TL;DR

Historic: 1809 federal-style building converted to 10-room boutique apart-hotel
Residential vibe: tucked off Portsmouth side street with charming courtyard
Modern decor: with crisp greens and welcoming textiles in millennial-chic style
Self-catering: studio apartments perfect for independent travelers
Quiet atmosphere: suited for couples, families, or those wanting home-away-from-home
Check prices here

Tucked off a Portsmouth, NH side street among a small collection of cute clapboard houses, this hotel has a seriously residential vibe.

The building was constructed in 1809, recently renovated into a 10-room boutique apart-hotel.

It’s a super-charming federal-style work with an arched passageway through the center. We can easily imagine driving a little horse-drawn cart through it to the tiny green shared courtyard behind the hotel.

The decor is modern but relaxed, full of crisp greens and soft, welcoming textiles.

We’d say The Inn Downtown is more suited for a quiet couple, family, or someone with area ties. There’s no social scene here, no “who else is here” charm of a hotel-hotel, or even the awkward familiarity of a B&B.

There’s no shortage of nearby B&Bs, however, and we think The Inn Downtown provides nice variety to the area’s offerings.

For more independent travelers it can be a perfect home-away-from-home.

What are the rooms like?

10 rooms total: in Deluxe, Superior, and Penthouse Suite configurations
Spacious studios: from 400-500 square feet, roomy for a historic hotel
Well-equipped: kitchenettes with Smart TVs, Serta mattresses, and climate control
Millennial-chic: decor with Pinterest-worthy wallpaper and wood paneling
See each room in detail here

The apartments come in Deluxe, Superior, and Penthouse Suite. They’re all roomy for a historic hotel, with the Deluxe Kings at 400 square feet.

It is cozy for a studio apartment, but perfect for a short stay. If you like more space or wanted to stay longer, the 500 square-foot Superiors would be a nice choice.

Each studio has individual climate control, Smart TVs, Serta mattresses, Cuddledown’s hypoallergic linens, a table suitable for working or dining, and a well-equipped kitchenette. The penthouse suite has a full oven with range.

The decor is millennial-chic, with Pinterest-worthy wallpaper and half-wall wood paneling painted in varying neutrals that lend a relaxed, nonjudgmental kind of personality to the space.

Bathrooms are sweet and cute, primarily white with accents snuck into mosaic tiling and Malin & Goetz amenities.

We should note that only the Deluxe Kings are pet-friendly, and we’re told you should message the hotel in advance if bringing a pet.

No, this 200-year old residential building does not have an elevator. For those that don’t handle stairs too well, the aforementioned Deluxe Kings are also on the ground floor.

What are prices like?

Check dates and prices here

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

Self-catering: setup with well-stocked mini-bar and unlimited coffee/tea
Eco-friendly: approach with in-room washers/dryers
Concierge: available via text message for assistance
Free parking: for one vehicle, additional parking available for fee
Explore: Portsmouth’s dining scene with kitchenette as backup

Food and drink is self-catering, though there are, surprisingly affordable, choices from the in-room mini-bar to supplement your stay.

You can enjoy all the coffee and tea that you want, and use the opportunity to explore all the dining options in Portsmouth.

Other typical hotel benefits are self-catering, like in-room washers and dryers, and housekeeping products, as it there is no daily service.

Longer stays can work out cleaning with the property, but it mostly follows the same pattern as an eco-friendly hotel.

The concierge is available at the ring of a text message, happy to help with any and all issues.

You will have free parking for one vehicle, and can pay extra for additional parking privileges.

How is the neighborhood? Anything interesting nearby?

North End Portsmouth: location near Woodbury Ave, quiet residential area
5 minutes walk: to Market Square with boutique shopping and dining
Historic attractions: like Strawberry Banke and Seacoast Repertory Theatre nearby
Coastal drives: to Rye, Hampton, Kittery Point with famous Beach Plum restaurant
Biking distance: to seaside spots, particularly scenic Newcastle route
Islington Street breweries: and cafés plus local markets for self-catering

The property sits in the North End of Portsmouth, near Woodbury Ave out towards Newington and Route 95.

It’s a quiet residential place, and the same is expected of your stay. A crying baby, no problem, but if you tend to get rowdy in the night time, take it outside.

Luckily, taking the party out on the town is no problem, surrounded as you are by nice restaurants, chic bars, and a couple choice dives.

A midnight snack at Gilley’s, for example, will keep you both happy and out of the neighbors’ hair.

Charming side streets lead towards Congress or Market Street, just 5 minutes from Market Square. There’s plenty of boutique shopping and lovely eats there and on State Street.

Once you’re in this part of town, history lovers can head to the lively historical houses of Strawberry Banke.

Theater kids should check out Seacoast Repertory Theatre or Prescott Park’s summertime musicals. Hop in the car for gorgeous drives towards Rye, Hampton or Kittery Point.

The famous Beach Plum will feed you any number of fried seafoods, ice creams, or that lobster roll you’ve been craving.

We think it’s also a great opportunity to check out less central spots like the long list of restaurants, cafés and breweries along Islington Street.

Other gems like Rye’s Seaport Fish or Kittery’s Golden Harvest, will help you fill up your SMEG refrigerator in no time.

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