As seen in…

February, 2004

Tucked in the back of Portsmouth’s historic district, the Sise Inn provides a lodging alternative for tourists and business travelers alike. “We’re not a B&B and we’re not a hotel,” said innkeeper Diane Hodun. “We have 34 rooms—too many to be a B&B—but every room is different,
like a B&B. However, our front desk is staffed 24 hours a day so guests don’t have to worry
about waking up an innkeeper.”

“Tucked” may not seem an appropriate term for the sprawling blue Queen Anne Victorian, but its design not only keeps it from looming over its Court Street neighborhood but also from overwhelming guests. Originally built by Captain John E. Sise in 1881, it remained a private residence until developed into an inn in 1985. This development included the addition of a rear wing that matches the interior design and detail of the original so well it is difficult to know when one has moved from one section to the other.

One key to this continuity is the oak paneling in the front desk atrium and inside the elevator. This is stained to match the original hand-carved, butternut woodwork, which is found in the front door entryway, the parlor, the breakfast room, and the grand staircase. Antiques, as well as period pieces and colors, also help to maintain the Victorian-era feeling throughout the Inn. Of particular interest is a restored grandfather clock made by the Waltham Clock Company that hangs on the wall near the front desk. Such attention to detail pleased the Baxfam Corp. when it purchased the Inn in July 2002. Hodun is the managing partner for Baxfam and said the only changes they’ve made so far are limited to general upkeep—replacing carpets, mattresses, window dressings, and so on.

The Sise Inn offers three different room types on three floors in the main house and two suites in the carriage house. All of the rooms have private baths, a TV and either a VCR or DVD player. Executive rooms offer queen, full, or two twin-sized beds, and are perfect for one or two travelers. Room 106 is one such room that features one of the inn’s many decorative fireplaces.

Executive suites accommodate up to four guests with a variety of options including whirlpool bathtubs and queen-sized sofa beds. Many of these smaller suites are found on the second floor. Chairman suites are similar, but each offers a queen bed and a special tub. One such suite comes with two bathrooms, with one featuring a claw-foot tub. This upstairs/downstairs suite is often selected by newlyweds and has been dubbed “the bridal suite.” On the third floor, rooms 305 and 310 offer separate sitting areas with a pullout couch as well as a second room divided by French doors.

The third floor also features the most feminine of the Inn’s rooms. Room 303 is dressed in pink and includes two built-in dressers—one in the room and one in the closet. Just a half floor up from the third level is Room 406, which is nearly the size of a small apartment. However, only Room 116, located in the carriage house, offers a small kitchenette.

Guests staying at the Sise Inn have no need for their own kitchen, however, as its breakfast room is open 24 hours a day for coffee and tea, and offers an extended continental breakfast from 7-11 a.m. Breakfast included a choice of cereals, baked goods, fruit, and beverages, and can be enjoyed in the breakfast room, its adjoining sun porch, or in any of the guest rooms. Many guests also enjoy their coffee and tea in front of the fireplace in the parlor.

In addition to providing a good night’s rest, the Sise Inn also offers three function/Meeting Facilities used for a wide array of events. Since taking over the property, the Inn has hosted everything from a quilting group to a formal private family dinner complete with a jazz trio.

Sise Inn is located at 40 Court Street in Portsmouth, NH. For more information call 603-433-1200, email innkeeper@siseinn.com or visit on the Web at www.siseinn.com.

Sise Inn Champagne Cookies
2 cups butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
31/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornstarch

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream the butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla until light and fluffy. Add flour and cornstarch just until blended. Transfer dough to cookie press using the star disk. Press onto un-greased cookie sheets, forming S shapes. Bake until light brown and firm to touch, about 10-12 minutes. Transfer to racks to cool. Makes about 8 dozen.