Get Out of Town is a series where we highlight easy getaways from Boston. These may be a perfect bitesize weekend trip or a splurge worthy weeklong escape. But the main criteria are that the destination is both convenient to access and offers visitors an experience that surprises and delights. If you missed our recommendation last week, read all about why you should book a trip to London. This week we are heading to the mountains in Bretton Woods, NH.
Why visit Bretton Woods, NH
In Boston you don’t need to go far to experience old-world luxury. But to emulate our Bostonian ancestors, is another thing entirely. Decades ago, the Brahmin would retreat to the New Hampshire mountains for a respite from the hustle and bustle. Just three hours from Boston lies a place that has welcomed the city-weary for over a hundred years: The Omni Mount Washington Hotel.
What makes this resort so special is that the best thing to do here is to simply slow down. Grab a drink in the former speakeasy, the Cave. Sit by a roaring fire. Lounge on the deck. People-watch in the lobby. After all, that was what the Stickney’s intended when they built the Mount Washington – a place to step back from life, and to truly relax.
Getting there
Getting to Bretton Woods, NH from Boston is simple, it is just a three-hour drive. The first glimpse of the hotel is dramatic, you head up the winding driveway up to a white and red palace, with the backdrop of New Hampshire’s Presidential Range. Walk through the doors and you are transported back to 1902. A moose holds watch over a lobby that is frozen in time, meticulously restored to look the same as it did to the hotel’s first guests.
Accommodations at the Omni Mount Washington Hotel
The Omni Mount Washington recently added a Presidential Wing to the hotel. Crossing the threshold, it is evident you are in a new part of the building, but it maintained the iconic red roof, and the hallways all had views of the main hotel. The rooms pay homage to the historic roots of the hotel, while providing modern luxuries including a gorgeous spa-style bathroom and soaking tub. The highlight was a stunning balcony that overlooked the river and the entire mountain range. The clouds were low the whole time we were there, but it still provided exquisite views of the river and the Notch to the East. While the charm of the historic rooms remain a draw, the Presidential Wing is the perfect place to stay for those who want the best of the old and the new.
Dining
The main restaurant in the hotel is the Main Dining Room, now also called the 1902. The Main Dining Room looked exactly like the photos from 1902 for year, the elegance and charm beautifully preserved., but recently went through a big renovation. And the result was incredible – a more modern and colorful take while maintaining the historic light fixtures and details that make the room so special. The changes optimized the use of the space but maintained the class.
The Rosebrook Bar is the place to go for lunch. Guests can sit in the lounge, Conservatory or spacious porch (weather permitting). Is there anything better than sipping cocktails, eating a cheeseboard, and looking out on all of Mother Nature’s glory?
Stickey’s, named for the founders, is a more casual spot but still spectacular with its dark wood and big windows. There you will find a wide range of comfort food – steak being the star player. It was hard to choose from a menu that had a little bit of everything, but you can’t go wrong with a filet mingon! Sweet tooths rejoice – the dessert menu was also exquisite.
What to do
In winter, there is no lack of activity – primarily skiing, since the hotel is part of the larger Bretton Woods ski resort. More snowy activities include Nordic skiing, tubing, sleigh rides, and snowshoeing. During ski season, most guests are hitting the slopes, so the hotel has the feel of an elevated ski lodge. Warmer weather brings in an even more diverse crowd, with hiking, biking, fishing, tennis, and golfing. There is a beautiful spa, an indoor and soon-to-be-completed outdoor pool, and in better weather there is a lovely riverside trail that meanders past the golf course. The resort has something for everyone both outdoorsy and indoorsy, and caters to solo travelers, couples, friends, and families.
For more ideas on the best weekend getaways from Boston this season check out our top picks and if you are looking to stay a little closer from home read our guide to the best day trips from Boston as well!