TL;DR

Stylish historic apart-hotel: in New Castle, NH
6 studios: in a charming teal 1820s house
Island location: short bridge-distance to mainland and Portsmouth
Independent traveler focus: with local concierge support
Chic nautical decor: with patterned carpeting and soft blues
Check prices here

The third part of a trio of stylish, historic apart-hotels, we think this New Castle, NH home is the perfect place for a laid back, live-like-a-local getaway.

This particular one features 6 studios in a charmingly teal 1820s house. Newcastle is a lovely little semi-secret of the seacoast, an island just a short bridge-distance from the mainland, home to many of the Portsmouth area’s well-to-dos.

The house fits the island’s vibe perfectly, chic in an aging yet still very fashionable yuppie sort of way, with patterned carpeting and softly nautical coloring.

Like all the company’s properties, we think this is a spot for the independent traveler. It combines the freedom of traveling on your own with the safety net of a local just a phone call away.

What are the rooms like?

Number of rooms: 6
Studio apartments: with queen or king-sized beds
Variety: half of rooms suitable for families, Sea View for couples
Decor: blue-and-white nautical motif, cute and welcoming
Amenities: climate control, HDTVs, Cuddledown linens, kitchen, washer/dryer, bath products
View all rooms in detail here

Rooms are studio apartment-style, with queen or king-sized beds primed for a supremely comfortable night’s sleep.

Each room is just a bit different, half of them ready to host you and your little one.

The Sea View room is a trek up the stairs, but pretty lovely for a couple or anyone willing to share a bed.

Check the specs for each room, but be assured that comfort and design is top-notch throughout.

The house sports a blue-and-white, ship motif kind of nautical flair, one that we find comes off as cute and welcoming rather than gimmicky.

Amenities include individual climate control, HDTVs, hypoallergenic Cuddledown linens, well-equipped kitchens, in-unit washer and dryers, bathtub/shower combos, seating and/or working areas, and Malin+Goetz bath products in the cozy bathrooms.

What are prices like?

Check prices here

Note: Despite at least two dogs seemingly having the run of the place in the hotel’s own publicity photos, we can inform you that Great Island Inn is NOT actually pet-friendly.

Their two nearby sister properties – Rye Motor Inn & The Inn Downtown are though pet-friendly.

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

Self-catering: kitchens for cooking adventures
Patio: with grill, cute common area for guests
On-call concierge: for dining, hidden gems, and local guidance

Like most apart-hotel style accommodation, facilities are limited. But you’ve got great kitchens for cooking adventures, plus fairly easy access to local culinary delights (see the location section below).

There’s also the added benefit of the patio, which is equipped with a grill and serves as a cute common area to bring guests together.

Finally, a personal on-call concierge will help you make all your decisions. Where to eat, what to see, hidden gems, it’s all a semi-guided adventure.

How is the neighborhood? Anything interesting nearby?

Local café: Islander Café for breakfast next door
Exploration: bike rental available, great for two-wheeled travel
Nearby towns: Beach towns Rye & Hampton, south of Portsmouth, and a very scenic route
Attractions: Caffe Kilim, Street, Liar’s Bench brewery, La Mulita Coffee, Seaport Fish, Beach Plum, Portsmouth Farmer’s Market

We hate to leave the in-unit coffee maker hanging, but next door’s Islander Café will likely become your go-to spot for breakfast. It’s a well-loved spot just inches from the inn.

New Castle is a bit of a drive to get in and out of, but we believe it’s worth it. The houses are well-cared for, and you’ll also find a variety of fancy cars.

See if you can spot the looker of an MG convertible on one corner, it’s famous for distracting passers-by.

A bike rental (ask the concierge!) is an excellent choice for anyone who likes exploring on two wheels. It’s one of the best ways to get to nearby towns with ease.

Once off the Island, you’re set to explore the Portsmouth area. Downtown Portsmouth is a great place for brunch, cocktails, dinner, or just some boutique shopping, all within walking distance of wherever you park.

The on-the-outskirts Islington Street has plenty of one-of-a-kind attractions, like the cute Turkish Caffe Kilim, casual dinner spot Street, or the local favorite Liar’s Bench brewery.

Beach towns Rye and Hampton are a bit further down Route 1A. It’s a gorgeous drive to two very different, but equally charming towns.

Rye’s Jenness Beach sits near a few beachy eateries, while Hampton Beach is an iconic chaotic party town of arcades, boardwalks, drunken revelry and bellybutton piercings.

On the way through Rye, we’d recommend a stop at La Mulita Coffee, or Seaport Fish to fill up the fridge with fish for the grill. Portsmouth’s Farmer’s Market is another great place to stock up.

On the way to Hampton, stop by the famed Beach Plum for ice cream or a lobster roll.

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

Some things guests liked:

“Great location! We only stayed one night. Unfortunately we went to the Richardson Market in Portsmouth for wine. It was dark when we arrived and didn’t see the parking pay sign. We were in the store for 5 mins. Noticed the sign, saw the parking officer walk away and $35 later a parking ticket. To me that’s true of inhospitality by the city when we paid 3 times for food in a small market to help their economy in the off season….”

“The stay was cozy and beautiful. Charming space and neighborhood. Really nice to have the dedicated, off-street parking. Great cafe next door. Would definitely stay again!…”