Overview

by Michael Blanding

Continuing its four-plus-decade conquest of the New Hampshire dining and lodging scene, the Common Man chain opened this new lodging in 2009 in a converted textile mill building on the banks of Claremont’s Sugar River. It has all the touches that devotees have come to expect from the local chain-including a high quality of upscale furnishings and ingredients, a commitment to sustainability, and a heavy dose of rustic New Hampshire ambience that makes for pleasant, inspiring, and ethical stay.

Standard family rooms include two queen beds or one king with a sleep sofa or room for a cot; they include plush feather-top beds, home-spun quilts, and nice decorative touches like exposed beams, and brick or fieldstone walls. Suites are even more luxurious, some including two levels, gas fireplaces, and Jacuzzi jet-tubs. Rooms also include other luxe touches like goat’s milk soap and down comforters. In addition, the inn has a number of amenities to make your stay more comfortable, including an indoor pool and hot tub, a fitness center, and a “puzzle nook” to while away the hours. The Common Man restaurant onsite serves up the chain’s signature fresh New England cuisine with local and organic ingredients.

Our Editor Loves

Luxurious furnishings
Rustic New Hampshire vibe
Two-level suites with fireplaces and Jacuzzis

Family Interests

Bicycling
Golf
Hiking
Horse Back Riding
Museum/Cultural
Skiing

Family Amenities

Babysitting
Cribs
DVD
Family Room 5+
Free Breakfast
Free Wi-Fi
Laundry
Onsite Dining
Pool
Refrigerator

Reviews

Really excellent

by KerryFla

I went to Claremont to visit a business client. The people I went to see recommended the Common Man for both lodging and dinner. Being a city boy, I chuckled at the idea of staying at the Common Man Inn while visiting a small town.

Well, I couldn't have been more wrong. First, as I see it, it's really the only hotel choice in Claremont. Yes, there are technically a couple of other offerings, but just not at the level that most of us require. So they really didn't need to spend all that money to convert an old mill into a rustic lodge. But they did.

Every part of the property was rustic, yet none of it felt "old." Rooms were spacious, well designed, and the beds were very comfortable. Common areas were above average, and quaint. The small town general store right in the lobby was nice - I was able to buy my wife a nice little souvenir without having to go to, well, they probably don't have a souvenir shop in town.

This review is not about the restaurant, but just in case I don't have time to review that, everything above applies plus the food and service were good.

Back to the hotel - it had a great view overlooking Sugar River, complete with its own waterfall. You could not have asked for a better view. Inside, after a nice dinner with my clients and colleagues, I wanted to relax a bit before bed. No worries - the hot tub area took care of that. It looks like they converted one or two sleeping rooms into a hot tub room. It was nice, clean, hot, and private.

In the morning, I availed myself of the free continental breakfast. I would have hoped for a nice hot breakfast in the restaurant, but it was not open. The free continental breakfast was very adequate - adequate choices, adequate quality, adequate seating area. Considering there weren't other options nearby, it was quite satisfactory.

Overall, I was quite pleased and pleasantly surprised. Most likely you need to have a reason to be in Claremont to go here, unless it's for a wedding or the like. But you won't be disappointed.

Pleasant stay

by Carmen D

We have just spent two nights at this delightful Inn. Rooms were clean although we didn’t like the bed and found the topper was too soft. The Inn was full of history and the outside buildings were beautiful. The common man restaurant had happy hour which could be spent outside on the balcony overlooking the river. If you are interested in old buildings that have been renovated this is certainly one to visit. The front desk staff are very friendly and helpful. We would certainly visit again.