See all properties

The Bow Hotel

4.0 star property

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for The Bow Hotel

Beach
King Studio Suite | Premium bedding, memory foam beds, desk, iron/ironing board
Exterior
Exterior
City view from property

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi
$243
includes taxes & fees
Oct 27 - Oct 28

Explore the area

View in a map
121 Bow Street, Portsmouth, NH, 03801
  • Place, Market Square
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Strawbery Banke Museum
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, The Music Hall
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Airport, Portsmouth, NH (PSM-Portsmouth Intl.)
    ‪8 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Gallery Queen

Premium bedding, memory foam beds, desk, iron/ironing board

Gallery Queen

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(28 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Petite Queen

Premium bedding, memory foam beds, desk, iron/ironing board

Petite Queen

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(15 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Gallery King

Gallery King | Premium bedding, memory foam beds, desk, iron/ironing board

Gallery King

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(11 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for King Studio Suite

King Studio Suite | Premium bedding, memory foam beds, desk, iron/ironing board

King Studio Suite

8.4 out of 10
Very good
(5 reviews)
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

Similar properties

Front of property

The Hotel Portsmouth

  • Breakfast included
  • Pet friendly
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
4.7 out of 5, Exceptional, 1,004 reviews
The Hotel Portsmouth

About this property

The Bow Hotel

4-star hotel in Downtown
Along with concierge services, this hotel has express check-in and free WiFi in public areas. Housekeeping is available on request.
The Bow Hotel offers 10 air-conditioned accommodations with bathrobes and designer toiletries. Memory foam beds feature premium bedding. 32-inch flat-screen televisions come with cable channels.

Bathrooms include shower/tub combinations, complimentary toiletries, and hair dryers. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Housekeeping is offered on request and hypo-allergenic bedding can be requested.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.
The Bow Hotel features concierge services and express check-in. Public areas are equipped with complimentary wireless Internet access.

The Bow Hotel has designated areas for smoking.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Offsite parking available (USD 35 per night)
  • Limited onsite parking (max 1 space per unit)

Things to do

  • Bicycle rentals

Conveniences

  • Luggage storage
  • Virtual front desk

Guest services

  • Concierge services
  • Housekeeping (on request)

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • 15 steps to reach entrance
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only

More

  • Built in 1880
  • Designated smoking areas

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Hypo-allergenic bedding
  • Memory foam mattress
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Bathrobes
  • Designer toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower/bathtub combination
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 32-inch flat-screen TV with cable channels

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Desk
  • Heating (climate-controlled)
  • Iron/ironing board

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Express check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM
Late check-out subject to availability
A late check-out fee will be charged

Special check-in instructions

There is no front desk at this property
Guests will receive an email within 24 hours before arrival with check-in instructions and an access code; access will be through a private entrance
A virtual front desk provides assistance to guests

Access methods

Access code, private entrance

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Nearby parking fee: USD 35 per night (49 ft away)
  • Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability)

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a first aid kit

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms
This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly)

Property is also known as

Ale House Inn Portsmouth
Ale House Inn
Ale House Portsmouth
Ale House Hotel Portsmouth
Ale House Inn
The Bow Hotel Hotel
The Bow Hotel Portsmouth
The Bow Hotel Hotel Portsmouth

Reviews

The Bow Hotel Reviews

8.6

Excellent

9.2/10

Cleanliness

8.8/10

Staff & service

8.0/10

Amenities

8.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.6/10

Eco-friendliness
Rating 10 - Excellent. 261 out of 473 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 128 out of 473 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 55 out of 473 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 13 out of 473 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 16 out of 473 reviews

Reviews

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveler

Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Tiffany

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The Bow is probably not for everyone, but we had a good experience. There is no "front desk" or staff on site. However, they are quick to answer the phone or communicate via text if you have questions. There is no physical key, you need to download the Open Key app to use. There is an elevator inside the property, but you must go up approximately 12 steps to get into the building from outside. Parking is right across the street, it's a little clunky to figure out, but there is one spot reserved for each room, it didn't seem they really verified who was parked where. The rooms were nice and as shown, no extras. The location is very walkable to the waterfront area of Portsmouth. Because everything is done via email and text there may be some people who would not care for it, however for us it was fine.I would stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

4/10 Poor

Barbara

Disliked: Amenities
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Bridget

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Within walking distance to shops and dining. Easy check in and out.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Eamon

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
We thought the room was very clean and comfortable , and loved that we could walk to the places we wanted to visit
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Joel M Cutler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
It was great will go again
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

Georg

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

Kathleen

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service
The check in ordeal was terrible. Supposed to do everything online but they didn’t send all the information. Had to call about parking. They didn’t tell us the code to get into the building. Once we figured out how to get in there was a nice man at the desk to help us but it was a very frustrating check in. The rooms were ok. Clean but not very user friendly. I will not be going back.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

Jonathan

Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
The entrance process was very poorly done. Had to wait for another couple, who had already checked in, to let us into the building. Room's windows were oddly positioned. Nothing left out for breakfas
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

James

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Awesome DIY experience here! Great location! Very cool room, but on the smaller side. Loved the key on my phone app!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Linda

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Quick overnight triip to see Portsmouth and meet family for dinner. Location for exploring downtown Portsmouth on foot is perfect.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Kelly

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Riley S

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Monica

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
This is a nice boutique hotel that has been beautifully renovated and is close to everything. You can tell that the new management has put a lot of care into the place and the experience. The check-in/check-out is seamless. But if you are looking for a traditional hotel experience - which I was not - this isn't for you. Don't expect concierge service or traditional keys/TV. Overall, a nice experience. I would recommend they insulate the doors more. At times, there's a lot of sound from the hallway, but it didn't ruin the trip.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

Mary

Traveled with group, Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The non contact check in did not work well for us. Communication was problematic. Check in time was 4pm. We did receive a check in code for the lobby. Explaining we would recieve information about room entry when the room was ready. We arrived rushed at 4:30 and had not received room entry information. We parked with no time to deal with room entry situation. The information arrived at 8:30pm. The room was beautifully appointed. Bed and linens comfortable. We did not find a blanket for the sofa couch. After running the shower for more than an adequate amount of time. It was lukewarm at best. No coffee machine in the room. The one provided in the foyer was broken. It's a shame. Before changing the Ale House to the Bow house and it's lovely renovation. It was our go to place for lodging. Hopefully communication will follow this review with remediation. So I do not have to look elsewhere.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

6/10 Okay

Brianna

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
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.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

6/10 Okay

Thomas

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

8/10 Good

Samuel

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good spot to stay . A little hiccup with the ownership and name change. It all worked out.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

8/10 Good

George

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Convenient
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

8/10 Good

Tina

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Location is great, walkable To everything. Parking is available but process is a little clunky. Otherwise everything was great.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Jennifer

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

6/10 Okay

Adam

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service
No staff(had to call parent property to be helped) dated (rooms need to be updated). Property was lacking amenities.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Shannon

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Room was comfortable and clean though it was in need of upkeep. Carpet was well worn, outlet plate missing and obvious leak damage in bathroom ceiling. Hotel is conveniently located and free nitro coffee fantastic. I generally prefer these types of boutique hotels for short stays and despite the flaws I would stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

2/10 Terrible

Elisabeth

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025