The Portsmouth center is approximately the area of Heart and Lung Center and the area of Portsmouth Regional Hospital.
Portsmouth is a quaint little city about 45-60 minutes north of Boston. Its right on the border of Maine and also close to the famous Kittery shopping outlets. It sits on the Piscataqua river, so there is nice waterfront to check out. Portsmouth itself has a great historic downtown with architecture that dates hundreds of years old. I would recommend a night walk around the city and stopping in a local coffee shop, catching a local band and grabbing a beer at the Rusty Hammer.
Portsmouth's busy season starts in June and lasts through October, when the fall leaves turn beautiful and draw crowds to experience the quintessential American autumn. Summer is the most expensive time to visit, partly because it's when Portsmouth has the best weather, so if you want to save on your hotel rate avoid booking in the summer months. If you can stand a brisk winter, January to March will offer you the cheapest hotel rates. If not, spring is a bit more expensive but you can still find good deals before Portsmouth's high season hits.
Are you a member of AAA or AARP? How about military or government personnel? Many Portsmouth hotels will offer you reduced rates when you qualify for AAA, AARP, senior, or military discounts. For a fantastic senior discount that applies if you're 62 and older, visit the Fairfield Inn by Marriott, where you can save almost $20 nightly. The Fairfield Inn offers many great free amenities, including Wi-Fi, breakfast, an area shuttle, newspapers in the lobby, and parking. Laundry facilities, an outdoor seasonal pool, a computer station, and dry cleaning services are a few more perks you'll get when you book here.
If you qualify for AAA or AARP discounts, the Quality Inn at 1190 Lafayette Rd. offers nightly discounts on rooms with one or two queen beds. Military and government rates are also available. The Quality Inn offers amenities such as fitness facilities, laundry facilities, an indoor pool, a spa tub, free Wi-Fi, free breakfast, a free area shuttle, and a 24-hour business center.
Anchorage Inns and Suites offers nightly AAA and AARP discounts that knock an average of $8 off of your room rate. With a stay here you'll be less than a mile from the Jackson House Museum and the George Rodgers House. Their complimentary breakfast includes waffles, assorted muffins, fruit, cereals, tea, coffee, and more. You'll love the free Wi-Fi, the indoor pool, the on-site cafe, and the fitness facilities.
So you want something that offers more amenities than a budget hotel, but that isn't going to charge you luxury prices. Finding that middle-ground hotel can be tricky; thankfully, the Portsmouth area offers many hotels that guests have loved with rates you can afford.
For a fantastic value, stay at The Port Inn, an Ascend Hotel Collection Member. Guests have absolutely loved their time at this property, leaving consistently positive reviews praising the service, the pool, the rooms, and more. The Port Inn's nightly rates start at $99 for a room with two double beds or one queen bed. The property has a garden, a picnic area, laundry facilities, and a fireplace in the lobby. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, free breakfast, and concierge services.
At Americas Best Inns-Portsmouth you can find nightly rates starting at just $72. Past customers consider this hotel a great value for the money, in part because of the free Wi-Fi, the location, the professional staff, and the free cookies. Complimentary amenities include Wi-Fi, parking, breakfast, and newspapers in the lobby. A computer station, dry cleaning services, laundry facilities, and a 24-hour business center are among the great amenities you'll discover at this property.
The Hilton Garden Inn Portsmouth/Downtown has room rates starting at $199 a night, but you get a long list of amenities built into the price. Guests have loved the overall vibe, the immaculate facilities, and the relaxing spa tub. The hotel has a bar and lounge area, a business center, fitness facilities, a convenience store, an indoor pool, and a snack bar. Free Wi-Fi, a restaurant, and an on-site ATM add convenience to your stay. If you want to pamper yourself a little, spring for the valet parking.
Get a boutique experience in Portsmouth when you choose one of these adorable inns for your New Hampshire stay. The Wrens Nest Inn in Portsmouth is a boutique bed and breakfast with 31 quaintly decorated guest rooms. You'll be settled in the quiet suburbs where you can truly relax and get a quiet night's sleep away from the bustle of downtown. The property has a bar, a seasonal outdoor pool, and a picnic area with barbecue grills. You'll have access to laundry facilities and a newsstand. Free Wi-Fi and free breakfast are provided.
Lamie's Inn and the Old Salt Restaurant is just a few miles away from Portsmouth in Hampton. The property features 32 individually decorated guest rooms. The inn offers lots of amenities, including a nightclub, a restaurant, a 24-hour business center, dry cleaning and laundry services, a garden, and luggage storage. Free Wi-Fi, free breakfast, free use of the fitness center nearby, luggage storage, and an ATM are also available. If you require ADA accessibility, ask for a room with a roll-in shower, an accessible bathroom, or in-room accessibility.
Below are the GSA reimbursement limits for hotel spending in Portsmouth, NH excluding taxes per night. See gsa.gov for more details.
Applies to Rockingham
| Season Begin | Season End | Lodging Rate | Meals & Incidentals |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 1, 2025 | October 31, 2025 | $171.00 | $74.00 |
| November 1, 2025 | June 30, 2026 | $129.00 | $74.00 |
| July 1, 2026 | August 31, 2026 | $192.00 | $74.00 |
| September 1, 2026 | September 30, 2026 | $171.00 | $74.00 |
Below are reviews of the city of Portsmouth, NH from an actual visitor's perspective.
Nice city
The city of Portsmouth is like Seattle on the East Coast. It's not what I remember it to be from 20+ years ago. It was slightly disappointing but overall enjoyed my stay. The one thing I can tell you is the food everywhere we went was amazing. I do have high culinary standards.
Nice room!
Quantness
The C and J bus service was excellent.
The C and J bus service was excellent!
I've lived in Portsmouth for 51 years. I would never live elsewhere!
Came down to see my Granddaughter
The restaurants and sites!
The restaurant Dinnerhorn is FANTASTIC!
Enjoyed walking downtown and having dinner at Puddle Dock.
Fine
Fine
Strawberry Banke. Interesting choice of stores to shop in. Great choice of restaurants.
For me, I like the Pease National Guard Base. I am an avid photographer and the military planes that come in there are neat to see and often unexpected.
The city of Portsmouth is a beautiful place to see. Lots of shopping, restaurants and historic places to see.
Portsmouth is interesting, old history.
Great little city with history. Fun shops and restaurants and nice walking town
Shopping, restaurants, people!
Thirsty Moose tap!
Enjoy the restaurants and entertainment.
So many shops and restaurants to walk to!
So many shops and restaurants to walk to.
The places I went to were clean and everything was well marked. Streets were clean.
The places I went to were clean and everything was well marked. Streets were clean.
Love Portsmouth!
There's a little bit of everything!
Harbor cruise!
Fun, great shopping and food!
Fun, great shopping and food!
Fun, great shopping and food!
Portsmouth is quaint and full of places to visit.
Fun city and easy access to everything!
Beautiful area!
Wow, such a hidden gem. I enjoyed my morning run along the water front and over the bridge into Maine. So many delicious restaurants and fun bars, too!
Lots of restaurants.
Really a great place to visit. Love the history and all the different restaurants and shops. Easy walking too.
Friendly small town vibe!
Great shops, scenic park and easy walkable city.
Great place to visit.
Beautiful and friendly downtown!
Portsmouth is an adorable town with great shopping, cute boutiques, excellent food and experiences.
Our route to Strawbery Banke Museum to and from the hotel was very convenient. We were impressed with the historical downtown appearance.
The total vibe of the city is cool. You can walk everywhere. People are very friendly.
Beautiful city; great place to walk around and see the sights!
Room was very clean and comfortable. Staff was friendly and helpful.
A quaint waterside community.
Good recreational trails.
Good recreational trails.
Friendly, clean rooms and excellent service. I love the architecture and design of this very walkable city.
THE SIZE ,THE CLEAN ATMOSPHERE AND EASY ACCESS FROM HIGHWAY.
THE SIZE ,THE CLEAN ATMOSPHERE AND EASY ACCESS FROM HIGHWAY.
Hotel is within walking distance to everything center of town and Strawberry Bank, great weather to walk around.
Restaurants, history, particularly Stawbery Banke Museum. Looking forward to exploring more.
Restaurants, history, particularly Stawbery Bankes. Looking forward to exploring more.
Beautiful scenery!
Loved the area of Portsmouth!
Food, people and Portsmouth, NH are outstanding!!!
with a lot to offer. We can't wait to return in warmer weather to enjoy all Portsmouth has to offer.
In Portsmouth itself, we always visit Prescott Park and Strawbery Banke. And we also enjoy the Portsmouth architecture as well as the restaurants on and about Market Square.
Portsmouth was our destination. We enjoyed the historic sites and the restaurants and shops downtown. On a previous visit we very much enjoyed the tidal pools at Odiorne Point State Park.
Women liked the shopping.
Easy access to lots of things to do. The parking garage was nice. We enjoyed our first time at Portsmouth, NH.