Green’s Grant, New Hampshire, is now home to a boutique hotel that blends New England tradition with contemporary sustainability practices.
The Glen House offers 68 guest rooms at the base of Mount Washington in the White Mountains. From its operations to its design choices, the hotel emphasizes energy self-sufficiency and aims to achieve as close to carbon neutrality as possible.
The property traces its roots to 1852, when the original Glen House first opened. Over the years there were three subsequent hotels on the site before the current building, each reflecting the prevailing design and technological advances of its time.
“Each new hotel took advantage of whatever the latest in building theory and technology had to offer,” said Howie Wemyss, general manager, Mt. Washington Auto Road/Great Glen Outdoor Center.
The recent Glen House is the first hotel to occupy the site in more than 50 years. Sustainability is a key focus: the hotel integrates an existing geothermal system with more than 30 wells on the property to support heating and cooling needs. Energy-saving LED lighting is used throughout the building to lower electrical demand, while carefully aimed exterior fixtures protect the night sky. In addition, a highly efficient elevator system minimizes power usage for vertical transportation.
Beyond these measures, the Glen House plans to expand on-site renewable energy generation by installing solar panels, further reducing reliance on external energy sources and moving the property closer to its carbon-neutral goals.
By combining a respect for the region’s architectural lineage with modern energy technologies, the Glen House demonstrates how historic sites can be renewed in ways that prioritize environmental responsibility without sacrificing comfort or the character of the location.
Guests can expect thoughtful design choices that support sustainability in everyday operations—measures that not only reduce the hotel’s carbon footprint but also enhance the visitor experience through efficient systems, quality lighting, and a commitment to preserving the surrounding natural environment.