The Hotel Portsmouth

Style

American dream den

Setting

Happening historic ‘hood

New Hampshire bed and breakfast, The Hotel Portsmouth, is an ode to laidback East Coast living, where days are idly spent whale-watching, sampling oysters in locally-loved restaurants, and indulging in slices of homemade pie. Back at base, you’ll find things are equally sweet — in looks and attitude — courtesy of red, white and blue interiors, Star-Spangled-Banner motifs, original 18th-century features and fire-warmed lounges that’ll have you as happy as a New Hampshire clam.

Facilities

Rooms

32, including six suites.

Checkout

11am; check-in is at 4pm. Both are flexible, on request and subject to availability.

More Details

Rates include a breakfast of small plates, fresh juice, tea and coffee.

Also

There’s an accessible walkway at the back entrance of the hotel, elevators throughout, and a ground-floor room that’s been adapted for guests with limited mobility.

Free Internet Access

Pet Friendly

At the Hotel

Lounges, a billiard table, boutique and free WiFi throughout. In rooms: 42-inch smart TV, wine glasses and a corkscrew, umbrella, waffle robes, hairdryer and Lather bath products.

Our Favourite Rooms

To get a taste of this house’s history, go for the Garden Suite. This spacious and characterful room was renovated from part of the original building’s kitchen, and still has subtle nods to its heritage throughout, including a vintage wood and coal container. The King room makes for a cozy base if you’re planning on spending most of your time out and about.

Packing Tips

A set of sea legs to stand you in strong stead in these coastal parts; accessorize them with some suitable biking footwear.

Also

The hotel’s small boutique has a hand-picked selection of locally made goodies, if you’re looking to bring a piece of Portsmouth home with you.

Children

Welcome; there aren’t any specific facilities on-site for little Smiths, but the Penthouse King Suite and Two-Bedroom Suites all sleep between four and six guests.

Gallery

Food & Drink

Top Table

Fuel up by the fire in the first-floor lounge, or take your tipples down to the bar for a moodier atmosphere.

Dress Code

Bring your breton stripes as a nod to Portsmouth’s maritime past.

Hotel Restaurant

There’s no formal restaurant here, but you can help yourself to fresh bakes at breakfast each morning in the small kitchen off from the main lobby.

Hotel Bar

Lily & John’s bar, named for the building’s original owners, is a subterranean spot made even cozier courtesy of its dark navy colouring and cossetting book-lined nooks. There’s an extensive list of locally brewed beers, wines and cocktails, as well as a billiards table if a couple of drinks brings out your competitive streak.

Last Orders

Breakfast is available between 8am and 10am.

Planes

Stateside hubs offer direct flights to Portsmouth International Airport, which is a 10-minute drive from the hotel. If you’re arriving from anywhere else, touching down at Boston Logan Airport is your best bet, and puts you just over an hour’s drive away. The Hotel Portsmouth doesn’t offer private transfers, but both airports have easy-to-find taxi ranks.

Trains

There’s a small station a 10-minute walk from the hotel. The Amtrak Downeaster — which runs between Boston and Maine — stops at the Portland Transportation Center, around 45 minutes away by car.

Automobiles

Portsmouth is easily walkable, and there are plenty of bike-rental stations around the city, too. If you are bringing a car, there’s free parking on-site.

Worth Getting Out of Bed For

The Lark hotel group has gained quite the reputation for their hideaways in close-to-the-action settings, and The Hotel Portsmouth is no exception. Get a snapshot of your historic surroundings on a hike along the Portsmouth Harbour Trail and at the Strawbery Banke Museum. The Music Hall hosts all sorts of artists throughout the year; and during the summer, Prescott Park runs an annual outdoor festival to showcase soundbites of the city’s musical scene. If you’re here to investigate Portsmouth’s locally brewed beers, there are tastings at the nearby Great Rhythm Brewing Company and Smuttynose Brewing Co.

Seafarers can make the most of the hotel’s proximity to the water with a boat ride along the Piscataqua River and whale-watching tour with Rye-based local captain, Pete Reynolds. The Isles of Shoals are also within sailing distance, and guided tours of Star Island are available for anyone looking to learn more about its 17th-century origins. There are plenty of beaches in reach (New Castle, Great Island Common, Hampton) if you’re in search of sand, too.

Earn or Redeem Points with World of Hyatt

This Mr & Mrs Smith hotel participates in the World of Hyatt loyalty program. As a member, you can earn and redeem points and enjoy exclusive benefits for qualifying nights. .