The Spalding Inn, Whitefield

For most people, staying at a haunted hotel would sound like a nightmare, but for my fiancé and me it sounded like a dream vacation. That’s why we decided to travel all the way to Whitefield, NH to stay at The Spalding Inn, built in the 1800’s, recently purchased by co-founders Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson of paranormal research group T.A.P.S. of the renowned reality TV series on SyFy Ghost Hunters. Just going to this beautiful hotel was appealing enough for me to book our trip, but when I found out the hotel was holding a special T.A.P.S weekend event, that was just icing on the cake. Only 60 tickets were sold for this event and it was to take place from a Friday afternoon through Sunday morning and consisted of 2 paranormal investigation training classes, held by Britt, a Q&A session with Jason and Grant, 2 delicious buffet dinners and a paranormal investigation on late Friday and Saturday night with the Ghost Hunters themselves in 3 of the most haunted locations in the hotel. After booking our trip, we were dying of anticipation for the next month until the date of departure. We were hoping for the best, but expecting the least. We figured that the least we’d get out of this experience was being able to travel to New England, to see the T.A.P.S. hotel, take some informative classes, and being able to do an investigation with 3 respected and inspirational professionals—maybe even getting to shake their hands. Little did we know that we’d be returning from our trip grinning ear-to-ear after having the time of our lives and our expectations exceeded ten-fold. Because we were non-reving on the flights, we arrived on Thursday at 12AM into Manchester, NH airport. We didn’t want to drive in the middle of the night on unknown windy mountain roads in what we thought would be covered in snow so waited at the airport until 5AM to get on the road. After GPS got us lost, but not too far off target, we arrived at 7AM to the hotel in the White Mountains with no sleep for over 24 hours. We reluctantly walked into the lobby to ask if they might be able to accommodate an extremely early check-in. To our surprise, the staff greeted us with open arms and took us straight up to our adorable room and even offered us to do a private investigation of a few of the most haunted places in the hotel that night. After a well-deserved nap we were referred to try a local restaurant Grandma’s Kitchen and had a delicious meal and returned to The Spalding to relax in rocking chairs on the vast front porch with a crystal clear view of ranges of snow-capped mountains. Later we went downstairs to play a game of pool and have a cocktail and appetizer at their 2 King’s Pub and late that night gathered all of our equipment and off we were to take them up on their offer to do an investigation. Before our heads hit the pillows late that night we exclaimed how glad we were that we arrived early to the event. The next morning we enjoyed our complimentary breakfast and coffee in our favorite spot, the front porch, where Jason Hawes himself came walking up with his family to greet us upon his arrival. Guests began arriving for the event and throughout our stay, this porch became a hot spot for great conversation amongst the genuinely kind and diverse age group of guests at the event. As the events unfolded everyone repeatedly expressed what a wonderful time we all were having, how the Spalding staff were so hospitable, and how the place gave you a warm feeling of being at Grandma’s house. Jason and Grant were as down-to-earth as anyone could possibly hope for as they were out on the porch talking with us all throughout our stay, down-playing their stardom. Our investigations turned up some compelling evidence and at the end of our stay, all factors of our trip allowed us to conclude that without a shadow of a doubt, we will be returning to The Spalding Inn.

NOT handicapped accesible, no swimming pool, not pet friendly....I think the info here is very old. We were promised a certain room and had email to proove it but they had another guest in there already. Then they put our group with a handicapped person on the second floor....how dumb can you be. I went to check out the room anyway and found it had not even been cleaned yet...yuk!! Now we needed a cot and had to go back to ask for it 2 times. Was charged on credit card when reservations were made AND at check out. They say they will fix it but I'm not so sure I believe it. I was never angry and the place WAS charming but I think it really needs some professional management, not just employees!!