually built at the end of my grandmother’s street in 2016 and I had been wanting to stay there since the 5 story boutique hotel had been constructed. The architectural detail is to die for (on both the outside and inside) and its location is prime at 250 Main Street (hence the name) in Rockland, Maine.
250 Main has a contemporary, industrial, & trendy vibe but every inch of the hotel welcomes you to sit down and get comfortable. In the lobby, there are many different designated areas to sit and hang around. They have games, a cozy fireplace, and a view of the harbor that begs you to spend time in the communal area. You’ll also find unlimited complimentary Rock City coffee, Tazo tea, and fresh fruit infused water in the lobby!
As a boutique hotel, there are only 26 guest rooms each with their own unique layout and decor. Some rooms even have balconies and most rooms have beautiful views of the harbor. The landings and halls on each floor again are unique and aren’t decorated like your average hotel. Even the stairs are cool…so you must take them at least once during your stay!
The staff was very professional and approachable. I loved how they always greeted us when we walked through the doors and how they led us to our room after checking-in. I asked them many questions during my stay and they were always very knowledgeable. One thing that I asked them about right away was parking. Parking at 250 Main can be a little tricky so I hope you find this helpful if you stay there in the future! When you first arrive, I suggest parking in the 2-hour parking on Main St or on Pleasant St to unload and check in. Then, once you’re settled, I’d move your car to Harbor Park (right across the street). This is what we did and it worked perfectly. The only time this may not work is when there’s an event (such as Lobster Festival) at Harbor Park. In which case, I’d ask the staff and I’m sure they would be more than happy to direct you to free parking.
The rooms at 250 Main are ah-mazing. Whoever designed and decorated the rooms is a genius. Instead of feeling like you’re staying at a “hotel”, you feel like you’re staying at your hip aunt’s seaside home. The bed is extremely comfortable and there are a plethora of plush pillows (6 pillows to be exact). Each piece of furniture was like a piece of art. I thought the coral leather desk chair would be so uncomfortable. I actually found it to be the exact opposite and I ended up doing a lot of my editing in that chair. I’m also usually not a fan of carpet but the floor at 250 Main totally won me over…probably the lushest carpet I’ve ever stepped foot on. Other nice touches included local artwork on the walls, the wave wallpaper, and the tablet that featured a concierge app and guide of things to do in the area.
The bathroom was very spacious and simply luxurious. I’m a big fan of the round sink & large shower. I also really appreciated that instead of having the tiny shampoo/conditioner bottles (that usually only last me a day or two) they actually had large bottles of body wash, shampoo, and conditioner mounted to the wall in the shower. Although this is kind of strange, one thing that I’m very particular about in a hotel bathroom is the blow dryer…well the blow dryer at 250 Main did not disappoint. It was probably one of the most powerful blow dryers that I’ve used. They definitely didn’t skimp on any detail in the rooms!
One of my favorite things about 250 Main is their generous nightly happy hour in the lobby from 4 – 6. Guests can choose to sip on rosé, wine, or beer while munching on light hors-d’oeuvres. I was happy to see how many guests actually take advantage of this two-hour event. On Saturday night when we entered the lobby around 5:30 p.m. almost every seat in the lobby was being used.
The complimentary breakfast was wonderful. It made the hotel lobby feel more like a nice brunch spot than a hotel. Although there weren’t as many options as there are sometimes at other hotels, the choices were all tasty and presented very nicely. Fruit, pastries, and yogurt parfaits were the main options. I opted for a pastry and parfait both mornings! After you enjoy your breakfast, I’d suggest grabbing a to-go cup full of coffee and taking a nice morning walk around Rockland. We did this both mornings and it was a great way to start the day (see picture below)!
My favorite spot at 250 Main would have to be on top of the building. Hop in the elevator and press “R” or get fit and take the stairs to get to the very top. The view is breathtaking and the photo ops are great. Even in early May, the weather was nice enough to enjoy this perk but, beware, it can be a little windy. If you wanted to save a little money on dining, I’d suggest grabbing some food at either Main Street Markets, Rock City, or Hannafords and utilizing the picnic table on the deck. There’s also plenty of Adirondack chairs for you to sit back and relax. Keep in mind, it’s probably the most perfect sunset/sunrise spot in Rockland!
Rockland, Maine is a quaint seaside city located in Midcoast Maine. It’s situated on Penobscot Bay about a 2-hour drive from Portland and a 3.5-hour drive from Boston. It’s the perfect spot for a weekend getaway or staycation.
Rockland has a variety of things to do but one thing that the city is well known for is it’s art galleries & the Farnsworth Art Museum. The area is also very much becoming a foodie destination. There are tons of eateries located within walking distance of the hotel itself (which makes it very easy to enjoy a few drinks without having to worry about taking a taxi or driving). We dined on the deck at Hill’s Seafood (located right next to the hotel), enjoyed lunch at Park Street Grille, and ate a delicious dinner at Archer’s on the Pier.
Although Rockland has many attractions itself, it’s also important for me to note that the surrounding area has so much to offer. 250 Main is situated in the perfect spot for day trips to different places in the Midcoast area. Camden is 20 minutes away, Boothbay is 55 minutes away, Damariscotta (my hometown) is 40 minutes away, Belfast is 40 minutes away, and Brunswick is 65 minutes away! Check out my Midcoast Maine Travel Guide to find places to eat & drink in the Midcoast area and keep in mind that there are many beaches, hiking trails, and lighthouses nearby as well! If you have any questions about day trips or things to do in the Midcoast area please feel free to reach out to me and I can provide you with a tailored list of suggestions based on what you like to do!
I hope that you enjoyed reading this post! This was my first time doing a travel recap of this size. I really enjoy documenting my trips and writing about the places that I stay. If you live in the area or are visiting, I hope that you found this helpful. I would highly suggest staying at 250 Main if you get the chance!
XOXO ~