Bay Point at Mill Falls

Of the four inns that make up Mill Falls at the Lake in Meredith, Bay Point is the one built for the view. It sits right on the water at the end of Meredith Bay, so close that the whole building reflects in the lake at dawn, and every room looks out over Lake Winnipesaukee. That waterfront position, combined with access to a full resort's worth of amenities across the Mill Falls complex, is why it ranks near the top of places to stay on the lake.

Is Bay Point at Mill Falls worth it?

For a lakefront stay on Winnipesaukee, yes, and it is one of the best options on the lake. The case is a strong combination: a genuinely on-the-water inn where every room has a private balcony and a lake view, a refreshed nautical style from a 2018 renovation, and access to the full Mill Falls resort, an award-winning spa, indoor and outdoor pools, and a half-dozen restaurants, most steps from the lake. The honest counterpoint is that Bay Point is a small 24-room inn within a larger, busy resort complex, so some of the amenities are a short walk away rather than in your own building, and the resort can be lively in peak season. For the waterfront rooms and the resort access together, it is hard to beat here.

Where is Bay Point at Mill Falls?

The inn is on the shore of Meredith Bay in Meredith, New Hampshire, one of the most appealing towns on Lake Winnipesaukee, off Routes 3 and 25 in the Lakes Region. It is part of the Mill Falls at the Lake resort, which spreads along the waterfront and across the road, so you have the lake at your door and the resort's marketplace, restaurants, and spa within a short walk. Meredith itself is a classic lake town with shops and dining, and the wider Lakes Region, with its beaches, boat cruises, and the White Mountains beyond, opens up from here. It is a driving destination, roughly two hours north of Boston, so plan on a car for exploring.

What are the rooms like?

Waterfront and nautical, and that is the whole point. All 24 rooms were fully renovated in 2018 and share the defining features: a private balcony over the water and sweeping lake and mountain views, decorated in a refined nautical style with rich mahogany accents and plush down bedding. Room configurations vary, with options that add a fireplace, a whirlpool tub, or a sofa sleeper for more flexibility, but the lake view and balcony are the constant. Because every room faces the water, there is no bad view here, which is unusual and a big part of the appeal. It is worth choosing a configuration, fireplace or tub, that matches what you want from the stay.

What amenities can you use?

This is where being part of Mill Falls pays off. As a Bay Point guest you have access to the resort's shared amenities across the complex, which include an award-winning spa and salon, indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs, around six restaurants offering everything from waterfront dining to casual fare, a marketplace of shops, and an activity center, most of it just steps from the lake. That gives a small, intimate inn the depth of a full resort, which is a rare combination. The trade-off is that the spa, pools, and some restaurants are elsewhere in the complex rather than inside Bay Point itself, so a little walking is part of the experience.

When should you book, and what will it cost?

The Lakes Region is strongly seasonal, and summer is peak, when the lake is at its best and Meredith and the resort are busiest and priciest, so summer weekends reward booking well ahead. Fall foliage is a spectacular and popular second peak. Late spring and early fall are the value and quieter windows, and the indoor pool and spa make a cool-weather stay comfortable too. Because every Bay Point room is waterfront and the inn is small, it books up quickly for peak dates, so reserve early, especially if you want a specific configuration with a fireplace or whirlpool tub. This is a getaway resort, so it rewards a weekend or midweek stay rather than a single night.