Return to main articleCozy Inns of New England
Hancock Inn
Hancock, New Hampshire
This quaint New Hampshire village property in the shadow of Mount Monadnock is the Granite State's oldest operating inn—it took its first reservation in 1789. A pleasing throwback to colonial days, it features many of the same details that existed when cattle drivers, rum runners, and Revolutionary War soldiers sauntered into reception: antiques, hand-painted murals, wooden rocking chairs, and oversize fireplaces. But the historic inn is not without its modern-day amenities, like cable TV, private baths, and Jacuzzis. There's a resident parrot named "George" who lives in the front parlor, while the handsome wood-worn tavern, which is stocked with puzzles and board games, and the candlelit dining room both riff on the romance of the day. The inn has an award-winning wine list, but its four-course prix fixe meal is the true star; the house specialty, a slow-cooked Shaker-style pot roast with cranberry sauce and garlic mashed potatoes, has remained on the menu for more than a quarter century for good reason. Insider Tip: Leave time to wander "downtown" Hancock—every single building on the village's main street is on the National Register of Historic Places. Paul Revere's No. 236 bell in the town's steepled meetinghouse still chimes every hour on the hour. Coziest Room to Book: The peaceful and artful Rufus Porter Suite is named after New England's most celebrated muralist; the suite's bedroom features an original, painted in 1825. There's also a gas fireplace, sitting area, and wonderful corner views over the backyard. More Information: Hancock Inn.
