Notes from the host
The Bray Hill House & Retreat
Near: Santa's Village, Story Land, Bretton Woods, Cannon Mountain, Attitash, Wildcat, Mountain View Grand, Mt. Washington Cog Railway, Franconia Notch, Waumbek Golf Course
WELCOME TO THE BRAY HILL HOUSE
Our 3-bedroom vacation retreat sits on 30 private acres in the heart of New Hampshire’s White Mountains, making it an ideal setting for families with kids and dogs, couples, groups of friends, romantic retreats, and for anyone who wants to explore the region’s many outdoor recreational activities. Large windows and the spacious wraparound deck take full advantage of the spectacular views of the surrounding mountain peaks and valleys. Sunrises and sunsets are magnificent! The spacious interior of our architect-designed, executive-quality residence is exceptional, with a double-story great room, floating stairway, striking double-chimney Russian fireplace, jetted tub in the master bath, and two-person indoor sauna. The chef’s kitchen is fully equipped with all that’s necessary to whip up a snack or a gourmet meal. Outdoors, enjoy a large flat lawn, explore the trails on the property, roast s’mores at the campfire ring, or play horseshoes. In the fall, a short walk down the hill takes you to the nearby apple orchard and cider press.
PARENTAL PERKS
On a private road at 1,500 feet elevation, our contemporary home is ideal for a family getaway when you’re looking for a comfortable base to return to after a day of adventuring with the kids. The Great Room with fireplace and the full kitchen and family dining area are on the main level, with bedrooms on the second level, so you can put the kids to bed and relax downstairs. A full-size washer and dryer make cleanup easy after a day of exploring. Dozens of attractions are within easy driving distance, including Santa’s Village (children’s theme park, 15 minutes), the Mount Washington Cog Railway (30 minutes), zip-lining and canopy tours (30 minutes), and Franconia Notch State Park with its aerial tramway (45 minutes).
KIDS LOVE US!
Our kid-friendly home is well stocked with board games, video games, books and toys, and a comfy Bean Bag chair to snuggle into. The ping-pong table in the basement is a huge hit! Older kids can explore the marked trails on the property, play Frisbee, Croquet or horseshoes on the large flat lawn, or use our snow sleds in winter. Toddlers can romp and run around just outside the house, or enjoy a bath with our fun bath toys. Santa’s Village, with multiple water features and rides, is 15 minutes away. Waterfalls and numerous trails for walking and hiking are nearby. Forest Lake is a 15-minute drive. Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel offers year-round sled dog rides (15 minutes). Chutters in Littleton is home to the World’s Longest Candy Counter (30 minutes). Snowboarding, downhill and cross-country skiing, mountain biking and white-water rafting are all less than an hour’s drive away.
RELAXING WITH FRIENDS
Couples, groups of friends, mother-daughter weekends, and small family gatherings will feel right at home. The chef’s kitchen has a large island, two ovens, two stoves, three sinks, lots of counter space and every appliance needed to turn out full-course meals or simpler fare. The kitchen is wonderful for friends or family to collaborate on preparing a holiday meal. The ample Great Room furniture is ideal for group conversations.
ROMANTIC INTERLUDE
A private retreat any time of year, The Bray Hill House is situated just 30 minutes away from both the hip town of Littleton with plentiful dining options, a covered bridge and shops to explore, and the quaint village of Bethlehem with art galleries, a movie theater and performing arts center. Dozens of other activities like farmers markets, summer band concerts, farm-to-table restaurants and historic attractions are nearby. Several micro-breweries are a 15- 30 minute drive. The house lends itself to leisurely walks on the property’s trails along old stone walls, morning coffee on the deck, snuggling in front of the Russian fireplace on chilly evenings, and relaxing in the two-person indoor sauna or master bath jetted tub. Step onto the private enclosed porch off the master bedroom to look at the stars before turning in for the night.
DOG FRIENDLY!
Fido and Flossie deserve a vacation, too! Our home welcomes dogs and we provide all the necessities so you don’t have to pack them, including an extra-large dog bed, along with dog towels for wiping paws, food and water dishes, and poop bags. Dogs are welcome to go off-leash on our property if they will stay nearby. The Pondicherry Wildlife Reserve (20 minutes) and Mud Pond (5 minutes) have easy-to-walk trails with lots of new smells for your pooch to explore (on leash) and lots of birds and other wildlife for you to enjoy.
PRIME LOCATION
The White Mountains are popular year-round as a mountain getaway renowned for spectacular views, crisp mountain air, and dozens of outdoor recreational activities. As our guests, you are in the heart of a region celebrated for its world-class hiking trails, award-winning golf courses, downhill and cross-country skiing, biking trails, summer theater, amusement parks, zip-lining, white water rafting, canoeing, fishing, state parks and tramways. The Weathervane Theatre (15 minutes), a summer theater at its best, has shows for adults and kids in July and August. The Crawford Path (40 minutes) on the flanks of Mount Washington is the oldest hiking path in the United States. Six golf courses, including the Donald Ross-designed Mt. Washington course at Bretton Woods and the Waumbek in Jefferson, the state’s oldest golf course, are all under 45 minutes away. Casual dining for families with kids and fine dining for a special evening out are as close as a 15-minute drive. Boston and Montreal are both a 3-hour drive away; Manchester-Boston Regional Airport and Burlington International Airport are 2 hours away.
ABOUT THE HOUSE
The 3,000-square-foot Bray Hill House was designed by the architectural firm Mirski and Associates. Patterned after the turn-of-the century New England shingle-style houses of the area on the exterior, the spacious and completely modern interior boasts an amazing array of custom features throughout, mid-century modern furniture and an eclectic assortment of artwork. The Bray Hill House was custom-built to take advantage of its spectacular mountain setting, with impressive views of three mountain ranges and the Mount Washington and Connecticut River Valleys, and overlooking the small town of Jefferson. Our home’s prime location in the heart of the White Mountains of northern New Hampshire gives our guests easy access to all of the region’s many activities and attractions.
STYLE NOTES
Country contemporary with a stylish vibe in a secluded and private location, this is a light, open, playful but functional home with sophisticated touches, like the unusual lilac-colored stair and balcony railings, floating staircase, and awesome double chimney fireplace. The stained glass elements in the home’s gable sparkle when the house is lit up at night. Bright accents throughout add pops of color to the home’s neutral palette. The home’s lower level is all about sociability with plenty of space for families, friends, kids and dogs to mix and mingle, cook and eat, while the upper level provides quiet spaces for sleeping, reading and quiet conversations. French doors, multiple windows and the spacious wraparound deck bring the gorgeous views right indoors.
BEDROOMS
Located on the second level with beautiful views of the natural beauty outside, the home’s three bedrooms comfortably sleep 6. Each room is outfitted with a queen size bed with luxury linens and pillows, two roomy dressers and large closets, along with all the essentials you need for a carefree stay: shampoo and conditioner, soaps, bath and hand towels, hair dryer, iron, ironing board and more. The master bedroom features an en-suite bath with jetted tub and a private, enclosed porch; the other bedrooms share a separate, full bathroom. A third bathroom is located on the main level.
CHEF’S KITCHEN AND DINING
The chef’s kitchen is equipped with both an Aga and Jenn-Air range and a Subzero refrigerator/freezer. The large center island and surrounding countertops provide plenty of prep space, and an army of small appliances — KitchenAid stand mixer, automatic rice cooker, drip coffee maker, electric kettle, Instant Pot and more — stand at the ready. Pull up a chair at the breakfast nook at one end of the kitchen for a meal with a view, perch on the stools at the wet bar adjacent to the kitchen for a drink or a snack, or gather family and friends around the formal dining room table with seating for 6-12.
CUSTOM TOUCHES
The home’s dramatic focal point — the stunning see-through, brick, double-chimney Russian fireplace — is a fine spot to warm up on a chilly day. Other custom touches include rich cherry and ash wood finishes throughout, a two-person indoor dry sauna, lots of handsome built-in cabinetry, and wood-beamed ceilings in the bedrooms.
AMENITIES
Amenities include air conditioning throughout the home, 40 amp car charger, a washer and dryer, flat-screen 4k smart TV, Google WiFi mesh network, Blu-ray/DVD, family-friendly movies and video games.
We provide a full range of equipment for children, including two teen cots, two toddler cots, two Pack ‘n Plays, a baby gate, plastic dinnerware, and step stools.
Guests have full access to the grounds, including ¾ of a mile of nature trails around the house that follow stone walls, an outdoor fire pit and horseshoe pit, gas grill, deck seating, and outdoor patio seating for six. The lawn is large and flat and has a picnic table and a large boulder that kids love to climb on. The property has three outdoor security cameras, one at each entrance to the house.
ASK US
We are available by text, phone or email and respond promptly to questions about your trip or the area.
