Under $100

Tiny Fitzwilliam is home to the historic and charming Fitzwilliam Inn (Rte. 119, Fitzwilliam, 603/585-9000, www.historicfitzwilliaminn.com, $60–80), which has been around since 1796 and recently reopened in all of its historic splendor. Rooms are nothing fancy, but all have cozy beds and most have private bathrooms. The tavern downstairs acts as a popular gathering spot for locals.

There are four simple guest rooms at the welcoming Carriage Barn Bed & Breakfast (358 Main St., Keene, 603/357-3812, www.carriagebarn.com, $90–100). Each is decorated in florals, with queen or twin beds, bathrobes, and complimentary coffee.

$100–150

A creaky-but-cute renovated old farmhouse sets the scene at the family-owned Benjamin Prescott Inn (433 Turnpike Rd./Rte. 124, Jaffrey, 603/532-6637, www.benjaminprescottinn.com, $95–160), which offers views of the property’s farm from nearly every direction. Rooms are downright homey, with colorful quilts, family pictures, brass beds, and some with private sitting areas.

Six lovely rooms—with private baths, phones, antiques, and some with fireplaces—are on offer at Wright Mansion Inn (695 Court St., Keene, 603/355-2288, $80–160), a huge 1860s Georgian Revival building. The kindly staff cooks up a full breakfast every morning.

$150–250

One of New England’s oldest inns, The Hancock Inn (33 Main St., Hancock, www.hancockinn.com, $105–260) makes for a great romantic getaway, with its rooms appointed with fireplaces, antiques, and hand-painted murals. Meals are also excellent here, starting with the delicious full breakfasts (of homemade granola, cooked-to-order omelets, and such) and ending with white-linen dinners of beautifully presented (and tasting) dishes of duck confit with apple slaw and balsamic-glazed chicken with goat cheese farfalle.

© Michael Blanding and Alexandra Hall from Moon New England, 2nd Edition