Sunset Hill House

The Sunset Hill House is OPEN… but, is now know as the Inn at Sunset Hill (
). The telephone number 603−823−7244 is new, as well.
The Inn is receiving some much need attention and is in the capable hands of Dick and Sally Green who previously owned the award winning Carter Notch Inn over in Jackson, NH. You will enjoy the hospitality as well as that of their English Sheep Dog and Lulu The Cat.

The Sunset Hill House now has new owners & will be reopening in May with a new name «the Inn at Sunset Hill»
The new owners are saying the restaurant will be casual, tavern style dining. The views are as amazing as ever!

I had a terrible experience with Sunset Hill house. They apparently went out of business sometime in the last 6 months and I had already purchased a reservation to use at some point in the future. They never alerted me that the business was closing, and never refunded my money, despite my requests. I would not patronize their business.

This is the second time my fiancé and I have stayed here in 3 years. It’s becoming «our place» to get away. The first time we stayed in HH3, a little room in the guest house, which served us just fine. The people were wonderful! Very kind and accommodating.
This time we stayed in room 308. It was massive! Quite spacious and had that comfortable «home» feeling. I got the room for the jetted tub (we’re planning a wedding and NEED to relax). I have to say my only disappointments had to do with DETAILS. Details can make or break an experience.
First off, you can’t come here and expect the luxury of the Marriott. This is a local, small business. It feels casual, like home. I was expecting that. No stuffy atmosphere!
The rooms have always been clean, warm, and comfortable.
Can I just say the bed in 308 is HEAVEN? Oh my god it was like sleeping on a cloud!!! Crisp, clean white sheets, fluffy pillows, and lots of room!
The staff is cheerful and never afraid (or bothered) to answer questions, share the history of the Inn or Sugar Hill. I love history, so it was really cool to get a little local history from Rick at the front desk, who grew up here, and see the pictures.
We visited the first weekend of March and most of the town was shut down. It’s definitely not a bustling, winter tourist spot like North Conway, so we explored Littleton, Franconia and even St. Johnsbury, VT.
For all the driving we did, not once did we come across a vista as beautiful as the one Sunset Hill House has. They have the perfect location overseeing the White Mountains, and showcase it with the large, picture windows in the dining room. It’s such a treat seeing the snow come in off the mountains.
What disappointed me (and probably the poor reviewers here on Unilocal) were the following details:
1) We didn’t get to enjoy the tub the first night because we couldn’t figure it out! The control panel (light switch and timer) were about 4 feet from the tub. We only learned how to use it after talking to our server at breakfast the next morning. We thought the tub was broken! :(Being an older, historic inn, we understand the importance of preserving the character of the building so there aren’t a lot of 21^st century upgrades, however, with such an unusual set up for the tub, I think it should have a little cheat sheet for guests.
2) Details! There was an empty hair dryer mount on the wall, in the bathroom. A secondary hair dryer and mount were in a basket by the toilet… 2 minute fix! Take the mount off and put up the new one!
3) Bath towels were kind of small :/​They didn’t even cover my butt when I wrapped myself after the shower (and I’m average sized).
4) No hangars in the closet! We couldn’t hang anything up!
5) The 3^rd floor landing was kind of messy. Seemed like a catch-​all for extra chairs, lamps and books. I think it could be beautifully staged as a sitting area, maybe with a keurig so guests can sit by the window and read.
6) There seemed to be a world of difference between the first time we visited and this time. They painted the dining room, but I couldn’t tell if they were still working on it. Details like open ceiling tiles, and the lack of art (that was previously on the walls) made the room feel like it was still under construction. I was also sad to see the local art that adorned the gift shop and hallway were gone. They really captured NH and livened up the space.
All in all, it looks like the décor was removed for dusting and never got put back. I can see someone visiting and being turned off by the condition of the inn seeing it in this state of limbo. It makes me feel bad because I’ve seen how beautiful it can be and has been.
7) The food wasn’t that great. The continental breakfast bar was fine, but whatever came out of the kitchen was poorly seasoned. My fiancé got undercooked, sunny side eggs, and the potatoes were so salty. We didn’t come here for the food tho. We tried to explore the towns for restaurants.
All of these «negatives» just need a little time and attention and they wouldn’t be a problem at all.
Oh lastly, I think the inn could greatly benefit from using a Welcome package in each room. Perhaps a packet with their «exploring Littleton» handout, as well as info on favorite local places to eat/​shop/​explore/​exercise, discount lift tickets, etc. I was curious as to outdoor activities like cross country skiing and snowshoeing. I thought the brochure said they offered it, but I didn’t see any evidence of the rentals, and no one mentioned it. That would be great in the welcome packet :)
Please don’t consider this as a scathing review. It’s not. We very much enjoyed our experience here, and will be back annually. I just hoped to clarify some of the details that other reviewers complained about. This is a lovely place to stay, and most importantly, we aim to support small business and help small business improve.
Stay here if you’re looking for true, New Hampshire hospitality :)

Honestly I spent $ 315 on one night at the Sunset Hill House and it was awful. We booked the Hill House Room 7 with a Jacuzzi and a «balcony with a large oak tree». While the Jacuzzi was nice, the balcony was practically a fire escape attached to the room. The inside of the room was very old and smelled musty and there were flies everywhere. It was also very old and the door wasn’t even completely shut because the house was at a slant. The bathroom was also very dirty, and I’m not sure when the last time this place was vacuumed. The breakfast the next morning was absolutely disgusting, with the home fries burnt and unbelievably greasy. The fruit that was sitting out was old and over ripe, and the waitress was a complete crackhead with no teeth and shouted at us during breakfast. We practically ran out of here as soon as we could.

Stayed here for an event because it had charm and wifi.
I love the in room jacuzzi, balcony and historic charm. The woman at the front desk was a joy to work with.
We had tons of boxes shipped straight to the hotel for our event and the staff was super helpful locating them and helping me load them into my car.
Breakfast is included and it’s actually hot and delicious. What a pleasant surprise that it’s more than a make it yourself waffle maker.
It’s not a snazzy new place with bells and whistles but would be great for a getaway!
Only negatives:
The wifi was out on my second evening and since my phone didn’t get any reception, that meant I couldn’t call or do anything. Since wifi dictates where I stay, that was disappointing.
The AC unit in the room was a little standalone unit that filled with water (and proceeded to beep at you) through the night. I know I went during a freak heat wave but that was a little annoying. I’m from Texas where everything has an AC unit so it could be that I’m just not used to that type of system.
Overall I immensely enjoyed my stay and would absolutely choose to stay again.

Ate here to celebrate my fiancé’s birthday after a long hike up Mt. Flume & Mt. Liberty.
We were torn between the restaurant and the tavern, but decided we wanted something a bit more upscale, so we chose the restaurant. We were there relatively early and were the first ones seated. We sat right in front of a big picture window with a view out over the Franconia ridge mountains. BEAUTIFUL.
We both chose the Innkeepers 6 course meal as we were starving.
We were brought delicious bread with maple butter… phenomenal. As well as a chef’s muse (smoked salmon on a cracker with some spread). Our wine and cocktails were delicious while we waited.
Our appetizers and salads were delicious, the intermezzo refreshing, and our main courses were EXCELLENT. I had the duck and my fiancé had the Shrimp/​Scallops served over rice. Wow, delicious.
We were then presented with our cheese boards, dessert, and innkeeper sweets (which put us far over the edge of fullness), and enjoyed a beautiful sunset that our waiter advised us of.
All in all an amazing dinner at a beautiful inn in a magnificent setting.
read more at:

3.5 rounded to four.
My partner and I happened across a Travelzoo deal for the Sunset Hill House and since we were looking for a break from life for a few days it sounded perfect. We called Sunday morning and got a hotel reservation and dinner reservation for 8pm that night. Perfect.
Overall, the inn was quaint and charming, staff helpful, room clean, food for the most part tasty, and a good wine list. The dinner menu could use a few less options smothered in cream and cheese, but the staff was happy to make accommodations for diet restrictions. Breakfast was surprisingly good, especially since it was free. It includes a small buffet of cereal, granola, yogurt, coffee, juices and fruit and a warm entrée with choices like maple stuffed french toast, omelets, and even gluten-​free pancakes! They even let me order a second entrée for my partner who was on schedule to sleep through breakfast.
XC skiiing and Snowshoeing was free on the properties golf course, which I loved since i could go out for short trails multiple times. The staff also had great recommendations for local places to visit. I am in the area a lot for hiking and discovered not only some new nature hikes but some great little restaurants as well.
My only complaints were that the pillows could stand to be replaced and that there were one to two horse flies in our room at all times, no matter how many we killed. In the end I didn’t mind because the rest of the experience was exactly what we needed.

I recently stayed here with my boyfriend and 2 close friends. All in all, it’s a sweet, charming inn with a great deal of character. The staff, for the most part, was friendly and welcoming. Karen (one of the front desk staff) was sweet and very accommodating.
We enjoyed a delicious dinner in the main dining room and loved sitting by the fire afterwards playing a game and enjoying a glass of wine. The inn also provides snowshoes for their guests to use, which we took advantage of to explore the nearby area.
Overall, a solid 4 out of 5 stars. My only complaint (and the only thing preventing a 5 star rating) was my personal experience at breakfast. While my friends thoroughly enjoyed their meals, my breakfast order was mixed up by a less-​than-​friendly/​less-​than-​apologetic server. I ordered a special potato breakfast which, based on the menu, sounded like a potato omelet. When it arrived, it turned out to be simply a plate of homefries smothered in cheese. When I asked the waitress, who initially said it was one of her «favorite things on the menu», she said that she had never actually tried it and also thought that it was supposed to be an omelet.
Despite the breakfast snafu, I would most certainly stay here again. I’d just be more prepared with what to order next time.

My girlfriend and I stayed here for a little get away prior to Christmas. It is truly an escape from the hustle and bustle of Boston, isolated in Franconia. We enjoyed our two night stay in a nice clean room with a fireplace and jetted tub (which was upgraded for free). The room was large, with a beautiful view but also simple. It was very cozy to come back to tea and coffee all day, to warm up by the fire. I was hoping for a real log fire, but my guess is they updated to gas because of upkeep costs. You are limited to the in-​house food which is pretty good, but a bit pricey for the location. If you are looking for something else it will take a good drive.
The inn it self is classic, clean and intimate. The staff are all very friendly, especially Karen who was very helpful, cheerful and provided enthusiastic recommendations. We were disappointed since we were expecting nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and sleigh rides, but despite the un-​controllable weather, the light snow fall made for some quaint and relaxing walks.
The location is great if you are trying to get away «from it all», yet easy to get to via I-​93. Overall, we enjoyed our stay and it was exactly what we needed to relax.
Quick Notes:
–Great Views
–Friendly Staff
–Fantastic French Toast
–Unlimited Tea and Coffee :)
–Superb Beef Tenderloin
–Warm ambience

I stayed at Sunset Hill House the weekend of November 17, 2012. It was a fantastic experience and exactly what I needed to de-​stress from living in NYC. The mountain air and slow pace of life were amazingly refreshing.
The hotel sits on a tall hill between the White Mountains and the Green Mountains and has breathtaking views in every direction. I was able to see many of the rooms and can assure you that each of the rooms has a spectacular view. The room that I had faced the White Mountains and had a jacuzzi tub (which I thoroughly enjoyed). I would have liked a newer TV for my evening viewing, but I wasn’t up there to keep up with my «stories» so it wasn’t a problem.
Some of the rooms are a little newer than others, and the hotel does have some «quirks», but this isn’t off-​putting here, it is endearing (and serves as a reminder of how old the hotel is!). If you are looking for a Holiday Inn style hotel, you might not like it.
The thing that bumped up my rating from a 4 star to 5 star is the food. If you stay at the hotel and don’t eat in the restaurant you are missing out on a real treat! and don’t skimp, go for tasting menu! I have eaten at some of the best restaurants in New York and can honestly say that my dinner at Sunset Hill House rivaled the best of them. I had the pecan salad, butternut squash soup, duck, and Nancy’s ice cream for dessert. It was phenomenal.

Staff was very friendly and the rooms were clean.
The breakfasts were inventive and delicious but their food is from Cisco, so don’t expect anything organic.
The room was a little underwhelming but the view was great. Especially in the early morning, the sunrise was sublime, ill never forget it.
The house is old which is part of the charm but you can hear people in the other rooms and hallway like they are right next to you. The fireplace was gas, installed in the wall under the tv and the controls were temperamental. The only reason I booked the place was for the fireplace and it was not a focal point of the room at all. More of a jammed-​in afterthought.
My Biggest problem was the dinner menu. There was zero vegetarian options and honestly really overpriced for the location. I’m sure the chef deserves a fair salary so I can only hope most of the money goes to his or her salary, as the food that was available was very good.
It was a nice place to experience once, I would recommend it only for a weekend launching point to various hiking spots.

We have stayed and eaten here several times.
Contrary to what some people wrote, it is very clean, the staff and management are cordial and competent, and the building is in good repair. It dates to 1880 and has real Victorian charm. It is NOT a slick new hotel and it shows its wear honestly.
We were just there last night. The bed was very comfortable. The in-​room whirlpool spa was perfect. The dinner was very good. The dining room has a wide view of the mountains to the east. There are mowed paths through the wildflower meadow in back. Sugar Hill is a nice little town minutes from Franconia and Rt. 93.
I would have given Sunset Hill 4 stars but one of the bedside lights was out and the window air conditioner was so loud I had to use earplugs to sleep. I left a note in the room to notify the management and trust they will address these problems. On this hot summer day, the dining room was rather stuffy and warm. Still, the guests seemed to be enjoying themselves.

The property is gorgeous, the views are fantastic (when it’s not raining…), the rooms are eclectic and cozy. If you can manage the upgrade, I absolutely recommend a room with a jacuzzi tub. Really romantic after a long day of adventure.
As far as the hospitality is concerned, Karen was amazing! Friendly, welcoming and very helpful. The rest of the staff spent most of their time worrying about whether or not the innkeeper was on site and would yell at them for who knows what. It seems to have high turnover which just makes you wonder… We didn’t meet the innkeepers, and only met Lon, on our last morning there. Disappointing as I think the property owners can really add a lot to a guests experience.
Breakfasts were average, but the dinners were exceptional. Overall, we enjoyed our stay but will not return.

Three & a half stars, rounding up to 4.
My boyfriend and I visited for a romantic Easter weekend on a LivingSocial deal. The inn itself is remotely located and has spectacular, unbeatable views. It’s an old building, so it is expectedly antique — it creaks a lot and the floorboards are uneven. That kind of thing doesn’t bother me. It gives the place character, don’t you think?
Our room was small but cozy. Be warned — the mountain view was blocked by a tree and the room did not have a TV. We made do, but we do like to unwind in front of the tube after a long vacation day. We read instead. The bathroom was not the best. The sink had separate spigots for hot and cold water, which I HATE, and it looked old and worn. The shower had weaker than weak water pressure.
Our stay included breakfast each morning, which was very good. My only complaint was the lack of variety from day to day (I ate the same breakfast two mornings in a row). As others have mentioned, the view of the White Mountains from the dining room is fantastic. We did not eat dinner in the restaurant.
The LivingSocial deal included a trip to the Rocks Estate, where we got to enjoy the Maple Syrup Experience (it was super, but that’s for another review!). The package for the LivingSocial price was quite all right, in my opinion.
The innkeeper, Lon, was wonderfully friendly and helpful. He asked about our interests and suggested great places for us to visit on our way home (the Basin! Gorgeous!!!). I would return based on his hospitality alone.
All-​in-​all, a very nice trip!

We visited Sunset Hill House for our anniversary this weekend, and it was wonderful! We used a Trubates voucher for our visit, which made it much more affordable than paying full price. I was a little nervous after reading some negative reviews online, but I think they were either unfounded or the problems they mentioned no longer exist.
I loved the historic charm of the inn, but I can understand why people who don’t appreciate the history of a building in the way I do might not like that some wallpaper is peeling or that the floors are settling. Overall, it seems the owners have done an excellent job upkeeping the building while maintaining its character.
We stayed in room 309, one of the junior suites. It had a huge bedroom with an antique ice box, fainting couch, TV, and an excellent view of the Franconia ridge.
There was a small bathroom with a small shower, sink, and toilet.
The best part of room 309 is the huge jacuzzi room with a two-​person jacuzzi, a bench, a twin bed and again, an amazing view.
One night, we went all out and had the five course meal in the dining room, which was $ 45 each. Be forewarned, the portions are huge! Neither of us were able to finish everything. I was disappointed that the kitchen was out of mushrooms, as I really wanted to try the stuffed mushroom appetizer, but my butternut squash bisque was amazing. We both got the caesar salad, which I wasn’t crazy about. It must be made beforehand everyday, as I found the leaves and croutons a little soggy. My boyfriend didn’t mind though, so maybe I’m being picky. I got a seasonal pumpkin ravioli for my entrée, which I really enjoyed. My boyfriend got a beef entrée (beef medallion, I think), and said it was cooked perfectly and might be the best beef he’s ever tasted.
The breakfast was equally filling, but the cooked choices weren’t as exciting as we hoped they would be. There’s a selection of self-​service juices, teas, coffee, yogurt, muffins, toast, and bagels. You also get a choice of cooked items. Apparently, the day before we got there, there was lobster omelets, apple cider pancakes, and maple cream stuffed french toast. The choices on both mornings we were there were more basic– an onion and cheese omelet, buttermilk pancakes, and french toast. That being said, these items were cooked very well. I loved the french toast in particular, and the omelets were perfect, not over or undercooked at all.
Oh, and the service was great. Everyone we interacted with was very polite. Our housekeeper did a great job cleaning the room, and our wait staff were attentive. Every meal, Lon, the innkeeper, checked in with us to see how we were doing. He showed a genuine interest in us and had great suggestions of things to do in the area.
I would love to come back to the inn at some point, but without a coupon of some sort, it’s a little more than I’d be willing to spend for anything more than a special occasion.

I’ve looked at their website and it looked like an outstanding place. I’ve driven past it, and the location is outstanding.
So finally, we actually went in for dinner during our most recent trip to the Whites. It didn’t quite live up to expectations.
The food was decent, but very overpriced, even by NH tourist standards. The hostess was very nice. Our waiter, a young guy, was pretty much devoid of charm. We ordered the wine flights with our dinners. The first and last were clearly identified on the menu. Okay, I suppose there’s no need to mention them again, although I’ve never had a waiter/​waitress not do that when the glasses arrive, until now.
The main glass that went with the entrée, however, was dependent on the entrée. You would think at some point, preferably at the point we ordered, but at the bare minimum when he brought the glasses out, that he would tell us what we were about to drink. You would be wrong, I had to ask. He was walking away, without a word when I called him back. One was red, one was white. Beyond that I had no idea what he had just presented. This is remarkable for any restaurant, but one that you’re paying a premium at?
It was like this with each delivery, and that’s what it felt like, a delivery. And whoosh!, gone without a word. He was gussied up in a white dress shirt and vest, which made the indifferent service all the more striking.
I think we’ll be back, but only during daylight hours, for a cocktail outside so we can take in the views. I like sitting outside with a drink, and there are not enough places to do that in the Whites.

This inn was built in 1880. It is beautiful and old, and has accompanying flaws and inconsistencies, but I love it! My husband and I were married here three years ago, and had a wonderful experience.
All the staff members do their best to meet the needs of the guests. On a recent visit, we called ahead to have a pack and play and a mini fridge in our room. Not only was this easily arranged, but the staff treated our toddler (and us!) like a treasured guest. Everyone knew that we were there to celebrate our third anniversary and did whatever they could to make it special. In particular, Amanda, Marion and Karen made us feel very welcome and cared for during our stay. The innkeeper Nancy came out of the kitchen at breakfast time to greet us as well!
The room was large, clean and nicely decorated, and the bed was very comfortable. The bathroom lacked storage space (an additional shelf or hook would have been nice) and the A/​C had a bit of trouble keeping up with the 90 degree weather (but that’s what happens in beautiful old buildings with high ceilings! And 90 is rare up there.), but these were minor inconveniences.
Dining in the tavern was nothing special (although the corn-​cheddar chowder was scrumptious!), but we really enjoyed having dessert out on the deck after our son was asleep. As the name suggests, there are amazing sunsets here.
Dining in the restaurant is lovely– elegant but comfortable, great service, fine food and wine. We were there at 5:30 on a Saturday night with our toddler and had the place to ourselves.
The included breakfast is delicious. Fruit, pastries, tea and coffee (unfortunately very weak coffee) are help-​yourself, and the hot items made to order are really special. I particularly loved the maple-​cream cheese stuffed french toast and the cheddar-​onion-​tomato omlette made with fresh heirloom green zebra tomatoes from the inn’s garden.
The beautiful gardens and wildflower fields out back are a wonderful part of the inn as well, and there is so much to do nearby. We particularly loved riding the arial tram to the top of Cannon Mountain for a hike, hiking the Flume Gorge, taking our son for a trip on the Hobo Railroad, and exploring the nearby town of Littleton (especially dining at Bailiwick’s!).

The front desk and inn keepers were VERY nice and helpful and are the reason I’m giving this inn 3 stars.
We were definitely expecting more of an updated inn per the pictures on their website. Very old, but clean. The included breakfast was delicious.
We found plenty to do within driving distance but will probably stay at Bretton Woods next time we travel to the White Mountains. I would say this inn was appropriate for ages 40+.

Don’t be fooled by the website.
The Inn is far more rundown than it looks in every way possible.
My wife and I checked in to one of their «luxury» suites only to find dead bugs and flies all over the bathroom floor and in the tub. No blinds or curtains on the windows. And the room in general smelled very musty.
We went downstairs within minutes and asked to check out.
At the desk I spoke with Lon, who was clearly not the happiest Innkeeper in the world but more like the innkeeper with the most attitude in the world, who proceeded to tell me about the fire that they had and how it affected several of their rooms.
Also he noted that the flies and bugs were par for the course and that guests «are expected to tolerate them» when they stay during the Fall as they are everywhere in the building.
I missed the part on the website where they tell you about that.
(Mind you as a paying guest apparently to them you don’t need to know any of these details at check in and you are only told about blatant irregularities when you complain.)
We then proceeded to drive the hour plus back to the B&B we had stayed at the prior night.
All in all save your money and stay somewhere that actually looks like the website and actually gives you full disclosure in advance.