I stayed at a Gilded Age hotel built by a railroad tycoon. It was cozy but the $478-a-night cost felt steep. --[Reported by Umva mag]

The inn's exterior was covered in stone, and bright-red awnings and patio tables made it elegant and inviting.

I booked the hotel about a month before the night I would be staying, which was during the first weekend in August.

This is known for being one of the busiest weekends to visit Maine thanks to the local blueberry festivals during the height of the summer tourism season. Therefore, I expected to pay a little bit more to stay here.

The parking lot was around the corner from the main check-in entrance, but there was also a second entrance that made it easy to get in and out of the building to our car.

Parking was free, though the lot filled up on a busy weekend, we noticed. After checking in, we drove to lunch and returned later that night to find a full parking lot.

We were able to park in the overflow lot at a nearby shopping center, but that felt less secure than parking right next to the inn. Business Insider reached out to The Inn at St. John for comment about the busy parking lot but did not receive a response.

While the inn itself was quaint and cozy, the surrounding area had a slightly less inviting feel. It is close to a busy street with fast-food chains and is about a 10-minute drive from downtown Portland.

The front door had a stained-glass design that complemented some of the decor inside, like a Tiffany-style lamp on a table in the lobby.

Despite checking in about two hours early, we had no issues getting the keys to our room, which was located on the first floor.

Unlike more modern hotels I've stayed at, The Inn at St. John gives out traditional keys to each room. This little touch made our stay feel much more quaint.

The interior design was definitely busier than other more modern hotels I've stayed in, but the color palette and antique furnishings went with the overall historic feel of the inn.

The breakfast includes items like bagels, pastries, yogurt, oatmeal, and cereal. There was also a convenient water dispenser that guests could use during their stay.

However, the breakfast station was so busy the morning we left that we decided to skip it and grab breakfast out, instead.

The coffee station had four different brews: a breakfast blend, hazelnut créme, a local Maine brew called "Jamaican Me Crazy" with notes of caramel and brandy, and a decaf breakfast blend.

We found the coffee station really helpful as we were rushing out the door to see the sights of Portland.

We were located on the first floor right next to the lobby, and we were concerned we'd hear noise throughout our stay. However, either the other guests were really quiet, or the walls were exceptionally well-insulated because we rarely heard a peep.

Unlike the bright red walls of the lobby, the walls in our room were painted a much more serene and calming light-teal color. The room also had a king-size bed, a vanity with drawers, and a small dining table with two chairs.

For a standard room, we found it very spacious.

The only downside to the room was the cost. We assumed that since we booked on a very busy weekend in Portland, we would be paying a premium, and this turned out to be true.

We paid $439.00, plus tax, for the room, bringing the grand total to $478.51. However, rooms typically range from $85 to $125, depending on when you book and the season during which you plan your stay.

The drawers had white marble tops, which added to the elegant, historic feel of the room. There was also a landline phone and a small vase with flowers.

Other details throughout the room added a quaint, old-fashioned feel, like the printed curtains covering the window overlooking the parking lot.

The room had everything to make us feel right at home.

The same brown carpeting that was used in the bedroom was also used on the stairs that led down to the bathroom. This design choice just felt a little dated, as did the overall aesthetic of the bathroom.

The blue floral shower curtain was bright and colorful, matching the fanned-out tissues and folded bow placed on top of the toilet paper.

It was a cheery presentation, but I felt it was slightly out of place compared to the vibe of the bedroom.

It was neither elevated and modern nor the historic, antique feel of the bedroom. It just felt random, considering the aesthetic of the inn.

While they weren't necessarily the most high-end beauty brands, it was nice to have shampoo, conditioner, and other necessities to use during our stay.

The sink itself also had a more historic vibe, thanks to the marble top and wood, embossed base.

The bathroom was a little tight for two people to get ready in at once, but the window made it feel a touch more spacious.

For a hotel that's over 120 years old, it was in remarkably good condition. However, things like this crack in the bathroom tiling stood out to us.

We were paying over $450 a night, which we felt was a little overpriced, even at the height of the summer tourist season.

The Inn at St. John did not respond to a request for comment.

The room was clean, cozy, and comfortable, and we slept exceptionally well. It also felt private and secure, and everyone who worked in the inn couldn't have been more friendly, professional, and welcoming.

The only downside was the price. However, if we could book further in advance or stay on a less busy weekend when prices are lower, we would definitely come back for another charming weekend in Portland.