As I turned up the meandering driveway leading to my vacation weekend home base, it was natural to slip right into one of the most famed Robert Frost poems:
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—/I took the one less traveled by/ And that has made all the difference.”
I was taking that winding road to settle in at the Holden Frost House, a stately, eight-bedroom hilltop home once owned by Frost himself.
I’d chosen to book this stay not with a few clicks on a vacation rental application, but rather through the more personalized Bretton Woods Vacation Rentals (https://www.brettonwoodsvacations.com). Bretton Woods vacations features more than 125 rental homes in the greater Franconia, N.H. region, with instant access to maintenance, on-line concierge-like advice on where to go and what to do while there, and more little touches that make you feel at once in your own space but not left on your own.
Like all their properties, the Holden Frost House has a backstory, one that’s easy to both learn about ahead of time (via their website) and deep dive into while there, via things like letters written to and from Frost left out for you to read.
I was there for a midwinter ski escape. The Holden Frost House sits just north of Cannon Mountain, with views of its trails and majestic Franconia Notch and Lafayette Mountain. It sits alone atop a hill, looking down on sweeping fields of snow that I’m told show magnificent blooms come spring and summer.
The house is sprawling, with eight bedrooms placed four each in two wings of the house. That means if you share with a group (and why wouldn’t you?) setting up for some privacy is easy.
It’s all centered by a great room that gave me historic Nantucket church architecture vibes. Soaring cream ceilings are accented with black beams. Comfortable furniture is arranged conversation style. Captivating – and locally created – art dots the walls.
It’s at once cavernous and cozy; regal and rustic. You feel totally fine putting your feet up yet awed at the sense of history and beauty.
The kitchen is modern and bright, and the fully stocked spice cabinet was a nice surprise. Cooking a group meal there and then serving it at the round table next to a soaring window with views makes that work feel like vacation mode.
You are alone up there, no direct neighbors to make noise or block your view. And yet, so much activity sits just a quick drive away.
In the winter, skiing – both Nordic and Alpine – dominates. Our plan had been to ski nearby Cannon but a wind hold (the winds were gusting past 60; we even had to text maintenance to secure things in the home, which they did in fast order) postponed that. No worries with this location: Bretton Woods Ski Area, better protected from wind, is just a few minutes more up the road. We found our ski joy that day.
The tiny village of Franconia is just down the hill, where you can pick up essentials at a cute little market, dine like a local at The Dutch Treat or grab a coffee at Franconia Coffee House.
And only a five-minute drive away you’ll find your must-do breakfast destination: famed Polly’s Pancake Parlor (pollyspancakeparlor.com).
Lincoln, with its large swath of dining choices and other activities, is about a half hour drive at most, and North Conway is a further, yet doable, adventure as well.
Me? When I tuck into a spot as special as this, I want to savor it as much as possible. There’s a game room to goof off in, a hot tub to ease ski muscles as you look out over the landscape, and a cozy pellet stove to play games of cribbage, read a book or those Frost letters, or just daydream in front of. In the summer you’ve got your own pool looking out across that view.
Bretton Woods Vacation homes has other choices too, like the Rocks Gardener’s Cottage (www.brettonwoodsvacations.com/rocks/), and more.
That cottage as well as all the others come with discounts to the Cog Railway and some local theaters, as well as access to the pool and gym at the Mountain View Grand. In March, they also help connect you directly to the maple experience with the Rocks Estate celebration taking place on March 15; March 22-23; March 29-30; and April 5.
When it was time for me to head back down that long driveway to depart the Holden Frost House, I left feeling like I needed to come back for more. More reading of historic letters. More gazing at the vista that inspired so many of my favorite poems. More dashing off for nearby fun. More colorful seasons spread out before me.
I’m sad to leave, but as Frost said, “Happiness makes up in height for what it lacks in length.”
I’ll find that height again soon.
