Omni Mount Washington Hotel Review
The Omni Mount Washington Resort is a truly iconic New England, 4-star luxury, historic hotel residing at 310 Mount Washington Hotel Rd in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire. This resort has been on my hotel bucket list since moving to Massachusetts and I was so thrilled to finally be able to cover it. Such an honor! It’s noted as one of the oldest, most historic, epic and family-friendly resorts in all of New England with a wonderful reputation to back it up. In addition, the hotel was recently renovated and expanded into an even more massive and grand place to stay, with all of its 1900s distinct character still intact.
It’s an ideal resort to visit year-round for friends, families, couples and businesses.
I will say that a large portion of the people I saw were there in groups of families, ranging in all ages. Grandparents, parents, kids and grandkids seem to love it here and there’s plenty of space to host everyone. I also visited during New Year weekend, so that could also explain the abundance of families around the property. Regardless, it’s the perfect year-round escape from the bustle of city life as it has something for everyone, in every season.
As you drive up to the property, you take a long and windy road where the massive Omni Mount Washington slowly reveals itself, just as beautiful as you’d imagine it to be. There’s a large overpass with pillars where you can pull up and drop off luggage, skis and family members. The large wrap-around porch provides a ton of space for people to unpack, hangout and wait for ski shuttles to take you to the mountain. There’s also a few bellhops that can assist you with your luggage and store your skis in a separate room where you don’t have to worry about them until you’re ready to hit up the slopes. In the winter, many travel from near and far to ski at Bretton Woods and between the proximity, amenities, dining options and cozy fireplaces, The Omni Mount Washington is the perfect place to stay for your trip.
Omni Mount Washington Hotel Review
Walking into the Omni Mount Washington is a real treat. You’ll be greeted by large pillars, detailed architecture, high ceilings, gorgeous chandeliers, grand staircases and endless space to roam and wander. Rarely do you ever get to do this much exploration on a hotel property which makes it so much fun for families and kids. There’s fireplaces, lounges, large windows with views of the white mountains and plenty of indoor and outdoor activities to enjoy. The ambiance in the winter is that of a typical ski resort and town; warm, cozy, inviting and relaxing. The best part is the resort caters to all and also has good options for skiers and non-skiers alike.
The property expands 464 acres of alpine and cross country skiing and riding and has Nordic trails, a classic Donald Ross-designed golf course, casual dining facilities, nine high-flying zip lines, year-round canopy tours, a full-service spa and in general is a premier destination in the Northeast. With 269 guest rooms and suites, the resort offers plenty of options to enjoy your stay in comfort and relaxation.
Omni Mount Washington History & Hauntings
The Omni Mount Washington was built in 1902 by Concord, NH native & wealthy coal broker, Joseph Stickney, with the vision of creating a resort with Spanish Renaissance Revival architecture inspired by cities he loved like London, New York & Boston. (My personal favorite cities as well). Walking around, I felt the resort resembled the interiors of the Titanic which makes complete sense since Titanic was built in 1909. In fact, The Ammonoosuc Room where important business meetings and dinners were once held, includes a stunning chandelier made by the same manufacturer that made the chandeliers on Titanic. I was mind-blown. No wonder I noticed the similarities.
In addition, there have been many famous celebrities and presidents who have stayed at the resort like Thomas Edison, Princess Margaret, Anthony Eden, John Kenneth Galbraith, and Joan Crawford. Obviously with such a prestigious structure, the resort attracted everyone to its majestic existence. The resort itself was an extremely intentional and innovative build with a heating and plumbing system like no other and even until this day, the resort has its own private telephone system and Post Office.
With such a large resort, of course the upkeep is demanding which calls for about 600 workers and employees year-round to over 1,200 in the winter, made up of students, interns and professional staff from all around the world. Each staff member is kind, intuitive, knowledgeable and proud to be at The Omni which makes for an overall pleasant experience during your stay.
As if the history isn’t enough, we also have stories of the hauntings.
Did you know The Omni Mount Washington is given the title as one of the most haunted hotels not just in the United States, but in the world? Carolyn Stickney, Joseph Sticnkey’s wife, spent a great deal of time at the hotel during the summers where she slept and ate in many of the hotel spaces guests use today. It is said that Carolyn haunts room #314 since it used to be her room. Carolyn died in 1936 and since then, many guests and employees have reported seeing a woman in a Victorian dress floating around the hallways. In fact, there have been sightings not just on property but in the back of photos as well. The resort has also been investigated by several paranormal activity experts and was even featured on the show Ghost Hunters.
If you’re into the spooky vibes, then you’re in luck because you can actually request to stay in Carolyn’s old room where you can get the best chance of experiencing any hauntings. Specific reporting in room #314 includes lights turning on and off, objects being moved, the smell of floral perfume as well as music playing on its own. While this may be scary for some, rest assured that the ghosts of the Omni Mount Washington are friendly and don’t cause harm or disruptions to guests. Overall, there is an eerie vibe that is often felt throughout the hotel, which just adds to the charm if you ask me 🙂
Omni Mount Washington Hotel Accommodations
With 269 guest rooms and suites, you’ll have a plethora of options to choose from whether you’re coming with one other person or your entire family. The resort offers European Rooms, Traditional Rooms, Deluxe Rooms, Deluxe Rooms with a mountain view, Corner Vistas, Premier King Rooms, Premier Queen – Princess Carloyn Room (the haunted one), The Family Room, The Luxury King Tower Suite, The Luxury King Room, The Luxury Family Suite, ADA Accessible Rooms as well as the new Presidential Wing. If you want assistance in booking the best room, send in a request through my VIP Hotel Booking Platform to get the royal treatment.
Some of the room features include private balconies or patios, luxurious bedding, work desk and chair, iron & ironing board, hair dryer, updated marble baths, gas fireplaces, in-room safe and in-room technology.
We stayed in a European room which was pretty standard, but offered everything we needed.
The decor is a bit outdated, but like most of the hotel, it’s extremely historic. I also loved the large walk-in closet, the luxurious robe, the view of the mountains from our room as well as the marble-tiled and spacious bathroom. It made for a very comfortable and enjoyable stay.
If you’re interested in booking a room at The Omni Mount Washington or any hotel in the world, you can do so through my personal VIP booking request form that gives to access to a trusted travel advisor who will help you book your accommodations for you. The benefit of using my booking form is that it is at no extra cost to you and allows you to get priority for hotel rooms since my travel advisor has access and personal relationships with hotel properties. With select luxury hotels, you can also get access to exclusive perks and benefits by using the booking form. It is my goal to help you enhance your experience when traveling and staying at hotels, so this is one of the ways in which I do so! Click here to book your stay at The Omni Mount Washington.
Omni Mount Washington Hotel Amenities
Resort amenities are some of my personal favorites to enjoy and at The Omni Mount Washington Hotel, you have plenty of options. Some amenities you have to look forward to include fine & casual dining options, an award-winning 18-hole golf course, a full-service spa, Nordic & Alpine Skiing, Red-Clay Tennis Courts and Pro Shop, Valet & self-parking, hiking trails, canopy tours, horsebacking riding & sleigh ride, mountain biking, indoor pool and outdoor heated pools, an arcade room, a kids program, on-site shopping, U.S. Post Office, in-room dining, a Fitness Center, yoga classes and a delicious coffee shop.
During our stay we got to enjoy the Alpine & Nordic skiing (well, Bubs did), the outdoor pool, the fitness center as well as the onsite dining. During the day you’re free to roam around the hotel, find a cozy place by the fire to read a book or go on an adventure outdoors whether you’re hiking or sledding down the resort hill. There’s truly something for everyone.
In addition, one of my favorite parts was seeing families gather at the tables and lounges in the main lobby, ordering food, drinks, hot chocolates and playing board games after a day of skiing. As historic and luxurious as the hotel is, the staff and the atmosphere is extremely laid-back and relaxed.
Omni Mount Washington Hotel Dining
The Rosebrook Bar
My personal favorite place to enjoy a meal was at The Rosebrook Bar. It has an awesome view of the mountains, provides a ton of natural light and offers a bit more of a bustling atmosphere when the resort is busy. You can also sit in the Rosebrook Bar if seating is available or you can find a lounge or table in the lobby and servers will come around to take your order.
The menu includes a lighter fare of things like hummus & naan bread, pretzel breadsticks, cheeseboards, club sandwiches, burgers and salads. It’s also a fabulous place to grab a drink as you watch sports on the TV and/or the sun going down.
Stickney’s Restaurant
This restaurant is a great option for lunch, dinner and drinks. It’s located underground in a more moody atmosphere and also offers things like appetizers, soups, salads, and main courses with some fabulous New England dishes to choose from. You can also expect an abundance of cocktails, wines, and beers to choose from.
The Main Dining Room
This is one of my favorite rooms in the entire resort. The space is expansive and detailed with beautiful architecture, high ceilings, stained-glass windows, a ton of natural light and a great view. The Main Dining Room is said to give a modern twist on a century-old classic style. The cuisine offers a New England-inspired taste where you can enjoy breakfast and dinner from the resort’s award-winning culinary team.
We loved the breakfast buffet equipped with all classic dishes like pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon, oatmeal, fruit, pastries, yogurt and juices. Dinner was also a very relaxing atmosphere with delectable starters like jumbo shrimp, charcuterie and beef tartare, soups like New England Corn Chowder, salads like the Seafood Cobb, hearty main courses like filet mignon, lobster pot pie and seared salmon and delicious pastries for dessert like s’mores creme brûlée, apple carrot cake and cheesecake.
The Cave
The Cave is also an underground special bar that you have access to from 9pm-12am. It’s actually an original prohibition-era speakeasy with stone, brick walls, entertainment, televised sporting events and an atmosphere you’ll want to experience.
My Experience At The Omni Mount Washington Hotel
My experience at the Omni Mount Washington Hotel was exactly what I expected it to be. It left an impression of rich history, detailed decor and architecture, kind hospitality, delicious meals and a feeling of “home.” We stayed at the hotel for 2 days and each day was filled with curiosity and adventure as we explored this massive property. In fact, I loved how everyone felt comfortable and content during their stay. And could also tell families were creating special memories together. The hotel was still lit up and decorated for Christmas so we got to experience it during the tail-end of the holidays and it was truly a magical experience.
The few things I did want to note but have already mentioned several times throughout this review is that the hotel is very old. While it is absolutely gorgeous, some of the decor throughout the hotel and the room were a little outdated. Again, this adds to the charm but for a luxury resort, I did want to set expectations as luxury hotels typically have a newer and more modern feel. If you’re into more modern-style, I would suggest booking rooms in The Presidential Wing.
Another thing to note is the hotel is extremely kid and family-friendly. Which is great! Families will definitely thrive here and there are so many options for couples without kids to enjoy during the stay. The hotel seriously takes into consideration all groups of people and delivers the luxury experience very well.
Overall, I had a fabulous stay and would love to see this hotel in all seasons, especially the summer months. It’s one of the most impressive properties I’ve been to and is an absolute hotel bucket-list must-visit!
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