The Hotel Portsmouth Review: Historic Charm and a Perfect Downtown Location

Location: Portsmouth, New Hampshire

If you’re looking for a boutique hotel full of New England charm within walking distance of Portsmouth’s best restaurants, shops, and attractions, our experience at The Hotel Portsmouth made it an easy place to recommend.

One of my favorite parts of traveling is finding hotels that become part of the adventure. That is exactly what happened during our stay at The Hotel Portsmouth.

What started as a smart points redemption quickly turned into one of our kids’ favorite hotel experiences.

I booked The Hotel Portsmouth through the Chase Travel portal using Points Boost. The redemption was such an incredible value that I decided to splurge on something special: the Penthouse Suite.

Since the kids had never stayed in a penthouse before, I kept it a surprise until we arrived. Watching their faces when we opened the door made every point worth it.

Table of Contents

Historic Charm Meets Modern Comfort

The Hotel Portsmouth is part of Lark Hotels and occupies a beautifully restored historic mansion that feels uniquely New England. Instead of feeling like a large chain hotel, the property immediately welcomes you with warm hospitality, thoughtful design, and cozy gathering spaces.

From the moment we stepped inside, it felt like we were staying in someone’s beautifully restored home rather than a traditional hotel.

Throughout the property you’ll find comfortable sitting areas, books, games, and little details that encourage guests to slow down and enjoy the space. Those thoughtful touches helped make the hotel feel inviting for both adults and children.

Our Penthouse Suite

The Penthouse Suite was absolutely beautiful.

It was spacious enough for our family to spread out comfortably after long days exploring Portsmouth. Large windows filled the suite with natural light, while the blend of historic architecture and modern furnishings created a space that felt elegant without being overly formal.

Everything felt thoughtfully designed, from the comfortable seating areas to the relaxing bedroom spaces. Rather than feeling like a standard hotel room, it felt more like staying in a luxury apartment in downtown Portsmouth.

The kids were beyond excited.

The Hidden Speakeasy Was a Fun Surprise

One of the coolest features of The Hotel Portsmouth is tucked away downstairs.

The basement has a cozy speakeasy-style lounge that feels like a hidden secret. Exposed brick, comfortable seating, and soft lighting create an atmosphere that’s perfect for relaxing.

Harry immediately spotted the pool table. After dinner, we spent time playing together, laughing, and enjoying each other’s company.

Perfect for Families

Although The Hotel Portsmouth has plenty of romantic appeal for couples, we were pleasantly surprised by how welcoming it felt for families.

Throughout the hotel were shelves filled with fun games games that guests were encouraged to enjoy. Our children loved discovering them, and it gave the common spaces a relaxed, home-like atmosphere.

Walk Everywhere

One of the biggest reasons we’d stay at The Hotel Portsmouth again is its location.

After parking the car, we didn’t need it for the rest of our visit. There was no fee for parking.

Within just a few minutes, we were strolling along Market Street, browsing local boutiques and exploring the waterfront. Many of Portsmouth’s best restaurants, shops, and attractions are within easy walking distance.

We also appreciated being just a short walk from The Library, an elegant steak house in a historic building.

Complimentary Breakfast

The morning began with a complimentary breakfast, which is always appreciated when traveling with hungry kids.

There was a nice variety of breakfast options, making it easy for everyone to find something they enjoyed before heading out for another day of sightseeing.

It’s one of those little conveniences that adds real value to a family vacation. Instead of searching for breakfast first thing in the morning, we were able to enjoy a relaxed meal before exploring downtown.

Is The Hotel Portsmouth Worth It?

Absolutely.

The Hotel Portsmouth offers everything we look for in a family-friendly boutique hotel: beautiful accommodations, thoughtful amenities, historic character, and an unbeatable location within walking distance of downtown Portsmouth.

The Penthouse Suite made our stay feel extra special, the hidden speakeasy gave us a fun place to unwind together, the complimentary breakfast made mornings easy, and the games throughout the hotel created opportunities for simple family moments that we’ll always remember.

Would we stay here again?

Without hesitation.

Booking the suite through the Chase Travel portal with Points Boost made it feel like an even bigger win. We were able to enjoy a room that normally would have been outside our budget, making this one of the best hotel point redemptions we’ve ever made.

If you’re planning a visit to Portsmouth, whether you’re traveling as a couple or with kids, The Hotel Portsmouth is an exceptional place to stay. It combines the charm of a historic New England inn with the comfort of a boutique hotel, all within easy walking distance of everything that makes Portsmouth one of New Hampshire’s most enjoyable coastal cities.

Before you finalize your itinerary, don’t miss our complete guide to the Best Things to Do in Portsmouth, NH. It includes our favorite restaurants, unique shops, family attractions, waterfront experiences, and hidden gems, many of which are just a few minutes’ walk from The Hotel Portsmouth.