You’re driving up Route 16, the air starts getting that crisp, piney bite to it, and suddenly you see the sign. Most people heading to Mount Washington Valley are looking for cheap motels or those massive, cookie-cutter resorts with the indoor water parks. But Stonehurst Manor North Conway is different. It’s sitting up on that hill, looking like something straight out of a Gilded Age fever dream. Honestly, it’s one of the few places left in New Hampshire that doesn't feel like it’s trying too hard to be "modern." It just is what it is: a massive, 19th-century mansion built by Erastus Bigelow that somehow survived the transition into a boutique hotel without losing its soul.
It's weird.
In a town like North Conway, which is basically the capital of outlet shopping and tourist traps, Stonehurst feels like a secret. Even though it’s right there. You’ve got 33 acres of pine forest surrounding this stone-and-shingle estate, and when you walk inside, the smell of woodsmoke from the Library Lounge hits you immediately. It isn't that fake "mountain candle" scent either. It’s real.
The Reality of Staying at a Gilded Age Estate
Let’s be real for a second. Old buildings can be hit or miss. Sometimes "historic" is just code for "the plumbing whistles and the floorboards moan like a ghost." But the Manor manages to balance the turn-of-the-century aesthetic with the stuff people actually care about in 2026, like decent Wi-Fi and high-end linens.
The rooms aren't uniform. That’s the big thing.
If you book a room at a Marriott, you know exactly where the desk is going to be. At Stonehurst Manor, you might end up in a room with a massive carved oak fireplace, or a turret nook that looks out over the Presidential Range. Some rooms are in the original wing; others are more updated. The "Mountain View" rooms actually deliver on the promise. You aren't looking at a parking lot. You're looking at the ledge of Cathedral Ledge and the peaks beyond.
The vibe is very "English Country House." It's quiet.
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If you're looking for a place to let your kids run wild in a basement arcade, this probably isn't the spot. It’s meant for people who want to drink a martini by a fire that’s been burning since noon. The history here is thick. Erastus Bigelow, the guy who built it, was the "father of the carpet industry." He didn't build this to be a hotel; he built it as a summer home to show off his wealth. You can still feel that ego in the architecture—the heavy stones, the intricate woodwork, and the sheer scale of the common areas.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Dining
People talk about the pizza. It sounds crazy. You go to a fancy historic manor and everyone tells you to order the pizza?
But here’s the thing: The Wild Rose Cherry Wood Oven is legendary for a reason. They use an actual wood-fired oven that creates this specific char you just can't replicate with gas. They do the upscale stuff too—the veal, the prime rib, the baked stuffed lobster—but the artisan pizzas are sort of the soul of the menu. It creates this weird, wonderful contrast where you have people in formal wear sitting near hikers who just came off the Presidential Rail Trail, everyone eating sourdough crust pizza.
It’s inclusive in a way that high-end New England inns usually aren't.
Breakfast is another story entirely. If you stay there, it's usually included, and we aren't talking about a soggy bagel in a plastic wrap. It’s a full, sit-down affair. Honestly, the homemade granola and the custom omelets are enough to fuel a hike up Mount Kearsarge without needing a lunch break.
Why the Location Is Actually Strategic
Most people stay in the village of North Conway. That’s a mistake if you hate traffic. North Conway traffic on a Saturday in October is a special kind of hell.
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Stonehurst is located just north of the main "strip."
- You're close enough to hit Settlers Green for shopping in five minutes.
- You're far enough away that you don't hear the sirens or the crowds.
- The property connects directly to the Whitaker Woods trails.
You can literally walk out the front door of the Manor, strap on some cross-country skis or hiking boots, and disappear into miles of groomed trails. You don't have to touch your car. That is the real luxury in a tourist town.
The "Haunted" Reputation and Local Lore
You can't have a stone mansion from the 1870s without people whispering about ghosts. Local legends often mention sightings in the hallways or strange sounds in the attic spaces. Whether you believe in that or not, the atmosphere at night is undeniably heavy—in a cool way. The lighting is dim, the shadows are long, and the history feels very present.
The staff won't necessarily lean into the "haunted hotel" gimmick like some places in Salem might. They treat the Manor with a bit more dignity than that. But if you sit in the Library Lounge long enough with a glass of scotch, you’ll start to understand why the stories exist. The house has seen a lot of lives pass through it.
A Note on the Seasons
Winter is the peak experience here. Period.
There is something about the way the stone exterior looks against a fresh snowfall that feels right. They do these "Winter Getaway" packages that usually include dinner and breakfast, which is basically the only way to do it. You ski at Cranmore or Attitash during the day, come back, hit the hot tub, and then move to the fireplace.
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Summer is great for the pool and the outdoor seating, but Stonehurst was built for the cold. It’s a fortress.
Practical Realities of Planning Your Trip
Don't just show up. Stonehurst Manor North Conway isn't a "walk-in" kind of place, especially on weekends.
- Book the Manor Wing: If you want the authentic experience, specifically ask if your room is in the original mansion. The guest houses and adjacent buildings are nice, but they don't have the same "Bigelow" energy.
- The Dinner Reservation Rule: Even if you are staying at the hotel, make a dinner reservation for the Wild Rose as soon as you book your room. It fills up with locals and people staying elsewhere. Don't assume a table is waiting for you just because you have a key to the front door.
- Check the Package Deals: They almost always have a "Dinner, Bed, and Breakfast" rate. Usually, if you calculate the cost of a three-course dinner for two in North Conway, the package pays for itself.
- Mid-Week is King: If you can swing a Tuesday or Wednesday, the price drops significantly and you'll practically have the library to yourself.
Stonehurst isn't for everyone. If you want a minimalist, ultra-modern Scandinavian hotel with white walls and zero clutter, you will hate it here. It is cluttered with history. It’s got patterned carpets and heavy drapes and dark wood. It’s a place for people who want to feel like they’ve stepped out of the 21st century for a few days.
In a world where everything is becoming digitized and temporary, a pile of granite on a hill in New Hampshire feels remarkably permanent.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Visit
To get the most out of a stay at the Manor, start by checking their seasonal availability calendar at least three months out if you're eyeing a "Leaf Peeper" October trip or a Christmas stay. Once booked, reach out to the concierge to confirm your room location—aim for the second floor of the main house for the best architectural details. Pack a pair of solid hiking boots; even if you aren't a "hiker," the trail access to Whitaker Woods is too good to pass up for a morning stroll. Finally, skip the chain coffee shops in town on your first morning and head straight to the dining room for the house-made breakfast—it's arguably the best value-add of the entire stay.