The building itself has a fascinating history, and indeed is featured in the photograph on the cover of "The Illustrated History of Bethel". It is one of the oldest structures in Bethel, having been built in 1865 by a retired sea captain.

Warmly furnished in antique and custom pieces, you cannot help but unwind after a hard day. Singles, couples and families alike will fall in love with the friendly, homelike atmosphere here at The Chapman Inn, as well as the affordable rates. We adore children, and indeed, the New England Travel Guide names us "The Best Family B&B in New England".

The house attained a place in history when William Rogers Chapman purchased the home shortly after its construction. Mr. Chapman was a famous 19th century composer, conductor, and founder of the Rubenstein Club and the Metropolitan Musical Society, as well as the Maine Music Festival. It is because of Mr. Chapman that Bethel could boast of its very own opera house, which to this day still stands, facing the Chapman House

The Chapman House remained in the Chapman family until the 1950's. Unlike many New England buildings, the home has not been subjected to periodic additions, and still maintains the original footprint, standing as it was built over a hundred and thirty years ago.

The Chapman Inn is located in the heart of the Bethel Village historic district, right at the head of Main Street, and overlooking the village commons.

We are convenient to many activities, and its central location makes it the ideal location from which to begin a walking tour of Bethel's historic district and historical museum, or for visiting Bethel's unique shops and restaurants. A two-minute walk takes you to an 18-hole championship golf course and cross-country ski trails. There is ice skating literally outside our front door, on the commons.

With a ten minute drive you will find alpine skiing at either Sunday River or Mt. Abrams, cross-country and telemark ski trails, snowmobiling, dog sledding, rock hunting, swimming, boating and fishing, canoeing hiking and mountain biking. Our guests are also welcome to use one of our bicycles to explore the beauty surrounding Bethel village. Bethel is also the ideal hub from which to explore the tremendous rustic beauty of western Maine and New Hampshire.

Whatever your activities during the day, you can look forward to coming back to The Chapman Inn to enjoy our comfortably appointed living areas. Relax in front of the fire or on our veranda while enjoying a glass of wine or a cup of tea, or you can take in the fun of our billiard room, with pool table, ping pong and darts.

You are welcome to relax in one of our two large saunas, or just "veg out" in front of our color cable TV. Ski Magazine did a featured article on The Chapman Inn and said that the Inn "offers an affordable alternative to drab motel rooms and sterile condominiums". We also include, for each guest, a full gourmet breakfast in the morning with so many choices that you will have a hard time making a decision of what to try. Ski Magazine called our breakfasts "amazing".

We have, however, made some concessions to modern living. Each room has its own telephone, with fax and modem capabilities, and we offer our guests the opportunity to make full use of our complete business center, with its copy, fax, and Internet access. We also offer wireless internet, so you can surf the net while in your room.

When the time comes to retire, you can return to one of our ten clean quiet guest rooms, many with multiple beds, or our suite with its full kitchen and dining room, to enjoy a wonderful night's sleep

Warmly furnished in antique and custom pieces, you cannot help but unwind after a hard day. Singles, couples and families alike will fall in love with the friendly, homelike atmosphere here at The Chapman Inn, as well as the affordable rates. We adore children, and indeed, the New England Travel Guide names us "The Best Family B&B in New England".