It’s funny how our avid devotion to favorite locations can sometimes keep us from discovering something sensational.

I’ve long teased my Rhody pals about this. Ocean State residents are famous for their view that almost every part of their state that’s not their town is entirely too far away to simply zip off to.

Well, it’s confession time for me. A recent discovery in a locale that’s my all-time favorite place on earth — Mount Washington Valley — made me see I’m not so different from you.

Because in the five-plus decades I’ve been a valley regular, I’d never seen — never mind set foot in — The Mountain View Grand Resort and Spa (https://www.mountainviewgrand.com/).

I can make my excuses, of course: It sits in Whitefield, N.H., the opposite side of my usual home base in the Valley. I’d certainly heard of it: My daughter and her kids do an annual trek there when school ends for the summer, and friends had attended winter wine dinners there.

But until I chose to go straight at the intersection of 302 rather than bang right for Bretton Woods and the rest of the valley, it was a mystery to me.

Now that I’m in the know? If you are a family looking for a comfortable escape with tons of activities, a couple looking for a lovely and romantic getaway, a golfer looking for a home base where you can meander out the front door for a round or drive a short way for more courses or just a person who loves a pristine mountain escape, I have two words: Get there.

I arrived at what my grandkids call “The Yellow Hotel” (I’m told by staff that’s a common moniker) on a quiet Monday midday.

Already happy that I’d had clear weather through Franconia Notch (to me, a top drive for beauty), I was chilled out.

Checking in, I knew that vibe would persist. Inside that historic hotel that was in the process of gearing up for the busy season, I found classic and comfortable rooms, a friendly staff, amazing food, a spa that will please even the pickiest visitor, and more.

Outside, dotting the resort’s 1,700 acres, you’ll find something for everyone: tennis (red clay courts!), Pickleball, a nine-hole golf course, a working farm you can visit any time and even meet the farmer each morning, hiking trails, an indoor and outdoor pool, playground, axe throwing area and more.

Rainy day or just need some inside time? There’s a fitness center, game room and a working movie theater.

The vision was born in 1865 when a stagecoach crashed and the Dodge family, owners of the on-site barn at that time, opened their doors to the travelers.

Enamoured by the location — it sits in a valley below the Presidential Range, including famed Mount Washington — the travelers asked to stay the week.

Since then, through add-ons and construction and programs and more, the Mountain View Grand evolved into what it is today. A major overhaul in 2021 spruced it up but embraced the historic touches, making it a lovely blend of old-time mountain “grand hotel” escape and modern amenities.

Since I was alone, I took dinner at the bar in the main lobby. The food was fantastic (as were the unique house inspired cocktails) and the service was perfection.

My second day brought rain, so I chose to embrace the spa. The Tower Spa’s offerings and technicians are the real deal. My 80-minute recovery massage worked out the kinks and left me feeling blissful.

Downstairs after, I chatted with a popcorn and treat-toting family heading for the movie theater and then with a couple who’d just returned from a fun shopping escape suggested to them by the front desk staff.

The next day I hit the golf course and then headed to nearby Littleton for an afternoon of poking through shops, noshing and of course, stocking up at Chutters, where the 112-foot candy counter claims to be the longest in the world. It’s an adorable Main Street worth your time.

There’s more nearby too: Santa’s Village is about 10 minutes away, Bretton Woods (summer gondola rides) is around the corner, famed Storyland is an easy, pretty half hour or so away, and North Conway is an easy day trip as well.

But there’s so much to not do as well. Sit on the veranda and rock, gazing out at the mountain views. Sit next to the crackling fire in the main lobby and read or just day dream. Stroll around the grounds and breathe in the fresh air and hear the quiet of nature.

I’m glad I wandered from my usual spot. Now I know The Mountain View Grand is there to make my favorite destination even better.