This Historic New England Resort Is a Must-Visit for Fall Foliage Season

Some hotels are so memorable that one visit is never enough. At Condé Nast Traveler, the Rebooked series highlights properties that writers and contributors have returned to time and again—and the Omni Mount Washington Resort in New Hampshire is one such destination.

For travel journalist Caitlin Palumbo, the historic mountain retreat has become an annual favorite, with six visits to its name. Particularly appealing to fall foliage enthusiasts, families, groups of friends, and outdoor adventurers, the resort offers a combination of grand architecture, mountain scenery, and year-round activities.

Courtesy Omni Hotels

At a Glance

  • Hotel: Omni Mount Washington Resort
  • Location: Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
  • Number of visits: Six
  • Best for: Fall foliage viewing, families, groups of friends, and travelers who enjoy outdoor activities and historic resorts

A Fall Tradition in the White Mountains

Every autumn, Palumbo makes the nearly six-hour drive from New York City to New Hampshire’s White Mountains. The region’s spectacular seasonal colors make the journey worthwhile, with mountainsides transformed by brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow. Along the way, winding mountain roads, narrow passes, and picturesque New England villages add to the experience.

Her destination is Bretton Woods, home to the Omni Mount Washington Resort—a property she has known since childhood.

Spread across 2,600 acres, the resort features 269 guest rooms and suites beneath the imposing presence of Mount Washington, the Northeast’s highest peak at 6,288 feet. The hotel’s striking white exterior and red-tiled roof date to its 1902 construction, when it was designed in the Spanish Renaissance Revival style.

Positioned against the Presidential Range, the grand building creates an especially dramatic sight when autumn colors sweep across the surrounding mountains. Despite its impressive size and historic character, the resort maintains a welcoming atmosphere.

For Palumbo, returning to the expansive lobby brings the excitement of familiar seasonal pleasures: evenings beside outdoor firepits, hikes through colorful landscapes, and relaxing swims in the heated outdoor pool.

Image may contain Chair Furniture Nature Outdoors Scenery and Window

An idyllic spot to sit and read or chat

Caitlin Palumbo

What to Expect During Your Stay

One of the resort’s biggest attractions is the sheer range of activities available without leaving the property. Guests can choose from two golf courses, the Bretton Woods Ski Area, guided hikes, fly-fishing, horseback riding, and a sprawling 25,000-square-foot spa.

Fall visitors can also take scenic gondola rides at the ski area, offering another way to appreciate the surrounding mountain landscape.

A favorite spot for Palumbo is the hotel’s expansive back veranda. Stretching more than 900 feet, it overlooks the Presidential Range and the resort grounds. White Adirondack chairs are arranged across the lawn, alongside two firepits that become especially inviting on chilly evenings.

The hotel also serves hot apple cider and hot chocolate in its lobby every afternoon. Picking up a warm drink and settling in to admire the mountain views has become part of her regular routine.

The Rooms and Suites

Palumbo’s preferred accommodation is in the resort’s Presidential Wing, which opened in 2021 and contains 69 guest rooms. Many feature private balconies and deep soaking tubs.

The interiors combine comfort with an elevated design, including plaid wallpaper and generously sized marble bathrooms. Thoughtful details add to the experience, such as bath salts placed beside the tub for guests returning from a day of hiking.

The Presidential Wing also provides convenient access to the heated outdoor pool. Guests can put on the bathrobes and slippers supplied in their rooms and head outside for a nighttime swim beneath the stars.

The hotel also has rooms in its original Historic Wing, which underwent renovations in summer 2026.

Dining and Drinks

The Omni Mount Washington offers several dining options, but Stickney’s is Palumbo’s preferred choice for dinner. The inviting steakhouse serves a range of dishes, from seafood to steaks. During her latest visit, she enjoyed scallops alongside a pumpkin espresso martini—an especially fitting drink for the autumn season.

For a more relaxed meal, Fabyan’s Station is another favorite. Located near the ski area, the casual pub occupies a restored historic train depot.

One of the resort’s more unusual venues is The Cave, a Prohibition-era speakeasy tucked beneath the hotel’s patio level. Its stone walls and intimate setting make it an atmospheric place for an evening drink.

The space also hosts special programming. During a recent stay, Palumbo attended Cosmos in The Cave, an astronomy lecture held at the venue.

Exploring the Surrounding Area

The resort’s position in the White Mountains makes it an excellent base for discovering New Hampshire’s autumn scenery. Bretton Woods is home to the state’s largest ski area, offering more than 60 trails for winter sports enthusiasts.

Nearby towns, including North Conway and Jackson, are also worth exploring.

Jackson is particularly appealing in October, when it hosts its annual Pumpkin People celebration. Local businesses create imaginative displays featuring pumpkin-headed figures, giving the village a playful seasonal atmosphere.

Other nearby attractions include scenic drives, hiking routes, Crawford Notch, Franconia Notch, and the Mount Washington Cog Railway.

Why She Keeps Returning

Having experienced numerous beautiful inns and resorts across New England, Palumbo says the Omni Mount Washington continues to stand apart. Much of its appeal comes from the contrast between exploring small, charming mountain towns during the day and returning to the grandeur of a historic resort in the evening.

The property also makes it possible to enjoy outdoor adventure without sacrificing comfort. After a day on the trails, guests can return to rooms with deep soaking tubs, relax beside a roaring lobby fireplace, and take in spectacular mountain views from different corners of the property.

Even indoors, the surrounding landscape remains central to the experience.

For Palumbo, it is this blend of history, impressive architecture, luxury, and easy access to nature that makes the Omni Mount Washington Resort a destination worth revisiting—and an especially appealing choice for anyone planning an autumn getaway in New England.

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