New Hampshire – Granite State Vacations – peaceful and tranquil
In the course of our travels, my husband and I have stayed at over two dozen Bed and Breakfasts, mostly in the northeastern corner of the United States. Each one has been as diverse as their innkeepers. Some were larger and bordered on being Inns, while others were intimate one-guest-room homes. We've experienced B&Bs in the heart of a busy city, as well as remote locations, tucked away off the beaten tracks, in the mountains or at the shore.
Recently, we had the pleasure of being guests at four unique B&Bs in New Hampshire. Going along with the old adage that there is strength in numbers, these Internet-savvy innkeepers united to form Granite State Vacations and to publicize a bike tour between inns, as well as their unique offerings.
The first B&B on our tour was The Blue Acorn Inn, run by Deb and Kurt Markarian. With over 20 B&Bs in this New Hampshire area, each establishment needs to carve out their own niche to make them stand out in the crowd. The Blue Acorn Inn does that by being kid-friendly. The image of a Bed and Breakfast has been traditionally a place to get away and relax in a tranquil and peaceful environment and, to most, that would preclude children. Many B&Bs do not encourage or even allow young children, but Deb and Kurt had a young one of their own when they started their business six years ago, so they have always welcomed little ones.
Acorn Inn
Originally an old dairy farm, this B&B sits on 22 acres with 6 acres of maple trees. There are six rooms all tastefully decorated, as well as common rooms which are fully stocked with children's books, board games and DVDs. The Great Room features a large fieldstone fireplace and is a welcoming place to hang out with your family after a busy day outdoors. The B&B is also centrally located only four miles from Mount Sunapee Ski Resort, making the winter months their busiest season for families enjoying winter sports. We visited during the summer months and enjoyed swimming in Lake Sunapee, as well as driving around and exploring neighboring towns. With the renowned fall foliage and plenty of biking and hiking trails, this area is really a vacation destination for all seasons.
After a hearty and delicious breakfast in the morning, we headed over to Rosewood Country Inn, where we met our next hosts, Lesley and Dick Marquis. Originally built in 1850, it was turned into a full-fledged resort with cottages in 1896. If you are looking for a romantic getaway, this is your place. There are 11 rooms, all with private baths and each one decorated with floral country elegance and a silk rose on the bed to greet you. The inn has a large dining room, open living rooms to relax in, a front porch to enjoy the outside and some suites which feature Jacuzzis. The Rosewood Country Inn is also set up to handle weddings on their grounds, in a Victorian gazebo, near their pond and waterfall.
Rosewood Inn
Like the other B&Bs in the area, there is lots to do, including tax-free shopping nearby. Lesley gave us the house tour and told us how guests enjoy cross-country skiing right from their back door in the winter, as well as antique hunting, kayaking, canoeing and fishing in the warmer months. After a day of local sightseeing, we ate a lovely dinner at one of the many finer restaurants in the area.
Again we enjoyed a delicious and filling breakfast in the morning, prepared and served by Leslie, before heading over to our next stop - The Henniker House. What do they say is everything in real estate? Location! Location! Location! This B&B has a great location, in the New England College town of Henniker. This Victorian charmer literally overlooks the Contoocook River. Built in 1859, it has been a B&B since the 1980s, and owned for the last three years by the innkeepers, Kate and Phil. There are five rooms, all with private baths, and two newly renovated rooms, which have decks directly above the river running past the backyard. The river view and the tranquil sound of the water's rush can be enjoyed in both the large Breakfast Room and the outside deck area. The Breakfast Room has a panoramic view with six skylights to bring the outdoors in, and the deck is complete with a swing and lounge chairs to really help you appreciate the word, RELAX.
Henniker House
From the Henniker House, we took a short, 20-minute drive to the town of Concord to enjoy their quaint and diverse shops. One of which I wouldn't miss is Bread and Chocolate, where everything was pure heaven. Again, location is a plus for this B&B, situated on the corner of town; we were also able to walk to both stores and restaurants. While my personal favorite thing to do while on vacation is shopping, my husband and I were able to enjoy some outdoor music at the town's pavilion, which is directly across from the Inn. Including the gamut of outdoor activities, tubing is a fun thing to do here and tubes can be rented right in town.
Breakfast was once again one of the highlights of our stay, and Kate introduced us to a baked apple pancake and a new brand of tea, both highly memorable. Stuffed and relaxed, we ventured out to our last B&B - the Highland Lake Inn. There we met Gail and Pecco. Gail is a lovely, warm school teacher - aren't all school teachers lovely and warm? And Pecco is from Bavaria and definitely a character. He greeted us with an insistence on a personal car tour around the area, which he kept affectionately calling "paradise!" If every B&B has a secret weapon, Pecco himself is the draw, calling everyone to this place. With an extensive background in the hospitality field both here and abroad, Pecco has brought the same high standards to his own home, as he did to the many five star hotels where he worked. "I buy the best I can get," shared Pecco, as he boasted about his Mascioni hand pressed linens, Molton Brown toiletries and Harney & Sons specialty teas. "This is our lifestyle which we share with our guests. Deluxe means not watching how much you spend on your guests, but deluxe means spending on your guests, so they will come back." Pecco and Gail seem to almost have a mission and a belief system incorporated into their B&B. "The guest deserves the best experience they can get, with little things making the difference."
Highland Lake
Built in 1767, this Colonial farmhouse was renovated in 1999 and owned for the last two years by the current innkeepers. There are ten rooms, all with private baths and decorated with a casual elegance. Throughout the house is displayed an extensive European art collection of over 80 paintings, many done by Pecco's father.
On our private tour of the area, Pecco drove us past the private village beach, a Rails to Trails bike and hiking trail, a nearby golf course surrounded by mountains, the Ragged Mountain ski resort and winding roads filled with original homes which epitomize "Old America."
After our tour, we relaxed in our comfortable rooms and then were treated to a delicious meal by our hosts in the dining room. That evening, we all went to see a play at the New London Theater, about 20 minutes away, which ended up being a delightful evening of high quality entertainment in a converted barn.
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to this area of New Hampshire and no matter what the season, I am sure you will too. If you enjoy B&Bs, you need to decide on your style and your needs and choose one or all four of the establishments mentioned above. You too will discover that every one has an appeal all its own.
