The Davenport Inn

The Davenport Inn is a small Portsmouth base for divers who prefer a proper suite, a city address and the freedom to eat out rather than a resort timetable. You get air conditioning, a private bathroom, free WiFi and a city view, with enough living space in the larger options for a couple or a family to spread out after a long day.

This is an inn for practical travellers. Your own entrance, soundproof rooms, a refrigerator and a coffee machine make the return from the coast less of a production. There is also free private parking on site, which matters when your dive kit, dry clothes and the rest of the holiday baggage are all competing for room in the car.

The atmosphere comes from Portsmouth itself rather than from a programme of hotel entertainment. Historic sights, restaurants, cafés and parks are all part of the evening plan, and you can return to a quiet, non-smoking room when the day is done.

You are in Portsmouth, United States, in a central position close to the town's historic sights. The African Burying Ground is a few steps away, while the John Paul Jones House takes about two minutes on foot. Music Hall is also nearby, giving you an easy route into the town rather than leaving you dependent on the car for every meal or outing.

The nearest restaurants are close enough for tired legs: Library Restaurant is around a two-minute walk, while Goat and Flatbread Company are roughly three minutes away. Starbucks is about five minutes on foot, with Caffe Kilim also nearby. For a drink, Slow Burn Lounge Portsmouth is around six minutes away.

This is not a beachside address. Wallis Sands Beach is 4.3 miles away by car, around a nine-minute drive. Portsmouth International Airport at Pease is 4.4 miles away by road, with a driving time of about seven minutes; Manchester Boston Regional Airport is roughly 44 miles away by road.

The room choice is really about how much space you want around the day. The Superior King Suite suits a couple who want a straightforward base, while the larger Two-Bedroom Suite gives a family or small group room to separate sleeping space from the evening sprawl. The Deluxe Queen Suite is available in both a two-person and a four-person version, so check the selected option carefully rather than trusting the name alone.

For two people who value room to sit, the Executive Suite is the most generous option. Every suite has a private bathroom, and the larger layouts make more sense when everyone is returning with wet clothes, bags and the general debris produced by a day near the water. There are no extra beds, although cots can be requested for children aged two and under, subject to the chosen accommodation.

At night, air conditioning and heating cover the basics through changing weather, while soundproofing and a fan give you more control over the room. A refrigerator is useful for keeping water cold, the coffee machine handles the first cup before an early start, and the flat-screen TV comes with cable channels and streaming services. A desk, wardrobe, alarm clock, clothes rack and ironing facilities keep the room workable rather than merely decorative.

The inn has a coffee house on site and coffee-making facilities in the accommodation. That covers the practical end of the day: a hot drink before heading out, or something ready when you return without having to make a formal expedition of it.

For proper meals, Portsmouth does the heavy lifting. Library Restaurant is about two minutes away on foot, while Goat and Flatbread Company are roughly three minutes away. You also have Starbucks and Caffe Kilim within a short walk for coffee, and Slow Burn Lounge Portsmouth for an evening drink.

There is no stated meal plan to organise your stay around, so the useful feature here is flexibility. You can eat close to the inn, use the refrigerator in your suite for simple provisions, and keep the evening as short or as sociable as your legs allow.

Arrival runs from 16:00 to 00:00. You need photo identification and a credit card at check-in, and the minimum age for checking in is 18. Check-out is available around the clock, which is handy when travel plans refuse to behave like a neat timetable.

Free private parking is available on site, with accessible parking also provided. Parking requires a reservation, so arrange that before arrival rather than assuming a spare space will be waiting when you turn up with a car full of kit. Luggage storage is available as well.

The property accepts card payments but not cash. Children of any age are welcome, with cots available on request for children aged two and under; extra beds are not available. The inn is non-smoking, does not allow pets, and does not accommodate parties or events. Wheelchair access, a lower bathroom sink, grab rails and Braille visual aids are part of the accessibility facilities.