July vacation

Hi - I am trying to decide on reservations for July as we will be staying one night in Portland and then catching the Cat ferry to Nova Scotia. I tried to make reservations at the Merry Manor but they told me it was a two night minimum. Does anyone have any suggestions for South portland area. How is the Days Inn or Howard Johnson, etc. I have heard mixed reviews. We just want something clean for our family of four.

July vacation

Read through the reviews of South Portland hotels - they seem pretty much on the mark (though I don%26#39;t have a lot of first-hand experience with many.) I do know folk who have stayed at Howard Johnson (across street from Merry Manor - not the one in Portland), and it was fine. Dated, but clean and comfortable.

July vacation

The Hojo that%26#39;s near the Merry Manor is pretty good. There is a Quality Inn there that has been through some ownership changes so I%26#39;m not sure how it is now, but used to be good-sized rooms and clean. The Sheraton has great, renovated rooms if they happen to have a decent deal.

Thanks - I made reservations at the Howard Johnsons.

Try staying somewhere in Portland, in the Old Port , if you have only 1 night. It%26#39;s minutes to the ferry and the restaurants, shops and neighborhood are fun. Those other places are off a highway, or near strip malls and totally devoid of any character.

Unless there%26#39;s a special reason you%26#39;re wanting to stay in South Portland, there are much better choices in Portland%26#39;s Old Port. The Regency Hotel is right in the middle of the action, and there%26#39;s a new Hilton Garden Inn across from the Casco Bay Ferry Lines. Both will put you within walking distances of dozens of world-class restaurants, shops and fun things to do with the kids. There%26#39;s nothing like strolling through the Old Port on a warm summer night. (Trust me, you%26#39;ll be a hero in your family%26#39;s eyes!)

Have fun!

have stayed at the Howard Johnson several times (River Road property) and the last stay in May, everything in the room that could be dusted or wiped down, wasn%26#39;t. The bath was clean, however.

The hot tub has no railing (step up) but the pool was fine...

We just didn%26#39;t like that the room itself didn%26#39;t look ';cared for';, I believe in a vacuum and wipe down.

Hope this helps.