Mill Falls at the Lake in Meredith, New Hampshire offers bliss

In the mid-1980s, three investors purchased the property of an old linen mill in Meredith, N.H., located on the northwestern edge of Lake Winnipesaukee. While razing some of the structures, they preserved and rebuilt the old mill to become a four-story marketplace.

The complex grew over the following 25 years to include four unique inns, two on the lake and two across the street. Visitors can stroll the boardwalk along the lake and easily access both the inns and the marketplace. Lake Winnipesaukee and the surrounding mountains provide spectacular views in all seasons.

The 54-room Inn at Mill Falls was built shortly after the completion of the marketplace. This family-friendly hotel features all the usual guest room amenities plus an indoor pool, a location adjacent to the marketplace and just across the road from the lake. Guests can enjoy the Waterfall Café, overlooking the scenic and picturesque 40-foot waterfall that once powered the old mill, for breakfast and lunch. Giuseppe’s, also conveniently located in the marketplace, serves up Italian specialties for lunch and dinner along with plenty of music nightly.

Chase House offers a more intimate experience. Its 21 rooms have cheerful fireplaces and lovely lake views. Camp Restaurant, located in Chase House, takes diners back to the simpler time spent at a summer camp. This retro eatery is an Adirondack camp with a tin roof, pine tables and a fieldstone fireplace serving dinners with plenty of comfort food (think pot roast, BBQ ribs and s’mores) with an upscale touch in a festive atmosphere.

Set amid colorful gardens and sprawling lawns, Church Landing is Mill Falls’ premier lodging property. This Adirondack- style building revels in luxury and rustic elegance. Its 70 guest rooms feature welcoming fireplaces and private lakefront balconies. There are two indoor/ outdoor pools, a fitness center and easy access to the lake and its beach. For pampering or a chance to get away from it all, the Cascade Spa is a perfect escape. Relax and restore in this full-service salon for men and women. Featuring massage, facials, a steam room, a relaxation lounge, body treatments, manicures and pedicures, it’s the perfect antidote to the stress of daily life. The adjacent Boathouse Lodge and Birch Lodge, accommodating seven and six guests respectively, provide additional hotel rooms.

If you want to enjoy your own private lake house, consider Lakeshore or Perch Cottage. Lakeshore Cottage is just a stroll down a covered walkway from Church Falls. It boasts two separate suites, one on each floor. The twobedroom, two-bath Overlook Suite on the upper level has a living room with a gas fireplace, wet bar and sleep sofa, a granite countertop kitchen and a screen porch and sundeck. It can accommodate six guests. The lower-level Hearthstone Suite is a large one-room suite with a full bath, king bed, pull-out sleep sofa, window seat, wet bar and a screened-in porch/stone deck. The Hearthstone can accommodate four guests. Each suite includes an outdoor seasonal plunge pool, exclusively for your use. These two stunning suites can be combined by opening an adjoining staircase to be rented as a single unit for the ultimate in luxury and privacy.

Perch Cottage, just across the street from the lake, has three bedrooms and three baths on three levels, as well as comfortable living, dining and kitchen areas and splendid lake and mountain views. It can handle up to six guests on three levels. It is an ideal way for a family or several friends to be together or spread out.

The 24-room Bay Point, located right on the shore, has the best long views of the lake, complementing the nautical theme of the hotel. Most rooms have private balconies to take advantage of the spectacular setting, sunrises and sunsets. The hotel is currently going through an extensive renovation that will extend the nautical theme and incorporate some more technical aspects. It is expected to be completed by the end of June.

In addition to the Waterfall Café, Camp and Giuseppe’s, there are a number of other dining options on the property. Lago, located in Bay Point, offers Italian specialties and world fusion in an “Old World” dining atmosphere with a well-stocked wine cellar. Lakehouse, with its Adirondack-style setting and creative New England cuisine, is housed in Church Landing and treats diners to gorgeous views of Meredith Bay. While Waterfall Café is owned by Mill Falls and Giuseppe’s is run independently, Lago, the Lakehouse Grill and Camp are all part of the Common Man family of restaurants, well-known throughout New Hampshire for their food and service.

Mill Falls also partners with Ekal Lake Activity Center to offer all forms of water sports for their guests. Paddleboards, canoes, kayaks and aquacycles are available for rent. A 26-foot pontoon boat may be chartered for cruises around the lake or special parties, and a 1931 antique speed boat offers rides daily. Through Ekal, all ages can get out on the water, enjoy the beautiful lake and see the landscape from a new perspective. These additional experiences add to the cachet of Mill Falls, the town of Meredith and the enjoyment of Lake Winnipesaukee.

Over the past 30-plus years, Mill Falls at the Lake has been a major factor in the growth and development of the town of Meredith and this particular portion of the lake. Joe Ouellette, director of sales and marketing, said, “We are fortunate to have ownership and management that sees the bigger picture of hospitality. They’ve worked tirelessly to develop and promote not only the Mill Falls at the Lake brand, but Meredith and the Lakes Region experience as a whole. Through a collaborative and inclusive approach, Meredith has grown from a pass-through on the way to the North Country to a yearround destination location. Mill Falls at the Lake is proud to offer a unique platform for that continued growth and development.”