The Monadnock Region Lodging Guide: Inns, Resorts and B&Bs

The Monadnock Region is the quiet corner of New Hampshire: small mill villages, covered bridges, a college city with a long Main Street, and one bare-topped mountain that seems to show up in every view. It is a place people come back to, and where you sleep shapes the trip as much as where you hike. This guide to Monadnock region NH lodging covers the main kinds of places to stay, from a 180-acre historic estate to a downtown hotel and a riverside campground, with businesses from our directory to start your planning.

Late summer is a good time to book ahead. The heat breaks, the evenings get cool, and fall foliage weekends are only a few weeks away. Many travelers who wait until September find the inns they wanted are already full.

The Monadnock Region at a glance

The Monadnock Region sits in southwestern New Hampshire. It has no fixed borders, but it is generally thought of as all of Cheshire County plus the western part of Hillsborough County. It takes its name from Mount Monadnock, a 3,165-foot isolated mountain that dominates the landscape.

A few things to know as you choose a base:

• Keene is the largest municipality in the region and its only city. It is the seat of Cheshire County and home to Keene State College and Antioch University New England.
• Mount Monadnock stands in the town of Jaffrey. It rises about 2,000 feet above the surrounding landscape and is nearly 1,000 feet higher than any other peak within 30 miles. It has long been cited as one of the most frequently climbed mountains in the world.
• Outdoor options go well beyond the mountain. The region has four state parks, including Pisgah State Park with 13,300 acres of forest, four recreational rail trails, lakes with public swimming beaches and three ski areas.
• Small towns such as Harrisville, Swanzey and Chesterfield are each within a short drive of Keene, so you can stay in the countryside and still reach city restaurants in minutes.

The right lodging depends on what you want from the trip. Hikers often want to be close to the mountain. Couples tend to look for a country inn. Families and groups need space, and campers want water nearby. The sections below follow those lines.

Historic estates and group stays

Aldworth Manor, Harrisville

Aldworth Manor is a historic estate on 180 rolling acres in southern New Hampshire, with views of Mount Monadnock, gardens and miles of trails. It is best known as a wedding and event venue, but it also rents lodging by the night or the week.

The estate's lodging is spread across several houses. According to Aldworth, The Lodge has 11 bedrooms and sleeps up to 22 guests, The Headmaster's House sleeps up to 12, The Hemlock House sleeps up to 16, and The Nest is a two-bedroom option for up to four. In total the property can house up to 52 people, which makes it a natural fit for family reunions, retreats and wedding parties that want everyone under one roof. Bookings can be made through Airbnb or directly with the estate.

Harrisville itself is worth the trip. The town describes itself as the only early 19th-century industrial community to survive in its original form. Its preserved 19th-century mill buildings, including the Cheshire Mills, are part of a historic district designated a National Historic Landmark. A short walk through the village center fits easily into a morning.

Country inns and bed and breakfasts

Bridges Inn at Whitcomb House, Swanzey

The Bridges Inn at Whitcomb House is a historic bed and breakfast on Main Street in Swanzey, about five miles from downtown Keene. The inn says the house was built in 1792. It describes a decor of period wallpaper, a tin ceiling and many antiques, and its room rates include a hot breakfast each morning.

The name fits the town. Swanzey has four covered bridges, and the inn's own website has pages on the covered bridges and suggested day trips. If you like a slow morning drive with stops for photos, this is a good base.

Chesterfield Inn, West Chesterfield

The Chesterfield Inn is a renovated farmhouse inn in West Chesterfield, on the Vermont border between Keene and Brattleboro. The inn describes views of the Connecticut River Valley and 10 acres of grounds. Rooms come with amenities such as fireplaces, jetted tubs and private entries, and a homemade breakfast cooked to order is included with each stay.

Two details set it apart. The inn's restaurant is open to the public as well as to overnight guests, so it is also a dinner option if you are staying elsewhere. The inn also describes itself as pet friendly, which is not always easy to find among small country inns.

Chesterfield is a good choice if your plans lean toward the water. The town is home to Spofford Lake and the Chesterfield Gorge.

Downtown Keene hotels

Fairfield Inn and Suites Keene Downtown

If you would rather walk to dinner, stay in the city. The Fairfield Inn and Suites Keene Downtown is at 30 Main Street, inside what the hotel describes as a historic building about 130 years old. Rooms overlook Main Street.

The hotel lists a free breakfast, a fitness center and a dog-friendly pet policy. Check the current pet policy and parking details with the hotel before you book.

A downtown base works well for a mixed trip. You can hike Monadnock in the morning, spend the afternoon on a rail trail, and still be back on Main Street for dinner without driving back to a country inn.

Camping in the Monadnock Region

Ashuelot River Campground, Swanzey

The Ashuelot River Campground sits on the banks of the Ashuelot River in Swanzey, between Keene and the mouth of the river. The campground says it has 22 acres and about 3,600 feet of riverfront that it describes as excellent for canoeing, kayaking and swimming. Sites range from open and grassy to wooded to directly on the river.

The campground also notes direct access to the Ashuelot Rail Trail, with biking and hiking access toward Keene. That makes it one of the easier ways to combine a camping trip with a car-free ride into the city. The campground is seasonal, so check its current dates before planning a spring or late fall trip.

How to choose where to stay

A few simple questions narrow the list quickly.

Are you here to hike? Pick a base with an easy drive to Jaffrey and Mount Monadnock. Keene, Harrisville and Swanzey all work.

Is it a romantic weekend? A country inn with breakfast included, such as the Chesterfield Inn or the Bridges Inn, gives you a quiet setting and someone else doing the cooking.

Are you traveling as a group? A multi-house estate like Aldworth Manor is built for it. Booking a whole house often costs less per person than several hotel rooms and keeps everyone together.

Do you want to walk everywhere? Stay downtown in Keene. You will give up some quiet, but you gain the ability to walk Main Street.

Are you on a budget or traveling with kids? Camping by the river is hard to beat in summer, especially with a rail trail at the edge of the site.

Planning tips for late summer and fall

• Book early for foliage. The Monadnock Region is a popular fall destination, and small inns have only a handful of rooms. Late August is a good time to lock in October dates.
• Check minimum stays. Inns and estates often require two-night minimums on weekends and holidays.
• Ask about pets before you arrive. Policies vary widely, even among places that advertise as pet friendly.
• Mix your nights. Many travelers split a long weekend between a country inn and a night downtown to get both experiences.
• Leave time for the villages. Harrisville's mill buildings, Swanzey's covered bridges and Chesterfield's lake each make an easy half-day outing from any base in the region.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Monadnock Region?

It is the southwestern corner of New Hampshire, generally taken to include all of Cheshire County and the western part of Hillsborough County. It is named for Mount Monadnock.

Where should I stay to hike Mount Monadnock?

The mountain is in Jaffrey. Keene, Swanzey and Harrisville are all practical bases, with a mix of inns, hotels and camping.

Is there lodging for large groups?

Yes. Aldworth Manor in Harrisville rents several houses and says it can sleep up to 52 people across its properties.

Are there pet-friendly places to stay?

The Chesterfield Inn and the Fairfield Inn and Suites Keene Downtown both describe themselves as pet friendly. Confirm current rules and fees directly before booking.

Can I camp near Keene?

Ashuelot River Campground in Swanzey is a seasonal campground on the river, with access to the Ashuelot Rail Trail toward Keene.

Sources

• Monadnock Region, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monadnock_Region
• Mount Monadnock, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Monadnock
• Keene, New Hampshire, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keene,_New_Hampshire
• Harrisville, New Hampshire, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrisville,_New_Hampshire
• Swanzey, New Hampshire, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swanzey,_New_Hampshire
• Chesterfield, New Hampshire, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chesterfield,_New_Hampshire
• Aldworth Manor official site and lodging page: https://www.aldworthmanor.com/lodging
• Bridges Inn at Whitcomb House official site: https://bridgesinn.com/
• Chesterfield Inn official site: https://www.chesterfieldinn.com/
• Fairfield Inn and Suites Keene Downtown, Marriott: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/mhtkn-fairfield-inn-and-suites-keene-downtown/overview/
• Ashuelot River Campground official site: https://www.ashuelotrivercampground.com/