Gilmanton Karate Tourney 4/4/9-any things to do in the area?

We%26#39;ll be in town for the tourney and I%26#39;m trying to plan if it%26#39;s worth it for us to stay in the area and what we would do if we did. It also happens to be my anniversary the next day. While I would prefer my anniversary getaway without children and a karate tourney, I%26#39;ll take what I can get :)

We have been somewhat in the area in Sanbornton at Steele Hill Resorts last fall. I was looking at a Holiday Inn express in Tilton I believe for this trip...any experiences with that? Close enough to Gilmanton? Anything closer or better I should look into? Would love an indoor pool, hot tub even better (in the room would be very nice), free continental breakfast is always convenient but not a necessity (as long as I can get breakfast nearby - can%26#39;t miss that).

We are touristy type vacationers, but also enjoy local community things, like the hay ride and corn maze that was nearby Steele Hill last fall. I know some ski mtns may still be open, but not into snowboarding during late/spring season. Definitely need to hit the Levi Outlet in Tilton - can%26#39;t find the jeans I bought there last year anywhere and I love them.

Thanks in advance for the feedback!

Gilmanton Karate Tourney 4/4/9-any things to do in the area?

Steele Hill gets a thumbs up all around for everything. Kid friendly, good food, clean. Kids love the pool. I have gone to several weddings there and alot of my friends and their families go there to use the pool and are very happy. Easy to get to from Gilmanton but probably a 45 minute drive. It is frost heave season also.

Gilmanton Karate Tourney 4/4/9-any things to do in the area?

Thanks Weimaraner! We did enjoy Steele Hill but were thinking of trying something new and a little closer.

Have you heard anything about the Holiday Inn Express in Tilton? Seems to be newer and gets good reviews. I have no problem staying in a Mom and Pop type hotel place I%26#39;d never find online either - as long as it%26#39;s not frightening and cheaper than the chain if we%26#39;re giving up some of those conveniences.

You%26#39;re also not aware of any places that would give a discount if I reserved say 3 rooms for that time? Apparently my hotel comment at karate sounded better than driving back and forth 3 hours to others as well :) Thanks!

Sorry, I can not think of other places. Did you want to come into Laconia? It would be about the same distance as Tilton?

I can%26#39;t imagine you would be disappointed with a HI Express. They are usually pretty decent. Not Steele Hill, of course. Just a comfy moderate priced hotel chain. And Tilton should be a pretty easy drive.

Laconia would be a consideration. I don%26#39;t recall what hotels are there, but you can find them at the NH Tourism website www.visitnh.gov, or by Googling Laconia, NH Hotels. I believe there are also one or two new ones along Rte 106 either in Belmont or Loudon. Again, I don%26#39;t recall chich ones.

Lake Opechee Inn %26amp; Spa in Lakeport. It is a little less than 10 miles from Gilmanton.

This might be the place you are looking for.....

There is a room that is split with an area for the kids (Two full beds I believe and a King size bed). You will get the family trip and your special anniversary trip tied into one. Most rooms have fireplaces and some rooms offer two person whirlpool tubs. There is a small indoor pool and a Spa. If you do book here, try to get a room on the lakeside I think it is referred as ';Balcony side'; because the backside rooms overlook a railroad track :(

Have fun!

Oops....

I wanted to post the link....

http://www.opecheeinn.com/

Thanks Remay! That inn looks perfect for the anniversary evening at least. I%26#39;m wondering if I can arrange for someone from karate to take the kids back with them after the tourney to drop off to Grandma%26#39;s house and we%26#39;ll stay there :)

The kids certainly won%26#39;t appreciate the inn as much as we%26#39;ll be sure to and would rather stay at a Super 8 or something for a quarter of the cost. My husband hates this, but I%26#39;d rather get one room for Friday evening to just sleep in with the kids, maybe an indoor pool or something for the very little time we%26#39;ll be there. Then get a room at the Inn on Saturday night for the two of us.

Thanks to all for the advice. I hadn%26#39;t realized Laconia would be just as close to Gilmanton as Tilton would. From the directions I had, the HI express was literally right on the way with the route we are taking (still about half an hour away though from what I was told? Apparently this tourney is really out in the boonies).

I think I have my game plan now...Laconia for cheaper hotel on Friday evening and the Inn (or something almost exactly like it) for Saturday (sans kids if I%26#39;m lucky :) HI Express looks great, but I%26#39;ll try to find something cheaper if we%26#39;re splurging a bit on Saturday night. I%26#39;m aware of the Super8 close to the HI Express, but Expedia said they wouldn%26#39;t allow four in the room (will confirm with Super8 directlty as well I guess).

Thanks all!

If you really are able to be to celebrate your anniversary with just the two of you, then you can also check out Church Landing in Meredith. (It is a little over 30 minutes from Gilmanton to Meredith)

www.millfalls.com/inns/church_landing.htm

This is just a follow up. I assume the tournament is at the school on route 140 close to the Iron Works. To get to Lake Opechee is at least 45 minutes. The school is not close to any hotels. The closest is 30-45 minutes away. I used to live in Gilmanton and my kids went to school there and I know how long it takes. I work in Laconia.

Check out this deal with Travel Zoo. $99.00 per night at the Inn at Mills Falls in Meredith, NH

hotels.travelzoo.com/resorts-spas/546408