One of our favorite exchanges in ski country is The Suites at Eastern Slope in North Conway, NH. It's in the center of town on Main Street within walking distance of eclectic shops and a few restaurants. You have use of all the facilities of the Eastern Slope Inn - an older hotel turned into suites with a pool, gameroom, very small gym, a coffee shop - "Espresso Grind", and a bar/restaurant - "Flatbread" with a very limited menu known for their wood oven flat bread pizza. The very large lobby has a few seating areas with comfortable sofas and chairs and even complimentary internet access.
The Suites are behind the Inn on two terraced levels - the newer of these two is called "Whitaker Suites" - We have previously exchanged in the "Carriage House Suites" they are basically the same - I've reviewed them
here in the last couple of years, but I'll make comparisons in this review.
It was easier to park on this lower level – more spaces were available and since it was further away from Main Street, non-guests did not use the spaces. Whitaker Suites were more quiet in regard to street noise and the bothersome early morning noise from maintenance and the laundry room (these are on the basement floor of the "Carriage House Suites".
We were in a studio with a pull out and a murphy bed. The furnishings are good quality, utilitarian condo style. No complaints at all. Nice touches include artificial plants, a very large bathroom a Jacuzzi tub fit for two. A gas fireplace is the main source of heat for the unit - I found it romantic, but strange to wake up in the middle of the night to a fire……Some cost saving changes include a smaller dining table that seats four instead of six and a smaller sink/vanity area in the bathroom. Looks like an afterthought since there is too much unused space – the longer counter with double sinks would fill the space in a more attractive way. They have removed a linen closet in the bathroom and converted the space into a toilet stall – some may like this – I prefer the older bathrooms.
This kitchen has a stove top instead of a portable two burner plate – much nicer and easier to use. Whittaker also has a full size dishwasher that it quite noisy – make sure that you’re going out to dinner when you turn it on rather than when you are ready for bed. Dishes need to be washed every day even with this larger appliance because you are provided service settings only for four. A washer/dryer hidden in a closet is convenient in ski country.
Wireless internet access is available in these new units, but for some reason it is lost every Sunday night – some times it is restored on Monday or it can take as long as 2 days. You can go to the lobby, but it is quite a walk uphill from this newer section.
These units are very comfortable and extremely clean. We will continue to return to this resort, but if there is an option, we will confirm our exchange into the Suites at Eastern Slope instead of the older hotel accommodations at Eastern Slope Inn, but hopefully we will occupy the older Carriage House Suites instead of the newer "Whitaker" section.