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About Blind Tiger Portland

Blind Tiger on Carleton is located in Portland’s famed West End neighborhood and occupies an 1869 Victorian town house. The guest house design is inspired by the city and its spirit of passionate entrepreneurship and creativity. Gathering spaces are rich in texture and color, vibrant areas for gathering with friends or hosting a casual event. When you’re ready to venture out, local tastemakers offer exclusive guides to Portlanders’ favorite haunts.

Portland is extremely walkable, and Blind Tiger Carleton will give you access to the city’s best art, music, food and shopping. When you stay with us, we hope you will feel like you’re staying with a well-connected friend, and that you’ll be inspired to explore everything that makes Portland one of New England’s most happening little cities.

A Baxter brochure and key card on a unique wooden table at Blind Tiger Portland, ME
Carleton Street living room with a fireplace and stylish furniture at Blind Tiger Portland, ME

Blind Tiger Carleton Amenities

  • Invisible service model with self check-in and check-out
  • Arrival instructions sent on the day of your stay
  • 24/7 text-line concierge for support whenever you need it
  • Complimentary daily housekeeping services
  • Free high-speed WiFi
  • Picnic blankets and baskets to borrow for your own adventure
  • Bath amenities from First Hand Supply and Apotheke
  • Waffle kimono robes
  • Room essentials, including wine glasses, corkscrews, irons, and hairdryers
  • Nighttime tea, pillow mist, and a sound machine to ease the transition to sleep
  • Eye masks and ear plugs for guests who want full dark and quiet
  • Screen-free environment for digital detox and relaxation
  • Peaceful garden for unwinding
  • Discounts on local wellness experiences, including fitness at Reframe, spa treatments at Health Resonates, and treatments at West End Acupuncture
  • A rotating breakfast basket arrives at your door each morning, wellness shot included
  • 24/7 coffee and tea are available in the dining room
  • Complimentary guest pantry with snacks, games & books
  • Prime location between Portland’s West End and Arts District
  • Limited off-street parking for small vehicles on a first-come, first-served basis 
  • Close to top dining and nightlife spots like Cantina Calafia, Chaval, Wayside Tavern, and Bramhall
Norumbega Chairs at Blind Tiger Portland, ME
Stovall Sofa View at Blind Tiger Portland, ME

History

The building at Carleton Street was constructed in 1869, just three years after the Great Fire leveled much of Portland and left the city determined to rebuild in grander fashion. The West End, largely spared from the flames, became the neighborhood of choice for Portland's merchant class. The four-story brick townhouse that rose here reflected that ambition: granite entry stairs, eleven-foot ceilings, and an entryway adorned with trompe l'oeil paintings by Portland artist Charles Schumacher that survive to this day, still fooling the eye after 150 years. The house passed through many hands over the decades, its brick facade and original woodwork faithfully maintained by those who understood what they had. 

Leading up to national Prohibition, Maine was the first state to pass laws that banned the sale of alcohol. But illicit establishments (including a private club housed in our own building’s cellar) continued to offer places for people to gather over a drink. A “blind tiger” was, in that era, common slang for an illegal spot where you could find a stiff drink. Today, Blind Tiger honors this spirit with a unique take on the urban guesthouse and plenty of space to gather and celebrate in your own way.

History