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THE FEDERAL Brunswick's Boutique Hotel The Federal fuses contemporary charisma with traditional warmth in a reimagined 19th Century historic home and historic inn turned boutique hotel and restaurant in the heart of Brunswick, Maine. Cosmopolitan ambiance and modern comforts merge with the unique character of a richly storied landmark for a refreshingly different hotel experience - just steps away from downtown, Bowdoin College, and close to Portland and the Maine coast.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Romantic
Charming
Location
10 Water St, Brunswick, ME 04011-1518
The Federal
4.5 reviews
Getting there
Good for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Lovely hotel. My husband and I stayed for an extended weekend while visiting family in Brunswick. Pros: Easy walking access to downtown shops and prompt snow removal on roads and sidewalks. Beautiful lobby with cozy seating for night owls that don't want to disturb their sleeping partners. Clean room with very comfortable bed, pillows, and even bathrobes! Especially liked the room carpeting. Tea, besides coffee, provided early am on each floor. Pleasant, friendly staff :-) Cons: The toilet paper...one-ply and rough :-(
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Date of stay: February 2025
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I just stayed at The Federal and my experience was wonderful. Soothing ambience, bed and bed-sheets were like sleeping on clouds. They even buy their Cuddledown pillows from the Maine manufacturer. We enjoyed cocktails and dinner in their charming restaurant, 555. We came to Brunswick to tour the Bowdoin College art museum and unfortunately it was closed the day after Thanksgiving. We spoke to the manager, Liz and she told us where to get lunch and called our cell phone an hour later when she had a room. She and Finley, at 555, really showed us the gift of hospitality.
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Date of stay: November 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The footprint of this hotel mimics its previous ownership under the name The Daniel with equal upscale appointments and coziness.
The restaurant, 555, is a triumph and makes for a popular venue for locals.
Our king suite was comfortable, clean and memorable. I personally have stayed in the exact room many times since 2011, so it’s a nice thing to rely on when visiting Brunswick annually for Christmas.
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Date of stay: December 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We paid high season rates for a small suite (separate seating area with french doors to the bedroom). That’s roughly $460/night. The location is convenient to the town, but if you get a room on the side facing the highway (as we did) the noise is pronounced. The room was a good size, but a few missing basic things: no room safe, no towel bars or hooks near the shower or tub, no outlets on the desk. The doors between the bedroom and sitting area are glass-paned, so don’t help much if one person wants to stay up while the other sleeps. Lots of dust was visibly accumulated under the bed and couch. Lounge chairs were more for show than comfort. Would not stay here again for the price.
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Request a room away from the highway
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Federal was a nice hotel with a comfortable bed and good bathroom and pleasant light and furnishings. The place seemed a bit impersonal, there was no breakfast and the restaurant on site was closed. Out best interaction was with Brian, an office person, who sent us to a wonderful diner for breakfast. This is our firs at road trip since Covid and I am wondering if everything is still in Covid modes. It was certainly an adequate hotel and des[ite its location near a roadway, the room was very pleasant and quiet and nicely furnished. I think the person who said the place had no soul was spot on.
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We were up visiting from Florida with friends and we went to 555 restaurant and had an awesome dinner so awesome that the multiple Federal Martini’s-got to me and I lost a brand new bracelet at the restaurant. I thought it was gone forever and then Elizabeth Hinckley from the hotel made sure it got FedEx’d back to Florida to me and I just got it so thrilled & so excited for such awesome customer service. !!!!! & Ophelia at 555 was the best of the best ! Thank you all.
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I came to Brunswick to visit my daughter and wanted to stay at The Federal to try some place different. I called several times before our arrivavl to be sure that everything was in order (my daughter was on the reservation and could check in before my arrival, etc.). Upon check-in, I was assigned room 201 at the top of the stairs. I asked if it was near an elevator because I didn't wnat to be near an elevator. I was told that it was the room closest to the elevator and it was the only room they had left. I was also told that it wasn't loud near the elevator. This was a complete lie. Every time the elevator arrived (ding! ding!) and every party waiting for the elevator or getting off talked and talked right next to our door. I was awoken in the middle of the night and the very first thing in the morning. I planned to let the front desk know upon check out; however, I waited and waited and nobody came to the front desk to check me out. I finally left the hotel after being tired of waiting. I like the hotel location, decor, and price point, but I would not stay here again. Also, the pillows and bed were not comfortable. I will gladly pay more to stay some place else.
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Date of stay: October 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from G K, Owner at The Federal
Responded Nov 1, 2023
Thank you for staying with us and sharing your feedback. We sincerely regret that your stay fell short of your expectations due to noise from the elevator and the wait at the front desk. We should have clarified that all three rooms with two queen beds (which you requested) are near the elevator. In addition, the hotel was sold-out, and we could not offer alternative options. As for the wait at the desk, we agree that our front desk agent should have put the guest on hold to help you. Our apologies for that. We have addressed the issue with our team. Thank you again for your feedback. We hope you will give us another opportunity to serve you on your next visit to Maine. Please call us to make the reservation, and we will make sure your stay is perfect. The Team at The Federal
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We very much enjoyed our long weekend at the Federal. The staff were all very pleasant. Having visited decades before, the transformation from the previous inn was remarkable, especially the restaurant/bar and common spaces. We would definitely stay again. The only reasons for a less than 5 star review are: one of our pillows had a musty wet down odor, the bathroom fan did not work, and the continental breakfast, while inexpensive, just wasn't up to par with the rest of the hotel amenities.
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Date of stay: August 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:suggest skipping the continental breakfast, but there is free coffee in the morning
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Extraordinary! The staff 10, room 10, cleanliness 10! Overall we I would give 9.9 out of 10. They just need a pool and hot tub! An hold building that was built back in the 1800’s! The architecture and carpentry work done here is sensational! The staff were so helpful and knowledgeable and happy! We would definitely come back! Thanks Federal!
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Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Great for walking into town and lots of parking in the back!!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed here on a long trip, then hotel is clean and pleasant. A good location for walking to town but it is on a highway so the room was noisy. The staff were friendly and helpful and the room a good size. We booked a suite so had 2 rooms.
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Date of stay: August 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Get a room on the quiet side away from the highway
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Brunswick area.
PRICE RANGE
C$212 - C$305 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
United StatesMaineMid Coast MaineBrunswick
NUMBER OF ROOMS
30
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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