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The Bow Hotel

4.0 star property

Photo gallery for The Bow Hotel

Beach
Exterior
Exterior
City view from property
King Studio Suite

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

View map
121 Bow Street, Portsmouth, NH, 03801
  • Market Square
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Strawbery Banke Museum
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • The Music Hall
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Portsmouth, NH (PSM-Portsmouth Intl.)
    ‪8 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Gallery Queen

Premium bedding, memory-foam beds, desk, iron/ironing board

Gallery Queen

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(27 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Petite Queen

Premium bedding, memory-foam beds, desk, iron/ironing board

Petite Queen

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(15 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Gallery King

Gallery King

Gallery King

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(10 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for King Studio Suite

King Studio Suite

King Studio Suite

8.4 out of 10
Very good
(5 reviews)
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

Similar properties

Front of property

The Hotel Portsmouth

  • Breakfast included
  • Pet-friendly
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
4.7 out of 5, Exceptional, 1,011 reviews
The price is NZ$513
includes taxes & fees
19 Oct - 20 Oct
The Hotel Portsmouth

About the area

Portsmouth

With a stay at The Bow Hotel, you'll be centrally located in Portsmouth, steps from Market Square and Warner House. .This hotel is 0.2 mi (0.4 km) from Prescott Park and 0.3 mi (0.4 km) from Strawbery Banke Museum.

What's nearby

  • Market Square - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Prescott Park - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Strawbery Banke Museum - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • The Music Hall - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Water Country - 8 min drive - 6.1 km

Getting around

  • Dover Transportation Center - 18 min drive
  • Portsmouth, NH (PSM-Portsmouth Intl.) - 14 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Hearth Food Garden - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪The River House Restaurant - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Surf Restaurant - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Gas Light Pizza Pub - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Daniel Street Tavern - ‬2 min walk

About this property

The Bow Hotel

Hotel in Portsmouth, steps from Market Square
The Bow Hotel offers 10 air-conditioned accommodations with bathrobes and designer toiletries. Memory foam beds feature premium bedding. 32-inch flat-screen televisions come with cable channels.

Bathrooms include shower/tub combinations, complimentary toiletries, and hair dryers. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Housekeeping is offered on request and hypo-allergenic bedding can be requested.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.
Make yourself at home in one of the 10 air-conditioned rooms featuring flat-screen televisions. Your memory foam bed comes with premium bedding. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature designer toiletries and hair dryers.
Take advantage of recreation opportunities such as bicycles to rent, or other amenities including complimentary wireless internet access and concierge services.
Featured amenities include express check-in and luggage storage. Limited parking is available onsite.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Offsite parking available (USD 35 per night)
  • Limited on-site parking (max 1 space per unit)

Things to do

  • Bicycle rentals

Conveniences

  • Luggage storage
  • Virtual front desk

Guest services

  • Concierge services
  • Housekeeping (on request)

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • 15 steps to reach entrance
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only

More

  • Built in 1880
  • Designated smoking areas

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Hypo-allergenic bedding
  • Memory foam mattress
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Designer toiletries
  • Dressing gowns
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower/bathtub combination
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 32-inch flat-screen TV with cable channels

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Desk
  • Heating (climate-controlled)
  • Iron/ironing board

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Express check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM
Late check-out subject to availability
A late check-out fee will be charged

Special check-in instructions

There is no front desk at this property
Guests will receive an email within 24 hours before arrival with check-in instructions and an access code; access will be through a private entrance
A virtual front desk provides assistance to guests

Access methods

Access code, private entrance

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Nearby parking fee: USD 35 per night (49 ft away)
  • Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability)

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a first aid kit

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms
This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly)

Property is also known as

Ale House Inn Portsmouth
Ale House Inn
Ale House Portsmouth
Ale House Hotel Portsmouth
Ale House Inn
The Bow Hotel Hotel
The Bow Hotel Portsmouth
The Bow Hotel Hotel Portsmouth

The Bow Hotel Reviews

Reviews

8.6

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 260 out of 470 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 127 out of 470 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 54 out of 470 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 13 out of 470 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 16 out of 470 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

8.8/10

Staff & service

8.0/10

Amenities

8.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

6/10 Okay

Georg

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

Kathleen

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service
The check in ordeal was terrible. Supposed to do everything online but they didn’t send all the information. Had to call about parking. They didn’t tell us the code to get into the building. Once we figured out how to get in there was a nice man at the desk to help us but it was a very frustrating check in. The rooms were ok. Clean but not very user friendly. I will not be going back.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

Jonathan

Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
The entrance process was very poorly done. Had to wait for another couple, who had already checked in, to let us into the building. Room's windows were oddly positioned. Nothing left out for breakfas
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

James

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Awesome DIY experience here! Great location! Very cool room, but on the smaller side. Loved the key on my phone app!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Linda

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Quick overnight triip to see Portsmouth and meet family for dinner. Location for exploring downtown Portsmouth on foot is perfect.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Kelly

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Riley S

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Monica

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
This is a nice boutique hotel that has been beautifully renovated and is close to everything. You can tell that the new management has put a lot of care into the place and the experience. The check-in/check-out is seamless. But if you are looking for a traditional hotel experience - which I was not - this isn't for you. Don't expect concierge service or traditional keys/TV. Overall, a nice experience. I would recommend they insulate the doors more. At times, there's a lot of sound from the hallway, but it didn't ruin the trip.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

Mary

Travelled with family, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The non contact check in did not work well for us. Communication was problematic. Check in time was 4pm. We did receive a check in code for the lobby. Explaining we would recieve information about room entry when the room was ready. We arrived rushed at 4:30 and had not received room entry information. We parked with no time to deal with room entry situation. The information arrived at 8:30pm. The room was beautifully appointed. Bed and linens comfortable. We did not find a blanket for the sofa couch. After running the shower for more than an adequate amount of time. It was lukewarm at best. No coffee machine in the room. The one provided in the foyer was broken. It's a shame. Before changing the Ale House to the Bow house and it's lovely renovation. It was our go to place for lodging. Hopefully communication will follow this review with remediation. So I do not have to look elsewhere.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

6/10 Okay

Brianna

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Room was great and you can tell it was newly furnished or they kept up with it well. Bed was very comfortable. Walls were paper thin and you could hear everything from every room. Check in was a bit frustrating. I requested an early check in which I know isn't guaranteed but was told I would get a text from the hotel when the room was ready. After 4pm, check in time, I still never received a text or email. Called the number at 4:15pm. They were friendly and then sent the text but said if the code doesnt work on the app, there is a lockbox with all physical keys and gave me the code. I clarified that all the keys were in there and that there wasn't a separate lockbox for each room and they confirmed. To which I then said I would grab the physical key rather than the app so no one else had access to my room since all the keys can be grabbed my anyone with the code. The woman said it's never been an issue before but I didn't feel comfortable chancing it. I also texted and emailed about parking the day before arriving and the hotel never wrote back. I decided to street parking which was significantly cheaper than their $35/ night lot. Though the hotel is in a perfect location and room was cozy, very underwhelmed by the check in experience and lack of communication and safety.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

6/10 Okay

Thomas

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

8/10 Good

Samuel

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good spot to stay . A little hiccup with the ownership and name change. It all worked out.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

8/10 Good

George

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Convenient
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

8/10 Good

Tina

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Location is great, walkable To everything. Parking is available but process is a little clunky. Otherwise everything was great.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Jennifer

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

6/10 Okay

Adam

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service
No staff(had to call parent property to be helped) dated (rooms need to be updated). Property was lacking amenities.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Shannon

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Room was comfortable and clean though it was in need of upkeep. Carpet was well worn, outlet plate missing and obvious leak damage in bathroom ceiling. Hotel is conveniently located and free nitro coffee fantastic. I generally prefer these types of boutique hotels for short stays and despite the flaws I would stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

2/10 Terrible

Elisabeth

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Tamara

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tran

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Paula

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kitty

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

4/10 Poor

John

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Staff & service, amenities
After you have paid your bill, they asked for $35 fee for parking. There was no attendant to even check us in. In a text before we arrived there was an opportunity to ask questions which I did but got no responses. If we hadn't met someone who knew the code to get in, we would not have have been able to get into the facility. All in all customer service was non-existent
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Confusion with check-in / plumbing needed some attention. Staff is friendly, but seems like the place isn't managed well anymore.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025