Winner of Complimentary Overnight Stay Shares Her Experience

Jennifer and Joe at Mill Falls

When The Inns and Spa at Mill Falls posted a giveaway on Facebook for an overnight stay in honor of Random Acts of Kindness Week, Jennifer Yahoodik from Boston ended up the lucky winner.  The only condition was that she had to pay it forward and invite some friends along to enjoy a room at the Inns as well.  So Jennifer and her fiancé, Joe, brought their good friends and “super-fun-couple,” David and Katie, to Meredith for a spontaneous Friday night getaway.

Jennifer has been a fan of the Inns for about ten years, since her mother brought her here for a weekend one fall.  “She had booked a stay at Mill Falls for Columbus Day weekend for her and my father.” said Jennifer.  “When work called my father away, she took me instead of having to cancel her reservation.  Columbus Day weekend is now a ten-year-strong mother-daughter weekend, and in 2010 my sister joined the trip as well.”

“Each time we return, we mix it up and stay at either Bay Point, Mill Falls, or the newest hotel, Church Landing.” Jennifer continued. “Every time I am up in Meredith staying at the Inns, my only two wishes are to never have to leave, and wishing I could share the experience with everyone I know and love.”

Jennifer was granted her wish to share her experience with some friends when The Inns announced a giveaway on February 15^th and she was selected to enjoy two complimentary rooms at Bay Point on Friday the 18^th.  “Of course, I called my mom first to share my excitement—she convinced me to take some friends,” said Jennifer.  “It was also very special for me to bring Joe up there.  The weekend actually marked five years since we had met, so we had this unexpected getaway to celebrate with good friends.”

Katie and David had never been to The Inns before, and were “thrilled” to be invited.  They met their friends at the bar at Lago before checking in to their rooms.  After a long drive, all four decided to have a glass of wine and an appetizer.  “Aaron at the bar (whom I have met on previous visits, and is always wonderful) suggested we try the Calamari,” said Jennifer.  “It was just what the doctor ordered!”

The view from the rooms at Bay Point

“We made dinner reservations for Lago for later that evening, and then checked into our rooms.  The accommodations at Bay Point were wonderful.  We had two rooms on the third floor with queen-sized beds and, of course, the priceless balcony overlooking the lake.  I myself had never been up to the area in the wintertime, so it was pretty amazing to see the lake frozen with ice fishing huts on it, along with vehicles and snowmobiles, and it was special to see the reactions of Joe, David, and Katie to the view.”

The friends enjoyed a walk along the lake to Church Landing, where Jennifer showed them the spa, cozy common areas, and pool.  The four then stopped in at Lakehouse for a drink.  Said Jennifer, “Again, my guests just couldn’t have been more instantly in love with the surroundings and service.”

“We made our way back for dinner at Lago and had an amazing meal, and a wonderful server.  I adore the ending touch of homemade Limoncello and white chocolate for the table.  Following dinner, we walked over to Giuseppe’s Grotto to check out the DJ entertainment for the evening.”

Saturday morning, the couples headed over to George’s Diner for a “wonderful” breakfast.  “I actually sent my brother a photo of the placemat,” said Jennifer.  “He wrote back instantly, ‘You Tease.’  My brother had been a camper and counselor on Bear Island for many years, and gets back up to the area whenever he can.  George’s Diner is a favorite of his.”

Katie and David at Mill Falls

Following breakfast, Joe, David, Katie and Jennifer walked over to the Mill Falls Marketplace.  “We hit up every store top to bottom.”  Then… “Sadly…we had to check out and head back to reality.  With such a short stay, we didn’t do a whole lot of activities, but that is something I love about being up there—you don’t HAVE to do anything to enjoy the surroundings and the people.”

“The one thing for certain about our night at Bay Point,” says Jennifer, “is that it was a much needed respite for the soul, very much appreciated by all, and based on discussion of all attendees, this will now be an annual trip, if not a more frequent one.”

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team