The Freeport Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection

For those exploring the "Hotels Near Of Me" category in Freeport, Maine, The Freeport Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection, located at 506 US-1, Freeport, ME 04032, USA, is a property that warrants a cautious and informed consideration. As part of the Ascend Hotel Collection, it is theoretically meant to offer unique, boutique, or historic experiences, often with a local flair. However, recent guest feedback suggests a significant divergence from these brand ideals. The contact phone numbers are (207) 865-1408 and +1 207-865-1408.

Freeport, Maine, is a well-known tourist destination, primarily famous for its outlet shopping, centered around the iconic L.L.Bean flagship store. Beyond its retail appeal, Freeport offers access to the scenic Casco Bay, with opportunities for coastal walks, and boasts several state parks like Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park for outdoor enthusiasts. The town features a range of dining options, from casual to upscale, and a growing craft brewery scene. Its historic village center provides a charming backdrop with various boutiques and art galleries. Freeport is conveniently located about 20 minutes north of Portland via I-295, making it an accessible spot for travelers. The Freeport Hotel's location on US-1 places it near major thoroughfares and provides relatively easy access to Freeport's core attractions, including L.L.Bean, and is also across the street from Maine Beer Company.

The environment of The Freeport Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection, as described by recent guests, presents a concerning picture. While the "building itself was beautiful" externally, an "overwhelming smell of fabric softener" upon entering immediately signals an attempt to mask underlying odors, which is further supported by a later review mentioning the bathroom smelling "like mold and mildew." A critical issue highlighted by multiple guests pertains to cleanliness. Specific complaints include "many ants on our bedside table" (in a room where no food was consumed), "dead insects behind the TV stand," "crumbs everywhere," "popcorn on the floor in plain sight," and "a pack of condoms under the bed, and food behind and around the bed." Furthermore, there were reports of "strange stains in weird places" and visible dust in carpet corners. A front desk staff member reportedly admitted to "not cleaning behind the beds," which is a significant hygiene concern. This indicates a severe and widespread issue with cleanliness standards throughout multiple rooms shown to a disgruntled guest. The overall impression is that the interior environment, despite a potentially appealing exterior, is far from what is expected of an Ascend Hotel Collection property.

In terms of services and features, the information available paints a similarly mixed picture, with advertised amenities potentially not meeting guest expectations or brand standards.

• Room Amenities: While some reviews mention "comfortable beds" and rooms having "all the amenities (coffee maker, fridge, microwave)," other critical reviews highlight issues with basic hygiene, such as dirty beds and carpets, and uncleaned areas. The rooms are generally equipped with flat-screen TVs, refrigerators, and microwaves. However, the presence of biological contaminants and significant uncleaned debris overshadows these basic offerings. The bathroom in one room was described as having rust and mold around the shower, and an "obviously unchanged shower curtain."
• Breakfast: The hotel advertises a complimentary breakfast. However, one review explicitly stated, "The free breakfast was disgusting. The eggs were not cooked all the way." This suggests that even a basic, complimentary amenity may not be delivered to an acceptable standard. Other reviews note it as a continental breakfast, with some finding it "adequate."
• Staff and Customer Service: This is an area of significant concern. While one older review mentions "helpful staff," recent feedback is overwhelmingly negative. Guests described receiving a "cold greeting" and staff talking "in a robotic monotone." More severely, a front desk lady "got extremely rude, raising their voice at us while telling us filing a complaint is not necessary," demonstrating "extremely unprofessional, uncooperative" behavior during a refund attempt. Another guest reported "staff using profanity toward customers, displaying clear racism, and behaving in an entirely unprofessional manner," leading to a feeling of unsafety and the need to leave the premises without a refund. This suggests a profound lack of professional hospitality and potentially hostile interactions.
• Other Facilities: The hotel typically offers free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk, and free self-parking. Some sources also mention a 24-hour business center and guest laundry facilities. However, a specific complaint noted, "The ice machine is nowhere to be found," indicating a possible lack of maintenance or availability of essential amenities. The property is advertised as 100% smoke-free, though the "overwhelming smell of fabric softener" and some reports of cigarette smoke lingering in certain areas might contradict this. It is also mentioned as being pet-friendly with charges.

Promotional information for The Freeport Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection, aiming for objectivity within the "Hotels Near Of Me" category, must present a very balanced view, acknowledging the brand's intended positioning versus the stark realities of guest experiences.

On the potentially positive side, the hotel would typically highlight:

• Proximity to Freeport Attractions: Emphasize its convenient location on US-1, a short drive from L.L.Bean, other outlet stores, and local dining, as well as easy access to I-295.
• Basic Amenities: Mention the availability of free Wi-Fi, complimentary breakfast (despite quality issues), and free parking, which are common draws for budget-conscious travelers.
• Ascend Hotel Collection Affiliation: Theoretically, this affiliation suggests a unique or boutique experience, which could be part of promotional messaging, though recent reviews challenge this.

However, it is crucial for an objective introduction to prominently feature the significant negative feedback. Potential guests searching for "Hotels Near Of Me" in Freeport need to be fully aware of the following:

• Severe Cleanliness and Hygiene Issues: Reports of insects, dead bugs, crumbs, food debris, stains, and general filth in multiple rooms are critical concerns that cannot be overlooked. The presence of mold and mildew in bathrooms and unpleasant odors also falls under this category.
• Unprofessional and Hostile Staff Behavior: Allegations of rudeness, yelling, uncooperative attitudes, and even racism from front desk and management staff are extremely serious and directly impact guest safety and comfort. This contradicts any implied standard of hospitality.
• Inconsistent Amenity Availability/Quality: The reported non-functional ice machine and subpar breakfast quality indicate that advertised services may not be consistently delivered or meet basic expectations.
• Discrepancy with Brand Promise: The experiences described are a significant departure from the boutique, unique, or historic qualities typically associated with the Ascend Hotel Collection.

In conclusion, while The Freeport Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection, may offer a theoretically convenient location and some standard amenities, the overwhelming and severe negative feedback from recent guests regarding cleanliness, hygiene, and particularly the unprofessional and potentially hostile staff behavior, makes it a highly problematic choice within the "Hotels Near Of Me" category. Prospective guests should exercise extreme caution and consider the numerous red flags raised by previous visitors. The hotel's actual delivery appears to fall far short of both basic hotel standards and the implied quality of the Ascend Hotel Collection brand.