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Located not far from the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, the TownePlace Suites by Marriott Laconia Gilford proved to be a practical home base for our four-day getaway in the region. This long weekend let us go a bit further than usual from Montreal and discover the abundance of trails this corner of New Hampshire is known for.
Between lakes, mountains and the great outdoors, it was the perfect opportunity to make the most of our AllTrails Peak subscription, which we’ve also covered on Milesopedia.
In early November, we took a trip to admire the region’s last fall colours, a landscape dominated by black oaks, beeches and birches that tint the mountains in golden and copper hues at this time of year. The TownePlace Suites Laconia Gilford offered excellent value at the time, at around US$139 per night or about 29,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
To earn points for this kind of stay, check out our comparison of the best credit cards in Canada.
Located in Gilford, near Laconia, in the Lake Winnipesaukee region at the heart of New Hampshire, the hotel enjoys a calm setting away from the bustle. The large free parking lot makes it easy to get around, especially to enjoy the area’s activities: Lake Winnipesaukee, the beaches, mountain hiking trails, and nearby shops and restaurants. A car is recommended to reach most points of interest.
Walking in, you find a simple but welcoming lobby. On the left, a double-sided gas fireplace discreetly separates the entrance from the lounge area, a warmer space to read or unwind outside your room. On the right is where breakfast is served, while the front desk sits at the back of the lobby. There’s also the small market typical of TownePlace Suites, handy for snacks or essentials. Check-in service was courteous and efficient, true to the brand’s functional spirit.
Right from the start, the kitchenette stands out as a real strength: full-size fridge, microwave, stovetop, dishwasher, dishes and utensils… everything you need to be self-sufficient. Since we like cooking most of our meals on hiking trips, we loved having that freedom, even though counter space remains limited.
The bathroom right next door is spacious enough to be comfortable. Nothing fancy, but everything you need.
Then you reach the living room, a truly functional space. The sofa bed does the job well for relaxing, and the layout favours versatility. The living room offers simple but clever solutions for eating or working, with a fold-away tray table and an ottoman that converts into a work surface, small practical touches, in short. You can tell the hotel is designed to be lived in, not just slept in.
The work desk stands out in particular: well lit, ergonomic, and flexible thanks to its rolling table. It’s a great spot for a few hours of writing or catching up on emails before heading back out to explore.
The bedroom, separated from the living room by a standard door, has a comfortable queen bed and plenty of storage, just like the living room. And with a window in each room, the natural light is genuinely pleasant, especially for a hiking-focused stay where you spend more time enjoying the outdoors than the hotel. The two smart TVs (living room and bedroom) are a practical touch, making it easy to connect to your streaming platforms.
It should be noted first that there’s no on-site restaurant. Instead, the TownePlace Suites offers a buffet-style breakfast served in the common area next to the lobby. Nothing fancy, but enough to start the day well. There are a few hot options, cold choices, self-serve coffee, and enough variety to put together a simple, quick meal. The atmosphere is informal and entirely self-serve, true to the spirit of extended-stay hotels.
The TownePlace Suites offers a small, fairly simple fitness room. It has two treadmills, an elliptical machine, some free weights, a weight bench and yoga mats. It’s a functional space, perfect for keeping up a minimal routine or stretching out a bit, especially after a day spent outdoors.
The hotel also has an indoor pool. It’s fairly small, more suited to kids or a quick relaxing moment, no doing laps here. A few loungers and armchairs surround the space, letting you settle in for a bit of relaxation. The parking lot right in front of the hotel is large and easily accessible, with no stress finding a spot.
Staying at the TownePlace Suites in Laconia Gilford means being right in the heart of a truly rural, peaceful part of New Hampshire, close to Lake Winnipesaukee, where winding backroads and wooded hills naturally invite you to slow down. We especially enjoyed strolling through the two neighbouring towns, Gilford and Laconia, each with its own personality. Laconia, in particular, has some lovely local shops and a warm atmosphere, and we especially loved the Wayfarer Marketplace, a coffee house that’s as welcoming as it is delicious.
We also enjoyed a wonderful hike up Mount Major in the Belknap Range, a well-known mountain range in central New Hampshire, with a vast trail network offering beautiful views and a real sense of getting away from it all. It’s a perfect destination for those who love walking and exploring nature.
In November, the region is quiet: the lakes’ water activities, which likely draw a good share of visitors in summer, give way to late fall colours and a more introspective mood. We chose to cook in our suite rather than try local restaurants, which fit perfectly with the spirit of the place and the freedom this type of accommodation offers.
The TownePlace Suites in Laconia Gilford offers a simple, comfortable and unpretentious experience, perfectly suited to those looking for a practical base to explore the region. The slightly out-of-the-way location ensures great peace and quiet while still making it easy to reach nearby points of interest.
The common areas, from the welcoming lobby to the small gym, lean more toward functionality than the “wow” factor, but everything is clean, well maintained and designed to meet travellers’ essential needs. In the end, it’s a hotel that delivers exactly on its category’s promise: a reliable, calm and efficient address for exploring Laconia, Gilford and the surrounding landscapes at your own pace.
To maximize this type of experience, check out our comparison of the best credit cards in Canada, ideal for earning travel points toward your next stay.
And to plan your next hikes, check out our full review of the AllTrails app.
Le meilleur moyen d’obtenir des points Marriott Bonvoy afin de séjourner gratuitement dans plus de 8 000 hôtels dans le monde est d’être titulaire de la Carte Marriott BonvoyMD American ExpressMD* (et/ou de la Carte Marriott BonvoyMD Entreprise American ExpressMD*). Il est également possible d’accumuler des points-privilèges d’American Express et de les transférer vers Marriott Bonvoy.
Pour tout savoir sur l’accumulation et l’échange de points Marriott Bonvoy pour des séjours à l’hôtel gratuits, suivez nos guides :
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