New Hampshire's Grand Hotels
When you hear the phrase “Grand Resort Hotels” in New Hampshire, four hallmarks still exist: The Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods, The Balsams Wilderness in Dixville Notch, the Mountain View Grand in Whitefield and the Wentworth By The Sea in New Castle.
Not that long ago, Wentworth By The Sea was a crumbling shell of its former splendor. Thankfully, Marriott Came in and saved the grande dame from the wrecking ball. New Castle is my favorite town in New Hampshire. It’s so quaintly nestled in its history and so close to other great towns and attractions. It’s a stone’s throw away from Portsmouth and it’s fantastic restaurants and bars and Kittery, Maine with it’s shopping outlets. The old-school charm of this 1874 gem is evident but includes a lovely dining room, a full-service spa, and a poolside bar overlooking the marina. It’s the perfect little getaway to smell the salt air. Book now: https://5startravelguru.trvl.com/hotel/wentworth-by-the-sea-a-marriott-hotel-spa
The Mount Washington Hotel is another grande dame of the 1800s, restored in 2007 and now in the Omni collection, was never in the dramatic disrepair of its older sister in New Castle. Opened in 1902, it has hosted many royals, artists, dignitaries, and was the site of the establishment of the World Bank. The porch makes you feel like a prince when you stand there with a glass of bubbly and take in the amazing view. Eat at the hotel and don’t miss the Cave – a bar that was originally in a space that was a speakeasy during Prohibition. Don’t forget to take the cog railway up to the top of Mt. Washington, which is the highest peak east of the Mississippi and north of the Carolinas. Ask about the weather in winter, it gets a little dicey at that altitude. Book now: https://5startravelguru.trvl.com/hotel/omni-mount-washington-resort
The Mountain View Grand Resort and Spa in Whitefield was originally a family farm built in 1865 and grew into enormity as the years went by; it then fell into disrepair, abandoned, and was reopened in 2002. With four restaurants, you have plenty to choose from (weather dependent, of course), but we really like the 1865 Wine Cellar. The chefs are dedicated to pairings and are serious about farm-to-table sourcing. There’s always something to do, but our year-round favorites are campfires & S’mores and ax-throwing. (Yes!) And of course, there’s a spa. Find out more at https://5startravelguru.trvl.com/hotel/mountain-view-grand-resort-spa
The Balsams Wilderness in Dixville Notch originally opened in 1866 as the Dix House and grew over time from a little summer inn to a 400 room grand resort and eventually became known as an elegant all-inclusive resort with skiing, golf, swimming, hiking, and one of the most breathtaking settings in the world, complemented by distinctive service. Its claim to fame was that for the past 50 years it has served as the polling place for the nearly two dozen residents of Dixville Notch who are among the first in the nation to vote in Presidential elections. Despite its grandness, we’re not sure of its current status. The current owners want to turn it into resort condominiums, but the permits have not been approved. We’ll just have to wait and see what’s in store for this beautiful property.
While George Washington never slept in any of these places, they each have their unique claim to a point in history. Go, stay, enjoy, and find out why their significance extends beyond their architecture.
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