As our round the world adventure was nearing its end, we found ourselves staying with friends in Maine, looking for one last place to explore before heading home. While sitting at a family BBQ, we asked the question where should we go? North Conway came highly recommended – a mountain town that promised beautiful views and plenty to do. The only catch? We were booking last minute, and accommodation prices were sky high and everything was well over budget compared to what we had left. After a lot of searching, we finally came across a budget-friendly, motel-style hotel that ticked all the boxes. Here’s our honest review of the School House Inn, North Conway.
School House Inn, North Conway Location.
2152 White Mountain Highway (Route 16/302), North Conway, New Hampshire 03860, USA.
The location for us was absolutely perfect especially as we don’t drive. A mile or so walk brought us into the heart of North Conway Village, meaning we were in walking distance of restaurants, shops, and attractions.
Location was 10/10.
The School House Inn, a bit of history.
As the name suggests, the School House Inn was actually a real schoolhouse back in the day! It’s been converted into a cosy little inn that still keeps that classic New England feel, but with all the modern comforts. Staying here felt like stepping into a bit of local history. We actually stayed in what used to be the headmaster’s office, which you can see on the right side of this photo. (It’s actually two rooms in one cottage.)
Rooms.
We didn’t have high expectations, having stayed in budget accommodations across the USA. However, we were pleasantly surprised by the rooms at the School House Inn. They were clean, quiet, spacious, and felt very safe – perfect for the three of us. Our room had two double beds, which suited us perfectly. I believe the rooms attached to the main building are smaller and only come with one double bed. The rooms came with –
- A TV
- Shower/bath combo.
- A fridge
- A table (great for working or dining)
- Free, strong Wi-Fi (yes, fast enough to work remotely!)
- All rooms come with AC, this was a God send as it was really warm during our visit.
- Access to decking or outdoor seating to enjoy your morning coffee or an evening beer. It was here I had a wildlife encounter……
The only minor issue is the rooms can be a bit dark even with the light on. However, that is just a minor issue and I would feel bad for deducting points for that.
Rooms 10/10
Wildlife Encounters.
I was sitting out on the decking in the early evening, just enjoying the quiet and having a beer, when I suddenly spotted a big, dark shape moving past our room. I jumped up and leaned over the balcony — and there it was… a bear, casually strolling by, just a few feet away!
I quickly glanced through the window and saw Nicola and Megan fast asleep, completely unaware, while my phone sat uselessly on the table. By the time I grabbed it, the bear had already disappeared into the trees. Of course, when I told them, neither of them believed me.
The next morning at reception, I asked if bears were common in the area of the cabins. The staff replied casually, “Oh yes, you’ll see them all the time — they won’t bother you as long as you don’t leave any food outside.” Megan couldn’t believe it, I was a few feet from a bear while she slept!
On Decking Entertainment 10/10
Parking.
The inn offers free on-site parking, making it super convenient if you’re driving. While many attractions are within walking distance, if you want to visit scenic spots like Diana’s Baths, taxis are available locally (but note: no Uber in the area).
Parking 10/10
Food & Fun Nearby.
The School House Inn is a short walk from local restaurants, ice cream shops, and cafes. We ate at Muddy Moose Restaurant & Pub and 99 Restaurants, both of which I can fully recommend. If you are looking for something to eat in the room, you have Dunkin’, McDonalds and Domino Pizza all nearby. Domino Pizza especially had a lot of good deals.
We were on a budget, but we still needed to have some fun and this is what we found nearby:
- Mini Golf – couple of options nearby, we went for Pirate’s Cove Adventure , be sure to read the blog post to find out who won (spoiler: it was me!).
- An indoor water park – literally across the road and up a small hill called Kahuna Laguna, we spent a full day at the indoor and outdoor pool.
- Outlet shopping at Settlers Green. It is a bit of a walk away, but a good outlet shopping mall, we actually bought stuff for Megan starting school at a lot cheaper than the UK. You also have the Christmas Loft, open all year round.
- Scenic walks, hiking trails, and mountain views in almost every direction. We really recommend Diana’s baths if you are looking for an easy hike/scenic walk.
- North Conway Mountaineer train – This 100% was not budget friendly, but we were told we had to do it and it was worth every cent we spent. Watch our youtube video of our day out.
- River swimming – This was a bit of a walk, but we had a great time swimming in Soco River, at the First River Bridge Park.
Food and Fun – 10/10
Staff.
They gave us brilliant recommendations for things to do in the area, especially useful as we didn’t have a car. Without their suggestion, we might have missed out on the amazing North Conway Mountaineer train .
The staff were incredibly accommodating. Whether it was providing extra towels, booking taxis, resolving internet issues, or keeping our bags after check-out, nothing was ever too much to ask. They consistently went above and beyond, making our stay all the more enjoyable.
Staff – 10/10.
Cost.
As I mentioned, we were travelling on a budget, and our 5-night stay averaged just $85 per night for a two-bed cabin, booked through Hotels.com. That was an absolute bargain for the area, especially considering how last-minute our booking was! Also, we did come across the issue of having cash and it being a cashless, thankfully our friends stepped in with their card.
Cost 10/10.
Would we recommend the School House Inn, North Conway?
If you’ve read our full blog post, you’ll know just how much we loved our stay here! It’s budget-friendly, but honestly, we thought it was perfect. Whether you’re visiting North Conway for adventure, relaxation, or sightseeing this place makes a fantastic base, and we’d recommend it to absolutely anyone. We cannot believe how great it was for booking so last minute.
Thank you for taking the time to read our blog about staying at the School House Inn, North Conway. If you have any questions about the place please ask in the comments below. Also, check out our other hotel reviews from around the world.
Thanks
The Lewis Family.
