The Press Hotel: Why this newspaper themed getaway is making headlines

If you know anyone working at a print publication, they’ll tell you they see, think, breathe words every day. One look at the interiors of the all new Press Hotel in Portland, US and it feels like that constant thread of thought, found order and solace here. The Press Hotel is a sweet ode to the building’s previous inhabitant – it used to be the HQ of the 150 year old newspaper Press Herald. Designed by New York firm Stonehill & Taylor, the boutique has only nine suites and a presidential room that gives patrons exclusive access to the rooftop. But that’s not all that’s unique about it.

A lot of research went into pulling off this fully newspaper themed hotel. The architects and designers at Stonehill & Taylor worked closely with Press Herald editors to sift through and select content from the years and rolls of the newspaper’s pages, for visual inspirations for different sections of the building. These are some of our favourite features that make this a must-visit for those who, well, want to read all about it.News printed loungesYou’ll find nuggets of information in the lobby lounge, where the tables feature actually published headlines from the newspaper. The meeting rooms were designed to look like private residential libraries, with custom carpets that show an element from the production of a daily, while the corridors have printed wallpapers with actual headlines again from the paper. A scale that was once used to weigh newspapers, is now an artwork fitted in the fitness centre.   The scribe’s suiteLook closely and you’ll find the guestrooms are in fact, a throwback to a typical 1920s writer’s office space – complete with a vintage work desk and newspaper rack. While the wood floors are kept warm with herringbone area rugs, burnt orange and navy provide bright relief to the neutral setup. Keeping with the hotel’s theme, the leather office chair with the phrase “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog” embroidered on the back, is a nice touch. True to type
Our favourite, however, is the art installation on the wall of a lounge area, which has typewriters claimed from the original building. Apparently the original idea was to paint the typewriters, but Erin Hutton at Maine College of Arts who worked with Stonehill & Taylor on this masterpiece, retained them as is so that the manual devices could tell the history of the building and their own story. See how they put together the installation here. Website: www.thepresshotel.com