Omni Mount Washington Resort

Character and identity

A grand 1902 resort sprawling across 350 rooms at the base of New Hampshire's White Mountains, this is the kind of place where the architecture does much of the talking: a red-roofed flagship building with a long porch that opens straight onto the woodlands of White Mountain National Forest. The historical lineage runs deep, with Thomas Edison and three U.S. presidents on the guest ledger. On-property life centres on a full-service spa, two golf courses, nine zip lines, and serious winter skiing, with multiple dining venues anchoring the main building. Service leans traditional, in keeping with the era.

Who's it for

Bottom line

The draw here is the setting and the sense of occasion: a turn-of-the-century mountain resort with the porch, the views, and the activity roster to justify a multi-day stay. Book it for fall foliage week or ski season, choose a room on the historic side of the property for the full architectural effect, and plan to actually use the golf, spa, and trail access while you're there.