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Ale House Inn
Category: Event Planning & Services Hotels Hotels & Travel Hotels Hotels
121 Bow StPortsmouth, NH 03801
(603) 431-7760
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 8 am - 6 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
39 reviews for Ale House Inn
Review Highlights
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"...for our use, a Keurig coffee maker, two Smuttynose IPA's..." In 3 reviews -
"Comfy beds, iPad in every room." In 10 reviews -
"eco-friendly hd tv (GO GREEN." In 3 reviews
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39 reviews in English
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Review from vafa a.
Middlesex, MA
4/13/2012
atmosphere: attractive, clean, modern
service: personal, caring, respectful
beds: tremendously comfortable
amenities: high class
value: best in town -
Review from Jon P.
Sudbury, MA
5/14/2012
Spotless, tastefully appointed rooms, friendly staff, outstanding location, parking included. I'd definitely recommend to family and friends.
Side notes: the rooms are on the small-ish side (compared to the Sheraton, etc.), but so well appointed/decorated you don't care. Besides, if you're spending any real time in your room, you're missing out on all Portsmouth has to offer. Also, there's a very nice common space if you really need to stretch your legs.
The rooms on the river side don't actually offer a view of the water (not that it was promised anyway)., But the large windows do open so you can let in the sea air and breezes. -
Review from Kristen D.
Nottingham, NH
3/7/2012
This is such a great little inn!
We stayed here for one night as a little "staycation" (we live 20 minutes away) on the eve of the 2012 Kate the Great Day at the Portsmouth Brewery. Epic beer release + "Ale House" Inn? has to be a good combo right?
Well they did not disappoint. The building has the quaint charm of an old brewery...exposed brick, on the water, cozy fireplace in the common area...
The rooms are clean and modern, simple and everything you need. They even offer the use of an iPad in each room for your stay, pre-loaded with info about Portsmouth, restaurant links, etc.
The rooms aren't huge, but definitely enough space (we chose a queen room, though it looks as though their King room has a sitting area too).
Scott checked us in, offered 2 free local beers (+++) and didn't hesitate to assist with dinner reservations or information. I also hear that they will give you free tickets to a show at the Seacoast Rep next door if there's something playing while you're there. That's a pretty nice addition.
I would highly recommend this place for a stay in Portsmouth.
It has the amenities of a larger hotel packed into it's 10 rooms, better location on the water, and from what I've found, less expensive pricing than the 3 major chains that are also downtown. And a number of thoughtful touches to make your stay memorable.
-fresh fruit and snacks in the common area
-Keurigs in the room
-iPad in the room
-free WiFi
-great selection of books, magazines, papers and guides in the room and in the common area
-iPod dock radio in the room
-eco-friendly fixtures (TV, toilet, lighting)
-very comfortable beds and bedding
-free parking
-free theater tickets
-gym passes
and very gracious hosts that are willing to arrange whatever you may need.
I also thought it was adorable that they give you real live old school keys.
If you are not that familiar with Portsmouth, you can walk everywhere in downtown very easily from this hotel from the shops and restaurants to the Strawberry Banke living history museum.
I look forward to making this an annual ritual on Kate Day. (though hopefully next year will be a little warmer). -
Review from Rob K.
10/1/2011
Stay at the Ale House Inn, then brag to your friends that you crashed overnight in an old brewery. Now your trip has some merit. There's no doubt they will be impressed, plus it beats staying at another predictable Hampton Inn.
It's funny when people have issue with "no breakfast offerings", or "no staff on duty." Are you completely helpless, where you can't roll down the street to grab a bagel and a coffee? Go on a cruise.
Explore a little bit. Portsmouth is stunning.
It's kind of nice to be away from home, but feel like you have a private studio apartment. It's homey. The staff pays attention to detail- just how I envision the decor of my future beach cottage.
The price of the Ale House Inn is right on par with all options in downtown Portsmouth, if not less expensive. Certainly you could stay a couple miles away from downtown, but you don't have the luxury of walking back to your bed.
For no extra charge, your room comes with a free parking spot, coffee, umbrella, iPAD, goodies in the common room, fast Wi-Fi, bikes, a couple Smuttynose, and a staff knowledgeable about the area. The front desk at chain hotels always seem to fail at giving restaurant suggestions. 106 Kitchen and Bar was the right move. Good call.
You can say this rating is generous considering I don't give out many five stars, but I believe the owners have put their heart into this boutique. It's unique, cozy, downtown... and where else are you going to stay overnight in an old brewery? I'll drink to that.Listed in: Irresistible New England!
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Review from Christine C.
Baltimore, MD
8/20/2011
Chose the Ale House for a short getaway after getting married. It's for sure a small boutique hotel, located on the second floor of what was once a brewery. The brick building keeps the temperature pretty stable, and comfortable. The staff--Scott in particular-- was Amazing. He left us a complimentary bottle of champagne in the room upon our arrival, and even gave us a tube of toothpaste since we forgot ours. He had plenty of info on local restaurants and was more than willing to make reservations.
The Ale House is ideally located just a minute or 2 walk from the central downtown area. It's pricey, but so worth it. Those beds were to die for.
All in all a fantastic place to stay. We will for sure be back. -
Review from Blaze F.
Oakland, CA
8/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
Very nice place. Check out their website to get a good idea of all they offer.
Rooms are smallish, but very nicely done. Comfy beds, iPad in every room. Theater tix come with room reservation for the theater that is downstairs from the Inn. Nice snacks & beverage at check-in. The Inn is just a short stroll from restaurants & shopping. Nice area!
I have one minor quibble-11AM checkout. That hour makes a big difference!Comment from Doug P. of Ale House Inn 8/10/2011
Thanks again for your recent stay with us Blaze. We… More » -
Review from Justin A.
San Antonio, TX
2/8/2012
My girlfriend and I loved the Ale House Inn. Despite vacationing in the dead of winter, we fell in love with Portsmouth and the Inn undoubtedly added to the town's charm. The details in the Inn's decor were fantastic and we loved that the rooms include an iPad with free wireless internet and a Keurig coffee maker. Nice touches! I only wish it had been warm enough during our stay to take advantage of the free bicycle rentals! I should also note that Doug was incredibly helpful throughout our stay. We were not very familiar with the area and Doug was always readily willing to give us tips and suggestions on what to do or where to go during our stay. Overall, I highly recommend this place. Can't wait to go back!
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Review from K.s. P.
Sacramento, CA
7/15/2011 2 photos
The Ale House Inn set the stage for our time in Portsmouth. The room was spacious, the iPad a surprisingly useful amenity for visiting travelers, and complimentary Smuttyhouse Ale on entry a delight.
This is not a B&B, so don't expect breakfast. They do provide daily snacks, however, in the form of apples, pretzels, and popcorn for the taking. They also offer bicycles if you so desire. The proprietors helped us chose food spots, jogging routes, and places to catch a drink and watch live music in the evenings. They were genuinely nice, and enjoyable to chat with about pretty much everything.
The style and atmosphere at the Ale House really sets a precedent for Portsmouth. With food lovers and leisurely travelers seeking the mellow surroundings, the Ale House is certainly the place to enjoy modern amenities (free wifi, Keurig coffee maker, small fridge, room iPad, cable, Aveda products, etc.). -
Review from Chrissie B.
Salem, MA
4/21/2011
Went there April 2011
Our room was really nice- much bigger than I thought it would be and it didn't have that stale hotel room smell. It was like being in a much nicer version of my own bedroom! Also, the Ipad in the room was very helpful for looking up things to do
The owner was super friendly and helped us figure out places to eat and let us know we could borrow a bike. awesome!
Finally, the reason that pushed me over the edge into writing a review (which normally I am too lazy to do)
Apparently, unbeknown to me, I left a pile of clothes behind (and my underwear too. Oh God, they folded my underwear. Very embarrassing). Anyway, they fedexed them to me and they were at my doorstep within 24 HOURS of me checking out!! That was so nice! I don't think I would have ever even noticed they were gone!
The Ale House Inn folded my underwear and mailed it home to me. And for that you earn 5 Stars!! -
Review from Julie R.
Chicago, IL
8/11/2011
Right from check-in when we my husband and I each got a complimentary Smuttynose Beer to the iPad in our room, I knew the Ale House Inn rocked.
The Inn is in a quaint building that is a short walk from the main area of Portsmouth. The room was a nice size and both the room and bathroom are very modern and cozy.
The room was loaded with suggested places to see, eat and drink at, and the owners were all very helpful when we had questions. -
Review from Heather C.
Revere, MA
2/25/2012
Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous!! Spent the night last night and have to say that we absolutely loved this inn! The design of the room was amazing, every detail was perfect. Can't wait to spent another night or two, :) Would without a doubt recommend this place to anyone!
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Review from Kyle C.
8/16/2011
As a beer connoisseur, I had been wanting to stay at this inn for quite some time. I finally had an opportunity over the weekend in early August, and it was well worth the wait.
From the moment we checked in, and Doug told us he'd have some cold beers waiting in the mini-fridge for us, to the moment we were about to drive out of Portsmouth and noticed they had left my forgotten phone charger (oops!) on my windshield- the Ale House Inn was everything we could have wished for in a place to stay.
Doug and company were spot on with their suggestions on where to eat, where to drink, and where to just take a nice walk in the park. In addition to all of those things, we enjoyed the little details of the inn (ipads in the room, a cozy common area to meet other travelers, black facecloths for make-up).
We also found the inns location to be just right... everything was in walking distance: a playhouse downstairs, an art museum next door, and endless restaurants and bars a stones throw away.
The town itself was well worth the trip, and if you decide to go, I would say treat yourself to the friendly, accommodating atmosphere of the Ale House Inn! -
Review from Peter S.
Eliot, ME
11/28/2010
There's no doubt that this place is cute. The rooms are nice and the amenities are classy. I enjoyed my experience there.
Unfortunately, the cost will likely prevent me from visiting again. That said, I'd rather support a local boutique hotel than one of the major chains, and if I could afford to do so more readily I would without hesitation.Comment from Doug P. of Ale House Inn 12/10/2010
Now that you have stayed with us once, please keep a lookout… More » -
Review from Helen P.
Dorchester, MA
3/30/2011
We had an amazing weekend stay at the Ale House Inn! Cute, impeccably clean, high-quality amenities, very friendly staff - it has everything you'd want, and then some (Hello there, iPad).
Scott, who worked at the reception desk that weekend, even went out of his way to make dinner reservations for us because he was worried that we wouldn't be able to get a table. Who does that?? Awesome people do, that's what. Considering that it was restaurant week, it was definitely a smart move.
We had the additional touch of chocolate and beer in our queen room - both of which were excellent.
The rates for the rooms are worth it. We'll be back again this summer for sure! -
Review from Brendan S.
Washington, DC
8/5/2010
This was nothing but a great experience in the heart of downtown Portsmouth. The staff was friendly, helping me with a dead car battery, the rooms were clean and comfortable, and the location was perfect. I'd highly recommend the Ale House Inn to anyone staying along the Seacoast of New Hampshire.
I gave this place 5 stars only because there aren't 10 starts available.
The bathroom was clean, the amenities were ample and the flat screen tv was a nice touch. The next time I have an excuse to visit Portsmouth, I will only be staying at one location: The Ale House Inn. -
Review from Stephanie M.
Medford, MA
7/21/2010
From the moment that I checked into the Inn, I was formulating what exactly I wanted to say in my Yelp review. Yes, i'm that obsessive at times. Especially when I absolutely love a place.
My significant other and I had been planning a day/night trip up to Portsmouth for some time now. We just wanted to get away and re-energize ourselves, what with being absolute workaholics. So after doing plenty of research online, I came across this little gem of a spot. The photos absolutely sold me, and I knew he'd love it even more.
The location itself is really quite easy to locate, and its so close to downtown we walked everywhere during the entirety of our stay.
Upon checking in, I was pretty much blown away by the amount of charm the lobby held. Anchor screen printed pillow, as well as a screen printed ship on another pillow. So cute! Chips and fruit were out on the table, and the owl statue is lucky I didn't have a bigger pocketbook.
We grabbed the room keys (which were both attached to a cast iron anchor, loves!) and got settled into our room. I was a little hesitant that our room was too close to the reception desk, noise wise, but honestly we didn't hear a peep. And I hope they didn't.. either..
The room itself was so comfortable. Like others have said, immaculate and I loved the decor. I was so excited to sleep on a real bed (hello air mattress recently!) and it didn't disappoint at all. There are only 10 rooms, so the place is small and well kept. A total gem!
The two men we dealt with behind the reception desk were very accomodating and helpful. Eager to whip out a local map, circle the good parts and x out the bad parts. We listened to all their recommendations and honestly were only disappointed with the places we chose to go on our own. Off the beaten path, if you will.
While checking out, we let it slip that we wanted to steal the keychains, so the man behind the desk promptly responded that we could own them for $10 each. Of course, we bought two.
We'll certainly be making another trip out to Portsmouth just to stay here. Hopefully during the off peak season, to cut back on costs just a little. -
Review from Kitty M.
Somerville, MA
11/7/2010
Owner Doug says there is now parking on Saturday nights, so I'm changing my review to 5 stars!
************************************************** *
Really great place to stay! Friendly and helpful staff. Close to all the shops & restaurants downtown.
The room was just darling! Loved the bed and the bedding, the Aveda products in the bathroom were also well appreciated.
The only thing that wasn't great was the fact that we had to move the car to the street Saturday night, because the hotel shares parking with a church.
We will definitely stay here again.Comment from Doug P. of Ale House Inn 1/19/2011
Hello Kitty! Thanks again for your stay with us. I did want… More » -
Review from Kara N.
Boston, MA
6/25/2009
Absolutely in love with the inn. There is a keurig coffee maker in the rooms with hot coca, tea, regular and decaf coffee. Everything is exceptionally clean and the managers are very nice. It is completely different than any other inn I have stayed at.. I didn't feel like I stepped into a cottage. Instead it was hip and simple with the perfect amount of decor. The inn was a little pricey, but worth every cent. The location was prime- just a few minutes walking distance from everything in downtown Portsmouth but just off the beaten track so it isn't as loud as other Portsmouth hotels and inns. Absolutely loved it- you have to stay here!
I had to edit this because i forgot to mention the aveda products they use and the eco friendly TV's! Fabulous!! -
Review from Jennifer V.
Newington, CT
6/10/2010
We stayed at the Ale House Inn for three nights last summer and loved it.
The room was comfortable, beautifully decorated and had everything and more you could need.
All the fixtures (including in the bathroom, not sure why other people had problems with the bathrooms) were updated, and modern.
The room and bathroom were IMMACULATE.
The amenities are not to be beat! fridge with freezer, a Keriug coffee maker with complimentary coffee tea and hot chocolate re-stocked daily, complimentary water re-stocked daily, a corkscrew and wine glasses, an HD-TV, an iPod / iPhone docking station that doubled as an alarm.
The service is exceptional. The staff goes out of their way to be friendly.
My one pet peeve is the wall are a tiny bit thin. We were there on vacation and when someone next door was blow drying their hair first thing in the morning it could be heard. But all the other things beyond outweighed that and generally the place is so quiet I don't think it matters too much.
I have recommended Ale House Inn to others and will continue to do so. -
Review from Ryan H.
Cambridge, MA
10/17/2010
Great location, incredibly clean, organized experience all-around. The folks at AHI communicated every step of the process well-ahead of our arrival, and exceeded our expectations over a long weekend in Portsmouth.
Don't know much about the other Portsmouth lodging options, but can't imagine any having this balance of comfort and service. Highly recommended.Comment from Doug P. of Ale House Inn 1/19/2011
Hello Ryan, We're happy to hear you had such a great stay… More » -
Review from Christina S.
Dedham, MA
1/3/2011
Delightful/helpful staff; clean, comfortable, attractive room; free snacks; iPad!; easy parking; good/central location; great for a weekend getaway.
Slight downside: No view, awkward entrance, persistent nightlight.Comment from Doug P. of Ale House Inn 1/19/2011
Hello Christina, Thank you again for your stay with us.… More » -
Review from Vanessa V.
Portsmouth, NH
Updated - 4/25/2010 5 photos
Spent the long weekend at the Ale House again last week. It was yet another amazing stay. We got the same exact room so we kind of assumed nothing had changed... we were wrong. The bathroom had been updated with beautiful wood floors, modern fixtures, and a paint job. I also noticed a little guide book to Portsmouth sitting on the desk. Cute touch.
Also, the beds. I don't know how I didn't mention the beds in my first review. They are the kind of bed that you climb into after a long day and are so insanely comfortable that you don't even want to go to sleep, you just want to wrap up and watch TV. We ended up asking Doug what kind of mattress it was and are now shopping for one of our own.
Speaking of which, Doug is honestly the nicest guy I've met in a long time. Not only did he recognize us and give us a tour of the hotel, but he stood and talked to us about wedding venues and other local Portsmouthy stuff for a good half hour one day (I believe I mentioned to him once-- through email-- months before-- that we were planning our wedding). Lots of hotels will learn your name and maybe greet you in the morning, but the hospitality of Ale House will keep us coming back!
ps. I know I sound like an advertisement, but I swear I'm not affiliated in any way :)Listed in: life in the seacoast
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/24/2009 First to Review
AMAZING hotel. Completely exceeded any expectations. I was searching for a hotel in the area and… Read more »
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Review from Rachelle H.
Salem, MA
10/24/2011 3 Check-ins Here
i loved it here so much that, right before i left, i wrote down every little impressive thing. lucky for YOU!
in no particular order:
eco-friendly hd tv (GO GREEN!)
huge windowsill (big enough for my fat ass to lounge!)
exposed brick around the windows (SEXY!)
keurig in every room (you can enjoy that coffee smell the way michael scott enjoys waking to the smell of bacon!)
ipad in every room (with icons to the preferred restaurants/bars!)
comfy chair (sometimes my fat ass doesn't want to sit on the bed!)
pillows so soft they feel like melting (I LOVE LUXURY!)
cold cold beers (STOCKED IN YOUR ROOM FOR YOU! OMG!)
cold cold champagne (STOCKED IN YOUR ROOM FOR YOU! OMG!)
rad artwork (made me feel cool for a day!)
comfy ass bed (i slept like a baby!)
eat.shop new england book (rad suggestions of places to check out in the area!)
perfect temperature (even when the weather was wacky!)
awesome faucets (can i buy a house now so i can make it look cool like this bathroom?!)
relaxing stream in shower (and i just got married so i needed it!)
comfy couch in the lounge (AND HOLY CRAP, IS THE LOUNGE HIP AND COZY AND VINTAGEY AND I WANT TO LIVE IN IT!)
inspiring deco (as i've already alluded to... love it!)
orange rotary phone in lounge (!!!)
binder in each room with personal recommendations and lists of swag from the hotel you can buy, such as the AMAZING red light up letters above the elevator, the comforter, and even the anchor key chains on the actual room keys (not room cards that erase when you put them in your wallet with your credit cards that you get at other hotely places!)
welcoming staff (not at all cloying, and totally real buddy types!)
not on the list because it happened after: when we were checking out, they told us we could keep our car in the lot while we went shopping/eating around lovely portsmouth, even though you're supposed to have your car out after checkout. that made our day so much easier.
i was so, so impressed with the all house inn. it was the right fit for my husband and me. i already want to go back. -
Review from Meg A.
South Waltham, MA
11/15/2010
My boyfriend had gotten an email over a year ago about this place opening in downtown Portsmouth. We're from Boston and love hanging in Portsmouth for a night or two away, and had been dying to check this place out.
I read a lot of reviews, all seemingly really great. A few people even said that they received upgrades for a special occasion or some such. We were intrigued by the old looking mill style building, the modern feel to the place, the brick walls (we love brick walls).
Our stay was fine. The place itself is nice- clean and neat, which of course are priorities. It's convenient to downtown. Since we were only staying one night, and we didn't spend too much time at all in the room, we didn't mind so much that the room was smaller than we expected, for the price that we paid, and that we had so much trouble getting the heat to turn down (we ended up just having to shut it off). The snacks and fresh fruit in the cozy sitting area when you first walk in were nice. The brick walls and wood floors were funky- we liked that.
We found it odd that we checked in and checked out all upon arriving. We found it a bit inconvenient that we needed to move our car from the church parking lot where the Inn contracts with for parking, by 7:30am the next morning (on a Sunday). When we checked in, we had parked in a metered spot right out front, and were told to park in the church lot. But then we needed to move our car from the church lot by either 7:30am the next morning, or the night before. Had we known this, we would have just stayed in the spot we had in front of the Inn, rather than having to search for a new spot on the street. Sure, parking after 7pm was free, and free all day Sunday, but the whole process was a bit inconvenient. Bottom line, we wished we had just stayed put in the spot we were in to begin with.
Other than check in, we didn't see the Innkeeper(s) until a quick hand off of our keys on checkout. It was a little odd that no one was around at all in the evening, but then again the Inkeepers were reachable by phone...
I had hoped for some sort of upgrade if the option became available, as it was our anniversary, but that didn't happen. I realize that there are only 8 or 10 rooms and this maybe wasn't an option, but I had hoped maybe something...anything small even, for our special night away.
All in all, it's a nice place... but it didn't totally live up to our expectations, unfortunately. I'd go back, but I'd probably try another local Inn in the area first, as there's tons around and for the price we paid, we might be inclinced to look around a bit more next time.Comment from Doug P. of Ale House Inn 1/23/2011
Since your stay in November 2010, we have now secured free… More » -
Review from Clare D.
Boston, MA
7/9/2011 4 photos
Had a fantastic time at the Ale House Inn. Drove up from Boston, great directions in to the Inn. The room (while small) was wonderful-great color scheme, all the necessities plus great things like an iPad for our use, a Keurig coffee maker, two Smuttynose IPA's that they gave us when we checked in. The iPad was really nifty to have-we listened to Pandora in the evening, looked at the menus of local restaurants that they'd loaded on there for us-really neat. The wonderful guy at the desk (whose name I forget) gave us great recommendations and directions and was just generally super pleasant. The Inn is in a great spot in Portsmouth and it was the perfect place for our night out of the city. We only wish we could have stayed longer.
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Review from Matthew R.
Boston, MA
2/16/2011
Great place. Had everything we needed and wanted. We ended up staying an extra night so we got to try out both room sizes. The king suite was big enough for a dance party and the smaller one was perfect for watching movies in bed. The keurig / ipad came in super handy and Scott (the concierge) is a super cool dude.
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Review from Stephanie B.
New York, NY
9/12/2009
The Ale House Inn is decorated very nicely- there is no question about that. However, the website and photos are a bit misleading in regards to the size and relative luxury of the rooms. Yes, there was a Keurig coffee maker in the room, the linens were nice, and the furniture was well chosen, but there are a few details that should be sorted out in the future:
Bathroom had a totally dated-looking tub and shower, and was very small. Once the shower curtain was closed, I could barely see.
Closet has no door or curtain, which surprised me because the owners obviously care about aesthetics.
There is no view from the window (at least of the room we were in), unless you count the roofs of the buildings next door.
Our room was small, though we had booked the 'deluxe queen'. It was easily smaller than my NYC bedroom.
Additionally, the inn is located on the second floor of a building shared with a reparatory theatre and some apartments, so you must be buzzed in upon your arrival and take a slightly janky elevator upstairs, which is not really a big deal, but should be noted.
In my opinion, the biggest problem with the inn is that there is no one at the front desk overnight, and there was no one there when we left around 9am the next morning. The owners can apparently be reached by phone, but to me there is something strange about leaving an inn and its guests totally unattended. Portsmouth seems to be a relatively safe community, but anyone returning to the inn alone, later in the evening, would be justifiably creeped out at the totally deserted entrance and lobby.
All in all, the owners have great taste in furniture but the level of service needs to improve. For the same price- abeit with an ugly bedspread- you could stay at the Hilton and receive better service and some kind of breakfast.Comment from Doug P. of Ale House Inn 4/21/2011
I am sorry to hear you had a disappointing stay with us back… More » -
Review from sabina s.
Charlestown, Boston, MA
10/30/2009
First off: the service was SUPERB! They accommodated a special request that they absolutely didn't need to (staying only one night when they had a 2-night minimum). They were helpful and very, very nice ... to the point that I feel a bit guilty about not giving them a good review.
From the photos & other reviews I felt that this boutique inn would be absolutely worth $300 [***see note below]. Beautifully appointed, Aveda goodies in the bathroom, a K-cup coffee machine, hooray!
We arrived late for a wedding, stressed & sweaty and the receptionist was GREAT and accommodating, even printing out a mapquest for us to get to the wedding. We'd noticed a bar in the lobby space below ... sweet! We got to our room in a rush to get dressed for a formal wedding & get to it on time, so nothing really registered in our heads until our drive home the next day.
The room was HUGE and the décor was indeed very nice, we have some West Elm furniture ourselves. The closet was fabulous & they even provided an umbrella! Thoughtful! K-cup machine on the mini-fridge!
Then came the time when we needed to shower & change. The bathroom was just a bit smaller than the fabulous closet & looked like a leftover from a 1970's Holiday Inn. In a bathroom that small, why squeeze in a tub? A nice shower beats a cheesy tub any time. In a room that huge, the bathroom was really strange. There was barely enough water pressure to wet our hair, so shampooing was not an option. There wasn't enough pressure to rinse.
Segue to after the wedding: we got back to the inn & notice a lively gathering of people @ the bar below, so we went down there to have a drink. NOPE! It was part of a theatre in the same building & we weren't allowed to purchase a drink. No one had thought that the theatre would benefit from funds from inn patrons? No. We explore the neighborhood: it closes early.
Back to the inn, we thought we could grab a soda & some snacks & call it a night. Open the mini-fridge ... there's ice! Just ice. I've been in several small boutique inns with fridges that were stocked, where you pay for what you use at check-out. Honors system. (NOTE: there were 4 teeny room-temperature cream-thingies for the coffee on top of the fridge, but not even milk in the fridge).
Went to walk around the hall of the inn to see if there was a small vending machine (I've seen those too, in small inns). Nope! There was a nice basket of apples though. Brought back apples to the room & my husband was on the bed watching the very nice flat-screen HD TV ... that didn't have HD, or any premium channels.
So: beyond being nicely appointed with pretty things and VERY (very-very) nice people, there's no substance behind the eye candy. For $200/a night I'd have absolutely no complaints. For $300 [*** see note below], I expect more.
P.S. regarding Doug's (the owner) comment to the other 2-star rating: I consider food being "served" and food being "available" to be different things. I wasn't expecting a server or a kitchen,as it was clearly stated that there was neither. I just expected more than a basket of apples (which was appreciated).
***NOTE: the price of the room was $249.00. My mistake, I remembered it to be higher & I was wrong. The comments still hold though.
-S.Comment from Doug P. of Ale House Inn 2/9/2010
Dear Sabina, We are sorry to read you had such a… More » -
Review from Casey M.
Keene, NH
3/15/2010 1 photo
Any place that gives you the keys to the house is pretty cool. I think they have like eight rooms, so cozy b&b is an understatement. On the other hand it is right near state st and close to the happenings in downtown Portsmouth. I found the room to be right in line with what i was expecting and the "common area" is pretty cool. I usually don't take advantage of such things but found time to read the paper and relax by the fire. Some might find it to be problem that there are no staff around most of the night but I had no issue with it, just make sure you don't lose the keys. The rooms are nice and the bed was comfy, also the GF says "very clean" so there you go from someone who knows "clean". check it out its better than any chain you will ever stay at.
Comment from Doug P. of Ale House Inn 4/12/2010
Hello Casey, Thanks for the praises. We are glad to hear… More » -
Review from Anthony C.
Cambridge, MA
5/15/2010
I am just waking up from a great night's sleep at the Ale House Inn.
I have spent a lot of nights in hotels, B&Bs, etc, and this place has the friendliness of a B&B, with the style and refinement of an upscale Hotel.
I have been very impressed with the quality and design of everything here. Beautiful HDTV in the room, Keurig coffee machine (the top of the line model, with coffee, tea, and hot chocolate), the room is immaculately clean, the fixtures are modern, and the bathroom looks like it was just renovated with the highest quality fixtures and flooring (the modernness of the design feels a lot like the Hilton) . It is obvious that whoever built my room didn't compromise on quality anywhere-it's really well done. Warm lighting, large window, new carpeting, there is a fridge(with freezer) in the room, wine glasses and a corkscrew, complimentary bottles of Poland Spring, special towels for removing makeup (ha, I didn't know these existed), and even an umbrella and a fan in the closet (perhaps for people who like to have a fan when they sleep? Who thinks to do this?). The alarm clock is a Sony Ipod Doc with Remote, and there is an Ipad in the room, which is a really nice touch (I might steal it :-). The price was much less than I expected. There were 2 rooms left when I called yesterday, one was $149.00, and the other was $169.00. I went with the more expensive room (still very reasonable). ***Free WIFI throughout, no hassle trying to connect at all :-) Free Parking steps from the entrance (you won't get that at the Hilton in Town, they have Vallet).
Finally, there is a really nice welcome room out front that I'm sorry I didn't have the chance to spend more time in: Free snacks and shiny apples.
The pictures on yelp don't even do this place justice.
P.S. My review is so high I'm thinking some readers might think I have a connection with someone who works at the Inn. I don't! I came up here yesterday to rest and relax after a long week in Boston. -
Review from Michaela C.
Alameda, CA
8/18/2011
Such a cute place. Very accommodating. Clean. Ipads in the rooms! Very comfortable bed. Great location. I was so sad to just stay one night. If I'm ever back in Portsmouth, this is where I'm staying.
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Review from Christine C.
Boston, MA
8/16/2011
LOVED THIS PLACE! When we go back to Portsmouth, we will stay here.
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Review from ronald s.
9/27/2009
i hate chain hotels and b&b's. love the small indy boutiques. this place is totally unique and like everyone else here says - is amazing. not cheap, but not over-the-top pricey.
its not like a regular hotel with room service, valet, a pool, etc .. its a floor of an old brewery building converted to rooms you can rent. there is an inn-keeper at the desk during the day and they give you the owners cel phone number if you need to call him for anything.
location was super-convenient. parking was a little weird but not a big deal - in the neighboring church parking lot. staff was super friendly and helpful. bathroom wasnt too bad, aveda products are good. bathtub wasnt too big. nice retro chic vibe overall. the rooms werent super big - they were as big as a typical NYC boutique hotel room would be - you cant quite touch all four walls at once like in nyc, but its not tons bigger than that really. free wifi. k-cup coffee maker. cool books in the room. nice decor.
if we are back in portsmouth, i dont think i would even look for another hotel - this one gets my business every time from now on. maybe will check out the upcoming show schedule in the theater downstairs. one problem is if you cant walk up that first flight of stairs into the lobby its not super convenient. not sure if its handicap accessible?
comfortable and cool.. -
Review from Julie G.
Santa Monica, CA
11/13/2009
Went for a romantic weekend and had a wonderful time. The room was comfortable and modern. Had great design touches and the bed was extra comfy. The inn keeper was super friendly and had great suggestions for places in town. I would certainly stay again.
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Review from Tina R.
Brooklyn, NY
4/22/2010
A beautiful place in the heart of downtown- we walked everywhere! The decor is modern with some great vintage touches. Our room was the prefect cozy refuge the rainy weekend we stayed in Portsmouth. All the special touches really make you feel looked after. Aveda products in the bathroom, snacks in the lounge, ipod dock, a fab umbrella in the closet alongside all the usual iron/hair dryer, etc. The staff's suggestions for dining and local bars were spot on. I'd go back in a second and have already recommended the place to friends.
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Review from s j.
Mount Prospect, IL
8/14/2009
Extremely convenient and friendly. Good location near downtown Portsmouth, but not on busy streets (a bit of noise from the staff of late shows in theater downstairs). Seemed a bit pricey for the accomodations, but the budget chains cost more, and we could not find them! We had the smallest basic room, but got a discount on price. since we were out & about, the room was more then adequate and the fabulous coffee maker and fridge (for our wine & picnic supplies) were a bonus. We got great help with finding restaurant suggestions and tips on where to hear music. Only problem was that we were trapped by wedding guests in the parking lot, so if you stay here, be sure to move your car from a 2 car slot early in the morning.
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Review from Fallon C.
San Francisco, CA
6/10/2009
I love this place. Great character, great location, comfie rooms, friendly staff, and a good price. If you are going to NH you should stay here.
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Review from Sean B.
Somerville, MA
12/5/2009
The Ale House offers a place to stay in Portsmouth that is neither a big chain hotel, or waking up to a floral printed "traditional New England B&B." The prices were competitive with the other options in town. We found the owner to be super-helpful and friendly. While walking to dinner, he drove by us and ended up giving us a lift, very sweet! The rooms were small but very nice. They had character and subtle accents that made you feel like you were in a coastal town. Really nothing over the top, but seemed like a perfect spot for the weekend.
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Review from Brian C.
Exeter, NH
1/7/2010
I had the opportunity to stay at the Ale House Inn a few weeks ago and the experience was wonderful. As a small boutique inn, its location is superb. Situated on the edge of downtown Portsmouth adjacent to the Seacoast Repertory Theater, the Ale House Inn offers a cozy and inviting atmosphere a short walk from Market Square, The Music Hall, and other local attractions. The rooms are well furnished with flat screen TVs, I-Pod docks, complimentary refreshments and the walls are dappled with various pieces of art. Being inside the room is deceptive, however much you remind yourself that you are in a hotel room you can't help but feel you are staying in a familiar, cozy guest room of an old friend. In addition to the comfortable rooms, the innkeeper, Doug, is nothing but genuinely pleasant, flexible and accommodating. I would recommend this inn to anyone looking for either a weekend getaway or a week on the town. Two thumbs up.
