@“Magnum PI” @AboutTheSame Thank you gentlemen for your replies. My daughter haunts both Lou’s and the Dirt Cowboy so they will both be experienced next week. We are staying at the Hanover Inn and porch sitting has been added to the list! 
Visited last Sunday/Monday and loved it there. So happy my kid will be attending. Just don’t overstay your parking limit in the least anywhere near the green, as you will be ticketed pronto. 
Oops. We need to add that to our list of tips. There’s nice and not-always-full 4-hour lot behind the BofA.
A Hanover parking ticket is a badge of honor for DC Parents. We all have them. The thought process is always the same, I’ll only be a few minutes so I can find some change before the monitor comes around. Wrong. Rumor is the Hanover meter monitors were former track team members, and I believe it is a great revenue source for the town. I always put quarters on my list of things to bring after First year family weekend. I proudly have 2 tickets to my name.
@"Magnum PI : But did you pay them?
Of course, that’s how Hanover could afford those new police cars. :))
If you visit Rauner, you can hold in your hands and read the famous first sentence in a first edition of Pride and Prejudice. That was thrilling to me. The murals in the lower level of the library are remarkable. They give guided tours, but you can guide yourself with one of their brochures.
I always parked in the lot on Lebanon (south side of the street, near Talbotts). Decent all day rate, and free on weekends.
Hello…is there really a “tips” list? I’ve scanned the lengthy thread and don’t recall seeing that offhand…here’s another question, though–are hotel reservations tough to come by for Freshman drop-off? I’m starting to get the feeliing this is something I should take care of asap…thanks as always!
@Mirmark reservations can be a challenge. My recommendation would be as soon as your child has their Trips assignment determine if that plays a role in when you will actually be dropping off. We chose a late Trip due to the distance we live away from campus so my daughter was moved in right before her Trip and when she returned she simply began orientation that day.
Mirmark, if you live at a distance, your student will be assigned a late trip that ends at orientation, so that two trips are not necessary.
If you lived within a reasonable drive–three hours in our case–your student would be assigned to an early trip because it’s feasible to go home for a week in between.
There’s a cluster of standard chain places in White River Junction, if you aren’t up for paying a lot for the Hanover Inn, or going funky and cheap at the Hotel Coolidge. There are probably more in West Lebanon, but We’ve never stayed there.
We always stay at the Residence Inn Hanover Lebanon. We like it because not only is there a kitchen area, but they include breakfast. And it’s a 5-minute drive from the school.
I’ve posted this before (someone please tell me if I’m posting it too many times), but one thing that newbies need to know is that reservations in desired places at graduation go to frequent customers. Staying at the Hanover Inn is wonderful (trust me), but you get no brownie points and you have no chance of staying there at graduation – because it’s owned by the college and all the rooms go to the college’s guests. Try to find a place you like and stay there every time – and then keep your fingers crossed that you made the preferred list. Six South Street is the only other place right in town (http://www.sixsouth.com/) unless there’s a new one that I don’t know about. I had high hopes when it opened but was not wowed (we stayed there on one trip but checked out the next day and moved to the Inn). For graduation, we stayed at the Courtyard in Lebanon, which is in the same area as the Residence Inn noted above. We’d never stayed there before so my caution above is not universally applicable (but it was not cheap for what was a rather mediocre hotel, although the hot tub and pool were fine and the free/included breakfast was very substantial). Another place that is evidently somewhat quirky but has gotten good reviews over the years is the Norwich Inn (http://www.norwichinn.com/) and my advice above applies to it in spades. If you’re up to a moderate hike, it’s a great choice since you can walk down the main road, across the river, and up the hill (not that steep, although it can feel like it on a hot day) into Hanover.
@AboutTheSame Next to Courtyard and Residence Inn a new hotel opened last year, Element, which is under the Starwood umbrella. We had wondered about Six South Street but reviews have been mixed and we have had such pleasant experiences with the Hanover Inn we weren’t too enthusiastic about trying them.
Did you ever opt for staying in the dorms?
No, although I believe @Magnum PI and @Consolation may have. If I had it to do over, I might have taken that option, since it sounded as though they used the “nicer” dorms for the parents AND you don’t have to worry about parking AND you’re right there. BUT we had a pool and a hot tub and a nice breakfast and a double bed & private bath and it was just down the road from Jesse’s Restaurant & Tavern (http://www.jesses.com) so … no, I’d probably make the same choice again.
Yes we stayed in the dorms, while they are the newer dorms, they are still the dorms, but we enjoyed the experience and spent the thousands we saved on food and drink…and airfare. I think the going rate for the usual hotels during graduation is $500 night for a room, payable up front and in advance with no refunds. Outrageous for what you get. The dorms are very convenient, because we could park once and walk everywhere. It is not surprising but many parents, friends and relatives do this because of the scarcity of rooms in the area for the big event. Would I do it again? Absolutely. However, if you don’t want to sleep on a XL Twin bed and you book a year out, you may be able to find a room at a decent rate in White River Junction. We stayed at the Hampton Inn, Fairfield Inn and Holiday Inn express multiple times. The Holiday Inn Express has the largest rooms, and may include a kitchenette. It’s about a 15 minute drive to Campus, and of course you will need a lot of quarters.
I can’t locate the charge for 2013 graduation but $500 a night sounds about right. Undoubtedly more now (why wouldn’t the hotels keep pace with tuition?). I will say that the Courtyard was very accommodating when we needed to leave a day early and did not charge us for the last day even though the terms of the reservation would have permitted them to do so, so … no complaints.
Hanover Inn was charging $399 on Friday and Saturday for First-Year Family Weekend so I can imagine it would only go up for graduation. I received an email from Six South Street in March notifying me of their Commencement reservation policy and room rates. Rates this year will be either $749 or $779 per night depending on room type. Not looking forward to 2019 prices.
@b1ggreenca has your son gone through room draw yet? My daughter struck out yesterday and as of now does not have a room for the Fall. I’ve been assured it will work out but… :-S
Wow, I can’t believe those hotel prices!
We stayed at the Hotel Coolidge for Freshman Family Weekend. But bear in mind that we are the sort of people who stay mostly in hostels in Europe, for example. Sophomore Summer weekend we stayed at the now-defunct Chieftain, which had a modest pool and a lot of character. The people who owned and ran it were very, very nice. It had a free breakfast, also, and was dog friendly, which was important for our party. We also stayed there at graduation, and the owner rented a van to ferry us and the other D grad parties to and from campus, so we didn’t have to worry about parking. I seem to recall that the price was $200+ in 2012. H stayed in the dorm–we had some last minute changes of attendees-- and he was able to enjoy events such as the Aires singing on the Green, and walk over to Lou’s for breakfast. Now that the Chieftain is gone, I’d probably opt for sleeping in the dorms. I really can’t see paying $700 per night for what is basically a motel room.
@saffysmum, The Hanover Inn doesn’t accept ANY reservations at graduation at all. It is reserved for guests of the college, such as the grad speaker or people getting honorary degrees and other dignitaries.
I have never stayed at the Norwich Inn, but I have eaten there. The place is charming–as is the town of Norwich in general-- and the food is excellent. It was a pleasant walk from S’s house last year. BTW, although tiny, Norwich boasts a great local market, Dan&Whit’s, a good wine store, and a very good bookstore. What more do you need?