The 2 Cutest, Coziest, and Most Affordable Cabins in the White Mountains
- mharding221
- Mar 2, 2016
- 6 min read
I love visiting the White Mountains, but I still don't have enough gear for winter camping (and let's be honest here, answering nature's call in the middle of the woods when the wind chill is -5 degrees is not exactly high on my to-do list).
Luckily, there are lots of different cabins you can rent in the Whites. Prices and amenities vary greatly though.
The three most important things to me, when selecting a cabin to stay in during the winter are:
1. A fireplace. You'd be amazed at how many cabins are advertised in the Whites that don't have real fireplaces! What could be cozier after a full day of exploring than curling up next to a wood-burning fire? I've been researching cabins in the White Mountains for about 7 years and I'm always on the lookout for affordable cabins that have working (i.e., not electric or gas) fireplaces. The majority of them don't.
2. Ownership, rules, and restrictions. Some cabins seem to have an endless list of rules, or millions of "extras" to charge you for. When I book a cabin, it's because I want to relax in a comfortable atmosphere. The cabins I prefer, have more of a "bed and breakfast" feel to them; the owners are warm and welcoming but not intrusive.
3. Location. 95% of the time, if I'm visiting the White Mountains, I'll be near Lincoln or North Conway specifically, and I finally found an awesome cabin near each of those areas, that are not only way cuter than a hotel room but in most cases way cheaper too!
In Lincoln: Green Village Cabins on the Pemi River I stumbled upon this one just last week. I've driven past it countless times because it's in an ideal location right off Rt. 93 in Lincoln, so why haven't I tried staying there before?! This property has new ownership as of last summer and all I can assume is that they must have lowered their prices. I could be wrong, but I don't recall seeing cabins offered here for under $100 a night - until I checked it out last week.
Basics: There are 9 cabins available to rent for as little as $74 a night (before taxes). Almost all of them have fireplaces with wood bundles or Duraflame logs available at the office for an extra $5. The Pemigewassett River runs right behind these cabins, so you can gaze upon the rushing waters as you sit at the kitchen table enjoying your morning cup of tea. The amenities in each cabin very slightly, but most have at least a microwave and mini fridge, and all of them have good heat, TVs, and even HBO. Cabins specifics and vacancies are shown on their website and you can even book them online. And just fyi, your furry friends have to stay at home.
Atmosphere and location: Green Village Cabins couldn't be more perfectly located. It's right in Lincoln itself, about a half mile from 93 and only a 5-10 minute drive to all the major attractions in the area (ie, in the winter: The Ice Castles and SledVentures, In the summer: Clarke's Trading Post, The Hobo Railroad, and A Whale's Tale Water Park, just to name a few). In the warmer months, Rt. 112, the most major road in Lincoln where the majority of the businesses are, can get very busy and Green Village Cabins is located just far enough away to escape most of the tourist traffic. Plus, A Whale's Tale Water Park is literally right across the street - super convenient! There's also a well-stocked convenience store / gas station between the cabin and the highway.
I booked my cabin online and received an email confirmation of my itinerary, requesting that I contact them if anything was incorrect - pretty standard. There was a tiny error that I'm 99.9% sure was my fault (I'd accidentally listed the Munchkin as an adult instead of a child). So I shot them a quick email to mention it, fully expecting to receive an automated response back.
What I actually received was a warm and friendly message from Lynne, one of the owners, noting the discrepancy, making the change, and suggesting we check out The Ice Castles while we were in the area (which is exactly what our plan was)! She even took the time to email me on the morning of our arrival to warn me that the roads in town were really icy and that her husband was out salting their property.
Overall, our stay felt just like we were visiting family (in all the good ways, that is). After the Munchkin and I played around The Ice Castles and got ourselves thoroughly drenched (it was drizzly and very slushy there that night), it was so nice to drive only a few minutes down the road to our cabin. We peeled off our wet clothes, put on our pj's and crawled into a bed with one of the comfiest comforters ever and listened to the crackling of our fire. We stayed in cabin 5, which fyi has a super comfy love seat too. The one thing that really struck me while we were there was how clean and fresh everything felt. No mustiness, or lingering odors from industrial cleaners, like you often encounter at chain hotels.
Wanderer's Tip #1: The only thing my particular cabins didn't have was a coffee maker, and having coffee is pretty vital to my existence. Although I'm sure if I had asked Lynne, she probably would have found me one, or would have made me a cup of coffee herself. Also, the Wi-Fi is a bit spotty inside, but more reliable if you sit at the picnic table outside your cabin. They're currently working on improving that though.
Wanderer's Tip #2: Before you leave, check out the quirky gas station down the street. Apparently there was an alien sighting here? I was way too under-caffeinated to ask the man working there about the story behind it, but I did get a postcard:
For more info, pictures, and current prices, check out their website:
North Conway Area: Sunny Brook Cottages
This is my "top secret" find that I've only shared with three other people in the 7 years I've been coming here. Honestly, I was always afraid that it would get so popular that I'd never get a cabin again. (And as it is, you'll usually need at least two weeks of advance notice, because they book up quick). But I think I'm finally willing to share.
Sunny Brook is about 15-20 minutes from North Conway and is the most budget-friendly place for a winter getaway - cabins start at only $55/night (plus tax)!
Basics: They have 10 cabins for rent, all with fireplaces and a TV. If you appreciate rustic charm, you'll really enjoy these cabins. They were built in the 1930s, so it can be a bit drafty on windy nights, but they all have furnaces to make up for this.
Atmosphere and location: Just because they're "rustic", doesn't mean they're lacking in amenities. Granted, I've only stayed here once since the new owners took over last year, but the only changes I've found are good ones: some of the older furniture has been replaced and the cabins can now be booked online. All of the charm from the previous owners is still there. There's hand-painted wall decorations, assorted board games and toys in each cabin, and other niceties like tea bags, sugar packets, and coffee to use in their mini coffee makers. You'll also find mugs, silverware, and more.
The only rules are simple and straightforward. Overall they've always cultivated a laid-back, cozy atmosphere. In the back of the property, you'll find a babbling brook with a short nature trail. In the middle, you'll find a group-use campfire area, complete with (free) wood so you can roast marshmallows while relaxing in their camp chairs... provided they haven't just gotten a few feet of snow of course. Towards the front, you'll find a little playground and a toy shed filled with baseballs, soccer balls, and badminton supplies.
Wanderer's Tip #1: Dogs and indoor smoking are both allowed here, however I don't know what kind of magic they use, but I've never smelled a trace of either during the half dozen times I've stayed here.
Wanderer's Tip #2: If you're spending the day wandering the downtown streets of North Conway, make sure to stop at Zeb's General Store; you can always find unique gifts and cute NH-made products. Also, along the drive between there and Sunny Brook Cottages, your dining options become very limited (2, maybe 3 places where you can get takeout), so I recommend grabbing a bite to eat before leaving North Conway. Elvio's Pizzeria is one of my favorites for takeout.
For more info, pictures, and current prices, check out their website: Sunny Brook Cottages
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