The Hotel Portsmouth

The Hotel Portsmouth, a distinguished Michelin Key Selected property, offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern comfort in the heart of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Housed in a beautifully restored 1881 Victorian manor house, this boutique hotel is celebrated for its inviting atmosphere, excellent service, and prime location.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The Hotel Portsmouth consistently receives high praise, with an "Excellent" rating of 8.7 based on numerous reviews. Guests frequently describe their stays as "fabulous," "charming," and "unique." The general sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, highlighting a memorable and comfortable experience.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud several aspects of The Hotel Portsmouth:

• Service & Staff: The staff is frequently described as very welcoming, friendly, attentive, and helpful, offering excellent dining recommendations and personalized concierge services.
• Location: Its central location in the historic Haymarket Square area is a major draw, placing guests within easy walking distance of Market Square, shops, restaurants, historic sites, and the waterfront.
• Design & Ambiance: The hotel's decor, blending 19th-century Victorian charm with a light, contemporary, modernist-inspired style, is highly appreciated. Common areas, including a Victorian parlor and pub lounge, are noted as cozy and inviting.
• Amenities: Complimentary amenities such as free Wi-Fi, free self-parking, and a delicious breakfast are consistently highlighted as significant perks. The hotel is also pet-friendly.

3. Room Quality

The 32 rooms and suites at The Hotel Portsmouth are designed to blend historic elegance with modern amenities. They are described as beautifully decorated, comfortable, and spotless. Rooms feature plush linens and pillows, air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and private bathrooms with hairdryers and complimentary toiletries. Thoughtful touches like USB charging ports and iPads loaded with local information are also provided. Room types range from cozy Queen and King rooms to more expansive suites like the Superior King, Historic King, Loft Suite, and Penthouse Suite, with some offering up to 750 sq ft of space.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel offers a complimentary breakfast that is a consistent highlight for guests. It's often described as "fabulous," "delicious," and a "curated small-plate offering" with both savory and sweet items, fresh juice, coffee, and tea. Some guests have noted that the breakfast is plentiful and "like being at home." The hotel also offers occasional bites throughout the day and has a guest-exclusive pub lounge, Lucy & John's, serving local beer, wine, and cocktails.

5. Service & Staff

The service at The Hotel Portsmouth receives exceptional feedback, with staff consistently rated highly (9.2 on Booking.com). Guests frequently commend the staff for being very welcoming, friendly, attentive, and helpful. They are known for providing excellent dining recommendations and personalized concierge services, ensuring a comfortable and enhanced stay. The presence of a plentiful staff who work together is also noted.

6. Location & Accessibility

The Hotel Portsmouth boasts an "Excellent Location" (9.6 on Booking.com), situated in the historic Haymarket Square area in downtown Portsmouth. It's just over a quarter-mile (3-minute walk) from Market Square, with its array of shops and restaurants. Attractions like The Music Hall, Rundlet-May House, John Paul Jones House Museum, Discover Portsmouth, Prescott Park, and Strawbery Banke Museum are all within walking distance. The hotel offers free self-parking, which is considered a significant advantage in Portsmouth. The hotel is committed to accessibility, with one accessible King guest room available on the ground level.

7. Value & Pricing

The Hotel Portsmouth is generally considered a good value for money, scoring 8.3 on Booking.com. While specific pricing can vary, typical rates for a King room might start around $150-$168, with more expansive suites reaching higher prices. Prices can fluctuate based on the season, with April and November generally offering cheaper deals. The inclusion of free breakfast and free parking contributes significantly to the perceived value.

8. Common Complaints

While overall reviews are highly positive, a few recurring issues have been mentioned:

• Elevator Issues: Some guests have reported the elevator being out of service, which can be a concern for those with mobility issues, and noted that this information was not always communicated in a timely manner. The property has an accessible King room on the ground level.
• Bed Firmness: A few reviews mentioned that mattresses could be on the softer side, which is a matter of personal preference.
• Cleanliness/Darkness in some areas: One review mentioned common areas being dusty and a room being dark and not as clean as expected, describing it as "shabby" rather than "shabby chic." However, this contradicts many other reviews praising cleanliness.
• Breakfast Ingredient Listing: One guest suggested that listing ingredients for the breakfast could be helpful.

As a Michelin Key Selected property, The Hotel Portsmouth is recognized for its "high quality stay," showcasing outstanding performance across architecture, interior design, quality and consistency of service, personality, value, and contribution to the guest experience.

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