Where to Stay in Portsmouth: Hotels, Inns and B&Bs

Portsmouth is small enough that where you stay shapes the whole trip. Stay downtown and you can walk to dinner, the harbor and Strawbery Banke without touching the car. Stay a few minutes out and you usually trade that walkability for easier parking and, often, a lower rate. This guide to hotels in Portsmouth NH walks through the main choices, from boutique stays and historic bed and breakfasts to independent inns and familiar chain hotels, all from our directory.

Getting your bearings

Portsmouth is a seaport city on the Piscataqua River, which forms the border with Maine. It had 21,956 residents at the 2020 census. The historic downtown, centered on Market Square, sits next to the harbor. Strawbery Banke Museum, a living history neighborhood of more than 37 restored buildings from the 17th through 19th centuries, is a short walk from the center, in the area once known as Puddle Dock.

Outside downtown, hotels cluster along the main roads and near Pease, the former air base that is now home to Portsmouth International Airport and a business park. I-95 runs along the west side of the city.

A useful way to think about lodging here is in three zones:

1. Downtown, within walking distance of Market Square and the harbor.

2. Just outside downtown, a short drive or a long walk.

3. Highway and Pease area, convenient for driving trips and business travel.

Downtown boutique

Hotel Portsmouth is a boutique inn in downtown Portsmouth, within walking distance of the harbor and the restaurants around Market Square. It suits travelers who want to park once and explore on foot.

AC Hotels by Marriott Portsmouth Downtown/Waterfront is, as the name says, a downtown option near the waterfront from a major hotel brand. It is a good fit if you collect hotel points but still want to be in the middle of things.

Historic bed and breakfast

Martin Hill Inn bills itself as Portsmouth's first bed and breakfast. It occupies two historic buildings with perennial gardens and offers the kind of personal, small-scale stay that a big hotel cannot. Bed and breakfasts are a good match for couples and for anyone who wants local advice over breakfast.

Independent and eco-minded

The Port Inn is an independent boutique hotel just outside downtown, with an eco-friendly focus. Staying slightly outside the center usually means easier parking, and downtown is still a short drive away.

Dependable chain hotels

For travelers who want a known brand, predictable rooms and loyalty points, Portsmouth has several options in our directory:

• Courtyard by Marriott
• Best Western Plus Portsmouth Hotel and Suites

These are practical choices for families, business travelers and anyone on a road trip along I-95. Check each hotel's location on a map before you book, since distance to downtown varies.

How to choose

Ask yourself four questions.

Do I want to walk everywhere? Choose downtown. Portsmouth's restaurants, shops and the harbor are concentrated in a compact area, and parking downtown can be tight on busy weekends.

Is parking a priority? Look just outside downtown or near the highway. Ask any hotel whether parking is included, how much it costs and whether it is on site.

What is the trip for? Couples often prefer a bed and breakfast or a boutique hotel. Families and business travelers often prefer chain hotels with predictable amenities.

What is my budget? Rates in Portsmouth vary by season, with summer and fall foliage weekends typically the busiest. Shoulder seasons such as early spring are often easier for both availability and price.

A little history to go with your stay

Part of the appeal of staying in Portsmouth is that the city's history is right outside the door. European colonists settled the west bank of the harbor in 1630 and named it Strawbery Banke, after the wild strawberries that grew along the shore. That name survives in Strawbery Banke Museum, where restored houses span more than three centuries of the neighborhood's life.

Downtown, The Music Hall on Chestnut Street was built in 1878 and describes itself as the oldest operating theater in New Hampshire. It still presents live performances and film, and catching a show there is an easy evening plan if you are staying within walking distance.

The working harbor is the other half of the story. Portsmouth grew as a seaport on the fast-moving Piscataqua, and the river is still busy with boats. From the waterfront you can watch the tugs and fishing boats and look across to Maine.

Nearby, on foot from downtown

If you stay downtown, these are all within a comfortable walk:

• Market Square, the heart of the city, with shops and cafes on all sides
• Strawbery Banke Museum and the historic Puddle Dock neighborhood
• Prescott Park, along the water across from Strawbery Banke
• The Music Hall on Chestnut Street
• The waterfront restaurants along Bow Street and Ceres Street

When to visit

Portsmouth is a year-round city, but each season feels different.

• Spring is quieter, with easier reservations before the summer crowds.
• Summer is peak season, with the harbor, Prescott Park and nearby beaches at their busiest.
• Fall brings foliage and harvest menus, and weekends book up early.
• Winter is calm and often the best value, with theater and long dinners downtown.

Whenever you go, book weekends well ahead in summer and fall.

Making the most of your stay

• Walk the historic core. Even if you stay outside downtown, park once and explore Market Square, the waterfront and Strawbery Banke on foot.
• Plan one harbor activity. A harbor cruise or a walk along the waterfront is the best way to understand Portsmouth as a seaport.
• Day trip along the coast. Route 1A heads south from Portsmouth through Rye along the shore.
• Cross the river. Kittery, Maine, is just over the bridges and is easy to add to a Portsmouth stay.

Questions to ask before you book

• Is parking included, and where is it?
• How far is the walk to Market Square?
• What is the cancellation policy?
• Is breakfast included?
• Are pets allowed, and is there a fee?
• Is there a minimum stay on weekends or holidays?

FAQ

Where is the best area to stay in Portsmouth, NH?

Downtown, if you want to walk to restaurants, the harbor and Strawbery Banke. Areas just outside downtown are better if parking and price matter more.

Does Portsmouth have bed and breakfasts?

Yes. Martin Hill Inn, which describes itself as Portsmouth's first bed and breakfast, is one example in our directory.

When is the busiest time to visit Portsmouth?

Summer and fall weekends are usually the busiest. Book well ahead for those dates.

Is Portsmouth walkable?

The historic downtown is very walkable. Market Square, the waterfront and Strawbery Banke are all close together.

Is there an airport in Portsmouth?

Yes, Portsmouth International Airport at Pease. Manchester-Boston Regional Airport and Boston Logan are also within driving distance.

Sources

• Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (2020 census population; Piscataqua seaport; Pease airport): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portsmouth,_New_Hampshire
• Strawbery Banke, Wikipedia (restored buildings, Puddle Dock): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strawbery_Banke
• Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (1630 settlement; Strawbery Banke name; The Music Hall built 1878): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portsmouth,_New_Hampshire
• The Music Hall (Portsmouth), Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Music_Hall_(Portsmouth)
• Lodging details: each property's directory listing and official website.