New Hampshire hotels go for the ‘Gold’

There is no need to travel outside of New England – or even New Hampshire — for opulent accommodations, according to the 2006 Gold List published by Conde Nast Traveller.

More than a dozen New England hotels were named on this year’s list including the top hotel in the country.

“Twin Farms in Barnard, Vt., is the number one hotel in the U.S.,” said Meg Lamb, public relations coordinator for Conde Nast Traveller.

The 300-acre estate, with its private suites and luxury cottages situated in the center of the Green Mountain State, earned a score of 96 out of 100 in the magazine’s survey of 28,000 readers.

Twin Farms will share the Vermont spotlight with The Jackson House Inn and Restaurant in Woodstock, which earned a score of 87.6.

While the overall score of one of the Granite State’s most loved accommodations was slightly below that of Twin Farms, with 91.5 points, the Inn at Thorn Hill in Jackson Village actually received a perfect score for its location. The Balsams Grand Resort Hotel in Dixville Notch also made the list, with an overall score of 82.3.

Maine’s quaint seaside town of Kennebunk is also represented on this year’s list, with The White Barn Inn earning a score of 85.6.

Hotels named on the Conde Nast Traveller Gold List are chosen by magazine readers and are based on hotel accommodations, leisure facilities, food, ambience and design and location. – TRACIE STONE