I went with my boyfriend and his entire family. There was always something for us to do! Dinner was amazing, they have an onsite culinary school and the students are the ones who create the wonderful five course meals. The golfing and scenary was something out of a movie. The employees there were very helpful (because they run off tips), however I had absolutely no problem with tipping them because everyone was so cheerful. LOVE LOVE LOVED IT!

We've been coming to the Balsams as NH residents for years, and even found a way to come back while living in Oregon. . .so you know that this review will tend toward the favorable.

Indeed, the Balsams is a unique place, with a one-of-a-kind-charm. They have been in a bit of a tailspin, I suspect, since they farmed out their management to the Delaware North company for several years, before reclaiming self-management over the more recent several years.

To the new owners, here is your mandate: maintain the charm of the place, the staff's sense of pride, and the distinct ability to make your guests feel special and in a special place during their stay, you will enjoy decade after decade of success. Maintain the myriad outdoor adventures. We'll be your annual guests, in both winter and summer seasons. If you decide to follow Delaware's North's lead and nickel and dime guests, cut out amenities and become just another hotel (albeit in a wonderful locale), then there are an almost unlimited number of those places further south, and thereby closer to home for most of your guests.

This summer was the first time our kids were old enough for the summer kids camp. This made it a stellar stay for all of us. We each literally got our fill of the things we individually wanted to do - hiking, biking, reading by the pool, kayaking, learning to cast a fly rod, exploring, etc etc - and yet still had lots of family time together. It was the most relaxing and refreshing vacation in recent memory, even if it was only for 3 nights.

Yes, our family is sold on the Balsams, and we hope that it can re-emerge the same, only better.

My family and I have visited the Balsams a number of times in both the winter and the summer. For the winter, the fact that they have their own ski mountain and a huge number of cross-country and snowshoe trails is a huge plus. Great conditions and no crowds - ever. In the summer there are the 7000 acres of incredible grounds, with a beautiful golf course, hiking and biking trails, a lake, pool, great tennis courts and much more. For those who like the outdoors, there is something for everyone. If you just want to relax and read a book on the vast porch - you can do that too. The resort is very similar to the understated ones you find out in the country in Europe - my wife calls it country elegant. This is not a posh Four Seasons hotel, but a beautiful vintage resort that is situation in a spectacular location - so you should expect the rooms and hotel to be more country simple than sophisticated. The dining is excellent (and formal - gentlemen wear jackets after 6 in the hotel), and a nice touch after being outdoors or relaxing all day. It's like a cruise ship in the mountains! They are currently looking for a new owner who will invest to continue the resort, and we certainly hope that will happen, as the Balsams is a very special place.

My husband and I spent the weekend at The Balsams, Dixville Notch, N.H. We hadn't stayed there in 10 years and looked forward to the trip. The old hotel, one of the oldest grand hotels in the U.S., sits in the breathtaking cradle of Dixville Notch with a charming little lake in front, sweeping green lawns, flowers, Adirondack chairs, wrap around verandah and the aura of times gone by. The room was much as I remembered our first visit: high ceilinged, painted furniture, probably oak & pine, rose wall paper, deep closets, a super clean, all white bathroom with the old hexagonal tile floor.

We were part of a large wedding party with a reduced rate to $119 pp, not including the 18% gratuity & room & sales tax. It worked out to a bit over $300 per night for two and did not include dinner for which they are quite famous. I do feel it was overpriced but we didn't take advantage of the 18 hole golf course and am not sure if that would have been included.

The best part of the hotel is the staff. They live there, work there or are part of the tiny town of Dixville Notch. Your comfort is key and they do providfe exquisite service in a very nice manner.

The hotel setting, grounds & structure are beautiful. She's an old lady in need of a face lift and I understand she'll get one soon as she's sold. A recent sale feel through and she was scheduled for a $25MM renovation. I'm sure her inside grandeur will be restored to match her outside beauty. That's when I'll visit again.