Mountain Inn Set on 70 Acres of New Hampshire Wilderness

Sunset Hill House Inn has been attracting visitors since the late 19th century, when city dwellers would flee the crowds and coal-choked atmosphere of New York and Boston for the unhurried pace and pristine mountain air of New Hampshire’s White Mountains. Nearly 200 years after it welcomed its first visitors, the hilltop inn and its idyllic surroundings won the hearts of Alonzo and Nancy Henderson, who left their corporate jobs to take on innkeeping responsibilities full-time. Today, the couple and their four children continue to look after the inn, which serves as a mountain escape year-round.

Many of the guest rooms got a new look after the inn hosted a Decorator’s Showdown in 2011. “I love to decorate,” Nancy says, “but just can’t seem to find the time to do what I know should be done.” So she devised a contest in which interior designers were allowed to treat individual rooms as a blank canvas, with guests voting on the results. Room 302 was crowned the winner following a lengthy primary season and several runoffs. The design incorporates a bird motif and colorful accents from retailer Garnet Hill. Though each room is different, all of them offer spectacular views of the White or Green Mountains, along with the inn’s views of 40 named peaks and 7 mountain ranges.

Mornings at Sunset Hill House Inn begin with a complimentary breakfast of cooked-to-order omelets, pancakes, and french toast. At Restaurant at Sunset Hill—one of two onsite eateries—chefs use herbs and produce from local farms as well as their own kitchen garden to craft prix fixe menus and à la carte options such as slow-roasted cornish game hen ($25). Restaurant at Sunset Hill is a Chaîne des Rôtisseurs property helmed by chef Brill Williams and is the winner of seven awards from Wine Spectator magazine, whereas the New Hampshire Tavern is a more laid-back alternative that serves burgers and locally brewed beers.

What makes Sunset Hill House Inn eco?


• The inn earned an Environmental Champion award, the top ecological award for hotels and restaurants in the state of New Hampshire.
• The property contains a 60-acre wildlife refuge that plays host to birds, moose, deer, black bears, and many other animals.
• All the water at the inn comes from a mountain spring just up the road.
• Locally grown herbs and produce are used in the onsite restaurant.
• The hotel uses Green Seal–certified cleaning and bath products.
• Their high-efficiency laundry reduces water waste and power usage.
• Recently completed grant work will help fund the installation of a solar-powered hot-water system.<p>

Sugar Hill, New Hampshire: Covered Bridges Nestled in New England Wilderness

Sugar Hill lies about 80 miles north of Concord in an area home to 7 mountain ranges and 40 separate peaks. The town sits in the heart of the Franconia Notch, a state park inhabited by deer, moose, and black bears. Many of these animals can be spotted in the forest and meadows around the inn. You can hike to Flume Gorge to look at waterfalls and covered bridges or pack a picnic to enjoy at the Pine Island recreation area. Dips in the Swiftwater swimming hole and rounds of golf at Sunset Hill’s own course are also popular outdoor activities. To bring home a taste of the Granite State, simply head down to one of the quaint country stores for maple syrup, cheeses, and homemade jams.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.