Exeter's BEST Hampton Inn? (NH Suites & Unbeatable Deals!)
Exeter's Hampton Inn: My Honest Take (NH Suites & Deals? Let's Unpack This!)
Okay, buckle up, folks. We're diving deep into the Hampton Inn in Exeter, New Hampshire – the BEST one, they say. I’m here to tell you if that's actually true, and trust me, I've got opinions. I've got thoughts. I've got… a travel-sized shampoo bottle in my bag that’s seen some things. (Okay, maybe that's irrelevant, but you get the vibe.)
First Impressions (and the Parking Situation):
Finding the place was easy enough. Thank God, because after a 5-hour drive, my brain’s operating at about 20%. Finding a parking spot? Surprisingly painless. Free parking, on-site – score! That's a huge plus after you've been shelling out left and right on the road. They've got a car power charging station too – good for the Tesla crowd, I guess.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag, Maybe?
Alright, let's be real. I'm not in a wheelchair, but I try to keep an eye out for that stuff. They do have facilities for disabled guests, and the elevator is a must (thank God, I hate stairs). The description says it's accessible, but I didn't see everything, you know? Like, I didn't check the width of the doorways or anything. That's more important than the free breakfast (which is important!). I'm giving it a "pretty good" based on what I did see.
Cleanliness and Safety: The Post-Pandemic Reality Check
Okay, this is where they actually SHINE. The COVID protocol stuff is ON POINT. Hand sanitizer everywhere, staff wearing masks (most of the time – I saw one slip-up, but hey, we're all human), “Daily disinfection in common areas.” They’re serious. I even saw them sterilizing equipment at the front desk. Honestly, after living through the last few years, I appreciate this level of vigilance. They also promised "room sanitization," and when I walked in, the bedsheets looked fresh, and there was a little sticker on the door saying the room had been cleaned. I felt… pretty safe, honestly. And that’s a win in my book.
Rooms: The Heart of the Matter (and the Wi-Fi)
Alright, the most important part, right? My room was a good size, nothing fancy, but clean. Available in all rooms - thank the sweet baby Jesus - air conditioning? YEP. Coffee maker (essential for me, I’m a caffeine fiend)? Check! Free Wi-Fi? ABSOLUTELY! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! I'm emphasizing this because I NEED my internet. No dropped connections, solid speeds. I even managed to stream a terrible movie on On-demand movies. The bathroom was clean, the shower had decent water pressure. The bed? Comfortable enough. Not the Ritz, but it did the job.
Internet (Let's Talk About It):
The Wi-Fi was solid. Did I mention that? Internet access – wireless and Internet access – LAN options, that's good for the tech-savvy folks, I guess. I just clicked the Wi-Fi, and boom, connected. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. Crucial for any hotel stay.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Machine
Breakfast! The buffet! (Or I guess, Breakfast [buffet] in the official lingo.) Now, here's where things get… interesting. It wasn't the BEST breakfast buffet I've ever had in my life, but it was decent. Scrambled eggs, some sad-looking sausage, waffles, cereal – the classics. They also had bagels! I am a sucker for a good bagel. I grabbed a coffee from the Coffee/tea in restaurant which was good and refilled it about three times. The Sanitized kitchen and tableware items made me feel more confident (even if the eggs weren't a culinary masterpiece). They also offered Breakfast takeaway service if you’re in a rush. And, of course, the Coffee shop had some snacks available too. Didn’t see much in the way of "international cuisine" which is fine by me.
No bar or anything fancy, but look, it's a Hampton Inn, not a five-star resort.
Things to Do/Ways to Relax: Gym Rats and Pool Lovers
Okay, so here’s a real pickle. The hotel has a Swimming pool [outdoor]. And a Gym/fitness. That's pretty standard. The pool looked lovely, I must admit, very inviting. But the weather? Ugh. It was raining. So, no pool for me. The gym was… well, it was a gym. Treadmills, some weights, the usual. I skipped it. I'm on vacation, dammit! This isn't my day job. No, I focused on relaxing in my room and avoiding the rain.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
They had Daily housekeeping. Thank goodness. Laundry service (probably overpriced, like all hotel laundries). Food delivery is available. Cash withdrawal from the front desk (useful!). Concierge (though I didn't need them). And the all-important Elevator! I did use the Luggage storage as well. Everything was convenient, which is a big plus.
For the Kids: Not Sure…
I didn’t see any screaming toddlers running amok. Family/child friendly is listed, but no Babysitting service offered, so probably not ideal if you're bringing the whole brood. Kids meal might be on the menu. I wasn’t paying attention.
Getting Around: Parking and Beyond
I already mentioned the free parking. Car park [free of charge] is a BIG win. They also offer Taxi service and Airport transfer.
The Staff: Smiles and Efficiency
The staff were friendly, which is always a plus, even if they were a little robotic with their safety protocols. Check-in was quick (especially since I used the Contactless check-in/out which was great). I didn't need much, but they were always polite.
The Verdict: Is It Really the BEST?
Look, "the best" is subjective. But, honestly, this Hampton Inn in Exeter is pretty darn good. It was clean, safe, the Wi-Fi worked, the staff was helpful, the parking was free, and the breakfast, while not gourmet, did the trick. My only real complaint… the rain. Overall, it's a solid choice, and I'd definitely stay there again.
SEO and Metadata Stuff:
- Keywords: Hampton Inn Exeter, New Hampshire, NH Suites, hotel review, accessibility, free Wi-Fi, breakfast, swimming pool, clean hotel, safe hotel, COVID protocols, things to do Exeter, accommodation.
- Meta Description: Honest review of the Hampton Inn in Exeter, NH. Find out about accessibility, cleanliness, Wi-Fi, breakfast, and if it lives up to the hype!
- Meta Titles: Hampton Inn Exeter Review: Clean, Comfy, and (Mostly) Fantastic!
- Image Alt Tags: [Photos of the hotel, pool, breakfast, lobby, etc. would be placed here, and alt text would be added to each one, detailing the image.]
- H1 Heading: Hampton Inn Exeter Review: My Unfiltered Take (What's Good, What's Not)
- H2 Headings: Accessibility: A Mixed Bag, Maybe?, Cleanliness and Safety: The Post-Pandemic Reality Check, Rooms: The Heart of the Matter (and the Wi-Fi), Internet (Let's Talk About It):, Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Machine, Things to Do/Ways to Relax: Gym Rats and Pool Lovers, Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter, For the Kids: Not Sure…, Getting Around: Parking and Beyond, The Staff: Smiles and Efficiency, The Verdict: Is It Really the BEST?
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly-planned itinerary. This is… well, this is me trying to survive a trip to the Hampton Inn & Suites Exeter, New Hampshire. God help us all.
Wednesday: Arrival and Existential Dread (Because, New England)
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT). Successfully navigated the rental car gauntlet, only to realize I’d booked a Fiat. A FIAT. In New England. In October. Pray for me and the poor car.
- 2:30 PM: Arrived at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Exeter. It's… Hampton Inn-y. You know. Beige, slightly generic lobby, the faint smell of chlorine and lukewarm coffee. My room? Standard. Actually, scratch my brain, it's HUGE. More than enough space to spread out all my emotional baggage.
- 3:00 PM: Unpack. Or, more accurately, chuck my suitcase onto the bed, assess the damage (mostly wrinkles), and contemplate which of the three identical pillows I should use. Always a key life decision.
- 3:30 PM: Wandered around Exeter. Cute, I guess? Lots of red brick and… well, more red brick. Feeling the New England chill seep into my bones (and my existential dread). Found a coffee shop, "Local Provisions," and grabbed a chai that was, sadly, not local. Mildly disappointed, but the barista was cute, so… progress? I did get a great picture of the main street, and I am convinced that you can find a historical site at any turn.
- 5:00 PM: Decided to hit the hotel pool (as one does). It was empty. So empty, it was almost eerie. Like, the pool was judging my life choices empty. But you know what? I did it. I dove in. I swam a whole two laps before getting out because, honestly, I'd rather not die of hypothermia.
- 6:30 PM: Dinner at a local place, "The Black Water Grill." Ordered the clam chowder because, again, New England. It was good. Not life-changing, but good. Felt smug, like I was doing the local thing. Then I noticed I had the same side dish of mashed potatoes as the old man next to me, and that smugness started to crumble.
- 8:30 PM: Back in the room. Watched some terrible TV (seriously, the cable selection is criminal) and started scrolling through social media. Now I feel worse. The inevitable comparison of my utterly average life to everyone else's seemingly incredible adventures is complete. Existential dread levels rising.
- 9:30 PM: Attempted to read. Failed miserably. My brain is mush.
Thursday: Diving Deep into a Single Experience (And Maybe, Just Maybe, Finding Something Real)
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast at the Hampton Inn. Standard hotel buffet fare. The scrambled eggs… had questionable origins. But, I mean, it's breakfast! You eat it! Also, the waffle maker? Total game changer. I made three. Don't judge me.
- 9:00 AM: Decided to go BIG, as they say in the tourist pamphlet. I wanted to see the Phillips Exeter Academy. I thought, "I'll learn something! I'll be cultured!" I walked through the front gate, then I just kind of… stared. At the buildings. They're impressive, but… mostly just brick. I walked around, feeling woefully underdressed and under-educated.
- 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM: The library. I spent the entire morning in the library. This has been my greatest moment of this trip. The library at Phillips Exeter Academy. It's not just any old library. This place is a cathedral of knowledge. Massive, beautiful, filled with the hushed whispers of students. I almost cried when I walked in. The smell of old books, the sunlight streaming through the high windows… This felt more like a religious experience than a school trip. I picked up a book of poetry because why not, and settled down in a comfy chair. I read for hours, lost in the words, the silence, the absolute peace. It was incredible. Pure bliss.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch. I went back to the coffee shop "Local Provisions." I got the exact same chai as the first day, and even got a discount. I also got to sit with the barista for a few minutes and talk. She was really cool.
- 2:00 PM: More exploring. Exeter is, at its heart, a New England town. I just knew there had to be a graveyard hiding somewhere. Sure enough, there it was. Oak Hill cemetery is gorgeous. I mean, you can't not find the graveyard in a New England town, right? I walked around, looking at the names of the dead with a morbid fascination. Seriously, the age of some of those tombstones! A reminder of how fleeting life is, blah, blah, blah… I found a particularly old grave for a woman named Abigail. Abigail who? Forever a mystery.
- 3:30 PM: Back to the hotel. Refreshed. And decided to go for a walk. I walked along the river, I walked past some of the historic buildings, and it was peaceful.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at the same place. I ordered the same dish and the same mashed potatoes. I was not disappointed, although the guy next to me ordered the exact same thing again.
- 8:00 PM: I am tired, but I want to stay awake. I'm not totally sure I can. But I can try. I am exhausted, but happy, and I feel like I can actually see people.
- 9:00 PM: Bed.
Friday: Departure and the Aftermath
- 8:00 AM: Another breakfast. More waffles. No regrets.
- 9:00 AM: Checked out. Said goodbye to the slightly sterile, mostly underwhelming, yet surprisingly comfortable Hampton Inn.
- 9:30 AM: Headed back to MHT.
- 2:00 PM: Arrived home. Unpacked the Fiat. And all my memories. I'm tired, my heart is full, and I just know I'll remember that library for a long time.
- The Verdict: Hampton Inn & Suites Exeter? Fine. Exeter itself? Charming. The library? Absolutely worth the trip. Would I go back? Maybe. Probably. Definitely for the library.
And there you have it! My Hampton Inn adventure, complete with all the glorious, messy, and utterly human moments. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need a nap.
Knights Inn Canton, OH: Your Surprisingly Amazing Stay Awaits!
Exeter's Hampton Inn: The Good, The Bad, and The (Probably) Inevitable
Is the Hampton Inn in Exeter actually the BEST, like, ever?
Okay, "BEST" is a big claim. Let's be real. Remember that time I was stuck in a Motel 6 in Buffalo and the shower barely dribbled? Yeah, *that* was the opposite of "BEST." The Exeter Hampton Inn? It leans closer to the "actually decent" category. It's clean. The staff, mostly, are super friendly. The breakfast...okay, the breakfast is your standard continental fare. Think: waffles you make yourself, sad-looking scrambled eggs that I suspect are mostly air, and the omnipresent, yet strangely appealing, little yogurt cups. Don't go expecting Michelin-star quality, but it'll fuel your adventures. And the deals? Sometimes, they're amazing. Sometimes…well, sometimes you feel like you're paying a premium for the privilege of making your own waffle. Depends on the week, honestly.
What's the deal with the NH Suites? Are they worth the extra dough?
Alright, so the NH Suites. This is where things get complicated. I *think* they exist. I've seen pictures. I've heard whispers. I've never actually *stayed* in one. Because, you know, budget. My experience is always the standard room, which, honestly, is perfectly adequate. Clean sheets, a comfy bed (usually), a desk where I can pretend to work while secretly watching YouTube. The suites *probably* offer a bit more space, maybe a separate living area? Which, if you're traveling with kids, sounds like pure genius. If you're like me and just want a quiet place to eat your questionable breakfast in peace, probably not worth the extra cash. But hey, treat yourself! Just maybe don't tell me how amazing it is. I'll be forever jealous.
The location… how central/convenient is it, really?
Location, location, location! The Hampton Inn in Exeter is...well, it's *in* Exeter. Which is good. It's not in some random industrial park miles from civilization, which is also good. It's close to the main drag, Route 101, which gives you pretty easy access to wherever you're going. Need a quick bite? Plenty of chains nearby (yay, convenience!). Craving something local and authentic? You'll need to drive a bit. (No big deal, you’re on vacation! That said, I'd recommend getting a coffee or a bite at the Corner Cafe - the best breakfast spot in town). Think about it this way: it's not right *in* the charming, historical heart of Exeter, but it's a short drive (or Uber, if that’s your thing) away. And the upside? You probably won’t be kept awake by raucous college students, which happened to me (once) in a hotel *far* more centrally located (let's just say I slept a lot from exhaustion the next day).
Tell me about the pool. Is it swim-worthy?
Okay, the pool. Here's where things get a little…underwhelming. It's *there*. It's indoors, which is a plus for New England weather. It's generally clean. But it’s not exactly a tropical paradise. In my most recent experience, it’s was a bit… cold. I actually shivered. Inside. That’s not ideal. It’s great for a quick dip, especially if you have kids who need to burn off some energy. But don't expect a sprawling aquatic wonderland. It's more of a "functional" pool, if that makes sense. Think of it as a watery bonus, not the main attraction. But hey, a pool is a pool, right? Unless it's freezing. Then it's just a big, freezing wet box.
What about parking? Is it a nightmare?
Parking is, thankfully, not a nightmare. It's plentiful. There's a decent-sized lot, and I've never had a problem finding a spot. Which, after the Buffalo Motel 6 Parking situation, is a true luxury. The worst parking experience I've had at this Hampton Inn was when I came back late at night and had to walk a little further. The horror! See? Not a nightmare. You're probably good.
The deals...how do I land one of these "unbeatable" ones you keep hinting at?
Ah, the elusive "Unbeatable Deal." This is a game of skill, timing, and a little bit of luck. First, sign up for their rewards program! Seriously, do it. Then, be flexible with your dates. Mid-week stays are usually cheaper than weekends. Booking in advance can sometimes snag you a better rate. And lastly? Check multiple booking sites! The Hampton Inn's own website is a good start, obviously, but sometimes you'll find a secret gem on Expedia, Booking.com, etc. Compare, compare, compare! You can also sometimes (and this is purely anecdotal) find a better rate by checking randomly. I got a smoking deal one time by booking on a Tuesday afternoon, a little less than a month out. Who knows why. It's a mystery, I tell you! The hotel gods smile upon the persistent bargain hunter, so keep searching and cross your fingers! May the odds be ever in your favor... mostly.
OK, let's get real. What's the *worst* thing about this Hampton Inn?
Okay, you want the truth? The absolute WORST thing? It's the *potential for noise*. Thin walls are a sad reality of many hotels. In my experience…it’s been hit or miss. One time I was unlucky enough to be next to the vending machine AND a rowdy family with very loud children. It felt like living in a zoo! And the vending machine? Constantly buzzing and clanking. That was rough. The next time, blessedly quiet. So, bring earplugs. Or, if you're feeling bold, pack a white noise machine. Because, even if the Hampton Inn is generally a solid choice, you can’t control your neighbors. But everything else? Pretty much okay. That loud vending machine incident? Still gives me the chills.
Would you stay there again? (Be honest!)
Yes. Absolutely. Despite the potential for noisy neighbors, the lukewarm pool and the questionable breakfast eggs. The Exeter Hampton Inn is a good, reliable choice. It's clean, the staff are generally friendly, and the location is convenient. It's not going to blow your mind, but it's a solid, dependable hotel. And sometimes,5 Star Stay Find
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