The Best Budget-Friendly Hotels in New Hampshire

Trust us, you won’t be trading convenience for money saved at this charming chain hotel. On the contrary, they’re primed to serve at speed, while coming up with all the creature comforts and handy in-suite extras that’ll make your trip. Grab an express breakfast to go and head out on a shopping spree at the nearby Mall of New Hampshire – it’s home to more than 100 outlets. Then head back to the Holiday Inn to soak in the hot tub before hitting downtown Manchester for a concert at Southern New Hampshire Arena, or drinks alongside the Merrimack River.

Flying in for a short stay that won’t send you scarily into the red? TownePlace Suites by Marriott Manchester has got your back: you can expect free breakfast and a free airport shuttle service. Not only money-saving, they’re hassle-busting, too: you can book a limousine or car rental as well as fixing a hair appointment and getting dry-cleaning done – all invaluable if you’re in town for business without much time or money to spare. If you happen to have a day off, you’ll be pleased to know that golf, skiing, and bowling are on the cards in the vicinity. Worth the (value-for-money) splurge.

Forgive us for grabbing the low-hanging fruit but Top Notch Inn delivers, well, a top-notch experience at a top-notch rate. We don’t know quite how they make standard amenities seem like exclusive perks, but we’re so happy they do: take the heated pool and hot tub surrounded by unspoiled mountain views; or their bicycle rentals – proper mountain-bike adventures following picturesque trails; and the courtyard to come home to with its stone fire pit, gas grills, and pulse-slowing soundtrack, setting the mood for a peaceful retreat.

Every season is high-season for the Glen House Hotel, but their nightly rates resemble the typical off-season – and so does the relaxing ambience, in Shaker-style rooms, with mountain views, that make the place feel like a homely B&B. When you dine at the Notch Grille it feels like a family diner even if you’re among strangers – especially after a few sips of their private-label vodka. Many outdoor recreational activities are also included in your stay, so you can drive the Mt Washington Auto Road, cruise in the SnowCoach, or explore Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center without ending up bankrupt.

You’ll enjoy a fine modern stay near historic Exeter at Hampton Inn & Suites – at a purse-friendly price, too. After all, the fitness center, pool and breakfasts are all free. A great way to lose a few hours, too, once you’ve toured the charming streets of Exeter or taken a leisurely walk along the Squamscott River, sipping a coffee from Green Bean On Water. Still got a few pennies in your pocket? Spend them on an (affordable) amble round the American Independence Museum.

Ashworth by the Sea is an oceanfront hotel on Hampton Beach that – we guarantee – will be completely within your budget. Just don’t tell the world and her husband, as it’s one of New England’s best-kept secrets. Unless you choose to sequester yourselves in a cozy summer cottage, you can expect ocean views from your suite. Ashworth by the Sea is a rare full-service Hampton hotel, which means you’ll be plied with drinks on the rooftop bar, live music and dancing on the weekends, and a 24-hour store that helps you cut back on dining expenses.

For a family that wants to save money but not place fun or quality time under a budget, Park View Inn is perfect. Simplicity is the name of the game: behind a shingle-roof, porch-lined, low-rise facade, rooms are comfortable, affordable and most importantly attractive, with framed mirrors, wingback chairs and high-gleam, walnut-brown furniture. Your continental breakfast is complimentary – so fill up before heading out, since you’ll be busy. The inn is super-handy for so many local attractions, chief among them the kid-friendly Canobie Lake Park, Salem Town Forest, and Field of Dreams Park.

Colonial Motel isn’t trying to be revolutionary – they simply believe you deserve modern amenities and old-fashioned hospitality during your stay. The White Mountain surroundings are epic, and the rooms are simply charming, from the vases of flowers to the grandma-groovy jazzy-patterned quilts on beds. You’ll be as snug as the proverbial bug after turning in, full of s’mores from the outdoor fire. Wake up to a cup of fresh coffee and the locale’s your oyster: visit the quaint village shops in North Conway, take the Conway Scenic Railroad tour, or raise your vacation to new heights with the International Mountain Climbing School.

Don’t let its status as a roadside motel fool you; Econo Lodge Inn & Suites is a stay-awhile Granite State getaway in disguise. You’ll be conveniently close to the highway and the ski resorts without having to pay the high nightly rates typical of the area. Not only budget-friendly, it’s pet-friendly, with a sauna and an indoor heated pool, plus hot tub. In a nutshell, you’ve got everything you need in an overnight stay and every creature comfort you want in a relaxing vacation – just without the muscle-clenching prices.

Outdoor adventure and theme park in one holiday? That’s what’s on offer at Red Jacket Mountain View and Indoor Water Park, where the rooms are palely decorated and simple, but superbly comfy. Your kids can practically cannonball from their beds right into Kahuna Laguna Water Park – while you keep your budget above water. The Kids Club doubles-down on cheap activities for children, so while they’re busy, you can hike along trails through the White Mountains. Or do it en famille: waterfalls will excite your kids even more than water slides.

It looks as if it lies well beyond the range of a budget-seeker: slumber-inducing rooms clad in rich-coloured timber and ensuite hot tubs. But it isn’t. What’s more, you and your crew will have this rustic residence all to yourselves. The luxury’s also in the splendid isolation, as you cook up comfort food in the kitchen or outside on the balcony’s barbecue grill. Visiting in winter? Snow problem – the hot tub is all a-bubble and welcoming, and you can dart back inside when you’re pruned to warm up by the cozy fireplace.