TL;DR

Classic farmhouse: Historic inn in the White Mountains with a cozy vibe.
Relaxed decor: Straightforward, homely style with charming grounds.
Extra touches: Pool, country cottage, landscaped property.
Highlights: Award-winning restaurant and roaring fires in winter.
Check prices here

Sugar Hill is no chic, design-driven urban boutique but for us the White Mountains deserve a ‘when in Rome’ philosophy.

When you’re looking out the window at feet of snow, a roaring fire, stellar meal and wool blanket is going much further than a couple of throw pillows, no matter how well the print goes with the wallpaper.

And that’s why we like the Sugar Hill Inn. It’s not a well-curated throw pillow or a pricey antique brought in from New York.

It’s a gorgeous historic farmhouse with straightforward decor that lets the building, and the surrounds, take center stage.

The house spreads across a property well-landscaped, and studded with outbuildings, including a country cottage and a pool with a waterfall.

It’s all very “my mom bought this cool house and customized the shit out of it, and now it’s my favorite place to stay when I go skiing.”

Oh, and my mom runs a first-class, award-winning restaurant.

What are the rooms like?

Number of rooms: 14 individually styled rooms and suites.
Unique character: Each room has a different name, vibe, and amenities.
Extras: Private decks, fireplaces, soaking tubs in select rooms.
Comfort: Air-conditioning, TVs, speakers, coffee machines, and plush linens.
Style: B&B charm with florals, accent walls, and cozy furnishings.
See each room in detail here

Historic building, unique rooms, we know you know the drill.

Here, each room has a different name, with a different vibe, and many different amenities.

Some boast private decks, others luxurious bathtubs, fireplaces, and more.

They all feature air-conditioning (when needed), TVs, speakers, coffee machines, mini-fridges, and oh-so-cozy linens that will keep you safe from both the winter chill and the mountain breezes.

As we mentioned before, decor is nothing mind-blowing, but it’s Bed & Breakfast-style cute.

You’ll find floral upholstery and accent walls and the occasional leather armchair.

The real star is the effort the innkeepers put into making sure you make the right decision.

Their website is full of suggestions for the tall (Richardson or Peckett Suites), the senior (Richardson, again, it’s so welcoming), and the art lover (Moses Aldrich).

What are prices like?

Check prices here

Note: We have Sugar Hill in our Adults Only category though children 14 and up are welcome to stay.

And what’s the food like? Any facilities we should know about?

Breakfast: Multi-course morning feast with pastries, fruit, and entrées.
Snacks: Complimentary afternoon treats and drinks in the Tavern.
Dinner: Fine New England-inspired dining in the grand dining room.
Relaxation: Pool (summer only), landscaped grounds, and mountain views.
Spa option: Massages available by appointment.

Complimentary breakfast and mid-afternoon snacks are part of the experience. As unabashed breakfast people, we take breakfast seriously, and are happy to report that the inn does as well.

The day starts with a warm beverage, followed by a fresh-baked pastry of some sort. This is followed by fresh fruit, and the entrées are made to order.

With a stash of granola, English muffins and cereal on the side, no one is walking away unsatisfied.

The Tavern is a lovely gathering place with a pretty flexible opening time; the owners are usually happy to provide you with a pour of something.

It’s also the site of some don’t-miss small bites.

Dinner is served in a grand dining room, delightful gourmet fare that just screams New England.

There are plenty of grounds to wander around, enjoy the views of the Whites, and get some fresh air.

The pool is not made for winter obviously, but in the warm summer months it’s a lovely place for a dip.

The Inn also works with a certified masseuse to offer you massage treatments bookable through the front desk or over the phone.

How is the neighborhood? Anything interesting nearby?

Location: In Franconia, a quiet New Hampshire mountain town.
Food & drink: Hungry Bear Cafe and Iron Furnace Brewing nearby.
Outdoors: Franconia Notch State Park less than 10 minutes away.
Skiing: Cannon, Loon, and Bretton Woods all within 30 minutes.
Nordic options: Trails at Sunset Hill and Bretton Woods close by.

Franconia is one of those one-horse New Hampshire towns where a winding road barrels past some of the best places to stop, but there are some gems if you know where to look.

Main Street sports the super-cool Hungry Bear Cafe, as well as the requisite New England brewery, Iron Furnace. Hours are not extensive, but they’re open long enough for you to mix with the locals.

They’ve also got a small menu if you want something a bit more casual than the hotel’s fine dining.

However, few are here for a purely indoor experience.

It’s less than a 10-minute drive to Franconia Notch State Park, which boasts some of the best hikes in the area.

For ski bums, Cannnon, Loon and Bretton Woods are within half an hour. There are Nordic options at nearby Sunset Hill and Bretton Woods.

And what about the reviews? What did other guests think?

Some things guests liked:

“Great stay, amazing staff, the food was exceptional! Beautiful older inn. Quiet location in a lovely town. Mountains all around on the drive up. Love our big room and cute pub….”

“We loved staying here, the combination of old building and modern facilities was wonderful. The food, just exceptional and the staff were delightful!…”