I took a chance on a this place because it was one of the few that seemed to allow one night bookings during prime "Leaf-Peeping" season. I wish my lottery ticket picks were as fruitful...
Alot of what a B and B has to offer starts with your hosts. Anthony met us in the driveway and immediately made us feel more like visiting family than like guests checking in. We walked in and while he told us about about how to get in and where to park, he also told us all about the charming house. I booked through Hotels.com and everything was in such good order that we never even had to look at paperwork.
After having us put our pin in the house map, Anthony took us around through the house, showing us the cozy living room, the upstairs exercise room with treadmill, and brought us to our room. A high, pillowtopped queen size bed dominated the smallish room which was nicely appointed with decorative lamps, lithographs and and some home made cookies waiting on the nightstand. The private bath was spacious and included a jacuzzi style bathtub.
When we asked, Anthony recommended a couple places for dinner, one of which we already had in mind, "The Common Man." We ran into him later that evening in the lounge, where he was entertaining other Cheney House guests!
Bobbi greeted us in the kitchen the next morning with fresh juice, coffee, teas, a fresh fruit bowl, a variety of homemade breads, biscuits and muffins, and incredibly good scones. Cream cheese stuffed french toast with sausages rounded out the meal. Mmmm.
Now, Cheney House might not be as plush or opulent as some B and B's up in mountain country, but it's not as expensive and doesn't demand 2 or 3 night stays, either. Ashland is very close to Squam Lake (of "On Golden Pond" fame) and the entire surrounding area is beautiful to explore in October. It's also just minutes off 93, and about 1/2 an hour from the Waterville Valley area. Anthony's suggestions on routes to follow were very helpful.
So, 5 stars may be generous if I were to base my review on the physical accommodation alone. There's no roaring fireplace, and the room - at least ours - was small-ish. But that's not the whole of how you rate a B and B. We were welcome, happy, comfortable, well-fed, and well-entertained. From before we got out of the car, until after we had already said our goodbyes and drove off waving, this was an A-1 experience.
(If you have allergies, be aware that there are a couple of cats, and one very adorable dog on premises.) read more