Hampton Inn & Suites Portsmouth Downtown

A diverse mix of travelers can be seen at this handsome hotel, from sports teams and business travelers, to tourists and college parents. Its downtown location means ample foot traffic in the surrounding area, especially during the busy summer months. But the hotel itself is relatively quiet, made possible in part by a comfortable lobby that offers lots of peaceful places to relax. It’s a large and modern space that features shades of brown, beige, and orange. It’s partially separated by a two-side gas fireplace framed by polished steel and shimmering glass panels. Clusters of oval metallic lights hanging from the ceiling enhance the contemporary motif. Banks of floor-to-ceiling windows look out onto the busy street, making the lobby a good place to people watch.

The Hampton Inn is located in downtown Portsmouth, with a great selection of restaurants and shops just steps from the front door. The Green Elephant Vegetarian Bistro & Bar is attached to the hotel, and the Portsmouth Harbor Events & Conference Center is across the street. It’s a six-minute walk to restaurants on the waterfront, and a seven-minute drive to the Kittery Outlets retail complex. Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is about 45 minutes away by car, and Boston Logan International Airport takes approximately one hour, depending on traffic. Portland, Maine also is about a one-hour drive.

Overall, the room decor is modern and tasteful, but lacks any vibrant colors. Lots of brown shades, including accent walls and matching wood furniture with an espresso finish, make these rooms a bit dark. White and beige are the other primary colors, and even the steel-framed photos of the city are in black and white. The rooms are clean, quiet, and spacious, with lots of storage areas and generously-sized desks with media plug-ins. Kings or double queens are the bed options, and some King Rooms have sleeper sofas. King Suites are studio-style and also have sleeper sofas as well as wet bars. Amenities are a big plus for these rooms, which are equipped with microwaves, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, free Wi-Fi, and 37-inch, flat-screen TVs.Bathrooms are only average in size, but are nicely decorated in similar earth tones, including roomy white acrylic and white shower inserts with glass doors. Double Queen Rooms have shower/tub combos. Large, backlit mirrors give the bathrooms a warm glow. Neutrogena toiletries and hairdryers are provided. Some rooms offer glimpses of the nearby waterfront, but most simply overlook surrounding streets and parking lots.

In addition to the Hampton chain’s free hot breakfast buffet with cold cereals, fruit, and eggs, this hotel has a small restaurant with a full-service bar. Located in the lobby, the Portsmouth Harbor Cafe serves casual American favorites every afternoon and evening. The hotel also offers free cookies in the afternoon, and free coffee and tea all day. The 24/7 pantry sells sundries, soft drinks, and food, including frozen entrees for in-room dining. The fitness center is quite spacious and offers a nice selection of Precor cardio equipment with individual video screens. It also has free weights and weight-training equipment. The heated indoor pool is filled with saltwater, but it’s on the small side. Three washer and dryer sets in the guest laundry room help minimize waits to use them. Valet laundry and dry cleaning services also are available. The 24/7 business center has two computers and printers, and a small boardroom can host meetings for up to 15 people. Free Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the property. Parking is valet only, and a bit expensive. The front desk has a guest safe deposit box, and free USA Today newspapers are available on weekdays.