A Mini Yoga Retreat at the Lake!

Lake Winnipesaukee from Boathouse Lodge, March 4, 2013

As soon as I learned that Mill Falls at the Lake would be adding a yoga studio to its amenities, I knew I had to make the trip from the seacoast of NH to check it out! Being a yoga student myself, I am well acquainted with the many calming and healing benefits this wonderful practice can bring, and I realized that Mill Falls is the perfect spot for a yoga center—it’s perched on Meredith Bay overlooking the tranquil waters of Lake Winnipesaukee, the outstanding service and top-notch ambiance at the Inns facilitate a peaceful getaway experience, and the full menu of offerings at Cascade Spa go hand-in-hand with a nourishing yoga retreat—a trinity of relaxation treasures! Read the rest of this entry »

Mill Falls at the Lake—a Refreshed Name and Logo for a Beloved Destination

The Inns & Spa at Mill Falls is transitioning to a new name. The collection of inns, lodges, activity centers, and spa is now going by “Mill Falls at the Lake” and sporting a redesigned logo to mark an evolution of the property and its increased variety of on-site offerings for guests.

According to Rusty McLear, president and CEO of Mill Falls, the new name and logo honors the organization’s roots and proud history of being located in Meredith, NH, with the change now reflecting a more accurate depiction of the Inns’ presence on Lake Winnipesaukee. Read the rest of this entry »

Some Poems to Share for Hanukkah, Christmas, and the New Year

As we near Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, people of many faiths celebrate the return of light, along with the mystical and spiritual essence of the season. It is a time of great introspection, and observation of traditions old and new. It is a time to gather with loved ones, and also to reflect in quiet solitude. In the spirit of the season, which has as many facets as a snowflake in the moonlight, we bring you a few poems to share with family and friends, or to enjoy alone, as we honor Hanukkah, Christmas, Solstice, and the New Year… Read the rest of this entry »

Celebrate Small Business Saturday by Shopping Locally

The day after Thanksgiving in the United States has long been referred to as “Black Friday,” a day when retail stores across the country hold big sales and welcome throngs of holiday shoppers looking for that special deal. However, in recent years, the day has become more of a mass exodus to the big box stores and national chains as folks line up early to be among the first to get their hands on limited offers for big ticket items. Some of these big retailers have begun to open earlier and earlier each year for the event, with several now opening on Thanksgiving evening to get a jump on the Black Friday craze, disrupting employees’ holiday time with family and causing smaller retailers and “Mom & Pop” stores to suffer as their customers flock to the well-hyped super sales. In response, several small merchants, together with American Express®, organized Small Business Saturday, a day when everyone is encouraged to shop locally while taking advantage of some special offers as well. Read the rest of this entry »

Boston Chronicle Visits the Inns & Spa at Mill Falls

Shayna Seymore interviews Rusty McLear.

While The Inns & Spa at Mill Falls and the surrounding village of Meredith, NH are popular Lakes Region destinations, well known to many people within as well as outside the area, these local treasures are about to gain an even wider audience and greater exposure, as they have been featured on a Boston travel show that is scheduled to air tonight!

Shayna Seymore and Bob Oliver from Boston Chronicle visited Meredith last month on October 15^th and 16^th, staying overnight at the Lodges at Church Landing, the latest addition to the Inns & Spa at Mill Falls. The two were in town to film a segment for a series that the show produces called “A Tank Away,” which features great places to visit within a tank of gas from Boston. The special series is filmed every season, and the Chronicle crew timed their visit to coincide with the peak of fall foliage in the Lakes Region. Read the rest of this entry »

The Inns & Spa at Mill Falls Named One of Top 45 Hotels in the Northeast

Chalk up another award for this lakeside getaway—the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Survey has recently recognized the Inns & Spa at Mill Falls as one of the Top 45 Hotels in the Northeast!

The Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Survey began in 1988, and since then has been listing the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruises, and airlines based on real travelers’ experiences. The online questionnaire contains lists of candidates in the various categories, and individual candidates are judged by relevant criteria for each group. In the hotel category, the ratings are based on Food/Dining, Location, Overall Design, Rooms, and Service. Those that receive a required minimum number of responses are deemed eligible for a Readers’ Choice Award. Each candidate is rated by the specific criteria on a five-point scale: excellent, very good, good, fair, and poor. Those scores, which represent the percentage of respondents rating a candidate excellent or very good, are averaged to determine the final score. Read the rest of this entry »

Oglethorpe Fine Arts & Crafts a “Favorite” in Meredith

If you’ve ever been to Meredith and the Mill Falls Marketplace, chances are you’ve strolled by Oglethorpe Fine Arts & Crafts as you’ve made your way by the famous waterfall. And chances are you couldn’t resist coming in to take a look at all the beautiful, handcrafted items that are on display in this open, bright, and airy shop. Indeed, the store itself is a work of art as it highlights the artistic creations of over 500 artists from across the country, and features pieces that can be used and enjoyed in our everyday lives.

“Oglethorpe Fine Arts & Crafts opened its doors in May of 1994 with a focus on quality American handcrafts from the beginning,” says Katheryn Rolfe, owner of this unique store, which is committed to showing people how easy and gratifying it is to integrate art-quality craft into our lives. The shop started in a space of approximately 900 square feet and has since grown to about 2000 square feet, with several small increases over the years as surrounding shops moved away. This allowed Oglethorpe to increase its space without having to move. Says Katheryn about her spot in the Marketplace, “I absolutely love my location with the views of the pristine waterfall and brick walkways.” Read the rest of this entry »

Worldly Interior Designer Brings Unique Style to Inns

When arriving at The Inns & Spa at Mill Falls, guests immediately feel a sense of calm and relaxation. Of course, stepping into one of the four Inns or cottages marks the beginning of a true getaway, and the friendly, professional hospitality helps guests feel well cared for, but the ambiance of each space creates an undercurrent of tranquility that brings all the elements of a NH vacation together: simplicity, comfort, beauty, and a connection with the natural surroundings—nothing too much and nothing missing. This subtle balance was achieved by interior designer Patricia Sava, a true artist with a keen sense for creating just the right mood for every space she helps design.

“I have been fortunate to have had design projects all over the country since I started Sava Designs, LLC in 1976,” says Pat. “Projects run the gamut from mid-mountain cafeterias and dining facilities in Vail and Beaver Creek CO, interval-ownership condominiums in Stowe, VT, Loon Mt, Lincoln NH, and Breckenridge CO, boutique hotels in Meredith and Lakeport NH, Breckenridge, and Telluride CO, and an assisted living and rehab center in Meredith, NH, to golf clubs in Beaver Creek, CO and Melvin Village, NH. My own houses in Waterville Valley, NH, Breckenridge, CO, Merida Mexico, and a houseboat in Sausalito, CA have been fun projects as well.” Read the rest of this entry »

Satori Tea Garden a Peaceful Retreat for Lunch, Sweets, and Tea

One of the nicest things about summertime in New Hampshire is being able to relax outdoors in the warm weather and enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Add delicious food to the mix and the experience borders on transcendent—it feeds the soul. In the quaint lakeside village of Meredith, visitors and locals can find a quiet little spot tucked in a beautiful Japanese garden to sample light French luncheon fare, elegant desserts, and fine teas. This haven is known as Satori, a tea garden.

Satori is located in the gardens of the lakes gallery at chi-lin, an Asian art and antique gallery and workshop center just up the hill from The Inns & Spa at Mill Falls. Satori opened for its 11^th season on Wednesday, July 25^th to mild weather and a steady stream of customers. Suzanne Lee, owner of the lakes gallery and Satori tea garden, offers light vegetarian cuisine and tea at satori Wednesday through Saturday from 11:30 to 4:30. After school starts again in the fall, the tea garden will be open on Saturdays, with other days available by appointment, until the fall begins to turn chilly. Read the rest of this entry »

Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad Brings Nostalgic Entertainment to Meredith Bay

Climb aboard the classic train at Meredith Station and take a trip back in time as the old locomotive chugs along the shore of Lake Winnipesaukee. While the breathtaking views of the lake and distant mountains are sure to evoke a sense of wonder and leisure reminiscent of turn-of-the-century travel to NH grand hotels and summer resorts, this ride also has old-fashioned entertainment to bring an even deeper experience of the “good old days.”

Every Monday through Friday this summer, “White Marriott the Hobo Balloonist” will be aboard the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad to share his specialty balloons with passengers. Kids of all ages will love his balloon creations, especially the animals and flowers formed from simple balloons!

On Saturdays, accordionist David Smith will be aboard the train, greeting passengers as they board and then strolling through the train as he plays nostalgic tunes on his accordion for everyone to enjoy. These fun songs are sure to get everyone in the spirit for a relaxing lakeside adventure! Read the rest of this entry »