Mill Falls at the Lake, Meredith New Hampshire Review
Mill Falls at the Lake – The Resort Collection – is a group of buildings that house a variety of guest rooms, some right on the edge of Lake Winnipesaukee. For optimal romance, choose a room that faces the lake. There are no bad vistas.
(For adventurous couples willing to leave your love nest – check out these things to do around Lake Winnipesaukee/Squam Lake).
Actually, the Mill Falls Resort Collection encompasses much of the town of Meredith, NH itself – with Mill Falls at the Lake, Palmer Inn (formerly Inn at Mill Falls), Bay Point, EKAL Lake Activity Center, and Mill Falls Marketplace under its umbrella.
Widely admired for its setting, and cherished by couples and families since its inception in the 1980’s, Mill Falls at the Lake was revitalized in 2018. Out went the original, slightly stuffy traditional ’80’s furnishings, and in their place a lighter, more modern aesthetic. So, if you haven’t been here in a while, you might be pleasantly surprised.
First Impressions of Mill Falls at the Lake
Finding where to go can get confusing. (Or at least for me. There were many buildings along the lakefront in Meredith, but my GPS and some signage got me to the right place).
All you need to know is that you check in at the Church Landing building – the largest of all properties situated directly on Lake Winnipesaukee. Church Landing is flanked by the Lakehouse Grille on one side, and the Boat House and Birch Lodge buildings on the other. You can’t go wrong with any of these. And, they are all conveniently connected by a rustic covered walkway.
Reception staff are friendly and infinitely patient. I assume they encounter confused first-time guests all the time – so they can clearly elaborate on the persnickety layout of the resort (and where exactly to park!). It helps that they give you a map along with your room keys.
Rooms at Mill Falls at the Lake
I stayed on the 3rd floor at Birch Lodge in a room fit for honeymooners.
It’s got a high whitewashed beamed ceiling; a porch overlooking the lake with two rocking chairs;and a couch facing a TV and gas fireplace.
The cushioned window nook is ideal if you like to look up from your book every so often to watch the action on Lake – or for snuggling up with your honey.
The new, contemporary bathroom sports shiplap walls; a rain shower cloaked in gleaming white subway tiles; and the piece de resistance – a jetted tub for two with tantalizing water views.
Lakehouse Grille
Built right on the edge of Meredith Harbor, ask for a window seat at the Meredith NH restaurant icon – Lakehouse Grille (part of the Common Man Restaurant group).
You can “help yourself” to a small cheese and cracker table – just in case you’re famished when you arrive. And then enjoy one or more of the 50 wines by the glass. (In May 2025, whole bottles of Common Man wine were priced at just $26!). Menu items are far from staid: with starters like Oyster Deviled Eggs, and Lobster Avocado Toast – and rather innovative steak dishes.
Swimming Pools
Both Church Landing and the Boat House have indoor-outdoor pools. Those in the Boat House are small – inside, more like expanded hot-tubs – and are “Adults Only.”
Cascade Spa
What’s a wedding-perfect romantic inn without a full-service spa? Yep, you can get your hair and nails done – and/or a massage, facial, or body treatment in the cool, updated Cascade Spa. Even if you’re just there for a schvitz in the steam room, you can chill out in a beautiful relaxation room before or afterwards.
EKAL Lake Activity Center
A short walk from Mill Falls at the Lake, EKAL (“LAKE” backwards, get it?) is the inn’s waterfront and other programming (e.g. Yoga) center. Rent kayaks, paddle boards, or other self-propelled watercraft; charter a boat; take a lake tour. There’s lot’s going on for guests of the Inn.
Mill Falls Marketplace Shops and Restaurants
Don’t miss the old mill building – and the waterfall for which this lodging is named. It’s across the street from Mill Falls At the Lake (and next to the Palmer Inn). Walk the mill building’s old sloping floors and check out the maze of shops that are actually fun to peruse. If you’re like me, you’ll find at least one object of desire.
There’s a pet store – 603 Paws; the indie Innisfree Bookshop; Lee’s Candy Kitchen – where you’ll find every nostalgic confection from your childhood and so much more; Adornments & Lady of the Lake – cool clothing for women; Giuseppe’s Restaurant; Blissful Bakery; and Identity Coffee Co.
Resort Activities
Yes, like many lodging establishments these days, they tack on a resort fee. But this one actually adds a good amount of value, with bottles of water, free parking, snacks, and daily activities like complementary meditation, yoga, exercise classes, craft workshops, family movie nights, chocolate and wine tastings, s’mores around the campfire – and more.
