Norwich Inn

The bar can close pretty early on weeknights, sometimes as early as 9 p.m., which makes it hard if you’re hoping for a nightcap before bed. Still, we’ve stayed at the Norwich Inn several times over the past few years and always look forward to returning. For visiting a child at Dartmouth, it’s a great choice: campus is a short drive away, without the congestion and parking hassles of the hotels around the school. It’s probably the best value in the area. Rooms are clean, and depending on the building, they can have that quintessential historic New England Inn feel.

We had dinner at the inn one evening, and it was excellent. Dave the innkeeper and his staff were excellent too, greeting us warmly and sending a text to see if we needed anything. The complimentary shuttle drop-off downtown was really convenient. Thanks for a great getaway.

The room’s layout and design were good, and the property itself is a lovely historic building with a lot of potential. But it failed badly as an upscale historic stay. The decor was awful, and the carpet was filthy and stained. At $500 with taxes, this room shouldn’t have been rented. The service was unprofessional in both the hotel and dining room. Our server leaned on a chair while taking our order. At checkout, the desk agent was eating breakfast, didn’t ask about our stay, and seemed eager to get back to her food. The breakfast buffet was poor: tables had no napkins or cutlery, and after the first cup of coffee we had to serve ourselves the next two times. The food itself was good, but the presentation was not professional. The bedding also felt out of date. Better hotels use top sheets or duvets with covers laundered at each turnover, rather than bedspreads and blankets that may only get washed a few times a year. Training standards here seem very low.

We came to the inn for a fiber retreat, and the staff took care of all our needs. They were wonderful, and the food was excellent, especially the desserts!