Mt. Washington Resort - Bretton Woods

[Arenacale]

My wife's company threw a big party at the Mt. Washington Resort for all of their employees this weekend (and next, they had to split it into 2 groups). We got lucky and got to stay at the main resort, which was built in 1902. It's incredibly impressive and, as my wife said, it looks like the Titanic. We also went up the Bretton Woods gondola to get a view of the hotel and Mt. Washington from above.

This is the lodge at the top of the gondola, a restaurant and cafe are up here, but as their gluten free options were limited we passed.

The hotel was lovely inside, if not dated, especially the rooms. The most striking thing, though, was the hallways. This is straight out of The Shining...

 

[BronsonShore]

I actually think this is one of the most disappointing hotels I've ever stayed in -- but only because its potential is so high. It should be one of the very best hotels in the entire country. It's got lovely old bones, a dramatic setting, and it's filled with romance.

But I stayed there for a few nights in February and it felt like I was in a skiing dorm. The walls were paper thin and much of the furniture in the common areas was in rough shape. It was almost impossible to get a table at any of the restaurants because there's nothing else to eat anywhere around, so every single person staying in the hotel all tries to eat on premises. When we did get food (to go) it was exceedingly mediocre. Couldn't book at the spa, either.

It's an incredibly cool property, but it's not living up to its potential.

 

[Lrfox]

I actually think this is one of the most disappointing hotels I've ever stayed in -- but only because its potential is so high. It should be one of the very best hotels in the entire country. It's got lovely old bones, a dramatic setting, and it's filled with romance.

But I stayed there for a few nights in February and it felt like I was in a skiing dorm. The walls were paper thin and much of the furniture in the common areas was in rough shape. It was almost impossible to get a table at any of the restaurants because there's nothing else to eat anywhere around, so every single person staying in the hotel all tries to eat on premises. When we did get food (to go) it was exceedingly mediocre. Couldn't book at the spa, either.

It's an incredibly cool property, but it's not living up to its potential.

This was my experience too. My wife and I stayed a few years ago and really felt the experience was a let down considering what it could/should be. The potential is plainly obvious. It's a stunning old structure in a fantastic setting with incredible views. It should be an out of this world experience, but it isn't. We didn't have an issue with noise in the room, but we felt the same about the common area furniture and the frustration with the dining experiences. We actually ended up doing dinners in Bethlehem and Littleton because it was impossible to eat at the hotel. Honestly, even just having a cocktail was far more stressful than it should have been.

Super cool place but I wish the "Grand" in Grand Hotels of the White Mountains in this case applied to more than just the setting and look of the building.