Fortland

We had the best time at Fortland (we even got engaged while we were there!). The multiple beaches for beach combing, the lovely chairs overlooking South Portland, the island to explore, 10/10 recommend. The beds were so comfy, it was hard to even tell you were glamping!

Having booked this trip a solid 6 months in advance my husband and I had plenty of time to build up the excitement, and I've gotta say Fortland totally lives up. Not only is House Island a stunning gem in the Casco bay, but the hospitality does not fall short either. All of the hosts and boatsmen were amazing and so welcoming.

Some places stay with you long after you’ve left. With its panoramic views of Portland and the iconic Portland Headlight, Fortland offers more than just breathtaking scenery. It was a blend of natural wonder, rich history, and a sense of adventure that I didn’t realize I needed. From wandering through the underground tunnels of the historic fort to discovering sea glass on private beaches, every moment felt like an escape into a different world. I’m still reminiscing about misty mornings spent exploring this ecological haven, evenings filled with s’mores by the fire, and the unforgettable warmth of the people who made it feel like home. This wasn’t just a trip; it was a chance to slow down, reconnect, and make memories with family that will last forever.

Fortland was an amazing experience and the staff were super nice and helpful. The boat ride to the island was enjoyable. The boat captain and mate were so friendly The yurt was beautiful and very comfortable. So cool walking through sections of the fort to get to our yurt. Everything was very clean and earth friendly. We had a tour of the fort and it’s amazing! We enjoyed every minute of our stay and plan on returning with even more friends!

We had the most incredible time at Fortland last week. The whole team was so kind and accommodating. We enjoyed exploring the island, the killer sunsets and campfires at night. Highly recommend staying here!

We tied the knot on House Island on the very first day of fall—think crisp air, golden leaves, and those perfect Casco Bay views. On the big day, the Fortland crew was awesome: they were hands on with supporting our vendors’ set up, welcomed our guests with Maine hospitality and kept everything running smoothly throughout the whole day. The whole vibe—unique historic setting, rustic island charm plus their laid-back, can-do attitude—made our wedding day one to remember.

Our loved ones and friends left the wedding, and one sentiment was shared by all: the most unique venue and best weddings we've ever been to! Fortland is outstanding - surrounded by Casco Bay with views of downtown Portland, several hundred year old historic bastions where we held dinner, beautiful yurts to sleep our friends for an entire weekend stay - our wedding weekend went above and beyond all expectations. The team at Fortland is incredible. Let me repeat, INCREDIBLE! Kind, generous, caring, and hard working - they not only make the magic happen behind the scenes, they are the kindest and most wonderful people we've met in a long time. They are wonderful and were the key ingredient that made our wedding weekend a success and so special. We can't recommend Fortland enough. It is such a magical place that encompasses all the beauty and natural wonder of Maine. What a perfect place to start our journey of marriage. We can't wait to come back and celebrate our anniversary each year in the place we said "I do".

I wish I could give more than 5 stars to this AMAZING venue. From first "hello" to the "see ya later" the morning after the wedding when we were all leaving, we knew without a doubt Fortland was the best possible venue for us. Besides the fact that House Island is stunning, the staff and their attention to detail are really what make this venue great. They were beyond helpful and accommodating with our millions of questions and all of our guests couldn't say enough good things about their interactions with them as well. The yurts and tents provided a serene and tranquil escape before and after all the wedding craziness for both us and our guests who stayed overnight with us. Though the island provided a few logistical challenges, the staff worked tirelessly with our vendors to ensure we were all on the same page. They're clearly well-versed in figuring out creative fixes and working with anxious brides! All-in-all this venue is absolutely pure magic and the ultimate "Maine wedding" experience. I mean, how can you beat an island venue, the proximity to Portland, the option for guests to stay overnight with you and the beauty that is Fortland?! We couldn't recommend it enough!!

Fortland is an incredible venue! We are so grateful we found something so unique for our wedding. It is a destination wedding, glamping adventure, and historical wonder - all within 10 min of downtown Portland. Choosing an off-grid island may sound intimidating, but it is no more work than a barn venue. You and your guests get to take water taxis from Portland out to a private island (The island is divided in half with Fortland covering the southern end). We opted for the full island takeover for two nights. A group of our close friends stayed out there with us Friday and Saturday, giving us extra quality time. Gathering around the bonfire both nights really added to the destination/camp feeling. The island offers a plethora of locations you can hold your wedding events. We had different spots for arrival, ceremony, cocktail hour, and dinner. The lookout deck above the parade ground was a huge hit with our guests during cocktail hour. It offers gorgeous panoramic views of the harbor - the sunset is a can't miss. We chose to have dinner in the fort's bastion and it was magical. The bastion is both romantic and moody. The bastion has views of the harbor perfectly framed for your guests. The Fortland staff is amazing to work with. They are all kind, helpful, and fun genuine people to get to know! From our first call through to our wedding day we had a great collaborative partner in Fortland. If you’re looking for a venue that you can revisit for anniversaries, and one that your guests will absolutely love, you need to book Fortland.

We booked Fortland for our company's employee appreciation event. Jane and the team were all amazing to work with and welcoming. They provided us with all the information needed to ensure our event was a success and our planners were even able to spend the night in this beautiful space to enjoy some quiet moments just taking in our surroundings and relaxing.