This Iconic New England Resort Is My Favourite Place to Keep Throughout Fall Foliage Season

Welcome to Rebooked, Condé Nast Traveler’s column where we share the properties our editors and contributors loved so much, they’ve booked them over and over (and over!) again. Travel journalists have their pick of the litter—so you know these are something special. Why I first visited:
Every fall, I make the drive from New York City to New Hampshire’s White Mountains. It’s my favorite place to see colorful foliage, and the long drive is well worth it for the symphony of red, orange, and yellow that swathes the mountains each autumn.

The winding roads, narrow mountain passes, and charming New England towns along the way make the journey feel less like a trek and more like part of the vacation. At the end of the nearly six-hour drive, in the village called Bretton Woods, awaits the grand, historic Omni Mount Washington Resort, a hotel I’ve been visiting since I was a kid. The grand resort sprawls across 2,600 acres, with 269 guest rooms and suites sitting in the shadow of the highest peak in the northeast, Mount Washington, which rises 6,288 feet.

It’s a massive white building with an eye-catching red-tiled roof, built in 1902 in the Spanish Renaissance Revival style. Set against New Hampshire’s Presidential Range, the contrast is striking—especially when the mountains are bursting with fall colors. Despite its scale and history, the property manages to feel homey and welcoming, perfect for a cold-weather escape. I still get a giddy feeling walking into its sprawling lobby, knowing that evenings by the outdoor firepits, foliage hikes, and dips in the heated outdoor pool are ahead.

What you can expect from a stay: One

What you can expect from a stay:
One of the things I love most about the Omni Mount Washington is how much there is to do. Between two golf courses, the Bretton Woods Ski Area (which offers scenic gondola rides in the fall), guided hikes, fly-fishing, horseback riding, and a 25,000-square-foot spa, you could fill an entire week without venturing off the property. My first stop after checking in is always the expansive back veranda, which stretches more than 900 feet and overlooks the Presidential Range and the resort’s grounds.

White Adirondack chairs dot the lawn, along with two firepits, which I always head to on chilly evenings. Hot apple cider and hot chocolate are set out in the lobby each afternoon, and I love grabbing a cup and settling in to admire the mountains. My accommodation of choice is a guest room in the property’s Presidential Wing. This section of the hotel opened in 2021 and has 69 guest rooms, most with balconies and deep soaking tubs.

The rooms feel cozy yet elevated, with plaid wallpaper and oversized marble bathrooms. I especially appreciate the little touches that make a big difference, like a bowl of bath salts placed beside the tub for use after a day of hiking. Guests in the Presidential Wing also have easy access to the heated outdoor pool, so I can slip into the bathrobe and slippers provided and head outside for a swim beneath the stars.

There are also guest rooms in the Historic

There are also guest rooms in the Historic Wing, the hotel’s original guest building, which were renovated in summer 2026. Omni Mount Washington has plenty of dining options, but Stickney’s is my go-to for dinner. The cozy steakhouse serves everything from seafood to steaks, and on my most recent visit, I had the scallops and a pumpkin espresso martini that felt especially fitting for fall.

For a more casual meal, I also enjoy Fabyan’s Station, a pub housed in a restored historic train depot near the ski area. One of the resort’s more unexpected culinary offerings is The Cave, a Prohibition-era speakeasy tucked away on the downstairs patio level. With its stone walls and intimate atmosphere, it’s a fun spot for a nightcap. The space also hosts events, including Cosmos in The Cave, an astronomy lecture I attended during a recent visit.

What’s nearby:
The resort’s location in the White Mountains makes it an ideal home base for exploring some of New Hampshire’s spectacular fall scenery. Bretton Woods is home to New Hampshire’s largest ski area, Bretton Woods Ski Area, with over 60 trails for winter sports enthusiasts. It’s also a great jumping-off point for charming towns in the north-central part of the state, like North Conway and Jackson.

I especially like visiting Jackson in October, when

I especially like visiting Jackson in October, when the village hosts its annual Pumpkin People celebration. Local businesses create elaborate pumpkin-head displays around town, making it a quirky spot to stop on your way to or from the hotel. There are also plenty of scenic drives, hiking trails, and attractions nearby, including Crawford Notch, Franconia Notch, and the Mount Washington Cog Railway.

Why I keep coming back:
I’ve stayed at plenty of beautiful inns and resorts throughout New England, but there’s something about the Omni Mount Washington that feels extra special. Part of it is the sheer grandeur of the resort—I’m always wowed by the juxtaposition between spending days exploring small, charming towns and returning to such a showstopping, historic hotel. I also love that staying at this resort means I don’t have to choose between outdoor adventure and luxury.

I can spend the day hiking and then return to a room with a soaking tub, a lobby with a roaring fireplace, and some of the most spectacular views I’ve ever seen from all over the property. Even when I’m inside, the surrounding mountains feel like part of the experience. The combination of history, grandeur, luxury, and access to nature keeps drawing me back, and it’s why I recommend this property to anyone planning an autumn trip to New England.

Source: www.cntraveler.com