Ways to enjoy Squam Lake at the Manor On Golden Pond

Squam Lake is one of the cleanest lake in the United States. And you can feel that difference when you take a swim in the pristine water. Guests are always asking how to enjoy the beauty of Squam Lake. There are so many ways to get on the lake and enjoys its tranquility.
In for a swim – We would suggest that you visit the Chamberlain Reynolds Memorial Forest where you can walk to the pristine beaches and enjoy a swim. The walk thru the woods is a short walk to several sandy beaches. Enjoy a sandy bottom swimming beach where you are able to see the bottom of the lake.
Ashland Beach is a public beach that allows non residents to use this local beach. There is a nominal charge of $4 to use the beach. This is the only local beach on the Little Squam Lake.

Enjoy the lake by boat- Many of the local marinas offer power boat rentals for the day. They have a wide variety of boats to rent from small runabouts to pontoon boats. You will be provided with a map of the lake and will need a temporary boat license to operate the boat. Squam Lake has several bays to explore and enjoy the wildlife that abounds on the lake. Maybe a swim off the boat is in order. If water sports is your thing then you can also rent tubes, waterskis and wakeboards .
Not adventurous enough to rent a boat we have 2 companies that offer tours of Squam Lake. Squam Lake Natural Science Center offers a lake tours on their pontoon boats. Each tour includes a guide and are at scheduled times. Experience Squam Tours offers tours in their 23’ Sea Ray Bow Rider. These are customized boat tours that offer, swimming, fishing, and just exploring of the nooks and crannies of Squam Lake.
For a more relaxed time on Squam Lake renting a canoe, kayak or stand up paddleboat will get you up close and personal with the loons. Kayak out to the rock ledge and enjoy floating along with loons playing around you. Squam Lakes association offers a full array of options to rent.
No one can really experience Squam unless they actually get out on the lake. You will not be disappointed.

Wedding Elopements are the way to go.

Big wedding are not for everyone. The hassle, work and heated discussions can take the joy out of your day. Enjoying a wedding elopement  at the Manor on Golden Pond may be the perfect setting you. Our setting offers the tranquile, cozy atmosphere to enjoy the ceremony instead of worrying about your guests having a wonderful time. The day is all about you, the bride and groom which is the way it should be.

No one can say is better than a guest who just celebrated their children’s wedding at the Manor. The parents of the bride and groom wrote this—-

“I can’t thank you enough for opening your arms and your lovely doors to us last weekend. You created a warm and cozy atmosphere for the bride and groom. It was just the way they wanted their wedding to be. We were all so relaxed and felt right at home.
The Manor is lovely. The view and the backdrop of the lake and hills, even on a gray-day, was perfect for some newlywed photos. The blazing fireplaces the delicious food, the cake, the service, the friendliness of both of you and your entire staff… I can’t say enough of how well done it all was! And let’s not forget the spa. That’s definitely the way to prepare for a relaxed wedding event.
Please send our deepest thanks to Meghan, your staff, the chef extraordinaire, Alesa – our waitress and fellow “Princess Bride” aficionado, and the ladies of the Season’s Spa.”

So if you thoughts of your wedding, renewing your vows or just telling each other that you love them more each day…. give us a call to let us plan your event. You just tell us what your wants are and we will create it. A memorable event will be created.

Breakfast vs full country breakfast

The best way to start a productive and enjoyable day is to begin with a well balanced breakfast. Many hotels and Inns are including breakfast with your stay but there is definitely a huge difference in the degree and quality of the breakfast that is included.
Most chain hotels include their “Continental” breakfast with your room rate. They offer a large variety of items but the quality leaves much to be desired.
Bed and breakfast inns along with Country Inns offer a superior option for breakfast. At these wonderful lodging properties the breakfast is one that will include not only a continental option of breads, muffins, fruit and granola along with a hot entrée to complete the meal. All items are usually house made and offer top quality items.
The Manor On Golden Pond is very proud of the breakfast that we offer our guests. It makes us stand out from most of our other competitors. The guest has the option of our continental breakfast which includes fresh fruit, house made granola, yogurt, fresh muffins or pastries, several cold cereals, along with fresh squeezed orange juice or many other juice choices. And that is not all. We offer a full menu of hot items that each guest can select from. These hot entrees include eggs any style, omelet’s with many toppings, 2 kinds of pancakes, house made oatmeal with raisins and maple syrup, or the ever popular Eggs Benedict. Each item is cooked to order so freshness is the key to the best quality. Anyone that stays with us will go away with a full belly to face the day.
So if your next stay is with us at the Manor On Golden Pond DO NOT MISS BREAKFAST. It will definitely put a smile on your face for the day.

Rhubarb Crème Brulee Recipe

The Van Horn Dining Room  at the Manor On Golden Pond offers a fabulous crème Brulee using a spring staple of rhubarb.   Our Fork in the Road Cooking school enjoyed learning the secrets for this fabulous recipe.  Rhubarb is grown in many local gardens in the Lakes region of New Hampshire.  Usually it is a fruit that is mixed with strawberries but this classic dish melds well with rhubarb.  And if you need that strawberry combo to safisfy your taste buds, top your crème brulee with a few strawberries.

INGREDIENTS

For filling

2 pounds trimmed rhubarb

6 tablespoons granulated sugar, or to taste

 For custard

5 large egg yolks

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 3/4 cups heavy cream

1 teaspoon minced peeled fresh gingerroot

2 tablespoons turbinado sugar such as Sugar in the Raw

Special equipment: blowtorch

 

PREPARATION

Preheat oven to 375°F. and butter a 13 x 9-inch glass baking dish.

Make filling:

Cut enough rhubarb crosswise into 1/4-inch slices to measure 6 cups and arrange in one layer in baking dish. Bake rhubarb, uncovered, in middle of oven, 1 1/4 hours. Transfer hot rhubarb to a bowl and stir in sugar until combined well. Cool filling. Filling may be made 2 days ahead and chilled, covered. Bring filling to room temperature before proceeding.

Reduce temperature to 325°F.

Make custard:

In a bowl whisk together yolks and granulated sugar. In a small heavy saucepan heat cream with gingerroot over moderately high heat until it just comes to a simmer. Add cream mixture to egg mixture in a stream, whisking, and skim off any froth.

Divide filling among six 3/4-cup flameproof ramekins and divide custard over filling. Put ramekins in a roasting pan and add enough hot water to pan to reach halfway up sides of ramekins. Loosely cover pan with foil and bake custards in middle of oven until just set but still trembling slightly, about 50 minutes. Remove ramekins from pan and cool custards on a rack. Chill custards, loosely covered with plastic wrap, until cold, at least 4 hours, and up to 2 days.

Just before serving, sprinkle 1 teaspoon turbinado sugar evenly over each custard and caramelize with blowtorch, moving flame evenly back and forth just over sugar (alternatively, broil custards under a preheated broiler set 2 to 3 inches from heat) until sugar is evenly melted and deep golden.

 

 

Did you Know?

We love our pristine Squam Lake for the wonderful lake that it is.  Being one of the cleanest lakes in the United States it is perfect for swimming, sailing, boating, enjoying the wildlife and kayaking just to name a few.

Squam Lake is made up of Little Squam Lake and Big Squam Lake with a channel to connect t the 2 lakes.  Most of the land on the Squam lakes is private owned or conservation land to protect the beauty that we cherish here.   Big Squam is 6765 acres and 60.5 miles of shoreline.  The average depth is 36 feet and the maximum depth is 98 feet.  Squam Lake holds 79,400,000,000 gallons of water.  It is at 560 ft above sea level.  It is a very rocky lake and let me tell you this boater has met a few of those of them up close and personal. 

Squam Lake is comprised of 30 lslands and 20 coves.  That is one of the things to enjoy about Squam – all the little nooks and crannies to explore while out on the lake.

Moon Island and Bowman Island both offer camping and beach that are only accessible by boat or kayak.  If you would prefer to experience Squam Lake on land your best bet is to hike thru Chamberlin Reynolds conservation area and reach several pristine unspoiled swimming holes on the edge of Big Squam.

If you want to explore Squam Lake we highly suggest you  take a boat tour with Squam Lake Natural Science Center, rent a kayak or sail boat from Squam Lake Association or just go take a swim at Chamberlin Reynolds.   You will not be disappointed with your Squam Lake Experience

Gift Certificate Bonus Sale

It is that time of year again when we need to finish our Christmas or holiday shopping for those people on your list that have everything. We have got the perfect gift idea for that difficult recipient.   What about a gift of travel, or dining or maybe a spa treatments. Our gift certificates can fit that need.

Our annual gift certificate bonus sale is currently going on.  If you purchase a gift certificate between November 21, 2016 and December 21, 2016 we will give your recipient a bonus value of 20%, 25% or 30% depending on the face value of the gift certificate.   Below the various levels of our gift certificate bonuses.

$ 500 and above gift certificate —- Bonus offer of 30%
$ 300 – $499 gift certificate —- Bonus offer of 25%
$ 50 – $299 gift certificate —- Bonus offer of 20%

Once your guest comes for a visit with us they can use their gift certificate on their lodging stay and they will receive their bonus value to use on their dinner charges, on spa treatments or on gift shop purchases.  A great offer not to miss.

Just call our guest receptionist at 800-545-2141 and we will be happy to mail the gift certificate directly to your recipient.  We are working for you to make your shopping easy-peasy this year.

SNOW! SNOW! SNOW!

We all dread the cold of winter but there is nothing better to look out at on a winters day is a fresh coating of snow.   And it finally arrived today.   And it arrived with a bang.  With 6 ” of powder snow on the ground this morning with light snow still falling is it a good start to winter.

The Ski Resorts are loving all this snow.  Now the skiers will begin to come.  Waterville Valley  also received 6″ of snow and has 9 trails opened and groomed.    Loon Mountain received 4-6″ of snow with 21 trails open and groomed.  Cannon Mountain has 6-7″ of snow with several trails open.     So the winter activities of skiing has begun. Bring your skis.  We have discounted lift tickets for Waterville Valley Resort for sale at the Inn.

The big local news is that Tenney Mountain Ski Resort in Plymouth New Hampshire is going to reopen after 5 years of being closed.  A new owner has purchased the property and is planning on opening this year.  This resort is so close that a perfect place for a quick few hours of skiing.  They have snow making and new chair lifts that were installed this month.  A must to check out.  With this new snow fall and their snow making  they should be open very soon.

If skiing is not your thing then we at the Manor On Golden Pond will direct you  to the activity that fits your sport.  Of course the fire is always roaring in several of our 19 wood burning fireplaces.   So check out our rates and get on up here.

Thanksgiving Dinner at the Manor

Peak foliage has officially begun to wind down in the lakes region and we are shifting focus to The Holiday Season. This year’s Thanksgiving Feast will be one of epic proportions, featuring a wide array of appetizers, entrees and desserts for the fixed price of only $55 per person.  Why go to the trouble of cooking when there is surely something on the menu to please each member of your party? 

Start your meal off in festive fashion with a rich bowl of sweet potato and vanilla potage, consisting of Crème Fraiche and lemon bourbon syrup.  The confit-style potted pork and winter squash raviolis are both perfect appetizers for sharing, and our creamy mushroom risotto is a house-favorite, made with parmesan cheese and perigord truffle butter.

The entrée selection features options for every preference. If a traditional turkey dinner is what you wish, our classic plate is carved and prepared with sausage dressing, russet potato puree, cranberry relish and green beans with crispy shallots. A seitan “turkey” with meatless gravy will be available as a vegetarian option.  Other entrees include a ‘turducken’ (turkey, duck and chicken in a roulade), a grilled boneless pork chop, smoke-roasted prime rib and lobster-stuffed fillet of Pollock – all with the customary fixings and complimented by our world-renowned wine list and full bar selection.

Everyone knows that no holiday feast is complete without pie, and we’re offering a trio this year – miniature pumpkin, pecan and Dutch apple – served with whipped cream, dark chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream.  Our chef has also put a ‘triple chocolate’ spin on classic bread pudding and added a holiday touch to the sorbet trio with vanilla brown sugar, cranberry sage and mulled cider flavors available.

We are taking reservations now with seating times available between 3:30 and 5 pm on the half hour. Please note that we will not be accepting Restaurant.Com gift certificates on this occasion. Each dinner comprises one appetizer, a house salad, one entrée and one dessert. Come relax by the fire, gaze out at the lake and mountains and leave the preparation and cleanup to us!

MAKE THE MOST OF THE LAST DAYS OF SUMMER WITH AN ALL INCLUSIVE MANOR ON GOLDEN POND PACKAGE DEAL

The Farmer’s Almanac is calling for a warmer than average fall season with below average precipitation, which translates into near perfect conditions for enjoying everything New Hampshire has to offer during the upcoming annual burst of foliage.

As the days grow shorter and the nights get cooler we undoubtedly find ourselves looking forward to one of the state’s most spectacular seasons. We must admit though, that we are not entirely ready to say goodbye to summer. In fact, the overlap in season provides guests with the opportunity to pick and choose from some of our most lavish deals.

From now through September 25^th we continue to offer a 20% discount on any 2 night stay in one of our classic, suite, Jacuzzi or fireplace rooms. On October 13^th   the tour boats of the Squam Lake’s  Natural Science Center will officially dock for the season, which leaves ample time to take advantage of a complimentary cruise by reserving one of our popular “On Golden Pond” Packages .If dry land is more to your liking, book a Stay and Play Golf Package and enjoy one round of golf for two people with a cart at Owl’s Nest Resort, as well as two signature messages and a welcoming bottle of champagne in The Manor’s Season’s Spa. Both of these packages also include a picnic lunch, dinner for 2 on one night of your stay, a full country breakfast each morning and afternoon tea.

There are still plenty of warm, sunny days ahead of us before the official fall equinox on September 23^rd. The mid-summer masses may have departed, but warm weather activities are still in full swing, making this the ideal time to experience The Lakes Region of New Hampshire.

Wine Dinner Series for 2014 at the Manor On Golden Pond

Once again The Manor on Golden Pond is teaming up with the Boston Wine School for our wine dinner series for 2014 to expand guests’ wine knowledge and please their palates.

The Wine Dinner will feature a wine class, led by Jonathon Alsop, founder of the Boston Wine School and accomplished teacher, author and wine writer. Following the class will be a delectable three-course wine pairing dinner, prepared by Manor Executive Chef Peter Sheedy.

The event  is from 6:30 to 9:30.  The evening will begin with an hour long wine tasting class where Alsop will share his wine knowledge while guests sample 4 different wines.  The evening will finish with a 3-course dinner prepared by our Executive Chef Sheedy accompanied by 3 different wines.  Each class will focus on wines from various regions of the world.  Below is our 2014 class schedule

Each course will be paired with a complementing wine. Vegetarian options will be available but should be requested in advance. All wines will be selected from the award winning wine cellar at the Manor On Golden Pond.

The cost is $115 per person, which includes the wine class, dinner, gratuity and taxes. Advanced reservations are required as seating is limited.

Any guests wishing to stay at the Manor will receive a 30% discount off of the inn’s regular  best available rates, but rooms need to be booked in advance.

 Reservations for the Wine Dinner and accommodations can be made by calling (603) 968-3348 or (800) 545-2141.

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