The Bow Hotel
121 Bow Street, Portsmouth, 03801, United States
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Fast facts
Check in from: | 16:00 |
|---|---|
Check out before: | 11:00 |
Breakfast | Breakfast not available |
Pets | Pets not allowed |
Children | Children are welcome at this hotel |
Amenities
Wi-Fi
Parking
Air conditioning
Non-smoking
Lift
WiFi in common areas
More about The Bow Hotel
The Bow Hotel
Located in an historic building that once housed a brewery, this Portsmouth hotel offers guests free WiFi access. Complimentary bicycle rentals are provided based on availability. A flat-screen cable TV is featured in each room at The Bow Hotel.
Ratings and reviews
Cleanliness4.9
Location4.9
Service4.7
Rooms4.6
Value4.4
Sleep quality4.7
Traveller reviews
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Mentioned by travellers
Solo traveller
Comment: 6 Mar 2025
Quiet and comfirtsble
I really enjoyed my stay at the ale house Inn. I usually stay at one of the Hilton properties in town as I am a Hilton Honors member but both Hilton hotels have been under construction and very loud so I decided to try something different. I’ve stayed at Lark Hotel properties in the past in other locations so I went with the ale house inn. I have to say it was a super great experience. I will definitely be staying again. The rooms are definitely a little smaller than your standard hotel room, but the bed was one of the most comfortable beds I’ve ever slept in and the pillows and sheets were super soft. Also, the hotel was very quiet which being a light sleeper I enjoyed. Highly recommend
Hotel response
Comment: 7 March
Hi Kittytally,
We so appreciate you sharing your experience with us. We strive every day to keep our best guests (like you) happy. So thank you from the entire family of Lark Hotels, AWOL, Blind Tiger, and Bluebird Hotels. We can't wait to see you again. Until then, safe travels!
We so appreciate you sharing your experience with us. We strive every day to keep our best guests (like you) happy. So thank you from the entire family of Lark Hotels, AWOL, Blind Tiger, and Bluebird Hotels. We can't wait to see you again. Until then, safe travels!
Couple
GE
Comment: 31 May 2025
Taken at the dirty inn
Dirty sheets, Lukewarm water, no furniture in room beside a bed. The bathroom fan did not work we stayed in room 6 and it was disgustingly horrible the view was roof tops. The coffee maker in the lounge never worked and the lounge was dirty. The only place to sit down in the room was the toilet. $300 dollars a night . We should have stayed at Motel 6 which would have more amenities and be cleaner.
Comment: 31 May 2025
Stayed in: May 2025
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.
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.
Family traveller
Comment: 26 Sep 2024
Stayed in: Sep 2024
Smokescreen
Oh boy…...the marketing and advertising department deserve their salaries a
Lark Hotels! I had booked this Inn previously but had to cancel because my plans changed but was hell bent on booking Ale House Inn again, specifically because I was drawn to the pics on their website. I loved the exposed brick interior of the main entrance with it's cozy couch and fireplace (which I believe is decorative) and the availability to borrow the bikes on property to explore Portsmouth as a first timer. So let's start there… the day of our arrival we received an email from the Inn giving us or room number and instructions on how to gain entry to the building as it is mostly managed "off premises" meaning communications are through text, email or phone not in person. Next were the instructions on the parking situation, which is at an additional fee of $35/day to park across the street in a church parking lot (if there is availability) We arrive to the address but were slightly confused as we were looking for a street level building after all, we couldn't wait to walk the bikes out the front door to explore the amazing city of Portsmouth. What the website OMITS is that this Inn is located on the 2nd floor of a building that is shared with the Seacoast Repertory Theatre and another private business. (see photos attached) and had thirteen steps just to get to outer entrance which has a coded door. (they sent us the code in an email the day of arrival) then we still have take an elevator up one floor to the Inn. There was no reception area, more so it was an actual desk in an alcove next to the laundry area. (see photo) When we got into our room there I could see that something was under the chair and when I reached for it, it was a "can of wart remover spray" yuck that was left behind. that prompted me to perform a more thorough inspection to see what else wasn't cleaned….answer? under the bed (see photo) The glass shelf was also missing from the vanity mirror over the sink and you can't control the temperature (A/C) Next, we grab two bikes located on the first floor near the elevator to explore the city. I'm 53 years old and fit however I do have cancer and undergo treatment so getting a bike down 13 steps was not easy and my husband had to get the bike back up for me as it was an epic task! Putting all of that aside, "The Ale House Inn' is listed on Trip Advisor as a Bed & Breakfast, which it is NOT! When I reached out to corporate (Lark Hotel Brands) three times to rectify this file advertising I was never responded to which came as no surprise when I later looked up other reviews in which customer complaints are not addressed, but just given a "cookie cutter" response of Thank you for staying with us, hope to see you again! I guess this is what happens when you have disgruntled employees (and yes two were complaining about their workload in the hallway) and you don't have to look the customer in the face…it's called accountability Lark Hotels!
Lark Hotels! I had booked this Inn previously but had to cancel because my plans changed but was hell bent on booking Ale House Inn again, specifically because I was drawn to the pics on their website. I loved the exposed brick interior of the main entrance with it's cozy couch and fireplace (which I believe is decorative) and the availability to borrow the bikes on property to explore Portsmouth as a first timer. So let's start there… the day of our arrival we received an email from the Inn giving us or room number and instructions on how to gain entry to the building as it is mostly managed "off premises" meaning communications are through text, email or phone not in person. Next were the instructions on the parking situation, which is at an additional fee of $35/day to park across the street in a church parking lot (if there is availability) We arrive to the address but were slightly confused as we were looking for a street level building after all, we couldn't wait to walk the bikes out the front door to explore the amazing city of Portsmouth. What the website OMITS is that this Inn is located on the 2nd floor of a building that is shared with the Seacoast Repertory Theatre and another private business. (see photos attached) and had thirteen steps just to get to outer entrance which has a coded door. (they sent us the code in an email the day of arrival) then we still have take an elevator up one floor to the Inn. There was no reception area, more so it was an actual desk in an alcove next to the laundry area. (see photo) When we got into our room there I could see that something was under the chair and when I reached for it, it was a "can of wart remover spray" yuck that was left behind. that prompted me to perform a more thorough inspection to see what else wasn't cleaned….answer? under the bed (see photo) The glass shelf was also missing from the vanity mirror over the sink and you can't control the temperature (A/C) Next, we grab two bikes located on the first floor near the elevator to explore the city. I'm 53 years old and fit however I do have cancer and undergo treatment so getting a bike down 13 steps was not easy and my husband had to get the bike back up for me as it was an epic task! Putting all of that aside, "The Ale House Inn' is listed on Trip Advisor as a Bed & Breakfast, which it is NOT! When I reached out to corporate (Lark Hotel Brands) three times to rectify this file advertising I was never responded to which came as no surprise when I later looked up other reviews in which customer complaints are not addressed, but just given a "cookie cutter" response of Thank you for staying with us, hope to see you again! I guess this is what happens when you have disgruntled employees (and yes two were complaining about their workload in the hallway) and you don't have to look the customer in the face…it's called accountability Lark Hotels!
Hotel response
Comment: 26 October
Thank you for sharing your detailed feedback about your experience at Ale House Inn. We appreciate hearing from our guests, as it helps us improve. We’re glad to hear you were drawn to the inn’s ambiance and the opportunity to explore Portsmouth with our bike rentals. However, we regret that your arrival and stay did not meet your expectations. While we strive to provide clear information about our location and amenities, it seems there may have been some confusion regarding access and services. Regarding the cleanliness issue you encountered, we take such matters seriously and will be addressing this with our housekeeping team to ensure our standards are upheld. As for the classification of our inn, we aim to provide a unique experience that might differ from traditional hotels. Your feedback on this is valuable and will be considered as we review our marketing materials. We’re committed to ensuring a positive experience for all our guests and appreciate your insights.
Comment: 3 Mar 2025
Stayed in: Mar 2025
Confusion with check-in / plumbing needed some attention. Staff is friendly, but seems like the place isn't managed well anymore.
Excellent location
121 Bow Street, Portsmouth, 03801, United States|1.01 km from city centre
10 things to dowithin 2.89 km
Airportwithin 5.46 km
Check in and check out
Check in from:
16:00
Check out before:
11:00
Good to know
Children are welcome at this hotel
Please contact the hotel for details about adding extra beds.
Please contact the hotel for details about adding a cot.
Pets not allowed
Breakfast not available
Guests are required to show a photo identification and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply. Please inform The Bow Hotel in advance of your expected arrival time. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly with the contact details provided in your confirmation. Please note, complimentary bicycle rentals are subject to availability. We have seven parking spaces available to reserve for $35 per night; subject to availability. Please call to reserve one of these parking spots.
Guests must provide own credit card which matches name of reservation when checking in. The hotel will pre-authorize your card and the pre-authorization will be released if there are no extra charges or damage to the room when checking out. Some hotels and room types have special policies, please check with the hotel for more information.-
This hotel accepts the following payment methods:
The Bow Hotel: FAQs
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