New York Post
22 January 2008

Located in the northernmost part of New Hampshire, about 20 miles from the Canadian border, the sleepy village of Dixville Notch is known for two things. First, it is where you can find the Balsams Grand Resort and Hotel, a famous draw since it was built back in 1895. Second, it is the first community to cast its ballots in New Hampshire’s presidential primary, an event that takes place on hotel grounds.

So you can imagine on our late-December visit, at the height of 2008 primary fever, that the resort’s hallways were buzzing. John McCain (who ultimately won the GOP race, getting 4 votes of the 17 total votes cast) Ñ had recently stopped by. We glimpsed a couple of Obama’s people in the lobby.

Things were frenzied at The Balsams for other reasons, too.

The resort was nearing completion of a multi-million dollar restoration, its grand lobby and public areas getting a complete overhaul.  Common areas with delightful names, such as the John Dix Social Room, the Sun Room, the Billiards Room and the Captain’s Study were being restored to their period splendor, with new carpeting, paint and furnishings. The famous Ballot Room was being spiffed up for its national television appearance; the dark wood walls had just gotten a new coat of stain and the pictures and artifacts from polls past were being dusted off.

History lives and breathes everywhere in this celebrated resort, nestled in the White Mountains on 15,000 acres of unspoiled, rugged land surrounded by a lake and towering balsam trees (hence the name).

Unfortunately, getting here can be a struggle.

It took us four hours to drive from the Portland, Maine, airport, though, to be fair, it was snowing quite heavily, and normally takes about half that time.

Our second-floor room was a charming study in New England quaintness: floral wallpaper, antiques, cedar closets, a deep, old-fashioned tub.