TL;DR

Lark Hotel flair: Playful Americana design balanced with chic, contemporary touches.
Historic vibe: Victorian house turned boutique hotel in charming Portsmouth, NH.
Atmosphere: Relaxed, stylish, and fun — a lighter take on Portsmouth’s historical feel.
Check prices here

Another New England gem from Lark Hotels, this Victorian-turned boutique hotel in Portsmouth, NH is a ticket to a fabulous seacoast vacation.

We think you’ll find the design extraordinary, and well curated, though that may well depend on your patience for Americana.

There are stars, there are stripes, there’s the famed trio of colors throughout the house.

It’s all quite deliberately done, with the single exception of the common room.

Here, one can only imagine Old Glory ate something super-stylish and then threw it up all over the living room.

It’s this playful touch that allows the hotel to sport ubiquitous flag imagery and arresting wallpaper while still feeling contemporary and chic.

Everything is balanced, and allows you to relax without feeling too serious. In the midst of the decidedly historical, slightly uptight, yet undeniably enchanting Portsmouth, it’s just what we need.

What are the rooms like?

32 rooms: Mostly kings, with some queens in the suites.
Design-led: Bold wallpaper, cozy upholstery, playful accents.
Extras: Options include balconies, fireplaces, soaking tubs.
Perks: Plush linens, robes, Smart TVs, and Lather amenities.
View each room in detail here

All guest rooms have king beds, with some queen beds in the Two-Bedroom Suite. There are plenty of options, varied in size, and extra amenities like balconies, views, soaking tubs, and fireplaces.

Hot tip: if you want all of these, check out the Haymarket Room. Its walls are patterned in sailor-tattoo waves, with rich blues tied into the decor.

Indeed, most rooms seem to be led by the wallpaper, which results in calm, cozy upholstery with bold accents, usually red.

Each one is entirely different, and you can go straight to where your taste leads you. You wouldn’t be the first to rediscover a deep appreciation for plaid.

They all feature lovely linens and robes, Smart TVs with live streaming capabilities and all the essentials. Bathrooms match their counterparts, well-stocked with Lather amenities.

What are prices like?

Check prices here

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

Breakfast: Complimentary small plates, but can get repetitive.
Nearby eats: The Friendly Toast & Ceres Bakery are must-visits.
Facilities: Event spaces, common areas, billiards room, patio.
Parking: Complimentary on-site parking.

You’ll start the day with a complimentary set of breakfasty small plates, which do the job but can get a bit monotonous.

This might ultimately be for the best. One does not simply travel to Portsmouth without eating at The Friendly Toast or Ceres Bakery.

Use the third day of blueberry muffins as your excuse, if you need one.

The proximity to downtown is, of course, one of the biggest draws, but there’s still reason to stick around.

The hotel features multiple event spaces and common areas, including a poolroom and a lovely outdoor patio.

Once you get yourself on the road to check out the scenery, complimentary parking will make the journey home that much easier.

How is the neighborhood? Anything interesting nearby?

Location: Edge of Court Street — 10-minute walk to Market Square.
Nearby: Strawberry Banke, Market & Congress Street shopping, Seacoast Repertory Theatre.
Day trips: Route 1 coastal drives to Maine or Hampton Beach.
Local tips: Bike to Newcastle, or try Islington Street’s indie cafés and breweries.

You’re at the end of Court Street, arguably at the edge of town, but considering the amount of town we’re working with, please do not worry about this.

Indeed, the location just means that romantic strolls through the tree-lined, architecturally charming residential areas are at your fingertips.

Once you want to go central, it’s less than a 10-minute walk to get to Market Square, the center of downtown.

From here you can check out the boutique shopping along Market and Congress Streets.

Or, check out the main restaurants near State Street, but don’t be afraid to explore a little further.

History buffs will love Strawberry Banke, culturevores can head to the Seacoast Reperatory Theatre for a show.

You’re minutes away from route 95, our GOAT of east coast freeways, and equally close to Route 1, the magical seaside road up to Maine or down to Hampton Beach.

Head towards Rye or Kittery Point for some gorgeous drives. Don’t forget to stop at the famous Beach Plum to scratch any lobster roll itch.

If you prefer, you’re biking distance to many of the local seaside spots. The ride to and around Newcastle is particularly excellent.

Less central spots like Islington Street’s Liar’s Bench or La Mulita Coffee are there to support you on your adventures.

Be sure to ask at the hotel for hidden gems on any of your routes.

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

Some things guests liked:

“The location was great, the bed was super comfortable and the staff were super helpful. We also really enjoyed the amenities, free hot chocolate and apple cider while we played checkers by the fire. Breakfast was also great!…”

“It was a beautiful old house that was wonderfully restored. They kept the beautiful woodwork and had beautiful furnishings. The breakfast was good as well….”

Some things guests didn’t like:

”Some of the areas of the room look like they could use a touch up of paint etc. I believe it was recently renovated and looks great but baseboards were beaten up….”

”The decor in the room was almost too dramatic and bold. The bathroom was small. Although the continental breakfast was adequate, there was insufficient room for everyone to sit….”

> Read all the reviews right here