We visited AMC's Highland Center at Crawford Notch in the 3rd week of April, 2021. We had originally planned to stay 2 nights, but extended our stay to a third due to good weather and plenty of hiking opportunities. We focused on streams, waterfalls and sub-4,000-footers for which the Center served as a walkable base.

Our room was clean and quiet, with a comfortable queen bed and in-room bath with a good hot shower. Literally every room in the Center appears to have a great view of the dramatic scenery of the Notch.

The included breakfast and supper exceeded our expectations. The buffet breakfast was abundant, with a 3-hour (7-10) window of service. The 6:00 pm supper surprised us with table service in 3 courses. The entrees on our 3 days were bbq-seasoned pulled pork (braised and tender), roast beef tenderloin (succulent) and baked pork chop (fair, but admittedly never a favorite of mine), with a vegan entree always an option (and these were equally good). I can only quibble with their somewhat heavy-handed use of salt in some dishes, especially soups, which were otherwise fine.

While they operate an outdoor shop with a good selection of apparel and gear, they also offer gratis loaner items such as backpacks, shoes, poles, gaiters and snowshoes (but not spikes). In addition to filling a need, the loaners are a great way to audition gear which you are thinking of buying.

The staff were kind and accommodating, including when we requested an impromptu extension of our stay. Knowledgeable staff offered tips on fitment and use of gear, and advice on hiking routes appropriate to the weather and our abilities.

The only real disappointment was the inexplicably insipid and AWFUL coffee. The beans tasted generic at best, the brew was dish-water weak, and it was hit or miss as to whether you encountered a fresh pot. They could fix this in a heartbeat, by upgrading the coffee, using a higher ratio of coffee to water, and training staff to make smaller pots more frequently. This would require no new equipment whatsoever. Beyond that, for a small investment in a grinder, they could even switch to buying freshly and locally roasted whole beans, with the potential for amazing coffee.

All in all, our stay at the Center, and the recreational opportunities offered nearby, have left us enthusiastic to make this a part of our annual or biennial rotation, whether with family or friends.