The Society Hotel takes its name from the Portland Seaman's Friends Society, which built this cast-iron front building in Old Town Chinatown back in 1881 as a safe haven for sailors. That history is still tangible inside, where much of the original exposed brickwork, arched windows, and the main staircase have been preserved. The entire concept is a modern take on that original purpose – a place for travelers, but one that mixes the affordability of a hostel with the privacy of a boutique hotel.
The lodging is split into three distinct types. On the ground floor, you’ll find the bunk room, a communal space with 24 custom-built, triple-stacked beds. Each one is designed for a bit of privacy, with its own curtain, reading light, outlet, and lockable storage. Upstairs, private rooms are compact and minimalist, containing a bed and an in-room sink, and rely on shared single-occupancy bathrooms in the hallway. The largest rooms are the suites, which come with their own private bathrooms and sitting areas. None of the rooms have televisions.
Life in the hotel centers around its two communal spaces. The street-level cafe serves as both the lobby and the main social hub, and the front door is kept locked 24/7 for security. From there, an elevator takes you up to the rooftop deck, which has open views across the city. The building’s old structure means the walls can be thin, but fans and earplugs are provided in the rooms to help with the noise. It’s a functional, social setup in a building that has been sheltering visitors for over a century.
The Society Hotel