The Inn By The Bandstand

During the four years that my son was at Exeter, I tried to go up and spend one week-end every semester with him, usually late in the semester, so that he could have a restful atmosphere to get some work done and maybe catch up on his sleep. By now, we have stayed in almost every room in the Inn by the Bandstand. And had many, many wonderful breakfasts along the way! The Inn is cozy, peaceful and beautifully decorated and the innkeepers are friendly, helpful and really good cooks! The Inn was a wonderful feature of my son's years at Exeter. For his graduation, we reserved many of the rooms (well in advance!) and, when we found ourselves a month away with no dinner plans for over 20 people on the night before graduation, they catered an absolutely wonderful dinner right at the Inn for us. Despite the unbelievably short notice, they put on a fabulous gourmet meal for a big crowd. It could not have been more wonderful. We loved every minute at the Inn! Thank you.

My husband and I have been looking for a place like this for a long time. It was a treat to find a lovely B&B with sumptuous rooms that included both a fireplace and a jacuzzi. We stayed in the Windsor Suite, and decided we wouldn't want to stay in any other room (though the entire house is beautiful!). Jim is a very friendly, accommodating innkeeper who is attentive to details. We enjoyed the complimentary port wine in the rooms, as well as the coffee bar downstairs. And who wouldn't like a plate of freshly baked cookies available to them every night? Also, from the perspective of a former B&B housekeeper, I was very pleased by the cleanliness of the entire inn, our room especially. We're already thinking about the next time we plan to stay at the Inn!

We took a trip to Exeter, NH to get away and relax for a weekend. The inn's website attracted us, and we were pleased to see that things in reality were just as they were presented. Jim, the innkeeper, does a fantastic job of being available without being pushy. We really enjoyed getting to know him during our stay. The complimentary port, cookies (fresh from the oven!), coffee, and tea were a nice touch. Breakfast was very good both mornings - an egg/hash brown casserole one morning and blueberry pancakes the next, served with fresh fruit and yogurt both times. The house was built in the very early 1800s, so there is plenty of character to keep it interesting. Quite a bit of the inn is still original (floors, rafters, etc.). By 1800s standards, the rooms are quite large; compared to a modern hotel, they are average in size. It seemed as though the rooms had the right amount of furniture for the space, allowing us to sit around comfortably and also place our belongings around the room without it feeling suddenly cluttered. The gas fireplace was wonderful, providing plenty of warmth and ambiance. Given the age of the building, the floors do sag in the middle of the rooms, but they were less creaky than I would have expected. The room was also very quiet, especially considering that it's on one of the main corners of downtown Exeter. When you stay at this inn, you feel like you've become a part of the community. Discounts are offered at numerous locations around town when you show your room key, and Jim has partnered with several organizations to create attractive packages that you can add to the stay. We had the opportunity to tour several of the rooms, and they all have something unique to offer that will appeal to different people. All in all, we had a great time and will definitely stay here again when returning to Exeter.

We, and my sister and brother in-law from D.C., visited one night and early morning --the staff was welcoming and gracious. My daughter, who lives in Greenland, visited us in the lovely breakfast room, and they welcomed the extra person with no complaint and we shared the lovely very nice breakfast. The Inn is superbly located for visiting Phillips-Exeter and seeing the pretty town of Exeter. The rooms are comfortable, clean, decorated with considerable thought and style. Thank you very much for a lovely, although brief, stay. They have a very good and user friendly website. We hope to visit again. Ann

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You all were a delight to have here! I wish you could have stayed longer. It was fun having you here for breakfast and chatting with you. The next time you come up, please stay a few days and take in the great shopping and dining in historic Exeter. After chatting, I've surmised that you would really enjoy both the Exeter Historic Society Museum and the American Independence Museum, both located downtown. There's lots to see and do, so come back!!!

- Jim (Owner)

we stayed at the somerset room, we booked the romantic package, which included all kinds of wonderful extras like a gift certificate at a fine restaurant, a bottle of wine, and roses. The Inn is beautiful, the staff is really friendly and helpful. little details that made it special: a decanter with port in the room, fluffy bathrobes, fireplace, coffee/tea and fresh baked cookies in the lobby, and right in the center of everything!

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You're so right! It's the little things we do that the chain hotels don't do that set us a part. Warm cozy fireplaces, fabulous furnishings, fluffy robes and a delicious decanter of port are among the many amenities you'll find here... all right in the center of Exeter! I'm so glad you enjoyed your stay with us and look forward to your return soon!

- Jim (Owner)

We had a great time at the Inn. Absolutely beautiful. Love down town Exeter. Staying at the Inn by the Bandstand was a much better choice than staying at the chain hotels. Country charm in the City. Loved it. Thank you.

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I am pleased you had a nice stay at my inn. We are certainly fortunate to be located in the heart of Exeter, just steps away from all sorts of shopping and fine eating establishments, many who offer our guests nice discounts if they show their room key! Please do visit us again the next time you are in the area. -JL

- Jim (Owner)

The puppy was uppity and a great greeter, and absolutely adorable. Very close proximity to the campus and Jim was a very helpful innkeeper.

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Thank you for staying at my inn. It was nice seeing you come through the door and also so nice of you to hold me and give me nice rubs. My owner, Jim, also wanted you to know that he appreciates you staying with us and hopes you'll come back whenever you visit the Academy. Woof-Woof, Gizzy

- Gizmo (Owner's Assistant)

I travel heavily for work through the B&B heavy mountains in NH and VT, so I have low expectations but know when I find something great. The location here is perfect, right in the center of Exeter, and the innkeeper is friendly and hospitable. What made the stay for me, though, was the satin/terrycloth bathrobes waiting in the bathroom, and the carafe of port on the nightstand. Added to the pink and green decor of the Kensington room, and it was like something from a Nancy Mitford novel. I had to leave very early so I didn't get to experience the full breakfast, but the fresh fruit and yogurt were perfect. Cute dog, too!

[Resource Id: innkeeperresponse, Set: reviews]
Thank you for your kind words. It was lovely meeting and chatting with you during your much too short stay. I think we make a great alternative to the normally drab and generic chain hotels for business travelers. Many folks on business love to stay here and find the cost is the same. And... if you use Select Registry inns, we also have a frequent stay program. So really there is no reason NOT to use charming B&Bs for your business travel!! By the way... Gizzy says woof! (um... hi!)

- Jim (Owner)

The Inn By the Bandstand is a rarity! The provisions afforded a quietly luxurious and stately appeal and the warmth and splendor of an old-world Inn, while providing all the modern amenities one desires! We were spoiled with a different delectable full continental breakfast everyday in an intimate and charming dining room, and were sent to bed with fresh baked cookies every night. At our leisure we enjoyed coffee, tea and late night hot chocolate in front of our en-suite fire place (what a dream!). Although Exeter is an ambrosial little town well worth exploring, we scarcely left our room, the Lakeheath Lodge, as it was so cozy and beautiful-- a true escape! And our gracious hosts went out of their way to make us feel like kin, and were most attentive. They even went out of their way to print out extensive directions for our own personal coastal lighthouse tour! Our experience with The Inn By the Bandstand exceeded our expectations ten fold! Four thumbs up!

We picked this location randomly and were extremely pleased with our choice. This is an outstanding bed and breakfast and our stay was more than wonderful! It is a great location that is near quaint shops, close to the beach, and near the Kittery Outlets.

I thoroughly enjoyed staying at this bed and breakfast. The innkeepers were exceptionally hospitable and helpful. They provided us with alot of information about places to visit and eat. The room was very comfortable and clean. Our breakfasts each morning were very tasty! I would highly recommend staying at this bed and breakfast!

We have stayed at The Inn By The Bandstand several times and stayed in several of the rooms there. We are greeted as welcomed guests and made to feel at home immeditely. The charm & decorating throughout the house is beautifully done without being prissy or overdone. The quality of the food is like being in a 5-star restaurant and the coffee to die for! This is THE Place to stay when you are in the Exeter, NH area. We look forward to our next visit there to see Jim & Vicki and Sarah. Judie & Chuck Michael, MN

the inn keeper was wonderful. on our second morning he brought our breakfast to our room free of charge. he was able to give us suggestions to nearby attractions & restaurants. the bed was very comfortable! their breakfasts are delicous and they go above & beyond with the meal. the only low point was the quality of the tv. it was very old and we weren't able to hook up a dvd player to watch movies at night. also we didn't realize the fire place could only be used in the winter months and part of the reason we chose the inn was the fire place. other than that everything was great :)

We greatly enjoyed our stay at The Inn by the Bandstand. We had a spacious, corner room that was quiet and richly decorated. The bed was very comfortable, and the shower had great water pressure. The Inn had many beautiful antiques and was elegantly decorated, but it felt "homey" at the same time. Breakfast each morning was delicious, and the Inn's owners made us feel like family. Chocolate chip cookies each night were an added bonus. The Inn was conveniently located in the heart of Exeter, and cute shops and a variety of restaurants were in walking distance. The Inn's owners were very knowledgeable about the area, and prepared itineraries for several of our day trips. We would most definitely recommend this Inn to fellow travelers, and we will be back ourselves.

Ray and Margaret found our room to be very comfortable, clean smelling and artisticly decorated with antiques. Jim, the innkeeper and staff made us feel right at home. Great experince.

We stayed in the Someset Cottage on 03/2009. Wonderful room! Very cozy and comfortable bed that I could of stayed in forever! Wonderul fireplace thatwe sat in the chairs as we drank the complimentary port available. Each room has a journal that the various guests can leave their thoughts and stories behind in. We upgraded our room with the Hot Chocolate and fresh baked cookie with and they were DIVINE!!! Very filling and tasty to that point that we ended up just doing a light dinner that night. Loved the coffee station that was avilable 24/7 for some late night coffee/hot chocolate. Jim (innkeeper) was fantastic! Would definitely revisit.

The Inn at the Bandstand was such a great retreat from reality. We visited this Inn just for that reason. As soon as you step through the door to the Inn you are warmly greeted by Jim and Vicki. Jim and Vicky were more than friendly, they are one of those people that you meet and feel like you have known your whole life. From that moment on the Inn really did feel like our home also. As an extra bonus, we had the enjoyment of meeting their dog Gizmo. Being dog lovers ourselves, it is always a pleasure to stay at an Inn that feels the same way as we do. Gizmo was a much welcomed addition to the Inn. We stayed in the Lakeheath Room and it was everything that we had anticpated from the pictures on the website. It was very relaxing and gave you a feeling that you were actually staying in a lodge once you closed your door. The bedding was absolutely perfect from the sheets to the pillows! There is nothing better on a cold winter's night than a roaring fire and a nice comfy-cozy bed. On the table between the two leather winged chairs was a decanter filled with Port Wine. It was so relaxing to just sip our Port Wine in front of the fire and forget the woes of the world for just that moment. Jim and Vicky are the perfect Inn Keepers, they are there whe you want them and know how to "disappear" when you want to be left alone. It is very important for us to feel comfortable when we visit any B-N-B and they have it down to a science. The breakfast in the morning is OUTSTANDING to say the least. It is so good that when you go to bed that evening you think about how awesome the breakfast is going to be the next morning...it was that good! S & C Massachusetts

Our stay at the Inn By The Bandstand was wonderful. If you like tastefully decorated rooms and a feeling of days gone by then this is the place for you. We stayed in the Devonshire Room which was very romantic. Lots of floral touches from the chair covering to the wall border. We love having the gas fireplace to warm up a few cold New England nights too. The breakfast was the only thing that was slightly disappointing to us. We are used to a full size breakfast but the Inn fell a little short. Could be that they were out of the facility for our first night or maybe just becasue it midweek. Breakfast was continental with coffee, juice, a baked bread, fruit, and a strudel. All was delicious but left us hungry for lunch earlier than anticipated. The next day we did have scrambled eggs with our fruit and baked bread. One would not go hungry if they needed a bit as the pantry was stocked with bagels, bread, english muffins, and cereal. I loved the coffee station near the office since one could go down and get a fresh cup of coffee at any time day or night.

On December 12, 2008 my wife and I woke up to a house with no heat, lights, or water. After spending most of my cell phone’s battery power looking for a motel that was open and had power my wife handed me her “best inns I want to try” list. Jim took our reservation and assured me that he had power. He said he had one room available with two single beds and breakfast was included, my wife said “Take it, we are out of here”. Jim said he could provide us with a room for several days as long as we were willing to move from room to room as the inn was well booked for the coming week. Again, my wife said “Take it, we’re out of here”. Bottom line, I am glad I have learned to take Sally’s advice. After spending one night and having one breakfast at the Inn by the Bandstand we decided to “make this an early summer vacation”. Jim and Vicky, the owners, managed to limit our seven day stay to three rooms. (Only one night was spent in the original, two single beds, room.) That first room was well appointed, spotless, and very comfortable. The next room was fantastic. It had a gas fireplace with a good sized seating area in front of it. Those chairs were great for reading. The whirlpool tub was also great. The third room was a well appointed with a queen sized bed. All of these rooms had beds with excellent mattresses and bedding. All were full of period antiques. All were extremely clean. Moving between the rooms was easy. When we got back to the inn after visiting our ice-bound home we were given a different room key and guided to the new room. Our stuff had been moved. All we had to do was check out our new surroundings. Snacks are available on a 24-hour basis. Cookies are baked and put out every afternoon. Fresh coffee, tea, hot chocolate, chai, and herbal teas are available on a self-serve basis around the clock. The common rooms have gas fireplaces and our very comfortable.

We stayed here while visiting Phillips Exeter Academy, since it was nearby. The innkeepers were so pleasant, serviceable and generous. The rooms were cozy, comfortable and are definitely special. For a cold winter, the fireplace and complimentary port were the perfect touch! I'd stay here again for sure.

stayed there in april-early spring surprise snow-power went out-candles everywhere-how quaint and perfect!! the staff is tops, ambience is perfect, pets are delightful. stay there...it's well worth it!!

We had a WONDERFUL stay recently at the Inn by the Bandstand! Jim and Vicky are wonderful innkeepers. We highly recommend a stay while visiting in the seacoast of New Hampshire!

I have stayed at the Inn 4 times. Each time has been a treat! The rooms are gorgeous, with fireplaces and antiques and lots of cozy touches. The food is great too and there are always interesting people staying there who make for great breakfast table conversation.