Exeter, New Hampshire, is a New England town with brick sidewalks, white steeples, and river views that create the perfect setting for a relaxed, elevated escape. That’s even more true when you consider a stay at the Inn by the Bandstand, widely regarded as one of the most refined hotels in New England. Located just an hour from Boston and a short drive from the Seacoast, Exeter offers the charm people search for when looking at the best hotels in New England, but with a distinctly local character.
Walkability is important, and there are few that do it better than our New Hampshire Hotel. Downtown Exeter is compact and walkable, with independent boutiques, locally owned restaurants, art galleries, and cafés lining Water Street and surrounding blocks. The American Independence Museum anchors the town’s Revolutionary War roots, while Phillips Exeter Academy adds architectural beauty and access to the striking Louis Kahn Library. The Exeter River winds quietly through town, offering kayaking and scenic strolls along Swasey Parkway.
In every season, there is something new for our hotel guests to experience: fall foliage along the riverbanks, holiday lights around town, summer concerts at the Bandstand, and crisp winter mornings that make historic buildings seem even more cinematic. When looking for an elegant place to stay, we’re regarded as one of the best Hotels in Exeter. Our boutique property combines historic architecture with tastefully designed guest rooms, elevated dining at Ambrose, and a location directly on the town’s iconic bandstand square.
We consistently rank among the best hotels in New England for our attention to detail and personalized hospitality. As peak travel season approaches and the best hotels in New England begin to fill, now is the time to secure your stay and experience why so many discerning guests return year after year for romantic getaways. Book your stay today!
Why We’re One of the Best Hotels in New England
The Inn by the Bandstand sets the standard for boutique luxury among hotels in New England, offering an experience that is personal. Housed in a carefully restored historic building overlooking Exeter’s central square, our property has architectural character with modern features. Each guest room is individually designed, with custom furnishings and layered textures that create a warm and elevated atmosphere.
Service is another defining element that elevates the Inn by the Bandstand as one of the best hotels in New England. Our team’s knowledge of the area makes it easy to offer tailored recommendations for dining, coastal drives, seasonal events, and cultural stops throughout the Seacoast and southern New Hampshire. This insider knowledge supports the kind of meaningful, well-planned New England weekend getaways that today’s guests are searching for.
Dining at Ambrose, the Inn’s on-site restaurant, will further elevate your getaway. The menu highlights locally sourced ingredients and seasonal flavors, creating a refined yet approachable dining experience just steps from your room. Guests can begin the evening with craft cocktails, enjoy a relaxed dinner, and end the night with a short stroll through the softly lit town. When planning romantic getaways in New England, having award-worthy dining integrated into the stay makes our hotel so much more than just a place to sleep.
What ultimately distinguishes our Inn from other historic hotels in New Hampshire is our ability to be exclusive without feeling inaccessible. We offer the privacy couples want for romantic New Hampshire getaways, while remaining connected to the energy of a vibrant town and region. As interest in New England getaways continues to grow, our property brings together walkability, design, dining, and personalized service. It’s no wonder an ever-growing audience considers us one of the most refined hotels in New England.
How to Enjoy Three Days on the Seacoast
A three-day escape to Exeter begins the moment you arrive and park the car, because once you check in, everything you need is within walking distance. After settling into your room, spend your first afternoon exploring downtown Exeter, browsing independent shops, and stopping for coffee along Water Street at Me & Ollie’s for a mocha and a bite to eat. As evening sets in, enjoy dinner at Ambrose or reserve a table at one of Exeter’s acclaimed local restaurants, then take a stroll past the illuminated bandstand before turning in.
On day two, expand your itinerary beyond town and explore the New Hampshire Seacoast. In less than twenty minutes, you can visit New Hampshire coastal towns along the Atlantic. Walk the sand in Rye, discover the working waterfront in Portsmouth, or tour the historic Strawbery Banke Museum. Spend the afternoon along Ocean Boulevard with views of rocky shoreline and classic New England homes, then return to Exeter in time for a relaxed cocktail before dinner. The ease of returning to luxury hotels in New England, like Inn by the Bandstand, makes the entire experience wonderful.
Your final morning is best reserved for slowing down. Enjoy breakfast with us, then take a walk along the Exeter River or through the grounds of Phillips Exeter Academy, and savor the architectural details that make this town so endearing. Before departing, map out your next visit, perhaps a fall foliage weekend, a winter holiday escape, or a summer Seacoast retreat. This is how New England weekend getaways turn into lasting traditions. When based at one of the best hotels in New England, a simple three-day stay in Exeter becomes an experience you will never forget. Book your getaway today!
