In the backdrop of post-war America's thriving landscape, the Berry family, led by the devoted patriarch Win, along with his supportive wife and their five lively children—John, Franny, Frank, Lilly, and Egg—set out on an ambitious quest to reshape their future. Their pivotal decision to establish a hotel adjacent to the prestigious preparatory school attended by John, Franny, and Frank signifies a monumental shift for this tight-knit clan. This new establishment, aptly named the Hotel New Hampshire, becomes a bustling center of life, brimming with revelations and the blossoming of relationships.
John's journey into the realm of love begins with a tender rendezvous with the hotel’s captivating waitress. Meanwhile, Frank takes a significant step in his life by openly coming out to his siblings, an act that profoundly transforms their family dynamic. Their world is soon shaken when Franny falls victim to the malicious schemes of Chip Dove and his associates, yet she is heroically saved by Junior Jones and his fellow footballers. In the aftermath of this traumatic event, John shares a deep confession of his love for Franny, solidifying an unbreakable bond between them.
The family faces further heartache with the loss of their cherished dog, Sorrow. Frank, in a moment of misguided affection, chooses to stuff the beloved pet, only for it to make a startling appearance during Christmas, causing their grandfather, Iowa Bob, to suffer a fatal heart attack. This tragic incident foreshadows the tumultuous journey ahead for the Berrys.
An unexpected letter from their friend Freud invites them to Vienna to oversee his gasthaus. Despite their initial hesitations, the family boards a flight that tragically ends in flames, resulting in the loss of both Mrs. Berry and Egg. As they attempt to forge a new life in Europe, they settle into Freud's gasthaus, which they rename Hotel New Hampshire.
This Viennese venue becomes a vibrant tapestry of characters, featuring prostitutes on the upper floors and radical activists in the basement. The presence of Susie the Bear, adorned in her distinctive costume, proves to be an invaluable support for the ailing Freud, who is now obscured by darkness due to his deteriorating eyesight. As John and Susie grapple with their unreciprocated feelings for Franny, they find themselves ensnared in a perplexing emotional maze, especially as Franny's affections begin to gravitate towards Ernst, a radical with an uncanny resemblance to Chip Dove.
As tensions rise, Lilly, who despite her adult intellect remains trapped in the body of a 13-year-old, immerses herself in her writing, creating Trying to Grow. Meanwhile, Miss Miscarriage, a fervent radical, becomes fascinated with the Berry family and, in particular, Lilly. Accepting her invitation, John enters a realm of intimacy that sadly culminates in tragedy as Miss Miscarriage meets her end at the hands of another radical.
Complications deepen as the Berrys find themselves entangled in a scheme to detonate a car bomb outside the Vienna State Opera. In a selfless act, Freud volunteers to drive one of the radicals, thereby sacrificing his life to protect his loved ones. As chaos erupts within the hotel, John and his family confront the remnants of the radicals, leading to an explosion that takes Ernst's life and leaves Win blind.
Returning to Austria, the Berry family is celebrated as heroes by their community. Lilly’s literary work garners significant acclaim, inspiring a biopic that she scripts, casting Franny to portray herself. In New York City, John and Susie serendipitously encounter Chip Dove, whose antics prove irresistible. Within the confines of Franny's hotel suite, they plot a humorous revenge, but Franny intervenes to halt their mischievous plans.
Despite the whirlwind of events, John's unwavering affection for Franny reaches a new peak when she invites him into her personal space. In a bid to move past their complex history, they embark on an exhaustive rendezvous. While Franny’s Hollywood career begins to flourish—Frank stepping in as her agent and Junior Jones reappearing in their lives—Lilly finds herself stymied in her writing pursuits, eventually succumbing to despair and taking her own life.
In a poignant conclusion, John resides with his father at the newest iteration of Hotel New Hampshire, now a shadow of its former self. Joined by Susie, their connection deepens, as Win warmly endorses their union, declaring that every hotel requires a bear—a symbol of resilience and strength.
