Under $100

In the Oxen Yoke Motel (170 Kearsarge St., North Conway, 800/862-1600, www.theoxenyoke.com, $69–109), pastel-colored rooms come with two queen or double beds each, coffeemakers, fridges, and microwaves. Located close to the top of Cranmore Notch, it has an outdoor pool open in the summer.

The Appalachian Mountain Club (603/ 466-2727, www.outdoors.org/lodging, $45–145) offers inexpensive, friendly beds at both the Joe Dodge Lodge in Pinkham Notch and the Highland Center in Crawford Notch. The facilities also house restaurants and stores.

$100–150

The casual country guest rooms and suites at Eagle Mountain House (Carter Notch Rd., Jackson, 603/383-9111, www.eaglemt.com, $129–189) are decked out with solid four-poster beds and cushy down comforters, plus wireless Internet access. A full breakfast is also included.

Say it five times fast, or just cut to the chase and reserve a room at Ammonoosuc Inn (641 Bishop Rd., Lisbon, 603/838-6118, www.ammonoosucinn.com, $130–180), where rooms come with CD players, wireless Internet, queen beds, claw-foot tubs, and full gourmet breakfasts.

$150–250

Surrounded by the mountainous skyline, the sky-blue Darby Field Inn (185 Chase Hill, Albany, 800/426-4147, www.darbyfield.com, $140–185) has pretty rooms with Victorian beds, fireplaces, VCRs, whirlpool tubs, and a full breakfast. Many of the rooms have beautiful views, and the property offers an outdoor pool in the summer and sleigh rides in winter.

Little wonder the White Mountain Hotel (2560 West Side Rd., North Conway, 800/533-6301, www.whitemountainhotel.com, $109–229) is considered one of the top-notch spots to rest your head in these parts. The resort’s recent renovation has it sparkling with amenities—à la the year-round heated outdoor pool and hot tub, an impressive golf course, fitness center, game room, tavern, and gourmet restaurant boasting tremendous mountain views. Then there are the rooms: full of tasteful and pristine country furnishings with free wireless Internet, 310-thread-count sheets, and luxury mattresses.

$250 and Up

Since 1902, there’s been no grander place to stay in the White Mountains than Omni Mount Washington Resort (Rte. 302, Bretton Woods, 800/843-6664 or 603/278-1000, www.mountwashingtonresort.com, $179–469). The Joseph Stickney–designed building—a National Historic Landmark—is like a luxury-laden city unto itself, filled with an indoor pool, hot tubs, fireplaces galore, and perk-filled guest rooms and suites. With no less than eight venues for dining (some formal, some pubby) and/or entertainment, the property also offers a slew of activities—starting with golf and ending with a new zipline tour through the trees.

On a smaller—but still remarkably plush—scale is Inn at Thorn Hill & Spa (Thorn Hill Rd., Jackson, 603/383-4242, www.innatthornhill.com, $209–400), an intimate but stately 19th-century home turned exquisite inn. In guest rooms, you’ll find fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, steam showers, wet bars, scads of antiques, and mountain views. Then there’s the spa, which offers everything from massage and facials to body rubs and wraps. Thorn Hill also has three highly regarded dining rooms serving superb New England dinners and a top-notch wine list.

© Michael Blanding and Alexandra Hall from Moon New England, 2nd Edition