"The class was one of the most memorable and fantastic weeks of my life! I only wish I could have learned this stuff years ago. Thanks again for being so generous with your knowledge."

Accommodations

I live in a quiet, rural corner of New Hampshire. The scenery is beautiful with plenty of outdoor and cultural activities (for more on what to do while visiting the area, see Things to Do in the Area).

Accommodations are varied and good—but limited. Hotels can fill, particularly in autumn. Please book early. Also note that public transportation is extremely limited and that a car is requisite. For nearby camping information, download this PDF file.

All accommodations have been recommended by students; I have not stayed at the accommodations suggested below and cannot guarantee quality or terms. Accommodation availability, price, and quality are subject to change. Please visit a listing's website and read about the accommodations online for current information.

Accommodations also are available via Airbnb, VRBO, and other rental services in Alstead (where the studio is located) and neighboring towns (Walpole, Marlow, Bellows Falls, Surry, etc.). To assure proximity, check distance of accommodation to studio address: 562 Alstead Center Road, Alstead NH.

Nearby Towns and Accommodations

• All driving distances are approximations.
• Prices are listed to give an idea of the approximate cost; prices are not guaranteed.
• Many of these accommodations give a discount for 4 or more nights. Many also offer AAA discounts.
• Summer and fall are busy times in New England! It’s advisable to book early and inquire about cancellations policies.
• Feel free to contact me for directions from your accommodations to the studio, as I may know a more direct route than GPS.

ALSTEAD, NH (where Koo’s studio is located)
Alstead is a very small, rural village. The “downtown”, about 3 miles from my studio, is composed of a minimally stocked general store and a gas station. There is also a small (but charming) library with wifi. There are no hotels in Alstead, however Airbnb and VRBO have listings for Alstead.

BELLOWS FALLS, VT  (9 miles from Koo’s studio)
Bellow Falls is a working class town of about 3,200 with a picturesque location on the Connecticut River. There is an opera house with a movie theater ($3 showings on Tuesdays) and a small main street with a few sleepy businesses. Dining options include pizza, Chinese food, franks, and a Subway shop.

• Eva Blake House
  23 Westminster Terrace, Bellows Falls, VT
  Distance from Koo's Studio: 9.5 miles
  Email: Contact via Airbnb
  Phone: 1-209-890-1787
  Prices: $70+ night
  Description: Every year more students are finding rooms via Airbnb or VRBO. This one got an excellent review; clean, friendly and they serve a delicious full breakfast.

• Harvest Barn Inn
  16 Webb Terrace, Bellows Falls, VT 05101
  Distance from Koo’s studio: 9.5 miles
  Email: harvestbarninn@gmail.com
  Phone: 1-802-732-8254
  Prices: $99 - $159 / night
  Description: The Harvest Barn Inn sits high on a terrace with a panoramic view of the mountains, Connecticut River and town of Bellows Falls. The house was built at the turn of the century, turned into a bed and breakfast in the 1980's, then purchased by Kathleen and Rick Govotski in 2010 and refurbished. All rooms have private bathrooms, air conditioning, and wifi. Includes gourmet breakfast.

WALPOLE, NH  (9.5 miles from Koo’s studio)
Walpole is a beautiful New England village with a population of about 3,600. Its very small center is more picturesque than commercial, and is best known for Burdick’s (www.burdickchocolate.com) the elegant restaurant and world famous chocolate shop located there (worth a visit for a fabulous cup of dark hot chocolate). There is only one place to stay, 3.4 miles outside of Walpole’s center.

• The Inn at Valley Farms
  633 Wentworth Road, Walpole, NH 03608
  Distance from Koo’s studio: 13 miles
  Email: info@innatvalleyfarms.com
  Phone: 1-877-327-2855
  Prices: $195-239 / night double occupancy.
  Description: This is a working farm (complete with gardens, greenhouses, and lots of animals) set in a pretty, very rural location 3.4 miles from the center of Walpole. The 1774 farmhouse offers three nicely appointed B & B style rooms with their own bathrooms. No TV in the farmhouse, but there is wifi as well as a three-course candlelit breakfast (all food from the farm). Additionally there are two adjoining guest cottages that can sleep up to six people; they are simple but include TV, full kitchen, and breakfast fixings. And then there is a whole farmhouse to rent! (Actually a reasonable alternative for groups of up to eight people.) 

SURRY, NH (10 miles from Koo’s studio)
Surry is a very small town a few miles from Keene.  Surry itself has very few facilities; however my yoga teacher, Josephine Russell, has an apartment for rent there. 

• J. Russell Apartment
  893 Old Walpole Rd, Surry, NH (convenient to Keene, NH)
  Distance from Koo’s studio: 15 miles 
  Email: yogajosephine@yahoo.com
  Phone: 603-352-1684
  Price: $110/night for one person
  Description: The apartment is in the woods with a pond and yard nearby. It is fully furnished and private with its own entrance. There are two single beds, a sitting room, kitchen, and screened porch. There is no AC.  Linens, dishes, and a washing machine are provided.

KEENE, NH  (14 miles from Koo’s studio)
Keene is a small city of about 24,000.  It is typically New England in character with a wide main street and appealing downtown. Keene has many dining options of all types: fast food, diners, cafes, pubs, Italian, Thai, Mexican. There are three movie theaters, a YMCA, many boutique stores, and several shopping malls. There is also a small college, Keene State. The surrounding Monadnock region is well known for its ponds and lakes, good hiking, biking and boating. There are several places to stay in Keene listed in order of quality and price.

• Days Inn
  3 Ashbrook Road, Route 9, Keene, NH
  Distance from Koo’s studio: 15 miles
  Email: contact via website
  Phone: 1-800-329-7466 or 1-603-352-9780
  Prices: $120 and up/night
  Description: A very basic, relatively inexpensive, chain motel.  Located at the entrance to a mall so there are several chain restaurants nearby. About 2 ½ miles from downtown Keene.
  
  
• Best Western Plus
  401 Winchester Street, Keene, NH.
  Distance from Koo’s studio: 15 miles
  Email: contact via website
  Phone: 1-800-780-7234 or 1-603-357-3038
  Prices: $90 - $150/ night
  Description: Okay quality chain hotel less than 2 miles from downtown Keene. The hotel has a swimming pool and Irish pub/restaurant on site. This hotel gets only moderately good reviews from students. They report it is in need of updates; it is also located near a traffic circle, and the morning commute can be slow. However I continue to list it in case other options are all booked.
  
  
• Holiday Inn
  175 Key Road, Keene, NH.
  Distance from Koo’s studio: 15.5 miles
  Email: contact via website
  Phone: 1-877-834-3613 or 1-603-352-7616 (Keene number)
  Prices: $115 - $145 / night
  Description: Good quality chain hotel (with pool) located near the cinema complex. Comes with full breakfast. About 1½ miles from downtown Keene.
  
  
• Courtyard by Marriott Keene Downtown
  75 Railroad Square, Keene, NH.
  Distance from Koo’s studio: 14 miles
  Email: contact via website
  Phone: 603-592-1744
  Price: $179 - $199 / night
  Description: Brand new, very nice, and with a swimming pool too. Located in downtown Keene just two blocks off of Main Street. To avoid yipping dogs, request the no pet floor.
  
  
• The Fairfield Inn - Lane Hotel
  30 Main Street, Keene, NH.
  Distance from Koo’s studio: 14 miles
  Email: contact via website
  Phone: 888-861-2838
  Price: $160 - $220/night
  Description: A boutique hotel in the center of Keene on Main Street.  Recently remodeled and very nice. There are a variety of room (and prices) to choose from, including jacuzzi suites.