See all properties

The Bow Hotel

4.0 star property
Travelers can pedal through Portsmouth on complimentary bikes or discover the city's iconic Love Wall, with staff ready to enhance every moment of the journey.

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for The Bow Hotel

A view of a river with buildings along the shore, a bridge in the foreground, and a clear sky. - The Bow Hotel (Portsmouth)
A harbor with boats docked, a bridge in the background, and buildings along the waterfront. - The Bow Hotel (Portsmouth)
A brick building with a sign reading "Bistro + Wine Bar". - The Bow Hotel (Portsmouth)
A street with a sign for 'Esta' and a sign that reads 'making faces'. - The Bow Hotel (Portsmouth)
Interior - The Bow Hotel (Portsmouth)
The Ale House Inn sits just steps from Market Square, offering a convenient home base for Portsmouth exploration. Guests appreciate the express check-in process, reliable in-room WiFi, and the attentive staff who provide insider knowledge about the area.

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 4 of 4 rooms

View all photos for Petite Queen

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

Petite Queen

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(21 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Gallery Queen

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

Gallery Queen

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(29 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for King Studio Suite

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

King Studio Suite

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(6 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Gallery King

A modern bedroom with a large bed, a view of the city through a window, and a large abstract painting on the wall.

Gallery King

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(14 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free WiFi

About the neighborhood

Located in Downtown, a neighborhood in Portsmouth, The Bow Hotel is in the entertainment district. Strawbery Banke Museum and The Music Hall are cultural highlights and Portsmouth Love Wall is a popular area attraction. Market Square and Prescott Park are two other places to visit that come recommended. Visit our Portsmouth travel guide
Map
121 Bow Street, Portsmouth, NH, 03801

What's nearby

  • A public square with a water fountain, benches, and a stop sign.
    Market Square
    1 min walk - 0.0 miles
  • A storefront with a glass front, a brick building, and a clear awning.
    Seacoast Repertory Theatre
    2 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • A waterfront with stone buildings, a wooden bridge, and an American flag.
    Prescott Park
    3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • A historic two-story building with a light-colored facade and a dark wooden structure adjacent to it.
    Strawbery Banke Museum
    5 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • A pink building with a marquee sign advertising a music hall.
    The Music Hall
    6 min walk - 0.4 miles

Getting around

  • Dover Transportation Center
    21 min drive
  • Portsmouth, NH (PSM-Portsmouth Intl.)
    14 min drive

Restaurants

  • Gas Light Pizza Pub
    3 min walk
  • Surf Restaurant
    2 min walk
  • Cup Of Joe
    4 min walk
  • The Juicery
    5 min walk
  • The River House Restaurant
    2 min walk

Similar properties

Interior entrance
The Hotel Portsmouth
Downtown
  • Breakfast included
  • Pet friendly
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
9.4 out of 10, Exceptional, 1,002 reviews
The Hotel Portsmouth
Compare similar properties

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
The credit card used to book the reservation must be presented by the cardholder at check-in along with matching photo identification, and other arrangements must be coordinated with the property prior to arrival
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

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 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
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, and mobile payments; cash is not accepted
This property reserves the right to pre-authorize the guest's credit card prior to arrival.
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit, and outdoor lighting

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)

Frequently asked questions

Is The Bow Hotel pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking?

Limited spots are available.

What time is check-in at The Bow Hotel?

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime.

What time is check-out at The Bow Hotel?

Check-out is at 11 AM. Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability).

Where is The Bow Hotel located?

Located in Downtown, this hotel is steps from Market Square and Warner House. Prescott Park and Portsmouth Love Wall are also within 5 minutes.

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Reviews

The Bow Hotel Reviews

8.6

Excellent

9.2

Cleanliness

9.6

Location

8.6

Staff & service

8.8

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 299 out of 552 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 149 out of 552 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 64 out of 552 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 23 out of 552 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 17 out of 552 reviews

Reviews

Verified

8/10 Good

Robert

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property was well located, very nice and updated room, comfortable temp in very hot temperature when we stayed, great bed and sheets
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Andres

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Wonderful place and location. Will stay again.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Highly recommend. Clean, comfortable and convenient location.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Pam

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
No staff, just check in with code. Easy to find. Walk to lots of nearby restaurants
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified

6/10 Okay

Todd

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room was clean and the hotel is in a great location. The only downside was the view from our room. The pictures made it seem like the hotel and room view would be waterfront. My window looked out right into another building.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nancy L

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Can’t beat location; so close to all shopping and dining, yet secluded on a quiet street. Rooms have all been upgraded; comfortable, clean, thoughtful details. No staff onsite, but responsive.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified

6/10 Okay

carl

Disliked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Completely impersonal. No coffee in the room. Lobby coffee maker did not work with no instructions. Toilet was not properly installed. Location and bedding was great.
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

joshua

Room was clean enough, location was amazing!
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Super clean and comfortable, quiet, very close to Portsmouth's adorable downtown. No front desk, but easy checkin and the staff was very responsive through the hotels.com app and via text message. Excellent self-serve espresso machine in the lounge -- best hotel coffee I've ever had!
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

Kathi

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Parking was easy but on the street, not particularly secure, and expensive - $35/day. I didn’t check that before I made the reservation - much to my dismay. I never met any staff but they were very responsive. The coffee/rec area was very nice. The rooms were very tasteful, clean, and comfortable. Great location.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
My room was spotless in its cleanliness. Thre lighting and amenities felt like true peace and made for a great atmosphere for relaxation.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Anita

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great Location, comfortable beds, spacious rooms.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Val

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
The room was clean, the check-in was easy, and the overall accommodations were nice. What would make it even better is if the bed was not quite so soft.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Amanda

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stay was great and location was perfect!
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Katherine

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room at The Bow was lovely, clean and very quiet. Located in a great spot with easy walking to the shops, restaurants and waterfront. Although the room was a little too warm for us for sleeping, the bed and linens were so comfy!
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025
Verified

6/10 Okay

D

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very cute industrial chic with attention to detail, but our room was very small and all the furniture was quite low (for seniors). Digital check in, parking and location were all great.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025
Verified

6/10 Okay

Ty

Not really full service hotel but great location.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Susan

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Room is lovely, self access to building and room work as advertised. The location is great for access to downtown. The parking is a challenge. In February with snow and the Rep having a show, our paid for parking was taken. With no front desk, i had no way to know which vehicle it was so had to pay for the public lot parking after paying the property for parking.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Phil

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great location, comfortable accommodation
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Joan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Cozy hotel in a great location.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Arch

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Really great central location.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024
Verified

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
Verified

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Ok hotel, great location

The convenient location was the best part of this hotel.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Katherine

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great experience in a great location in Portsmouth! If you’re looking for a clean, comfortable stay, that embodies a self service model, this is your place. They have a cozy lounge area with games and couches, a self serve coffee station as well as snacks that you can purchase. Very comfortable and our room was spacious. Good communication with staff. Will definitely stay here again in the future.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025