North Conway is weird. It’s this mashup of rugged White Mountain beauty and aggressive outlet mall consumerism that shouldn’t work, but somehow it does. Right in the middle of that chaos sits the Red Jacket Mountain View Resort NH. If you’ve spent any time looking for a family getaway in New England, you’ve seen the pictures of the indoor water park. You've probably also wondered if a place that's been around this long can actually keep up with modern expectations.
Honesty is probably best here: this isn't a five-star luxury boutique hotel where people whisper in the lobby. It’s loud. It’s chaotic. It’s quintessential New Hampshire.
After the massive fire in 2022 that took out the historic front wing, the resort became a bit of a local mystery. People were asking if it would ever be the same, or if the "Mountain View" part of the name still held up when half the building was gone. The resort didn't just disappear, though. It’s been a slow, sometimes clunky process of rebuilding and pivoting.
The Reality of Kahuna Laguna
Let’s talk about the 40,000-square-foot elephant in the room. Kahuna Laguna.
Most people book the Red Jacket Mountain View Resort NH specifically for this indoor water park. It’s 82 degrees year-round, which feels like a religious experience when it’s minus-five outside and the wind is whipping off Mount Washington. There are four high-speed tubes, a wave pool that actually has some kick to it, and a giant tipping bucket that scares the daylights out of toddlers.
Is it the most advanced water park in the world? No. If you've been to the massive Great Wolf Lodge locations in the Midwest, this might feel a little "retro." But there's a charm to it. You don't have to drive anywhere. You just walk down the hall in a robe—which feels slightly illegal but is totally encouraged—and jump in.
The struggle is the crowds. On a rainy Saturday in October or a snowy Tuesday in February, the humidity level in there hits about 200%. It’s noisy. It smells like chlorine and joy. If you’re looking for a peaceful retreat, you are in the wrong zip code. But if you have kids who need to burn off energy while you sit in a plastic chair with a lukewarm coffee, it's basically a sanctuary.
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Location: The One Thing They Didn't Have to Build
The name isn't just marketing fluff. The resort sits on a literal plateau.
When you stand on the back deck, the Saco River Valley just opens up in front of you. You’ve got the Moat Mountain Range looking back at you, and on a clear day, the peaks are sharp enough to cut glass. This is the big advantage Red Jacket has over the motels lining Route 16. Those places look at a parking lot or a Taco Bell. Here, you're looking at the reason people moved to New England in the first place.
You’re five minutes from Schouler Park and the Conway Scenic Railroad. You’re ten minutes from Cranmore Mountain. Honestly, the location is probably the only reason the resort survived its lean years. You can spend the morning hiking Diana’s Baths—which is literally a five-minute drive—and be back in the wave pool by lunch.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Rooms
Since the 2022 fire, the room situation has been... complicated.
The resort lost a significant portion of its original guest rooms. For a while, the focus shifted heavily toward the "Homes at Red Jacket" and the "Mountain View Cottages." These are actually the better move if you’re traveling with a crew. The cottages feel like a classic 1950s mountain escape but with better Wi-Fi.
A lot of travelers expect every room to be a modern suite. It’s not. Some parts of the property still feel like they're leaning on that "rustic" label pretty hard. You might find a creaky floorboard or a bathroom fan that sounds like a jet engine. That’s the trade-off for staying in a place with this much history. If you want sterile perfection, go to a Marriott. If you want to feel like you’re at a summer camp that happened to grow a water park, stay here.
Eating in North Conway
Don’t feel like you have to eat every meal on-site.
The resort has the Champney’s Restaurant and the Palmer’s Red Eagle Grille. They’re fine. The breakfast buffet is exactly what you’d expect—lots of bacon, eggs that were probably cracked from a giant carton, and pancakes that kids go through like woodchippers. It's convenient.
But you’re in North Conway. Walk (or drive two minutes) to Frontside Coffee Roasters for a real espresso. Go to Moat Mountain Smokehouse & Brewing Co. for a blueberry beer and some brisket. The local food scene is actually one of the best in the state, and staying at Red Jacket puts you right in the middle of it.
The Seasonal Shift
Red Jacket Mountain View Resort NH changes its entire personality every three months.
In the fall, it’s the epicenter of leaf-peeping. The hillsides turn that specific shade of burnt orange that looks fake in photos. The resort usually does some kind of bonfire or marshmallow roasting situation. It’s cozy.
In winter, it’s a ski hub. Since Cranmore is right there, you get a lot of families doing the "ski in the morning, swim in the afternoon" double-header. It’s exhausting just watching them.
Summer is different. It’s all about the outdoor pool and the hiking trails. There's a certain vibe on the property when the sun stays up late and the mountain air cools down just enough that you need a sweatshirt by 8:00 PM. That’s the peak New Hampshire experience.
Is the Rebuild Finished?
The short answer is: sort of.
The ownership group, Bluebird Hotels (who took over a while back), has been working on modernization. They've had to navigate the aftermath of the fire while keeping the doors open. This means you might see some construction or areas that are cordoned off. It’s a work in progress.
Some regulars miss the old lobby—the one with the massive fireplace and the specific "old hotel" smell. That’s gone. What’s replacing it is more streamlined and functional, which is probably necessary but feels a little less "grand hotel" than it used to.
Survival Tips for Your Stay
If you’re actually going to do this, there are a few things you need to know so you don't end up stressed out.
First, book the water park tickets in advance if they aren't included in your room rate. They limit capacity, and there is nothing worse than telling a seven-year-old they can’t go into the pool they've been staring at for three hours.
Second, check the event calendar. They often have random stuff like movie nights or "meet the animals" programs from local sanctuaries. These are usually free and a great way to kill time when the kids are "bored" despite being in a giant resort.
Third, bring your own towels for the water park if you can. The ones they provide are roughly the size of a postage stamp and about as absorbent as a piece of plywood.
The Budget Reality
Red Jacket isn't cheap. You’re paying for the location and the amenities.
You can find cheaper beds in North Conway. You can find better food. But you won't find another place that combines the views, the water park, and the proximity to the village in one package. You're paying a "convenience tax." For most parents, that tax is worth every penny because it means they don't have to strap three kids into car seats five times a day.
The Verdict on Red Jacket Mountain View Resort NH
Look, this place isn't for everyone.
If you're a couple on a romantic getaway looking for silence and "wellness," you're going to hate it here. The lobby will be full of kids in wet swimsuits. The hallways will echo.
But if you’re looking for a basecamp for White Mountain adventures where the kids are guaranteed to be entertained, it’s still the king of North Conway. It’s survived fires, ownership changes, and the general wear and tear of thousands of tourists, and it’s still standing. There’s something to be said for that kind of resilience.
It’s a bit rough around the edges, sure. But it’s authentic. It’s the kind of place where memories are made—usually messy, loud, water-soaked memories. And honestly? Those are the only ones that really stick anyway.
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
- Verify the current room status: Before booking, call the front desk and ask specifically if your room is in the newly renovated section or the older wings. The experience varies wildly between the two.
- Timing is everything: If you want to use Kahuna Laguna without the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, go during the "dinner hour" (around 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM). Most families are out eating, and the slides usually have zero wait.
- Explore the trails: Don't just stay inside. There are walking trails that lead directly from the resort property into the woods. They're easy, well-marked, and offer a much-needed break from the humidity of the pool.
- Pack a "pool bag": Since check-in isn't until the afternoon but water park access often starts earlier, keep your suits and towels in a separate bag so you can start your vacation without digging through your suitcases in the parking lot.