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Thursday, December 1, 2022

Grand Thanksgiving Holiday

There was some snow and little traffic on our road trip
This year, we spent the Thanksgiving holiday in what's been described as one of America's remaining grand hotels. Fortunately for us, this one is located in Whitefield, NH, less than a 2-hour drive from our Nashua home.
Mountain View Grand in Whitefield, NH, front porch view and lobby
Nestled in view of NH's White Mountains area, the Mountain View Grand is among a handful of remaining grand hotels in the state. That's impressive considering that in the late 1800s, the U.S. had over 1,000 such large resorts. Many of these were similar to this wood-framed hotel with towers and extensive porches, which too often were completely destroyed by fire. 
Friends Randy and Judy, Patrick and Dorothy (Beatrice & Grenville)
This wasn't our first visit as we've visited several times before; however, it was our first visit during a holiday season. My previous post mentioned celebrating 🦃 with friends in years past. We did the same this year as our Nashua friends, Randy and Judy, also celebrated here. Entire family groups, did the same. The fact that Santa's Village, a North Pole-themed attraction is located a short drive away was a major draw on the Thanksgiving weekend.There's a lot of history associated with this hotel from its farmhouse start, expansion, closing, renovation and reopening. An earlier 2020 post provided the details and background of the Mountain View Grand, so that history won't be repeated here.)
Thanksgiving buffet at the Mountain View Grand (by the end of the night)
Thanksgiving dinner was served buffet-style in one of the hotel ballrooms. Later, in speaking with a manager, we learned that 425 guests had been served at several seatings starting at noon. Our preference is always for the last seating which left the day free to do things like the start of watching holiday films. The Grinch Who Stole Christmas is always Grenville's first choice. How about you—what's your first holiday film?
After dinner, we went to the hotel's game room for to play dominoes. When at home, the four of us play weekly at a local senior center. During the pandemic, it was our game of choice.
No, these animals were not on the dinner menu. In keeping true to its beginnings as a working farm, the resort includes a farm area with chicken, sheep, goats, llamas, donkeys and Scottish Highland cattle. Guests are invited to visit the farm which we did, once again, several times.This very cooperative goat not only posed for a selfie with me, but was very vocal in greeting and communicating with everyone who visited the barn area.One of the hotel's most popular outdoor activities is the ax throw (limited to adults only). While neither ourselves or our friends participated, it was interesting (and amusing) to watch other guests try their skills while everyone else stood at a safe distance. Grenville threw one on a previous visit and, after pulling a shoulder muscle then, was OK with not trying again.On a chilly afternoon, our foursome took a 20-minute tractor ride around the hotel grounds. Blankets were provided and we opted to sit on one as the wooden seats were quite cold too.Although, we didn't  use any of the provided services in the hotel's three-story tower Tower Spa, a visit there provided a great 360-degree view of nearby mountain peaks. Tradition was observed at the Mountain View Grand in that there were no Christmas decorations on view from our Wednesday afternoon arrival and throughout Thanksgiving Day.
Instead, the morning after Thanksgiving was quite a different story as the Mountain View Grand had been completely transformed and was decked out in 🎄holiday decorations. Those soldiers standing guard at the front door were joined by many interior ones of varying styles and colors.

Best of all, they were very obliging in posing with hotel guests. They never once moved from their location and will remain on guard in the hotel throughout the holiday season.
Several lit and decorated Christmas trees were in various rooms throughout the hotel, all had piles of wrapped gifts with old-fashioned ribbon bows.
Father Christmas was represented in various forms and, in keeping with the hotel's traditional decorations theme, not one was wearing a red suit like you-know-who.

No explanations are needed for these ↓ holiday decorations which were on display throughout the hotel. All provided a wonderful start to the Christmas holiday season during our stay.


This fireplace is in the lobby by the front door and is a popular gathering spot. Seating was at a premium throughout our stay, but luckily, we were able to get a spot late Friday afternoon.The fireplace decorations provided a great background for this holiday photo. (We've become skilled at taking our own selfies, and politely decline offers of help—How about you?)
There was snow on a state road park and some mountain tops
Thanks to all for your comments on the recent Friendsgiving ðŸ¦ƒ holiday post. Grenville and I hope that your holiday was special, no matter how, where or with whom it was celebrated. We were happy and thankful once again to have celebrated with friends. We also met many nice strangers new friends, even if temporary, throughout our stay.

Today is December 1, let the ðŸŽ„countdown begin and for myself, card writing starts. Despite increasing USPS mail costs, I will send handwritten cards and believe there are those who enjoy both receiving them and doing the same.

26 comments:

Sandra said...

Oh, my. It is grand! Wow, what a fantastic place. It's wonderful you were able to spend time with a couple you know while there. Everyone looks delighted to be at this awesome place. They sure got it decorated quickly.

I cannot take a selfie, no matter if my life depended on it. I'm just not capable of doing it!

Vee said...

What an amazing time you had with your friends. The hotel looks beautiful and how fun to be there when the decor changed from Thanksgiving to Christmas. 🦃 to 🎄Have a great weekend...

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Happy December!
Your lovely holiday is heart warming to read about. Y'all have wonderful smiles.

Bijoux said...

What a GRAND getaway! And how magical that the resort transforms into Christmas so quickly. That’s a lot of people for Thanksgiving. I wonder how many turkeys they prepare?

We’ve stayed at a few of the old grand hotels like the Greenbrier and the Breakers. Today’s modern hotels do not hold a candle to the old grand dames.

MadSnapper said...

its a beautiful place and it amazes me when i think about these old and very large hotels built so many years ago. I would have spent much of my time out with the animals. love the porch as long as all those rockers are not full at the same time. all that beauty and with specail friends, nothing better. I have never played dominoes, I don't know how but it might be a good idea for me and bob when power is out

William Kendall said...

Quite a place for a visit.

Jon said...

What a magnificent hotel - every aspect of it is truly grand. I like the idea of a buffet dinner for Thanksgiving - casual and relaxing.
The photos are great. I especially like the nutcrackers, the trees, and that selfie with the goat.

DeniseinVA said...

Great post! Wonderful photos and so glad you are having such a great time. Lovely to see all the photos!

Pamela M. Steiner said...

Looks like a grand hotel kind of Thanksgiving! What a wonderful time! That's really a beautiful setting for any kind of happy event! How nice that you had friends go along and that you were able to enjoy time together! You are blessed to live in an area where there are so many natural and historical beauties to enjoy! Thank you for sharing it with us. Although I love the idea of the card swapping, I will pass. I send cards mostly to family/friends who I don't communicate with as much during the year...people who either aren't on FB or in close communication but I want to stay in touch with...mostly older family friends, etc., and that is enough for me. But it is always nice to receive cards even though the number of them is getting smaller every year. I do need to get started on it, regardless of how many or to whom. Have a blessed and wonderful Christmas season!

Boud said...

Thanks for the guided tour! You really conveyed the feeling of the place. It's more homey than grand in a way. I liked that.

Rita said...

I remember this hotel from a former post but it looks different because it is so festive over the holidays! Beautiful place. I have to get started on my cards, too. Have a great weekend. :)

Anvilcloud said...

Great getaway

First Choice: A Christmas Carol, Alistair Sims version
Second Choice: A Christmas Carol, George C Scott version
I don’t care about any others 🤓

I watch A White Christmas closer to New Years, but it is more a case of keeping Sue company

Linda G. said...

Lovely hotel, and I love the Christmas decorations!

Marcia said...

What a quick change over from Thanksgiving to Christmas decor. Did they do it over night? We have considered staying there but haven't done it yet.

Jeanie said...

You DID have a grand holiday! Oh, what a wonderful spot to visit -- so beautiful and elegant and it looks like there was plenty to do. How wonderful to be there with good friends, too. This is fantastic and a great start to the holiday.

gigi-hawaii said...

What a pretty location to spend Thanksgiving with loving friends! You obviously had a wonderful time.

photowannabe said...

GRAND yes, that is the perfect word for your celebration.
I wish I could see all of that in person.
How nice that you could be with special friends too.
Love every photograph and your selfie is fantastic.
Thanks for sharing it with us.
Sue

Emma Springfield said...

First of all I love that log porch with all the chairs to look over the scenery. You chose a gorgeous place to spend Thanksgiving.

DUTA said...

Your happy faces are the best part in your post. Your friends also seem to be nice people. That's how I am. I always look for people and faces.

Doris said...

Such a beautiful place to celebrate Thanksgiving. Love the porches! And the Christmas decor ♥
You two really have the selfie skill perfected...me, not so much.
December is a good month, decorating has started here, yay!

nick said...

The Mountain View Grand looks wonderful. The farm animals are rather lovely. I've never seen any ax-throwing here. It would be fun to try it out. I think my first holiday film would be Some Like It Hot or Casablanca, or maybe Notting Hill.

Rob Lenihan said...


What a beautiful place! This is something from another era. I love all the decorations and the selfies!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Oh Dorothy I loved this post. Now this IS the kind of hotel where we love to stay. (I commented in my latest post that I'd rather camp than stay in freeway motels on a roadtrip and that is absolutely true. ) But we love a short getaway at an elegant resort hotel -- (or even at a slightly less elegant one in any urban area.) This one where you stayed definitely lives up to its name as a "Grand Hotel!"...... wonderful to be there to see the Christmas decoratioins go up -- a perfect Thanksgiving weekend altogether. Happy December Holiday Season!!

My name is Erika. said...

This hotel is beautiful. And it looks like you had a fantastic time. It's great you had friends to celebrate with. And that you also were able to see the hotel all decked out for Christmas. Thanks for sharing, and happy new week. hugs-Erika

David said...

Beatrice, What a beautiful old resort hotel! We've visited a few of these across the country and eaten in a couple as well, but since I'm cheap (my wife will verify), we've never stayed in one of these grand structures. Looks like you had a great time! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

Bill said...

The hotel is absolutely beautiful and the decorations arepretty to see.