Kearsarge Inn rises from historic roots

By David Carkhuff

On Friday, Dec. 5, the Kearsarge Inn opened its doors to its first guests. New to North Conway, nevertheless the Kearsarge Inn is steeped in local history, The wreath-adorned, canary-yellow inn actually is a boutique hotel, which is defined as a hotel with 20 or fewer rooms where meals are not served. Kearsarge Inn has 15 rooms, with a 45-person capacity. Rates range from $139 per night to $339 per night, the latter rate for a penthouse suite with views of Mount Cranmore.Stewart Dunlop and David Peterson partnered to renovate the three-story, late-1800s private residence located at 42 Seavey St. The streets namesake resided in this home, Dunlop said.The partners drew inspiration for the hotels name from the original Kearsarge House Hotel, a prominent Main Street hotel which burned down on Oct. 18, 1917. Prior to undergoing $1.2 million worth of renovations, the Kearsarge Inn served as apartments and offices. Now the hotel offers 11 rooms in the main inn and two in a cottage.What we wanted to be able to do was have a place right in the heart of the village, Dunlop said.The hotel is within walking distance of a massage parlor, bakery, theater, specialty shops and other attractions. The Kearsarge Inn offers lodging packages with the Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce, North Conway Village Association and neighboring Decades Steak House and Seafood (owned by Peterson) and Bellinis Restaurant.Were thrilled to be part of the North Conway Village Association and the Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce, and were excited to be part of everything that longtime merchants and business leaders in the valley have done to make North Conway a premier destination, Dunlop said.Innkeeper is Lucy Van Cleve, most recently of the Wolfeboro Inn, who brings more than 15 years of expertise to the position. Contractors on the renovation were Joe DiFiore and Bruce Grubb.Kearsarge Inn will host an open house from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10. The public is invited. For more information, call 356-8700.