Omni Mt. Washington Resort: Summer Playtime in New Hampshire

As the Omni Mount Washington Resort comes into view, the majestic setting of this historic luxury family resort nestled in among the White Mountains captures your attention. The hotel looks like a castle perched up on a hill, surrounded by the gorgeous golf course greens at the base of the Bretton Woods ski mountain.

The Bretton Woods area is one of the best all-season outdoor recreational spots in the Northeast.  To get an overview, check out my article on fun things to do in New Hampshire with kids.

Family-Friendly Review of  the Omni Mount Washington Resort

Room to Sprawl

We easily settled into our large family suite in the main Omni Mount Washington hotel, complete with both lovely historic details and updated finishes like the white marble bathrooms.  The hotel recently finished a $60 million renovation that — while respecting the historic nature of the hotel — added modern amenities, including a lovely spa and outdoor pool area.

The common areas speak to a former era of grandeur, complete with a beautiful wraparound porch where cocktails are served at sunset. The lower level of the hotel feels like a “mini town” according to my kids with the multiple restaurants, an arcade, a post office, and a few charming stores.  Thank goodness for the well-stocked kids’ store — I forgot my 4-year-old daughter’s suitcase and had to buy a couple items.  The merchandise is adorable and well priced.

Making s’mores

Camp Omni Perks

Omni Hotels & Resorts goes beyond check-in gifts to offer a variety of special experiences that kept my kids completely thrilled throughout our stay.  From the milk and cookies at bedtime to afternoon popsicles by the pool, my kids felt like VIPs!  The $10 gift cards to use at the hotel shops adds a fun element as they work to decide what to purchase.  The biggest hit with my crew was the s’mores-making box that we roasted at the fire pit on the deck.

The complimentary breakfast buffet is delicious, with multiple stations including an omelet bar.  For those with allergies, it’s good to note that they were allergy aware and offer a gluten-free station.

Family activities are offered continually throughout each day: an outdoor activity like badminton or frisbee games, an indoor craft, and finally, a nightly family movie.  My kids enjoyed cookie decorating and watching Despicable Me.  What I like is that the activities engage the whole family.

No worry though, when you are ready for that much needed “parent only” time, there is the added option of a kids’ club.

Healthy, kid-friendly fare is plentiful

Well-Designed Dining Options

The hotel has many options for family dining.  You can go the traditional route with a dressed-up dinner in the main dining room.  We opted for Stickleys for its casual indoor and outdoor setting.

I am very impressed by the variety of options on the kids’ menu.  All too often the choices on the kids’ menu are limited to unhealthy selections.  Omni has done a great job in this area, having some of the traditional items available, but also a few more sophisticated, healthy choices. The kids’ portion of filet mignon and salmon were nightly favorites with my crew.

While we waited for our entrees, my kids kept busy running around with other kids on the sprawling lawn in front of the restaurant. What a relief! Keeping four tired siblings sitting peacefully wasn’t going to happen.  That space to play is just what kids need.

We also took advantage of the easy poolside dining.  Our fun didn’t have to stop as the kids were able to play and then come out to eat at their leisure.  For a quiet break in the afternoon, there is a lovely afternoon tea. They have a special tea for the kids complete with a tray of little treats.  The overall balance between traditional and casual settings within the hotel provides just the right mix for families.

Hiking right from the Omni Mount Washington Resort

Activities Galore

The natural beauty of the surrounding area makes the outdoor activities the star attraction. Moreover, Omni has brought in or developed all kinds of unique activities like the Canopy Tour, the mountain scooters and dog sledding. The barn itself loooks like an estate, appealing to the equestrians in the group.  There is also an extensive golf and tennis program.

The activities desk is quite the hot spot and the concierge was helpful in determining which activities would be best for my kids’ wide age range.  I love the nightly delivery of the Daily Bugle, their newsletter that outlined the next day’s activities.

It’s worth noting that many activities were an additional cost.  However, the indoor and outdoor pool along with the hiking trail right at the base of the property were more than enough to keep my family entertained.

We love hiking the easy, wooded trail that follows a gorgeous stream.  The stream creates beautiful views and perfect swimming holes.  There are tons of butterflies, frogs and insect to keep our family naturalist, JoJo, engaged.  Meanwhile, crossing the stream and sliding down the rocks created —aka natural water slides — adds just enough adventure to satisfy older kids.

Visit to the Muddy Paws Dog Sledding tours and rescue group

Hands down, our favorite off-site activity was going to Muddy Paws, a kennel and group that gives all-season dog sled tours.  Stay tuned for a follow-up post on this group as it was such a meaningful experience.  If you get a chance, don’t miss the opportunity to ride with them!  Karen and Neil, the owners, rescue mushing dogs and the money they earn from the tours helps fund their rescue efforts.  It was truly amazing!  Kudos to the Mount Washington Resort for supporting them!

To get the full scoop on our Camp Omni experience at the Omni Mount Washington Resort, check out the video montage of our stay.

Nancy and her family received complimentary accommodations at the Omni Mount Washington Resort, but as always, her thoughts and opinions are her own. Photo by Nancy Solomon

Relevant Links:

Ciao Bambino review of the Omni Mount Washington Resort

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