121 Bow St, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, United States | (618) 248-8274
Historic, downtown Portsmouth location
Walking distance to shops, restaurants, historic sites, and the waterfront
In-room coffeemakers and mini-fridges, stocked with free beers and water
Free Wi-Fi and parking
Bikes available to borrow
Steep, concrete steps to climb to get to the front door
No on-site restaurant, bar, or fitness center; just a guest lounge
Small rooms (with tiny bathrooms) have dim lighting and few outlets
Rooms close to guest lounge can be noisy
The cozy 10-room Ale House Inn -- more suited to adults than families -- is housed in a historic 130-year-old former brewery warehouse a block from downtown Portsmouth. Room decor is minimalist, hip, and chic, but there isn't much to this boutique hotel other than a small lobby and common area with free snacks. There is no on-site restaurant or bar, but the Market Square District location means shops and dining are nearby. The hotel gives free tickets to the Seacoast Rep Theater, which is located on the ground floor, and a free local beer upon arrival. Each room is equipped with a pre-loaded iPad that includes a ton of information about Portsmouth.
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Scene
Historic hotel housed in a former brewery in the Market Square District
The quaint Ale House Inn offers guests a relaxing and intimate stay in downtown Portsmouth. Formerly a brewery warehouse, a distinguishing feature of the building is its exposed brick walls. A nautical theme resonates in the lobby and the guest lounge, with its dock-style ropes, antler-themed chandelier, and old-fashioned red brick fireplace. Though it's small, there are special touches throughout the historic inn. The lounge is a great place to congregate (there's is a 10 p.m. quiet policy in effect) and enjoy free snacks, such as chips and fruit, and welcome beers. There's also a computer and plenty of books and brochures in the lounge to help guests find their way around town. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and is more than happy to offer dining and shopping recommendations. Bikes are available for guests' use, and tickets for Seacoast Rep Theatre productions are free.
Location
The Ale House Inn is located in historic, downtown Portsmouth
Located in historic downtown Portsmouth, in the Market Square District, the Ale House Inn is walking distance to shops, restaurants, historic sites, and the waterfront. The inn is on the water and across the street from a parking lot that offers free but restricted parking to guests. The surrounding area is filled with offices and is generally a busy but safe locale with the city center a block away. Given the traffic pattern and one-way streets, the hotel can be hard to find.
Rooms
Cozy rooms in minimalist style with tiny bathrooms
The rooms at Ale House Inn are basic and modern with quality linens and lighting and black-and-white still photos of nautical subjects on the walls. The black-and-white color scheme is enhanced by a splash of blue from the curtains, and a bit of green from a bamboo plant. Mattresses are Serta Presidential Suite Euro Top and come in king or queen sizes. Rooms have free Wi-Fi and an iPad that's pre-loaded with Portsmouth activities, dinning, attractions, and maps; iPhone docking stations for pre iPhone 5 models; 32-inch flat-screen TVs; Keurig coffeemakers; and mini-fridges stocked with a few local beers and water. Bathrooms are cramped but tidy with granite fixtures, Lather bath products, and a separate sink outside. Some rooms have views of the water, but most look out onto rooftops and air-conditioning/heating units. Though lighting is designed by Jonathan Adler, some guests have noted the lack of brightness and the absence of an overhead light, as well as an inadequate number of outlets or USB ports available for charging gadgets. Rooms located close to the guest lounge can be noisy despite the inn's quiet policy in the evenings.
Features
In-room iPads pre-loaded with dining and activity options, Dwell Studios bedding, Jonathan Adler lighting, and free theater tickets
Friendly welcome amenities at the Ale House Inn include free local beers and bikes that guests can borrow. A nice bonus is free tickets to the SeaCoast Rep Theater, which is located on the first floor of the inn. Each room has an iPad for guests to use. There's also free parking (one car per room), and a pleasant guest lounge provides a nice place to drink free beer and enjoy free snacks and fruit. The inn also offers discounted rates for such activities as golf and cooking classes.
