Hampton Inn & Suites

Portsmouth, NH

Every year the holiday season seems to get more and more hectic. After a fun, energetic last two months, I thought it would be the perfect time to take a step back and have some one-on-one time with my youngest daughter. We wanted to relax, eat some good meals, shop in small boutiques, and spend some time in a pool.  We decided to head to Portsmouth, one of our favorite New Hampshire towns. Portsmouth, is a charming destination that blends history, culture, and coastal beauty. It holds a special place in my heart since my husband and I were married there and we have so many fond memories attached to it. I love bringing our daughters there and reminiscing. We chose Hampton Inn & Suites as our home base for two nights, and it was a fabulous choice!

Such a pretty lobby

It was freezing outside, so the cozy couches surrounding the fireplace was a welcomed sight.

There are many personal touches in the lobby that help create a comfortable atmosphere. There was an area serving water, coffee, tea, and hot chocolate throughout the day. (In the evening they even put out a selection of cookies, which was a nice treat.) There are places to sit and relax and also spots to have meetings and get work done.  Unlike some hotels where people simply walk through the lobby, here people feel comfortable gathering and utilizing the space to eat, read, and work.

This wall was one of my favorites!

Let me show you around our room.

But first, can we talk about how cute these room number plaques are? Each room has a different New England scene.

We stayed in room 534 a

Two Queens Room

Our room had two comfortable queen beds and the pillows were amazing. There was a flat-screen tv, a coffeemaker, an ironing board and iron. The free Wi-Fi worked really well and we never had any problems with it.

The room had a beautiful piece of furniture that contained three spacious drawers, and plenty of counter space. It also had a movable desk that was a great place to get some work done while I was here.

The room had a mini refrigerator so you can store snacks and beverages.  It also had a microwave.

The room had modern decor while still paying homage to the nautical history of Portsmouth.  The artwork included popular sights such as Memorial Bridge, downtown, and the local fishing boats..

Our bathroom was large and the shower had lots of water pressure, which is always a plus.

It also had full size shower amenities of Zero% Collection toiletries, which smelled lovely.

After checking in and unpacking, we walked next door to Stroll, a cafe that has it all…coffee, wine, and tasty treats. Grab their famous Stroll Maple Latte before exploring Portsmouth.

We couldn’t wait for dinner since we were heading to a restaurant that had been on the top of my list for months!

Rooftop at the Envio

Only a five-minute walk from the hotel, Rooftop at the Envio is perched high above the AC Hotel Portsmouth. It is a picturesque rooftop bar and restaurant featuring signature hand crafted cocktails, craft beers and an eclectic seasonal menu of locally sourced ingredients fresh from the farm and sea. Guests are invited to dine in this casually sophisticated indoor/outdoor sanctuary while taking in panoramic waterfront views of the Piscataqua River and the iconic bridges that cross it. Take a peek at their menu.  I can’t wait to return this summer to sit outside and enjoy the sunset as we dine.

I started with a wonderful cocktail called a Chai Chai Again.  It had Smirnoff Vanilla, cold brew, and chai simple.

 For an appetizer we had the Cheese and Crostini, with French Bread, Lavender Goat Cheese, Granny Smith, Maple Reduction.

 For my main course, I enjoyed the Cast Iron Pepper Seared Manhattan Sirloin, with Aged Manhattan Sirloin, Rainbow Peppercorns, Wild Mushroom Demi-Glace, Rosemary & Gorgonzola.

My daughter has the Lobster Mac & Cheese, with Fresh Maine Lobster, Pipette Pasta, Aged Cheddar Cream, Cask Sherry, Onion Chives, Buttered Crumbs, Roasted Winter Vegetables.

And finally, as if we needed anything else, we couldn’t resist the Spiced Apple Cider Sorbet, with Cold Fusion Apple Cider Sorbet, Angel Food Cake, Maldon Salted Caramel.

Want a real treat? Reserve one of their Fire & Ice Igloos!

Fitness Center

After that amazing meal last night, We decided to start our day in the gym.  The hotel has a fitness center with cardio, strength and balance equipment.

Time for Breakfast

Our workout left us starving so we headed downstairs to get some breakfast.  They serve a complimentary breakfast that consisted of waffles, French toast, eggs, sausage, pastries, fruit, oatmeal, and more.

Amazing Location!

Located an hour from both Boston and Portland, Portsmouth is a great choice for a getaway. The Hampton Inn & Suites Portsmouth Downtown is situated in the perfect location for tons of fun activities. There is so much within walking distance: adorable boutiques to do some shopping, delicious restaurants, museums, theaters, and fun nightlife. You are only a few miles from Maine and the seacoast with several stunning beaches.

What could you do in the area?

Strawberry Banke

Isles of Shoals Steamship Company

The Seacoast Repertory Theatre

Portsmouth Music Hall

Water Country

Prescott Park

Seacoast Science Center

USS Albacore

Children’s Museum of NH

Odiorne State Park

Downtown Portsmouth/ Market Square

Feel like heading to the beach? 

Jeness State Beach (1 mile away)

North Hampton State Beach (3 miles away)

Wallis Sands (1 mile away)

Check out these amazing things to do!

Islands & Harbor Bike Tour Best & Must See Sites of Portsmouth & New Castle 2-hr

Tea Blending Class

Gardens of Portsmouth Walking Tour

Self Guided Haunted Walking Tour in Portsmouth

Pool Time!

 We decided to end our afternoon by relaxing in the heated indoor salt water pool.  We love the opportunity to go for a swim in the middle of winter and this pool was such a nice treat!

Where do you fly in to?

The closest airport is Manchester (MHT) (35 mi).

Another nearby airport is Portland (PWM) (45 mi).

And finally, Boston Logan Intl (BOS) (55 mi).

CLICK HERE TO FIND AN AMAZING FLIGHT!

Who would I recommend it to?

The hotel is casual and welcoming and is the perfect place to stay with families.  Since there are many romantic things to do in the area, it would be a lovely place to stay for a couple’s getaway. The number of spas, restaurants, and bars would make it a fun place to spend a girls’ weekend.

Restaurants in the area

There are so many amazing restaurants in Portsmouth.  It is quite the foodie’s town! Here are some of my favorites:

Surf Portsmouth

Row 34

Cure

The Franklin

Moxie

Flatbread Company

The Friendly Toast

Black Trumpet

Tips for Planning your Stay

Parking: There is no self-parking on-site. There is valet parking for $40

There are also parking garages in the area.

Check-in: 4:00 Check-out: 11:00

There is a 24-hour front desk.

 

HAMPTON INN & SUITES DOWNTOWN

23 Portwalk Pl, Portsmouth, NH 03801

(603) 430-3033

CLICK HERE TO GET TO THEIR WEBSITE

A warm thank you to the Hampton Inn & Suites for having my daughters and I as your guests. It was the perfect place to relax and have a mother/daughter getaway. The staff was kind and welcoming and will be one of the reasons we will return. As always, all experiences and opinions are 100% of MyTravelingKids.com.