5 of the best bed and breakfasts in the White Mountains

Extending across a vast swath of New Hampshire as well as a small chunk of Maine in the New England region of northeastern America, the White Mountains are dotted with dense hardwood forests and majestic alpine peaks. So beautiful is this mountainous region that it attracts large numbers of visitors every year, who come to enjoy the natural beauty and opportunities for outdoor adventure it affords.

There are a large number of accommodation options in the White Mountains, catering to every budget, need and taste. Among the most popular places to stay are numerous Bed & Breakfasts that combine charm with affordable prices. Below are five of the best.

Carter Notch Inn

Dating back to the late 19th century, this quintessential New Hampshire inn is situated in the serene town of Jackson, a short drive from Wildcat Mountain, one of the White Mountain’s most visually stunning peaks. Combined with its proximity to Jackson’s acclaimed restaurants along with ample shopping opportunities in nearby North Conway, the property makes an ideal base for exploring the region’s famed natural attractions without being deprived of local amenities. The inn also offers ski-to-door access via a ski pass sales point, while free private parking is another convenience. Inside, guests can enjoy the coziness of a real log fire, a large wraparound porch dotted with wicker furniture, an outdoor hot tub, hearty rustic breakfasts served each morning, and a welcoming lounge area with a TV, piano and board games. Guest rooms feature a flat-screen TV and private bathroom, and some also have a seating area and mountain or garden views. Free WiFi is available in all areas. An easy walk away is Jackson Falls and its dramatic 100-foot waterfall, while the 9-hole Eagle Mountain Golf Club can be found across the street.

163 Carter Notch Road, Jackson

Admiral Peary Inn

Owned and operated by a passionate traveller, Admiral Peary Inn is named after a distinguished explorer Robert Edwin Peary Senior, who made several expeditions to the Arctic during his career. The voyaging theme extends to the inn’s six beautiful guest rooms, each of which is named after one of the owner’s global adventures. The rooms themselves are all equipped with a private ensuite bathroom and some also have a fireplace. Elsewhere in the property, there are several common areas where guests can relax and socialise, an extensive library, and a ‘great room’ with a fireplace and a billiards table that is available for private dining. Complimentary breakfasts are served daily and there’s also free WiFi in all areas. For families, the Fryeburg Fairgrounds are just over a mile away.

LOCATION 27 Elm Street, Fryeburg

Red Sleigh Inn

Located in downtown Lincoln in the heart of the White Mountains, the family-run Red Sleigh Inn is perfectly positioned for enjoying all the area has to offer. Whether it’s hitting the slopes at the Loon Mountain Ski Resort, or indulging in some retail therapy in Main Street, it’s all on your doorstep. As for the inn itself, the colonial-era property boasts five modern, tastefully designed and furnished guest rooms, each offering private bathrooms and sublime mountain and garden views. Elsewhere in the residence, there’s a large shared living room with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the back garden, a sun porch that’s ideal for a pre-dinner drink or a nightcap, and plenty of wildlife spotting opportunities in the abundant garden. Other services and amenities include full cooked breakfast served daily, free WiFi and free private parking. The spectacular scenery and hiking opportunities of Franconia Notch State Park is a 10-minute drive away.

191 Pollard Road, Lincoln

Darby Field Inn

Enjoying a quiet setting overlooking the White Mountains close to North Conway, Darby Field Inn combines tranquility, romance and charm with easy access to the region’s most captivating natural wonders. Each of the 13 guest rooms are decorated in distinctive style and come with a private bathroom, and some also feature an indulgent two-person whirlpool tub, a gas fireplace, or a balcony. All rooms include a full country breakfast each morning. Elsewhere on the property, there’s a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, a cozy living room housing board games, a sunny tavern offering local brews, pristine perennial gardens, and massage services by advance order. Weekend dinner service can be preordered. Intimate weddings and elopements are ideal at the Darby Field Inn, and you can add a special package to elevate your experience. Nearby activities include snowmobiling, canoeing, swimming, biking, and hiking.

185 Chase Hill Road, Albany

Inn at Bowman

Originally a private summer residence when it was constructed back in the mid-20th century, Inn at Bowman has since become a popular contemporary accommodation option for those visiting the White Mountains and its surroundings. Combining modern comforts with traditional character and charm, the inn instantly grabs the attention with its eye-catching columns on the front porch. Guest rooms are air conditioned, and some have a flat-screen TV, coffee machine, and a well equipped kitchen complete with a fridge, microwave and washing machine. A choice of continental or buffet breakfasts are served each morning and guests can also make use of a shared lounge and TV area, a heated swimming pool and hot tub, and a communal barbecue. Free WiFi is available in all areas and there’s also free private parking. Several Appalachian Mountains hiking trails are a short walk away, and other outdoor activities including fishing, skiing, canoeing and cycling can also be enjoyed nearby.

1174 US-2, Randolph

Cranmore Mountain Lodge

Spread across more than 8 secluded acres close to North Conway , Cranmore Mountain Lodge boasts all the character you’d expect from a historic country inn dating back to the mid-19th century. There are 20 individually decorated and designed guest rooms, each equipped with a private bathroom, cable TV, and free WiFi. On-site amenities include cozy and welcoming common rooms complete with a wood fireplace and a dining room serving gourmet, cooked-to-order breakfasts. The property also has a year-round outdoor hot tub, seasonal pool, and its own private pond housing trout fish and frogs, and there’s a picturesque mountain brook running alongside the inn that’s surrounded by woods and populated by exotic wildlife including bears, moose, beavers and herons. The dramatic Attitash Mountain Ski Resort, featuring America ‘s longest Alpine Slide, is a 15-minute drive away.

859 Kearsarge Road, North Conway

Holidae House

Situated in the charming town of Bethel, perched between some of Maine’s tallest mountains to the north and the White Mountain National Forest to the west, this quaint Bed & Breakfast is a popular jumping off point for the area’s numerous top class hiking trails. At the property itself, there’s a movie library, board games, puzzles and cars for fun and recreation, while gourmet breakfast are served daily, along with complimentary evening drinks and baked treats. Guest rooms feature authentic Victorian décor and antique furnishings, and they also have private bathrooms and cable TV. Sunday River Ski Resort and Grafton Notch State Park are both a short drive away.

85 Main Street, Bethel

Whitney’s Inn

Popular with golf fans thanks to the proximity of two excellent golf courses within 10 minutes by road, Whitney’s Inn features a seasonal outdoor pool, an on-site restaurant and pub, hearty breakfasts served each morning, a kids’ play area, vending machines, and free WiFi. As a nod to the region’s geography, guest rooms are themed around mountains and come with cable TV, a comfortable seating area, and a private bathroom. Black Mountain Ski Resort is two minutes’ drive away and Story Land amusement park is a little further on.

357 Black Mountain Road, Jackson

Colonel Spencer Inn

A pretty, tranquil garden that’s ideal for relaxing after a hard day’s hiking or skiing is among the notable features at this cute property in the town of Campton in Grafton County. Others include a shared lounge area, free WiFi, and delectable American breakfasts offered every morning, while guests arriving in their own transport can make use of the free private parking facilities. The delightful White Mountains town of Lincoln is just over 18 miles away.

3 Colonel Spencer Road, Campton

Mulburn Inn

Set in a picturesque Victorian Mansion in the hillside town of Bethlehem in the heart of the White Mountains, Mulburn Inn has an illustrious past, having been the guest house of choice for icons such as Cary Grant, Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe. A spacious wrap around porch is ideal for a relaxing afternoon and there’s also access to a garden and a large common living room that’s ideal for relaxing, games, television, and fireside chats. The property also offers free WiFi in all areas. Guests can tuck into a full country breakfast each morning as well as tea in the afternoon, and relax under the stars in the hot tub in the evening.

2370 Main Street, Bethlehem

By Paul Joseph