The Best Hotels in New Hampshire for Every Traveler

In the heart of New Hampshire’s capital, the Hotel Concord is near some of the city’s best dining establishments. A gathering place, the boutique hotel attracts travelers and locals alike, who drop by its lobby – also known as “the living room of Concord” – for cocktails. Have a delicious dinner at O Steaks & Seafood, or catch a film at Red River Theatres without venturing outside the hotel’s building. For a more intimate night in, head upstairs to the executive lounges and get stuck into that holiday novel by the fireplace.

Hit the powdery slopes directly from your suite at Omni Mount Washington Resort, sitting within the state’s largest ski area, Bretton Woods. If it’s a warm day, you can trade in your ski poles for a clubby putter at the resort’s Donald Ross-designed golf course. Alternatively, you can soar through the skies thanks to the resort’s nine zip lines. If you want something more relaxing, schedule a massage at the spa.

A first-class experience from check-in to check-out – that’s the Mountain View Grand Resort and Spa. It has luxurious guest rooms with panoramic views of the White Mountains and a pool, spa and fitness center that defines modern five-star properties. However, this place is unique because of its activities, from axe throwing and whitewater rafting to dog sledding, snowmobiling and visits to its Mountain View Farm. You’ll return home with some unforgettable holiday memories.

The best hotels are usually those with timeless charm and rich histories, such as the Victorian-era Centennial, regularly voted one of the more unique hotels in New England. The exterior oozes late-19th-century elegance in sturdy red brick. Interiors resemble magazine shoots, in tones of champagne and stone. Reserve a classic turret-style room, and order some oysters with Lunetta Prosecco, followed by a visit to your private porch, where you can reflect on your day.

Live the quintessential New England island lifestyle at Wentworth by the Sea, a Marriott Hotel and Spa. There’s no need to set foot outside, what with the fireplace in your suite and the California chardonnay and lobster bisque on the menu at Latitudes Waterfront. However, the area has a lot to offer, including the buzzy downtown Portsmouth Market Square, fishing, kayaking and hiking trails in some of New Hampshire’s finest green spaces a few miles beyond New Castle’s town limits.

The Inn at Thorn Hill and Spa proves that sometimes the best place to stay isn’t in the penthouse of a swanky hotel, but rather a rustic cottage with picturesque views. Here, you’re immersed in serene scenery, with a cozy fireplace and a romantic two-person spa bathtub. Walk a few steps to the Tavern for traditional poutine, cheeses and cocktails – try the Bee’s Knees (gin flavored with lemon juice and honey simple syrup).

“Wow” is the only word to describe the extraordinary experience delivered at this special hideaway. Whatever the season, the RiverWalk Resort at Loon Mountain provides the ultimate holiday getaway for families and couples. Outdoor fun includes snow tubing and skiing in winter, along with hiking and zip-lining in summer. When the weather is frightful, retreat to the spa for a few hours of full-body relaxation. If you fall in love with your suite, you can purchase it and have your mountainside retreat forever.

Work trips shouldn’t be this amazing, but you really can mix business with pleasure at the Bedford Village Inn, just 10 miles (16km) from the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport. It provides luxury transfers to and from the airport and has a business center for your daily duties and a 24-hour fitness center for your workouts. Relax in the outdoor hot tub, sip on an old fashioned in the lobby bar, and treat yourself to a 21-day wet-aged, center-cut filet mignon – your hard work deserves a reward.

While high-rise hotels in the big city are all well and good, sometimes it’s nice to get away and spend a little quality time at a time-honored bed and breakfast, such as Lake House at Ferry Point. Listen to the relaxing sound of water lapping on the shores of Lake Winnisquam as you doze off with a book from the inn’s library. If you want to work up a sweat, make use of its complimentary kayaks, rowing boats and pedal boats. Head out deep, and you may well have the lake all to yourself.

Schedule yourself an Ivy League stay without the high tuition rates at Six South St Hotel in Hanover, near Dartmouth College. Sophisticated eats – rare beef, chunky burgers and fries – are served in the Bistro at Six, but you can always stroll around the corner for some more casual fare at Molly’s, Murphy’s or Lou’s. You’re also steps away from “Big Green,” so fuel up with a few microbrewed jars at the cocktail lounge before catching a Division I game.