We stayed in the newly built Whitaker House "Suites". This part of the resort is only accessible to the Inn via a long tunnel. The drive around the building to our door and the entry into the room from the parking lot felt more like a motel than the cozy ambience we anticipated when we first checked in. Also our window shades remained drawn and the air conditioner was used (instead of breathing in that fresh mountain air) because of the ground floor "view". Portions of the Inn are said to "overlook the duck pond and orchard with views of the golf course and Cathedral Lodge." I noticed some really nice views while walking around the Inn.
The Whitaker House room at the Eastern Slope Inn is large, very clean, has a full kitchen, gas fireplace but also has a pull-down Murphy bed as the main sleeping arrangement! This type of bed is not for everyone (better for the kids) as we found out the next morning after an uncomfortable night's sleep.
Dinner at Delaneys-Hole-In-the-Wall that night was a short walk from the Eastern Slope Inn and had a welcoming pub atmosphere after our long drive.
North Conway Country Club abuts the Eastern Slope Inn and, even though we could have "hoofed it" carrying our golf bags the next morning, we chose to drive! Beautiful mountain views greeted us at the course and, after a round of golf, we decided to take a 55-minute ride on the North Conway Railway located adjacent to the course.
Dinner reservations were at the 1785 Inn, one of the oldest picturesque Bed and Breakfasts in the Mt. Washington Valley, North Conway area. Built by Captain Elijah Dinsmore, the 1785 Inn Restaurant has won several distinctions like the "Golden Fork Award." I found the Salmon Ravioli and homemade Blueberry Pie to be delicious.
One more night's stay at the Eastern Slope Inn and then we drove eight miles to Attitash Mountain Village. This 60-acre condominium resort is an affiliate of RCI (timeshare ownership) and is located a few miles closer to the White Mountain National Forest.
"Zealand House", located within Attitash Mountain Village, is basically a large, remodeled second story condo which offered us a fluffy king-sized bed (thankfully), small appliances, a gas fireplace and deck.
That being said, here are a few thoughts regarding our stay:
Maid service is available for an extra fee, a front desk phone call was necessary for soap and shampoo, there was no dining area but there was a big tub in the room. The over-sized DLP TV was difficult to watch positioned in front of the foot board. The deck was filled with sawdust: after the remodel no one bothered to clean up.
Zealand House was walking distance to a busy outdoor pool. With ski trails and a wealth of outdoor activities on the premises and within driving distance, Attitash Mountain Village is designed as a "kid-friendly" resort.
Lunch was spent in Jackson, NH, at the J-Town Deli, a Country Store that offers freshly cooked food (and great WIFI reception) with a smile from John and Genn, husband wife owners.
Genn told us that people come from miles around to purchase the Chocolate Mint Brownies. We had one brownie and one raspberry square but wish we could have taken several more home because it was a delicious, mouth-watering experience!
For dinner we ate at the Darby Field Inn Restaurant, nestled into a secluded road just six miles from North Conway. The guest rooms are intimate and upscale with a charm that oozes warmth. The mountain view from the restaurant was relaxing and the food was fresh and tasty. The home baked dinner rolls, in particular, were stupendous!
Golf at the Omni Mount Washington Resort's Donald Ross course in Bretton Woods was scheduled for the following day. Sweeping vistas of the Resort and mountains were at every turn. The golf course was in superb condition and, as per my tweets, I think my golf ball found every bunker and most trees! The fairways are undulating and the greens and course are in "Resort" condition.
That being said, we spent a few hours afterward lounging on the huge veranda with a cold brew and sandwich taking in the scenery and the fresh mountain air!
Depending on whether you are looking for romance or a place to spend time with your children, there is a wealth of dining and lodging options to choose from in the Mt. Washington Valley area. The food is fresh and abundant and the people are charming and welcoming making this area in New Hampshire worth the visit!
A Technology Note:
Traveling within New Hampshire may feel a bit like going back in time if you are a techie. Low WIFI signals were common in a few of the Inns, hotels and surrounding the mountains.
A special "thanks for the hospitality" goes to:
Joe Berry, owner Eastern Slope Inn, Attitash Mountain Village
Dave Delaney, owner, Delaney's Hole-in-the-Wall
Larry and Kathy Gallagher, Nancy Stewart, North Conway Country Club
Charlie Mallar, co-owner, 1785 Inn
Genn & John, J-Town Deli, Jackson, NH
Marc and Maria Donaldson, innkeepers and owners, Darby Field Inn, Albany, NH
Sam, Assistant Pro, Omni Mount Washington Resort, Bretton Woods, Golf Course, Donald Ross design
Marti Mayne, MaynelyMarketing.com
Ryan Triffit, Mt Washington Auto Road and Guided Van Tour
(featured in our New Hampshire Nature Blog...coming soon)
Visit Golf for Beginners for more great blogs
