My husband and I stayed here for 3 nights/4 days in the larger room with a 2 person jacuzzi tub. The views are beautiful. You can sit in the jacuzzi with the room light off and see the moon and ski slope in the distance. In the morning you wake up to the horses in the field. The breakfast they gave us every morning was delicious and kept us full all day. Very convenient location, as we loved that it was only a 5 minute drive to the restaurants and outlet shopping. Charlene and Rick were very accomodating and helpful in suggesting places to go. They immediately made us feel very welcome. All of the restaurants that they recommended had excellent menus, great food and were reasonably priced: Decades, May Kelley's Cottage....

The only negative feature is that they allow childen of any age. I feel that a Bed and Breakfast should be for adults who are looking to get away from the whole hectic hotel environment of loud people and children running up and down the hallway. A B&B shouldn't allow children, as why bother staying at a B&B if that's the whole reason to stay at one is to relax!? When staying at a B&B no one wants to listen to children crying or running around in the hallway, if that was the case, you'd stay at a hotel.

NOTE: Be sure to bring a portable DVD player or laptop, as none of the rooms have a TV.

NEWINGTON, CT

We stayed at the Farm by the River for four days in late September. For the first two nights we were in a room close to the road. There was some traffic noise but it didn't disturb us. We were moved to a quieter room with a Jacuzzi for the rest of our stay. It is true that some of the furniture is not in its first flush of youth but this isn't a problem. The rooms are clean and everything works. On our first day we walked around the farm and down to the river which was good preparation for our later walks on the excellent trails off the Kancamagus Highway. There are horses on the farm for those who ride. The garden is attractive and lots of birds visit the feeders: this would be a great place to stay for anyone interested in birds. We really enjoyed our stay because of the friendly and helpful owners, Charlene and Rick. They went out of their way to give helpful advice about where to go, what to see and where to eat. On our first day we ate at the Shalimar of India. We ate early in the evening and there wasn't much atmosphere but the food was very good - well up to UK Indian standard. We have Rick to thank for the best meals though. He recommended May Kelly's Cottage where the food and atmosphere were both excellent. We had a great time staying at the Farm and would recommend it to anyone who likes fresh air and a family atmosphere.

This inn is located in a very pretty, serene setting on a large farm with 21 horses. The best thing about the property was being able to walk through the grounds and to a nearby river that was absolutely beautiful. In warmer weather, you could definately swim in the river as it is shallow with clear water and would be great for kids. The rooms were comfortable, although the bathroom was small. They need to do some updating, because the furnishings really do feel as though you are in "grandma's house." The innkeepers were informative and helpful. Overall, this is a cute place and a great way to experience some authentic New Hampshire atmosphere.

Over the last few years, we have acclimated to the overall Bed and Breakfast experience where ever we travel. We feel very fortunate that this was not our first experience with a Bed and Breakfast.

When we first arrived at the inn, we could not find the inn keeper. Another guest directed us outside to the back of the inn where we first met "Char" who curtly asked us to "come back later... (she) was busy".

When she finally did have time to take us to "the best room in the house" (and also the most expensive), we were appalled at the lack of cleanliness. The bed spread was just loosely tossed on top, and when we did pull it down for the evening, the sheets were not only wrinkled, they were creased as if the bed had already been slept in. The bathroom (a closet converted to shower and toilet) continued the trend as the shower stall was filthy and the towels smelled.

The next morning, as my wife usually sleeps later than I do, I went down for coffee around 6am and picked up a conversation with a woman from another state who was knitting in the living room. Rick came running in and requested that we not talk as there was a door to another guest room 8 feet away.

The food was average. Breakfast (a belgian waffle with some whipped cream and half a strawberry on top) is no where near what we are used to indulging in when we stay at a B&B.

As for farm by the "river"... the land may well back up to the river, but the farmhouse which serves as the B&B is actually about 20 feet from a state highway from which you cannot see the river.

This establishment would serve well as a boarding house, but from our experience with many other wonderful inns, the "Farm by the River" does not really make the grade in the hospitality industry. Our advice is that your $200+ can be better spent elsewhere.