The Merrimack Valley Lodging Guide: Inns, Resorts and B&Bs

Most travelers pass through the Merrimack Valley on the way to somewhere else: north to the lakes and mountains, east to the coast. That is a missed opportunity. The valley holds the state capital, the state's two largest cities and a handful of independent places to stay that are worth booking on their own merits. This Merrimack Valley NH lodging guide focuses on inns, boutique hotels and resorts with real character, the kind of places that make a city weekend, a business trip or a wedding feel like more than a night between highway exits.

The Merrimack Valley at a glance

In New Hampshire, the Merrimack Valley Region covers the south-central part of the state. It is about 35 miles wide, centered on the Merrimack River, and runs from Canterbury south to the Massachusetts border, with Henniker at its western edge and Nottingham at its eastern edge. It takes in parts of Hillsborough, Rockingham and Merrimack counties.

The state capital, Concord, and the state's two largest cities, Manchester and Nashua, are all in the valley. Interstate 93 runs through the middle of the region, with Interstate 293 and U.S. Route 3 also serving it, and Manchester has a regional airport with scheduled commercial flights. To the north is the Lakes Region, to the east the Seacoast and to the west the Monadnock Region, which makes the valley a practical hub if you want to see more than one part of the state from a single base.

The valley's history explains much of what you will see. In the 19th century it was a major center of the textile industry, and the brick mill buildings along the river in Manchester are the most visible reminder.

Choosing a base

Before picking a property, decide what kind of trip you are planning. The valley's lodging falls into three rough groups.

• City stays. Manchester and Concord put you within walking distance of restaurants, museums and evening plans. They suit couples, business travelers and anyone who wants to park the car for a day.
• Estate and resort stays. Properties in the suburbs and smaller towns trade a downtown address for grounds, on-site dining and space for events. These are the natural choice for weddings, golf trips and celebrations.
• Gateway stays. Because the valley sits between Boston and the rest of New Hampshire, a night here can break up a longer drive north or set you up for an early start at the lakes or the coast.

Summer is a busy season across the region, and weekends with weddings, college events and graduations can fill the better rooms well ahead. Book early if your dates are fixed.

Manchester: a restored Victorian inn

Manchester is the most populous city in New Hampshire, built on the banks of the Merrimack River. During the Industrial Revolution it was a major industrial hub for New England, and the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company grew into the largest cotton textile plant in the world. The planned mill town on the east bank of the river, founded in 1838, used Elm Street as its main thoroughfare, and Elm Street is still the spine of downtown.

Ash Street Inn is the choice for travelers who want something smaller and more personal than a chain hotel. It occupies a Victorian house on Ash Street, and the inn says it has welcomed guests since 1885. Its three floors hold six guest rooms, which the inn describes as fully reimagined with modern comforts. The property also now has its own on-site dining experience, called Ash, which is new for the inn.

The inn lists amenities including free parking, wifi, free breakfast and air conditioning, the kind of practical details that matter on a summer trip. A small inn like this suits a couple's weekend, a visit to family in the city or a work trip where you would rather not stay near the highway.

Tips for a Manchester stay:

• The Millyard along the river is worth a walk for the scale of the old mill buildings alone.
• Elm Street is the main downtown corridor for dining and evening plans.
• Manchester's airport makes the city an easy arrival point if you are flying in.

Bedford: a Four Diamond estate

Bedford is a suburb of Manchester in Hillsborough County, incorporated in 1750 and named for the 4th Duke of Bedford. It grew rapidly in the second half of the 20th century and lies on the Everett Turnpike and Route 101, with Manchester's airport one town away.

Bedford Village Inn is the valley's best-known estate property. It describes itself as a Four Diamond boutique hotel on ten acres of grounds, with 64 rooms and suites across two residences, the original Inn and the newer Grand. Dining is a large part of the draw: the property runs a Dining Room, a Tavern, Trattoria Fondi and Corks Wine Bar, and it also has a salon and spa on site.

The inn is also a major wedding and event venue, with a Great Hall and the Charolais Room. That is worth knowing in summer: if you are booking a quiet weekend, check whether a large event is planned for your dates, and if you are attending a wedding there, book your room as soon as you can.

Who it suits: couples marking an occasion, wedding guests, and travelers who want dinner, drinks and a room without moving the car.

Concord: a boutique hotel in the capital

Concord is the capital of New Hampshire and the seat of Merrimack County. It is centered on the Merrimack River, and the State House, completed in 1819, is the oldest U.S. state capitol where the legislature still meets in its original chambers. Interstates 89 and 93 both serve the city.

The Hotel Concord is an independent boutique hotel downtown on South Main Street. It occupies the fourth and sixth floors of the Capital Commons building, with views of the historic State House, and it is a short walk from downtown shops, restaurants and cultural attractions. The hotel describes itself as AAA Four Diamond quality, with room types that include luxury rooms, terrace rooms and a suite.

Why stay here: a downtown Concord base lets you walk to the State House and Main Street. It also works well as a stop between southern New Hampshire and the Lakes Region, since Concord sits on the interstates heading north.

Atkinson: a golf resort near the border

Atkinson is a small town in southwestern Rockingham County, bordered to the south by Haverhill, Massachusetts. In 2011 the New Hampshire Scenic and Cultural Byways program named 3.74 miles of Main Street the Stage Coach Byway.

Atkinson Resort & Country Club is a public golf resort that also offers overnight accommodations. The resort says it opened with nine holes in 1996 and added the back nine in 1998. Its 75,000-square-foot clubhouse opened in 2002 with two restaurants, overnight guest rooms and event facilities, and a nine-hole par 3 course and golf academy followed in 2009. Guest stays are in the Fieldstone Suites, and the resort hosts weddings as well as golf.

The resort describes itself as about 45 minutes north of Boston, which makes it a practical choice for travelers coming from Massachusetts who want a golf weekend without a long drive.

Who it suits: golfers, wedding parties and groups who want lodging, dining and tee times in one place.

Planning tips for a Merrimack Valley stay

• Book around events. Weddings and college events can fill estate and boutique properties on summer and fall weekends. If your dates are flexible, a weeknight stay is often easier to find.
• Ask about parking. City properties handle parking differently from suburban ones. Confirm before you arrive, especially in downtown Concord and Manchester.
• Check what is included. Some properties include breakfast and some do not. If an on-site restaurant is part of the appeal, ask whether reservations are recommended for dinner.
• Use the valley as a hub. From a base in the valley, the Lakes Region is to the north, the Seacoast to the east and the Monadnock Region to the west, so day trips in several directions are possible.
• Consider the airport. Manchester's regional airport makes the valley a natural first or last night on a New Hampshire trip.
• Confirm details directly. Rates, room types and policies change. Check with each property before you book rather than relying on older reviews.

Pairing your stay with the rest of the state

One reason to stay in the valley is how easily it connects to other regions. A Concord base puts you on the interstates toward the Lakes Region. A night in Manchester or Bedford works well before or after a flight, or as a midpoint between Boston and the mountains. Atkinson, near the Massachusetts line, is an easy first night for travelers coming north.

If you are planning a longer trip, consider splitting your time: a night or two in a city inn to enjoy dinner and a walkable downtown, then a move north to the lakes or the White Mountains for the outdoor part of the trip.

FAQ

What cities are in New Hampshire's Merrimack Valley?

The state capital, Concord, and the state's two largest cities, Manchester and Nashua, are all in the Merrimack Valley Region.

Where can I find a small inn in Manchester?

Ash Street Inn is a restored Victorian inn with six guest rooms on Ash Street in Manchester.

Is there a resort-style stay in the Merrimack Valley?

Bedford Village Inn in Bedford offers 64 rooms and suites on ten acres with several restaurants and a spa. Atkinson Resort & Country Club in Atkinson pairs golf with overnight suites.

Where should I stay to be near the State House in Concord?

The Hotel Concord occupies two floors of the Capital Commons building downtown, with views of the State House.

Is the Merrimack Valley a good base for exploring New Hampshire?

Yes. Interstate 93 runs through the valley, Manchester has a regional airport, and the Lakes Region, Seacoast and Monadnock Region all border it.

Sources

• Merrimack Valley, Wikipedia (New Hampshire region extent, cities, highways, textile history): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merrimack_Valley
• Manchester, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (Amoskeag, Elm Street, 1838 mill town): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester,_New_Hampshire
• Concord, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (capital, State House): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concord,_New_Hampshire
• Bedford, New Hampshire, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedford,_New_Hampshire
• Atkinson, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (Stage Coach Byway): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atkinson,_New_Hampshire
• Ash Street Inn official site: https://www.ashstreetinn.com/
• Bedford Village Inn official site: https://bedfordvillageinn.com/
• The Hotel Concord official site: https://www.hotelconcordnh.com/
• Atkinson Resort & Country Club official site: https://www.atkinsonresort.com/