Ashworth by the Sea
It is already April in New Hampshire and it is STILL SNOWING! Seriously, I don’t know who made Mother Nature angry, but she’s not letting us forget who is in charge. Thanks to the Hotel Tonight app we were reviewing, we were able to choose from a number of hotels to stay in. We had two criteria: it had to have a pool and we wanted to smell the ocean from our room. The Ashworth by the Sea gave us this and much more.
The Ashworth by the Sea was one of the first hotels on Hampton’s Beach’s Ocean Boulevard. Built in 1912 by Colonel George Ashworth, it has been serving its guests for the last 104 years. In fact, many famous people have stayed here including Ronald Reagan, George Bush, Jonny Cash, June Carver, and Richard Nixon. Located across the street from Hampton Beach, the hotel is right in the middle of all the action on the strip. Since it is just an hour’s drive from Portland, ME and Boston, it makes for an easy overnight destination.
The hotel has 107 guest rooms but no two guestrooms are the same. Our room had a beautiful view of the ocean and it felt nice to open the slider off our patio and hear the waves crashing on to the shore. Check out our view!
Our room was an oceanfront room with two queen size beds. If you like a firm mattress, then you will love the beds here. Unfortunately, I prefer my mattress soft, but I still had a good night sleep. The pillows are also very firm, so you may want to bring your own if that’s not your preference.
The room had a small refrigerator (which you know I love), and even a small freezer. The high-speed wireless internet worked great and there was a small desk to work at. Finally, there was a flat screen TV with premium channels. Be aware that you may be able to hear noise coming from next door, since the building is quite old. Luckily, we only heard our neighbors before heading out to dinner.
Our bathroom was pretty small, but that’s to be expected in a hotel that was built in 1912. It was impeccably clean and it had plenty of cozy towels.
The heated indoor pool was a fun way to spend our afternoon. The large pool had a retractable roof, which in warm weather would be cool to smell the ocean air as you’re swimming. There are even views of the sea from the pool area. The hotel provides pool towels but they are the typical small towels you see in hotels. You may want to bring your own if you want to wrap yourself up in one.
Since we were there during off-season, the beach was almost completely empty. We took a long stroll one morning and my daughter even found an unbroken sand dollar. The view was incredible!
In summer months, the sand turns into a beach party.
The lobby is inviting and modern, despite the historic age of the hotel. The front desk staff were helpful and welcoming and pointed out where we could eat breakfast, where the pool was located, and what time dinner was served at Breakers.
Throughout the hotel there are small areas where you can relax.
The hotel has a small fitness room that is open from 8AM-10PM.
It also has a business area.
Breakers Restaurant
Oceanside dining at Breakers restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy fresh New England seafood with a view of the sea. The restaurant has a pub feel to it that is casual and inviting to families. You should try their award-winning clam chowder. They also had a nice cocktail menu with seasonal drinks. Check out their menu.
Sandbar Sundeck
The Sandbar Sundeck is the perfect place to have a cocktail while you watch the firework show above Hampton Beach. It is open weekends only from Memorial Day weekend until the end of June, and daily throughout the months of July and August.
Wharfside Café
We had a delicious breakfast at the Wharfside Café. It serves breakfast from 6:30AM- noon daily. It has a nice seaside diner feel to it.
Tips for Planning your Stay
There is valet parking available from April-September for an $18 charge. This is great since parking at Hampton Beach is at premium during summer months.
During high season, a DJ and live bands perform Thursday-Saturday in Breakers Lounge and Wednesday-Sunday on the Sandbar Sundeck.
Room service is available.
Contact the hotel if you need a DVD player, pack n play, or crib. These are great amenities for families and can make packing easier. There may be an additional fee.
The hotel has a 24-hour market in case you need to buy snacks, drinks, or items you’ve forgotten to pack.
I would recommend a room with a view of the ocean.
Check-In: 4:00 Check-Out: 11:00
295 Ocean Boulevard, Hampton, NH 03842
(603) 926-6762
ashworthinfo@ashworthhotel.com
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*Photo credit: Ashworth by the Sea
