Mount Washington Hotel: background
This vast hotel in New Hampshire is a National Historic Landmark, built in 1902 in a style described as "Spanish Renaissance"; location is on nearly 800,000 acres of White Mountain National Forest. Features include indoor and outdoor pools, fireplaces, a 900-foot verandah; activities range from golf, tennis, to horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, etc.
Approximate driving times: 2-1/2 hours from Boston, 165 miles; 5 hours from New York City, 330 miles; 3 hours from Montreal, 175 miles; 4-1/2 hours from Hartford, CT, 220 miles.
Mount Washington Hotel for families:
- King of the Mountain Kids Kamp, for ages 5 to 12; half-day, full-day or evening sessions.* Activities might include golf, tennis, hiking, "cooking with the chef", indoor games, arts and crafts, and themed evening programs. Babysitting can also be arranged.
- ski school for kids, at Bretton Woods
- family programs such as Family Rock-climbing School - part of Summer Enrichment Programs
Some years ago, the Mount Washington Hotel partnered with the Bretton Woods ski area, New Hampshire's largest ski resort, with 76 trails and 375 skiable acres. (Other lodgings options at Bretton Woods include the Bretton Arms Country Inn, also a National Historic Landmark, and townhomes.)
Seasonal Packages
Guests will find special celebrations at holiday-times. For example:
Special Thanksgiving Weekend features "Grand Thanksgiving Family Feast Buffet", horse-drawn sleigh ride,early season skiing, Gingerbread Cookie Decorating, Holiday Craft Workshops, Magic Lantern Shows,a Storytelling with Santa and more, and more. Dinner is included with packages, but tickets can also be bought by the public. Some complimentary events are open to the public too.
Halloween: annual Hallow-Brew Weekend has ghost tours, jack-o-lanterns, carriage rides where the driver tells ghost stories, Tarot Card readers, tales round a campfire, afternoon costume party for kids, night-time costume party too. (The "brew" comes in at a Saturday Hallow-Brew dinner, featuring local brews.)
Things to keep in mind:
- Check visitors' comments at TripAdvisor
- "During dinner hours in the Main Dining Room of The Mount Washington Hotel, gentlemen are required to wear jackets and ladies and children are requested to dress appropriately." No jeans or shorts, and watch the footwear too.
- ski school for kids can get busy: reserve in advance
- most rates at the Mount Washington Hotel include breakfast and dinner
Check prices for Mt. Washington Resort at Bretton Woods
*photos courtesy of Mount Washington Resort at Bretton Woods
This brief profile is meant to introduce this resort to family vacationers; please note that the writer has not visited in person.
*Always check resort sites for changes and updates!
