Maine News Updates

The Holiday Inn Portland West on Riverside Street has become part of the Lafayette Hotels Group, which also owns the Holiday Inn by the Bay in downtown Portland.

Lafayette Hotels Group said it formed a new company, Lafayette Riverside, to buy the Holiday Inn Portland West, which is located near exit 48 of the Maine Turnpike. The purchase closed on Wednesday.

The Holiday Inn Portland West had been owned by Harper Hotels for 45 years. It has 200 rooms, a restaurant and lounge, indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness center and meeting and banquet rooms.

Peter Daigle, chief operating officer for Lafayette Hotels, said the company liked the hotel's location on the Maine Turnpike. He also said the hotel will remain in the Holiday Inn system and most of the staff will be rehired, including Richard Kelly, general manager of the hotel since 1991.

Gus Tillman, general manager of the Holiday Inn by the Bay, will be director of operations for both of the company's Portland Holiday Inn properties.

Lafayett Hotels Group is headquartered in Bangor.