Last night when I searched under "New Hampshire" I found a very short thread about the Mountainview Grand (which isn't showing up now, for some reason). Anyway, we're considering a weekend in honor of my mother's 75th birthday (6 adults total, no kids), and are looking for somewhere nice. Considering the Mt. Washington (not excited about having to do MAP), the Balsams (my father and brother won't be excited about the dress code), and the Adair Inn. I've seen several comments about the Mt. Washington and the Balsams, no mention of Adair Inn. Anyone have any experience? Thanks!

I have not been to the Adair (where is it?), but I can speak about the other three. The Balsams is further north; the Mountain View is in the middle; the Mt. Washington below that. All are excellent. I've been told that the only reason the Balsams and the Mt. Washington aren't 5-star is because they don't offer room service. They are all "grand old hotels" and everyone should experience a stay there. The food and service and staff are great. Another "grand old hotel," Wentworth-by-the-Sea in Portsmouth is being restored now. You will not find cable (or even a TV!) in every room; there are lots of arranged activities; pools, movie theatres, etc. The dress code at the Balsams is now just jackets for the gentlemen, not ties (I'm pretty sure about that). The Mt. Washington offers behind-the-scenes tours of the hotel, which is fascinating to all ages. I hope you will report back on your visit, whatever you decide.

The Mountainview Grand is spectactular. We stayed there years ago and again after the renovation. They've done a magnificent job! The setting of all three are each just terrific. You can stay at the very nice motor inn across the street from the Mount Washington (it's part of their "complex") to avoid MAP but still enjoy all the hotel privileges (there's even a shuttle back and forth). The Adair Inn is quite nice, but smaller. Another place you might want to check out is the Sunset Hill House (they have a website). The sunsets from their dining room windows are breathtaking.

Thanks for the quick replies! And thanks also for the mention of Sunset Hill House. I checked out their website, and it does indeed sound wonderful. My parents are golfers, so the proximity of the golf course is a big plus (same goes for the big resorts, of course). Right now I'm leaning toward Adair, Sunset Hill, or Mountainview Grand, not necessarily in that order.

The advantage of the Mountainview Grand over the Mt. Washington is air conditioning - depending on what time of year you go. I believe there is also a spa at the Grand.
The dinners at the Mt. Washington are not fabulous, but the atmosphere is! You can avoid the MAP as the previous poster stated, but in addition to the motor hotel, there is a lovely inn with mid-range pricing.
Before making your final decision, I'd follow Buzzy's advice, and investigate the Wentworth by the Sea.
Please post your observations when you return. Sounds like a lovely event!

I just stayed at the MountainView Grand a few weeks ago for my husbands business conference. The service was wonderful, the staff was SO accomodating. During the winter they don't offer room service, but my husband's friend said that he missed dinner due to traffic and they cooked him up something and delivered it to his room. The property is just beautiful.
However, the walls are very thin between rooms. Also, if you have problems with goose down, bring your own pillows, as all the pillows are down and I had big allergy problems all weekend long.

When are you going, and what are you planning on doing while away? Mt. Washington,MtnView and Balsams are in 3 pretty different areas, and although the areas offer the same natural scenery and mountains, the activities surrounding these areas are quite different.

Balsams is very far up north. Never heard of the Adair Inn. Agree with Sunset Hill House. Mt. Washington is supposed to be wonderful, although I have never stayed there- and I have vacationed in the White Mountains since I was a child. One of my faves is The Wentworth in Jackson Village (different from by-the-sea). www.thewentworth.com
Great deals there in the spring and late fall.

Happy planning!

Hi, Melissa!
What would you say are the differences in the activities surrounding the areas you've mentioned? Thanks!

Regarding activities, I suspect we will all be doing our own things during the day. My parents enjoy golf (they are hackers, don't need the most fabulous course) and being with their children My mother and sister-in-law like to shop, but I doubt that my mother will want to go on any major outlet-hopping trips. My brother will go with the flow---they'd probably all enjoy the cog railway, or just hanging out in a lovely setting. My husband and I are hikers, and we will bag a peak or two wherever we stay (unless it's Wentworth-by-the-Sea, of course).