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New Hampshire Best Lodging 2011
BEST ISLAND LIVING
Oceanic Hotel, Star Island
For the first time in a long time, the 19th-century hotel on this grand rock in the Isles of Shoals (off the coast of Rye) is open to the public, complete with family-style meals, candlelight walks to the 200-year-old chapel, and plenty of ghost stories. Rates: from $148 per person, including three meals per day. 603-430-6272 (Portsmouth office), 603-601-0832 (island); starisland.org
BEST CAPITAL STOPOVER
The Centennial, Concord
This elegant, turreted Victorian hotel has been re-energized by a recent renovation that added contemporary artwork and amenities. Ditch the car and walk around the city; then enjoy a great meal at the on-site Granite Restaurant & Bar. Rates: from $149. Entrées: from $14. 96 Pleasant St. 800-360-4839, 603-227-9000; thecentennialhotel.com
BEST PLACE TO UNPLUG
Ames Farm Inn, Gilford
Since it opened in 1890, generations have flocked to this Lake Winnipesaukee inn. Take your breakfast or lunch in the former farmhouse, catch a movie in the barn, or purchase an ice cream in the gift shop. Rates: rooms from $90; cottages from $1,379 per week. 2800 Lake Shore Road. 603-293-4321; amesfarminn.com
BEST BUILDING TRANSFORMATION
Common Man Inn & Spa, Plymouth
It's hard to believe that this inn at the gateway to the White Mountains was once a wood mill. Eat dinner in the former boiler room, and enjoy a "White Birch Herbal Wrap" at the spa. Rates: from $109, including continental breakfast (full breakfast is extra). Entrées: $13.99. 231 Main St. 603-536-2200; thecmaninn.com
BEST COLONIAL GETAWAY
Three Chimneys Inn, Durham
Built in 1649, Three Chimneys is one of the oldest structures in the state. The walk-in fireplace in the Frost Sawyer Tavern, in fact, was once the building's summer kitchen. The inn overlooks spectacular gardens and Old Mill Falls. Rates: from $139, including full breakfast. 17 Newmarket Road. 888-399-9777, 603-868-7800; threechimneysinn.com
BEST BREAKFAST BY A LAKE
The Lighthouse Inn, Laconia
Set on a hill above Lake Winnipesaukee, this inn serves up a different country breakfast every day, including souffles and baked French toast with fresh fruit. Rates: from $125, including full breakfast. 913 Scenic Drive. 877-543-5432, 603-366-5432; lighthouseinnbb.com
BEST URBAN RETREAT
The Ale House Inn, Portsmouth
Located in the 1880 Portsmouth Brewing Company building and overlooking the Piscataqua River, Ale House offers visitors free tickets to the Seacoast Repertory Theatre next door. It's also within easy walking distance of great shops and restaurants. Rates: from $179. 121 Bow St. 603-431-7760; alehouseinn.com
BEST ROMANTIC GETAWAY
Wentworth Inn, Jackson
Not only is this a romantic venue stuffed with Victorian decor, but the very history of this hotel is straight out of a fairy tale (the house was built in 1869 as a wedding gift for General Marshall Wentworth and his wife from her father). The five-course candlelight dinners will offer plenty of memories, too. Rates: from $134, including full breakfast. Entrées: from $25. 1 Carter Notch Road. 800-637-0013, 603-383-9700; thewentworth.com
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