Pomegranate Inn
Just minutes from Portland's scenic Old Port in the Western Promenade neighborhood—renowned for its stately mid-19th-century homes designed by New England architect John Calvin Stevens—this stylish inn stands out from the city's more fusty accommodations. Owner Kim Swan took over 1884 Italianate in 2007, and has preserved the original owner's colorful mélange of floral wallpapers, Chinese figurines, and antique conversation pieces; the modern accents—Noguchi coffee tables and contemporary art—are an especially welcome breath of fresh air. Not surprisingly, each of the eight guest rooms has a personality of its own, but expect fine silk and matelassé linens, period antiques, private baths, and cut blooms in all. Most have gas fireplaces. Common rooms are equally as dramatic—the foyer is checkered with large black and white marble tiles, and the parlor is perfectly positioned to capture the morning sun, as well as being an ideal place to savor a breakfast of Maine blueberry pancakes. In the afternoon, the inn serves a real-deal Irish tea, which guests can enjoy fireside in winter or in the property's hidden city garden in warm weather. <p><strong>Insider Tip:</strong> In order to bypass lines, ask the innkeeper to pre-purchase tickets to the I. M. Pei-designed Portland Museum of Art for you; before setting out, be sure to request a restaurant and gallery map of the city's impressive arts district.</p> <p><strong>Coziest Room to Book:</strong> The mismatched whimsy of Room No. 8—hand-painted mauve-colored walls with gold "bubbles," fireplace crafted from a rainbow of mosaic tiles—is balanced by more traditional details such as an Oriental rug and toile linens. It has an adjoining sitting room and private bath too.</p>
AS FEATURED IN...
From Travel + Leisure , MAR 2008
It's almost impossible to deny the appeal of a classic New England inn, especially in winter......MORE>>
Last updated March 2008
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