Located in scenic Franconia, the Gale River Motel is a modest but pretty accommodating motel with about fifteen or so rooms. There’s also a pool, a hot tub as well as a swing set and a community grill. Oh and don’t forget the amazing views that you get from there. Each room has a ceiling fan, an A/C unit as well as a fridge and TV. Not bad at all. I’ve had a couple of stays there as my wife’s family has an annual trip there every summer and so far each stay I’ve had has been good. The owner is a bit grumpy and a stickler for the rules but for the most part it’s fine. The only couple of negative points I noticed were that the driveway/parking area could use some resurfacing and that the rooms could also use a few more towels. There’also nowhere to let them towels dry which is kind of annoying. But all in all, this place is pretty good!
Dee H.
Rating des Ortes: 5 McFarland, WI
A visit to the White Mountains was a little detour on our return from the coast. I am very happy that we found the Gale River Inn. This old-school motor inn is nothing fancy, but it is full of character! The owner’s daughter checked is in and was a wonderful, friendly face after a long day of driving. Franconia was a great base for a couple of days exploring the area; though there’s not munchkin the way of restaurants in town. However, the owner helped us find a great restaurant 10 minutes away and even gave us a discount coupon.
Therese R.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Montreal, Canada
We were tenting & the rain drove us inside. This little place is great! The rooms don’t smell like disinfectant: That’s your first clue. Very clean. Wonderful southern view towards Mt. Lafayette & the Cannon Balls. Smack in the village of Franconia, within walking distance from the bar, grocery store & ‘downtown’(such as it is). Prices are considerably more than tent sites, but the wifi is free; beds are clean & comfortable; plenty of hot water and fresh towels. I used to live in Franconia so I know the area. This is the best motel around. It’s near the White Mountain National Forest & Franconia Notch. Plus he’s green– recycles everything, conserves energy. There’s a pool if you are so inclined, and the motel is dog-friendly(at least some rooms). I recommend it highly.(And no, I’m not friends with the owner although he seems like a friendly type.) Homemade chocolate-chip cookies sweetened the deal.
Susan S.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Waterbury Center, VT
I NEVER write reviews and had to dig out my Unilocal password to write this. I stayed here last weekend prior to hiking in the Whites. The owner could not have been more accommodating. He was pleasant, helpful, helped us decide where to eat, gave us directions and a discount to a restaurant, lugged a microwave into our room so we could heat up water and gave us cookies! Perhaps more importantly, I had the sense he really enjoyed meeting people and trying to be helpful. The room itself was pleasant and reasonably priced. We will definitely stay here again if we need a room overnight!
Kirk V.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Riverside, CA
Very pleasant motel. The owner is friendly and bending over backward to make it a good place to stay. Pick up one of his cookies in the lobby! Rooms are simple but very clean, with an obvious effort to be «green» The mattresses could use an upgrade, though. The setting is nice, in a spacious area. Easy to get some cross ventilation through the front and back windows. I’ll stay here whenever I am in the area.
Thom C.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Rockland, MA
Stayed here for one night last weekend. Owner Kevin is a peach. Reasonable price for a quiet, quaint vintage hotel. Nice pet friendly motel. Plusses: outdoor hottub and pool. indoor hottub. Free wifi. Up the street from tiny Franconia with Mojo(a hip coffee and sandwich joint) and an old iron furnace. Really liked the pet walk through the meadow out back. Greeted with homemade chocolate chip cookies. Bagels and mini muffins available in the morning in the office, along with hot tea. The gift basket with emergen-C and razors was a nice touch. Each room has a couple of adirondack chairs out front, for gazing out at the field and mountains(you can see the slopes of Cannon in the distance). We’ll be back in ski season.
Avinash R.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Burlington, MA
If you have plans of visiting white mountains then I highly recommend this motel… the owner Kevin is very very friendly so is the adorable dog«Buddy”(not sure of the name)…WE have been here twice in 2 years and never had any chance to complain… When you check in do not forget to help yourself to the fresh cookies Kevin bakes every morning… looking forward to our next stay here…