An Honest Family Review of the Omni Mount Washington Resort

If you are looking for a weekend escape that offers both luxury for the parents and non-stop adventure for the kids, the Omni Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, deserves a spot on your list.

We made the drive up from Massachusetts this past fall, and seeing that iconic red roof against the backdrop of the White Mountains covered in autumn colors was truly breathtaking. I had never stayed at the Omni before, and I was so excited for a fall getaway at such a beautiful, historic property.

Whether you are going for the foliage or waiting for the snow, here is my honest review and everything you need to know about making the most of this resort year-round.

The vibe & our favorite spaces

When you walk into the Historic Main Hotel, you’ll notice that it is truly the heart of the resort. Between the grand lobby, massive fireplaces, and stunning 19th-century architecture, it is incredibly welcoming.

As much as I love a mountain getaway (and ski season!), I am not a fan of overly rustic, cabin-style decor. The Omni strikes the perfect balance with a gorgeous, transitional style interior that feels elevated but still comfortable for a family.

A few standout areas you will definitely want to check out:

• The Pools: The resort has both a large indoor heated pool and a seasonal outdoor pool. These are an absolute necessity when traveling with kids!
• The Veranda: A massive wrap-around porch perfect for grabbing a coffee from the on-site cafe, Morsels, and taking in the mountain views.
• The Spa: If you can sneak away, they have a massive full-service spa with a year-round outdoor heated whirlpool and eucalyptus-infused steam rooms.
• The Presidential Wing: If you want a more modern room upgrade, this newer addition features guest rooms with private balconies and access to an exclusive lounge.
• Breakfast: The morning breakfast was a hit with our crew, who loved the buffet setup. I appreciated the beautiful, historic room and the sweeping views of the mountains covered in foliage.

How we spent our Fall weekend

Fall in the White Mountains is legendary, and we had a few absolutely perfect days (weather-wise) during our stay! The Omni is located right along the Kancamagus Highway (“the Kanc”), which makes for a famously gorgeous scenic drive. We have driven parts of it in the winter months, which can be a little dicey depending on the weather, but it is just breathtaking in the fall!

Here were our favorite fall activities on the property:

• Visiting the Horse Barn: You can book a nostalgic horse-drawn carriage ride around the resort grounds. We didn’t do this because of our schedule, but we stopped into the horse barn to say hi to all of the equine friends. A group was saddling up for a trail ride, and the kids loved watching the animals get ready.
• Big Chess on the Lawn: We found a huge chess game on the lawn, and conveniently the kids had recently learned how to play. We spent some time playing outside, just enjoying the gorgeous weather and each others’ company.
• The Canopy Tour: We didn’t do this one, but if you have older kids or want a parents’ adventure, the zip-line tour operates through the fall and lets you soar right over the changing leaves.
• The Skyway Gondola: Another option we didn’t do this time, but taking the gondola up the mountain provides sweeping views of the Presidential Range. It would be a huge hit with slightly older kids, and it requires zero hiking effort—a major mom win!

Rooms and service

Hotel room

We had an end room with a queen size bed, a pull out sofa, and a beautiful fireplace. Prices change depending on which room type you choose and when you are going. You can check prices for the Omni here >>

Hotel service

Service is the one place where Omni Mount Washington needs attention. While the building screams “historic and luxurious,” the service instead whispers, “you’re on your own.” We woke up to a bird trapped in our fireplace- not in the actual room because there was a screen preventing the bird from getting into the actual room- but squawking and clearly in distress. I called down and told them the situation and said we were heading to breakfast and could they please come handle it. (They said yes, of course.) An hour later we returned and the bird was still there, poor thing. So I called down again and said we were leaving for a few hours, and could they please come take care of it. (Yes, they said.)

Five hours later we return from our Cog Railway adventure, and the poor thing is still stuck there, but now has gotten his head through a gap in the screen and is staring at me, head in the room and body up in the fireplace. So I call down a third time, but before anyone can come to the room, the bird has wiggled his way into the room and is flying around the room desperately trying to leave.

In the end, my husband opened one of the windows, pushed out the screen, and the bird flew out and was finally freed. Twenty minutes later two guys from maintenance show up with a net.

Year-round resort adventures

One of the biggest draws of the Omni Mount Washington is that you don’t really have to leave the property if you’re just there for a weekend. They have completely mastered seasonal activities.

Winter: A snow globe escape

When the temperatures drop, Bretton Woods (located right across the street with a complimentary shuttle) transforms into New Hampshire’s largest ski area with 464 acres of alpine skiing and snowboarding. If you aren’t a big ski family, they have plenty of other ways to enjoy the snow, including snow tubing, snowshoeing, and cozy horse-drawn sleigh rides.

Spring & Summer: Active fun

Once the snow melts, the golf clubhouse and Nordic center become the hub for warmer weather activities.

• Championship Golf: The resort boasts an 18-hole Donald Ross-designed Mount Washington Course and a 9-hole Mount Pleasant Course. Mom tip: In July, kids 15 and under golf completely free at the Mount Pleasant Course with a paying adult!
• Outdoor Sports: You can rent bikes to explore miles of designated trails, play a match on their premium red-clay tennis courts, or even try fly-fishing on the Ammonoosuc River.

Dining with kids: Where we ate

The resort has a huge variety of dining options, ranging from fine dining to grab-and-go mountain food. You definitely won’t go hungry!

Our Favorites:

• 1902 (Main Dining Room): This grand dining room offers a sophisticated, New England-inspired menu. My kids LOVED the breakfast buffet here!
• Stickney’s Restaurant: Located on the patio level, this is a popular pub and steakhouse. We ate here for dinner and had a great time sitting outdoors enjoying the beautiful night. We even got to watch a wedding party go by!

Other great options:

• Fabyan’s Station Restaurant: Located just down the road in an old, converted train station, this is a casual, family-friendly spot serving up burgers and BBQ.
• 1896 Bretton Arms Dining Room: Perfect for a date night, offering upscale, farm-to-table regional cuisine.
• Bars & Lounges: If you want to grab a drink, check out The Cave (a fun speakeasy with stone walls), the Rosebrook Bar (huge windows with panoramic views), the Princess Lounge, or the Observatory Bar.
• On the Mountain: If you are skiing or taking the gondola, the Rosebrook Lodge at the summit has fantastic European-inspired apps, wood-fired pizzas, and hot drinks. Down at the base, you can grab classic après-ski meals at Slopeside Restaurant & Pub.

Exploring the surrounding area

While it is tempting to never leave the resort, the Mount Washington Valley is packed with family-friendly attractions just a short drive away.

• Mount Washington Cog Railway: For a truly unique experience, take this historic train straight to the summit of the Northeast’s highest peak. This was a big hit with the family! The railway only goes halfway up during the winter months but goes all the way to the summit the rest of the year. My biggest tip: Even if it’s warm out, pack winter coats and hats! It gets incredibly cold as you climb the mountain, and I couldn’t believe the weather change from the base to the summit.
• Santa’s Village (Jefferson, NH): A magical, Christmas-themed amusement park with rides and reindeer. It is absolutely perfect for toddlers and elementary-aged kids.
• Conway Scenic Railroad (North Conway, NH): Take an old-fashioned train ride through the stunning White Mountain scenery.
• Lost River Gorge (North Woodstock, NH): An amazing natural attraction where you can follow wooden boardwalks through caves and past waterfalls.

Final thoughts

Between the stunning transitional decor, the endless outdoor activities, and the convenience of having so many dining options on-site, the Omni Mount Washington is a getaway that actually caters to the whole family. While it isn’t top-notch in terms of service (which would have pushed it to the top of a true “luxury travel” list), it’s a charming place with incomparable views. We can’t wait to go back!