Hotels

In the mid-19th century, wealthy Bostonians retreated to imposing New Hampshire country homes in the summer. Grand hotels were built across the state, especially in the White Mountains, which at that time competed with Saratoga Springs, Newport, and Bar Harbor to draw the nation's elite vacationers. A handful of these hotel-resorts survive. And many of those country houses have since been converted into inns. The smallest have only a few rooms and are typically done in period style; the largest contain 30 or more rooms and suites and often have in-room fireplaces and even hot tubs. You'll also find a great many well-kept motor lodges and cottage compounds, particularly in the White Mountains and Lakes regions. In ski areas, expect the usual ski condos and lodges, but most slopes are also within a short drive of a country inn or two. In the Merrimack River valley, as well as along major highways, chain hotels and motels predominate. The state is rife with campgrounds, especially in the White Mountains.