OVERVIEW of Inn at Thorn Hill

Perched on a hill with wonderful views of the mountains and the village below, there’s much to like here at the Inn at Thorn Hill from good sized rooms with amenities like two person Jacuzzis and steam showers to a great wine list to an excellent restaurant and a gracious staff. With lots to do in the surrounding area, particularly in winter, the Inn is an ideal weekend destination.

There is a small reception area and library on the main floor, but most of the space is devoted to the enjoyment of food and drink. The cozy lounge is organized into conversation areas, two of which surround fireplaces, with comfortable chairs and leather couches. A fully stocked bar also offers some 30 wines by the glass with a fun “flight” option where you can taste 3 different wines for about $11. Mondays and Saturdays have piano entertainment.

The elegant dining room sits just beyond the lounge and when the weather is nice you can enjoy wonderful views while dining outside on the porch.

THE ROOMS at Inn at Thorn Hill

There are 18 rooms, 4 suites and 3 cottages on the property. I particularly like the rooms in the Main Building as they have been completely redone following a 2002 fire. My comfortable room, Mt. Madison, had a warm gold faux finish on the walls that was complimented by a gold and burgundy comforter and pillow shams. The room had a beautiful matching carved antique dresser and head/footboard and a great antique armoire. The bed was plump and comfortable and dressed in luxury linens. The bath was huge and featured a two person Jacuzzi (with mood setting candles), a steam shower (my favorite amenity), Gilchrist & Soames toiletries and plush towels and robes. Gray Manor and Mt. Monroe are two other preferred rooms.

DINING at Inn at Thorn Hill

The main dining room is warm and intimate with wonderful views of the Presidential Mountain range. In the winter a roaring fire keeps you toasty. The menu changes seasonally but here is a sampling: Lamb Lollipops – Served with an herb yogurt sauce,  Hanger Steak – Roasted shallot-marinated, grilled and sliced. Served with mashed potatoes, fresh vegetables and mushroom demi-glace, Lobster Ravioli – Sweet North Atlantic lobster mixed with roasted shallots, fresh herbs, ricotta and mascarpone filled pasta. Sautéed with bay scallops and fresh vegetables
in a sherry butter sauce .

These folks take their wine seriously from the large by-the-glass list to its Wine Club and Wine Dinners to its fantastic Top 50 Wine list from their 3000 bottle cellar. This is a selection of current favorites, all at very reasonable prices. Reason alone to come here.

Call ahead and see if you can book the Granite Room, which is a private, stone walled dining and tasting room downstairs.

The Lounge also has its own menu which features small plates with items like  pretzel crusted calamari, a short rib sandwich and homemade onion rings. Great for a snack or a casual dinner.

Breakfast, served from 7:30am, is also an event. The chef visits markets every day and the breakfast menu is established based on what is freshest at the markets. There are four unique breakfast entrees each day.

THE SERVICE at Inn at Thorn Hill

The Inn is owned and run by Steve and Katey Lambert whose guiding hands are seen everywhere. The experience is always better when the owners actually manage the property. The staff here is pleasant and efficient, many are interns from Europe.

THE RATES at Inn at Thorn Hill

Rates: $400 Peak Season Weekend. Includes full breakfast daily, afternoon tea and cookies and dinner in the dining room each night.

WHAT OTHERS SAY About Inn at Thorn Hill

AAA Four Diamond Award
“Everything’s coming up roses at this “fabulous inn overlooking” the White Mountains and within walking distance of Jackson Village; designed by Stanford White in 1895 and “recently rebuilt” (with a new spa), it features “elegantly furnished rooms” and cottages with prime views of Mount Washington and “personal touches” such as fireplaces and two-person Jacuzzis; but it may be the on-site, Med-inspired New England regional restaurant with a “great” 3,000-bottle wine list that prompts most to proclaim they “can’t wait to go back” (a three-course meal and an afternoon tea is included in the room rate)…” ZAGAT

PROMOTIONS at Inn at Thorn Hill

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