Looking to rest your head in the Granite State? We’ve got you covered! Check out our picks for the best lodging in New Hampshire for 2015.
BEST HISTORIC AMC HUT
CARTER NOTCH HUT, Wildcat Mountain, Jackson
The Appalachian Mountain Club calls this rustic beauty in a wildly pretty setting its best-kept secret. This year it turns 100—making it the AMC’s oldest hut. From a steep climb up Carter Dome to trout fishing in nearby Wind Lakes, the hut is ideally sited for your exploration of Wildcat and the Carter range. We only hope to be this lovely, inside and out, when we hit our centennial. Summer rates: from $81 AMC members, $98 nonmembers.
603-466-2727;
outdoors.org/lodging/huts/carter
BEST FARMHOUSE LUXURY
HIGHLAND LAKE INN B&B, Andover
Porch sitting could become a habit here, and strolling a full-time occupation. The Northern Rail Trail skims by, with miles of walking, biking, and cross-country skiing at hand, plus a private beach. Pretty grounds and an indulgent breakfast make this 1767 B&B everything a gentleman farmer could hope for. Rates: from $170.
32 Maple St. 603-735-6426;
highlandlakeinn.com
BEST NORTH WOODS SPORTING CAMPS
CABINS AT LOPSTICK & TALL TIMBER LODGE, Pittsburg
The Great North Woods deserves equally great pit stops (that is to say, rugged and beautiful). The lakeside “cabins” at these two sporting camps pull out the stops when it comes to rustic chic: great views, grills, satellite TV. With professional guides on hand, you’re never far from moose, fly fishing, paddling, or hiking. Rates: from $100 Lopstick, $65 Tall Timber.
Lopstick, 45 Stewart Young Road. 800-538-6659;
cabinsatlopstick.com. Tall Timber Lodge, 609 Beach Road. 603-538-6651;
talltimber.com
BEST FAMILY RETREAT BY A POND
LOCH LYME LODGE, Lyme
For nearly 100 years, generations of families have frolicked on Loch Lyme’s large lawn and small beach, sheltering in the property’s 20 shingled cabins and dining in a clapboard lodge, making memories and stirring up nostalgia from May to October. Rates: from $160.
70 Orford Road. 603-795-2141;
lochlymelodge.com
BEST B&B ESCAPE
COLBY HILL INN, Henniker
Part inn, part highly regarded restaurant, with a little romance stirred in, this historic 1797 property operated as Bartlett’s Tavern. More recently (since 2003), it’s been a consistent Wine Spectator Award of Excellence winner. A touch of rusticity meets comfy elegance in the inn’s décor, especially in the carriage-house suites, complete with whirlpools and decks. Rates: from $155.
33 The Oaks St. 603-428-3281;
colbyhillinn.com
BEST CAMPGROUND SWIMMING
WHITE LAKE STATE PARK, Tamworth
New Hampshire has plenty of reasons to thank the glaciers, but White Lake ranks high, with some of the best swimming in the White Mountains, a wide and sandy beach, big playgrounds, and a family campground. Our Yankee lake critic says, “I’m a total lake snob. I can’t swim in most lakes. This one I could.” Camping rates: from $25.
94 State Park Road. 603-323-7350;
nhstateparks.org
BEST HISTORIC INN & FARM VACATION
THE INN AT VALLEY FARMS, Walpole
Here’s a 105-acre family-friendly organic farm with guestrooms, cottages, and even a rental farmhouse. Get a taste of the farm experience (gather eggs! pet cashmere goats!) and then retire to your pretty, antiques-filled bedroom. In the morning, get fortified with a candlelit, three-course, farm-to-table breakfast. Rates: from $195.
633 Wentworth Road. 603-756-2855;
innatvalleyfarms.com
