The Manor on Van Horn Estate

We recently stayed at The Manor and were absolutely blown away by every detail. From the moment we arrived, the charm and warmth of everyone were evident. The food was nothing short of amazing. Every meal felt thoughtfully prepared with fresh, high-quality ingredients—delicious, comforting, and creative. You can tell their new executive chef Kevin truly cares about what he’s serving. The inn is furnished to perfection. The furniture is high quality, comfortable, and stylish, and the linens felt luxuriously soft—like sleeping in a cloud. The heated pool was absolutely gorgeous and so well maintained. We spent hours there just soaking in the tranquility and enjoying the sunshine. It felt like a hidden oasis. One of my favorite features, though, was the beautiful fireplaces in the common areas. We visited in the summer, but I could already picture cozy autumn nights spent by the fire with a glass of wine and a good book. I can’t wait to book our next stay for the fall— hoping for the Yorkshire again; it has a gas fireplace, which is great for my allergies. Highly, highly recommend!

This place was a dream for our 3 night get away! The incredible views of the outdoors everywhere you look, paired with the quaint, charming, cozy vibe of the inn (and gorgeous flower gardens everywhere) make it feel like you’ve gone back in time. The food was phenomenal, with the breakfast being a favorite! Pro tip: Make sure to try the orange juice. It is local and outstanding. The bartender at the onsite bar was super knowledgeable and each staff member we encountered during our stay was pleasant. Rooms were extremely clean and the shower was incredible. Our only regret is not booking longer. We will certainly be back!

We attended a business meeting at The Manor - Van Horn Estate. The owners have invested much into renovating the guest rooms - my updated bathroom was beautifully done with premium finishes (love the Kohler Artifacts line). The room was really clean and I look closely!! The common spaces - library and bar are really charming gathering spaces. I wish there was coffee/tea service in those areas, as well as access to a drink at the bar more offer - perhaps when the season gets busier. The new meeting / event space is impressive and nicely done - terrific opportunities for the owners to host weddings, parties and business events. |Overall the stay was great. I think they need a true resort manager to oversee the entire guest stay - staff members we met were all very nice and wanted to help, but seemed limited and not versed in how to help a guest’s every need - if they solve this they will knock our socks off. |And we will be back for a leisure trip!! Thank you.

Our family spent the weekend at this amazing hotel perched on the hill above Squam Lake. We loved the ability to pick the exact room we wanted and enjoyed our shared balcony with great views of the lake. The on-site restaurant is amazing. Fabulous chef! The amenities - tea service put out in the afternoon, included breakfast, water bottles for the guests were a great touch. Room and bathrooms were top quality. Also have to mention great wifi because that is a hard thing to find in the region! Didn't get a chance to use the beautiful pool. Near to great hiking trails in the squam range.

The Manor was an unexpected pleasure. Why unexpected? We found a deal online, book 2 nights get a third night included. Looked nice online, we said why not take advantage.||The Manor which will eventually become a resort soon with it's SPA in the process of development along with buildings being added to accommodate weddings and additional guests.||The main building is a beautiful older building with incredible themed rooms to choose from. You may want to visit numerous times to take advantage of the difference styles and features. The views of the mountains are special with a partial view of squam lake. Brand new large pool and eventually beautiful grounds after the construction is finished but still pretty lovely in the meantime.||Walking to the nearby restaurants, one of which is on the lake. The number one attraction, the Science Center and Lake Cruise along with a nice market with sandwiches and other goodies.||The talk is of Squam Lake Inn across the way. Nothing against the Inn but we toured the Inn and ate at their restaurant and the Manor offers so much more.||I think we may have priced ourselves out for future stays with this review since the Manor seems to be overlooked somehow. It's only a matter of time before availability will become difficult.

What a delightful stay! The property is breathtaking overlooking the lake, and the service was outstanding. A staff member overheard me say that I preferred still water over sparkling water, and when I arrived back in my room that evening, I was astonished to see that I have been provided an apple supply of still water In addition to the sparkling water. This hotel is part of a small collection of independently owned lodging properties, Select Registry, so it was no surprise that the quality of my stay was five star. I would definitely recommend!

The Manor was very nice and has the potential to be beautiful when the renovations are completed. My concern is that I asked for a room recommendation and was told the annex would be much quieter and the preferred accommodation. The room was smaller (and more expensive) than our friends' room in the main building and not nearly as nice. We were also awakened at 7am by construction right beside our room, so it was not quiet at all. The experience was disappointing and not up to what one would expect from Relais and Chateaux.

Stay at the Manor is the equivalent of staying in heaven. Everyone is so kind and accommodating, exceptional service. They have two dining rooms, afternoon tea service, and a hot cocoa bar. I’m gluten free and they were very accommodating at every turn. We stayed in Yorkshire which has incredible high ceilings—think sharp angled cathedral ceiling and the king size bed was like sleeping on a well supported cloud. The love seat in the room was also very comfortable and turned into a pullout. The amount of fire places at the Manor are vast and I loved the crackling fire. Make a reservation as soon as you can for the Van Horn to ensure availability for the amazing chef Carolyn—her cooking is incredible and her selection of high quality ingredients truly elevates the experience. The bar does close when the kitchen stops under NH state law, but you can get a bottle of wine to your room. The little touches all over are adorable especially the bathroom toiletries in the mini bathtub. Special thank you to Erica and Carolyn for making everything special and being so accommodating! We could not have asked for a better experience!

Great, peaceful location. Beautiful rooms. Great staff. Views from the room was wonderful. Good food, breakfast and dinner. Would visit again. Hostess was more than accommodating. Very friendly staff. We had two rooms next to each other for our needs. Beautiful old Manor with new renovations continuing. Highly recommended.

My wife and I stayed here for three nights because our daughter was working at the Winnipesaukee Playhouse. The Manor was located on top of a hill overlooking Squam Lake. Very peaceful and scenic. The manor recently sold in May of 2023, and the new owners are dumping a lot of money into improvements and updates. We could see the painting and renovations that were going on. From the moment we walked in the front door, until we left, we were always greeted warmly and everyone was very friendly. The main building is cozy with charming decor. Woodburning fireplaces can be found in the lobby, library, and dining room. Lot's of ambiance and history. Our room was new, nicely updated, and clean. The bathroom was spectacular and everything worked to perfection. Very spacious with a refrigerator, a Keurig, and a nice back deck where we sat out and enjoyed the peace and quiet. We did not use the fireplace since the weather was warm. We took advantage of the full breakfast that was offered in the a.m. The French toast and bacon with coffee and the eggs were a big hit. As coffee snobs, we thought the coffee was very good. We were lucky to hit the Manor at a quiet time because school was back in session and the leaves had not turned yet. The Manor was located about 20 miles from Wolfeboro, NH and 7 miles from a nice quaint town of Meredith, NH. The price was very competitive for the region. We would not hesitate to come back here again and can't wait to see how beautiful it will be upon completion of the renovations. A great spot for romance!

My husband and I visited The Manor this past summer under new ownership. We procrastinated in posting a review, so here it is. If anyone hasn't come recently, you will be amazed at all the high end updates to the rooms, the dining area, the menu and wine list. The staff are excellent and made us feel like we were "Lord and Lady of the Manor". Exceptional service and a beautiful room.

I last reviewed this Inn in 2019, and gave it 2 stars. On coming back 5 years later we were impressed by the major renovations and upgrades in the rooms while still keeping the historic look and comfort of an old inn. Our room was spacious and immaculate with period furniture and modern conveniences. We were offered and took advantage of an afternoon tea tray with snacks, enjoying it on our small deck overlooking the pond and hills.Large sitting rooms off the dining rooms with books and games. Bar and pub. Beautiful grounds. Brand new function hall and large swimming pool. Very friendly and helpful staff. It's hard to get 5 stars from me, but I was impressed with the inn and we had a wonderful stay.

My husband and I tried once more to give this place a chance as they seem to be trying to shake their reputation. All I can say is, meh. They've clearly put a lot of money into the place but it's still really lacking in substance. It feels dead and it was mainly empty. The food is fine. Nothing special, which you would expect. The front desk person (a tall woman) was rude. Our server was nice and took her time. Unfortunately, the Manor continues to underwhelm. Go to Walters!

Our lunch was fabulous! The crab bisque soup was amazing followed by soba noodles with fresh tuna with Herb Provence. To top it off - the best strawberrry shortcake I have ever had! Fresh crème, fresh strawberry's and mint from the garden. Chef Caroline will make The Van Horn Estate (The Manor) a dining destination on Squam!

My son reserved a stay at the Manor for my daughter and her new husband to spend their honeymoon night. When they arrived they were greeted with warm cider and cookies. The room was large and quite charming. Although there were a few "hiccups" during their stay due to staffing shortages (a common problem in all the Lakes region), busy time of year, and renovations being done by new owners...overall the management was responsive. This is sure to be a stellar New England bed and breakfast experience with all the costly updates and improvements the new management are making.

We have been coming to the Manor for more than a decade. It was our romantic getaway that we always looked forward to. The property has always been a bit outdated, but had a unique charm (okay very outdated, but we still loved it). The staff and the owners were always super courteous and made us feel like royalty. The Manor was generally not super-busy and we often felt like we had free run of the Inn. Their restaurant was to die for. Their gourmet breakfasts and afternoon teas made us feel super special, as well as the private fireplace in our charming suite. We looked forward to the small touches like turndown service and having fresh wood brought to our room without request. That being said, sadly, the Manor was sold in May 2023 and the new owners have completely taken away anything we would have looked forward to. We booked a trip in April for a stay in for July 2023 without knowing about the change of ownership and have been sadly surprised every step of the way. They did away with the afternoon tea. Much of the charm and decorations no longer exist. We were initially told refrigerators were in every room, and later learned this no longer exists. Their gourmet breakfast is a joke! If you are lucky you get the option of 2 eggs, French toast or a quiche (fresh fruit, oatmeal or English Muffin are $5 more!). Other days it is a continental self-serve breakfast! They no longer provide turndown service. Our room smells smoky and musty. We used to crave their dinners as well. We had loved their tasting menu in the past, and were told it would cost us $380 for a tasting menu! So we went with the normal menu. Overall, our meal with okay but nothing to write home about (although it cost $180 for 2 of us). The chef basically had three ingredients that seemed to be the backbone of every dish, sprouts, mushrooms and almonds. We enjoyed the Goat Cheese Tart, but it was a bit dry. The Radicchio Caeser Salad was okay, but did not resemble a Caesar in any respect. The Filet was dry and underseasoned. The Halibut was dry and overcooked. Our dessert was so horrendous we had to send it back. The Crème Brulé was broken and completely liquid. The cheesecake was literally frozen. The change of ownership is quite mysterious, which leads us to believe it was a foreclosure sale (our internet searches basically confirmed this). Our best advice is to stay away from this Inn, which was once so charming, and is now miserable.

My boyfriend and I stayed here for 1 night during our anniversary weekend at the end of March. I made the reservation 2 months in advance because I wanted to make sure that I got the room I wanted. We booked the Norfolk Suite which had a 2-person jacuzzi, fireplace and private patio with view of the lake and mountains. I did A LOT of research of places to go in New England and decided on Manor on Golden Pond because of the proximity to Boston, the price, the restaurant and great suite options. It did not disappoint! I will say that this was not a luxury space. The furnishings are older, there are some cracks and chips in tiles and paint, etc. But that is the vibe I wanted. It was clean, safe and romantic. Exactly what I was looking for on my anniversary weekend. I called ahead to make a 7 PM dinner reservation on Saturday night and reminded them that I wanted a mini fridge in the suite so that we could pop champagne in the evening by the fire. All of that was taken care of. I don't think that the restaurant has a separate Yelp page, so I'll put here that the food was phenomenal! I had the bolognaise and my boyfriend got the Manor Tournedos (steak duo). We were both very pleased. My portion was so large that I had to have it wrapped up and put it in the mini fridge for the next day. The vibe was romantic minus the one 3-top where a loud older woman talked about people dying for 45 minutes. Lol Back in the room, we filled up the jacuzzi and started the fire. It was a nice evening going back and forth between the chairs by the fireplace and the warm jacuzzi water. We had some drinks and relaxed all night. I asked the owner for some ice and inquired about a late check-out on Sunday. She said that 1 PM would be fine which is exactly what I was hoping for. In the morning, we had breakfast right after the dining room opened at 8:30 AM. We were the 2nd ones there, so we didn't get the table by the fireplace, but we took the same table we had for dinner by the window. They had a set up of pastries where you could help yourself and offered juice, tea and coffee. My boyfriend and I both got pineapple juice and saved it to take back to the room for pineapple mimosas - hee hee. We both got deliciously filling omelets (all the options you wanted) with toast and well-seasoned potatoes. The waitress at breakfast seemed to be doing a lot, so my boyfriend didn't get the coffee refill he wanted, but there are worse things in life. After breakfast we did our fire and water routine again as we got the jacuzzi and fireplace going and lounged with mimosas. I couldn't have asked for a more relaxing, romantic anniversary weekend. We checked out right before 1 PM and went on our merry way back to MA. My boyfriend has already inquired about the rates during peak fall foliage season (spoiler alert - the prices are high), but we may come back for another night anyway. We had a great time! FYI - because we had such a limited amount of time in the area, we didn't take advantage of the Manor's common area that had books and games or the on-site pub. Maybe we'll do a few nights for our next anniversary :-)

Clean! Peaceful. Spacious. Secluded. Romantic. Beautiful! Mountainous views, the crackling sound and alluring smell of the in room fireplace and room service. Within walking distance of a lakeside as well as the best pub I've eaten at this year. My husband and I had a much needed getaway for our 7th wedding anniversary here and we were thoroughly satisfied.

A great get-away! Terrific hosts and warm staff with a beautifully designed menu of choices! our breakfast was so enjoyable and we walked away feeling peaceful and refreshed! Thank you!!! Linda & Loring

This review is for the restaurant at the Manor. We ate there a few nights ago and it was tragic. Well, the martini was amazing. I called for 7 PM reservations, nothing till 7:15 (not a problem). When we arrived there were two couples on the patio and one couple in the dining room, really not hopping enough to stop a 7:00 rese. OK Atmosphere is great, one of the great dames of the 1920's sort of place. The menu was a little odd when I read it (cab sauv pairing with swordfish, Pinot Grigio with Duck?) Amuse Busche - Gnocci with red pepper sauce and grilled pineapple. Gnocci was not pillowy soft but had a hard exterior as if dried out. Pineapple brought nothing to the show, the sauce was OK. Risotto with mushrooms and curry cauliflower appetizer. The risotto was either going sour or had wine in it that wasn't cooked out. Mushrooms were placed on top without the benefit of any cooking at all. Curry cauliflower was bland and overcooked. Duck with chorizo-stuffed pepper was Duck with wild rice and chorizo. At this point overheard another table asking about their side dish...oops we printed the wrong menu for you guys sorry, what you got is what the chef was preparing for tonight. (Explaining the mismatched wines). The duck was OK there was way too much wild rice for one person to ever eat. Don't do this to yourself. Eat elsewhere. Seriously.

For me, the inn earned four stars for its charm and location. Rare in what's largely a summer resort area, the Manor reeks of old school authenticity. Sure - the building needs a refresh, but the rooms were spotless, the bathrooms recently renovated, and the bed was so comfortable. The location is simply unmatched. It was the perfect spot for a 48-hour solo getaway. The dining experience earned them the fifth star in my book. The new(?) chef's menu is ambitious and true to the area, featuring local fruits and vegetables, and some very-executed dishes. The summer salad, the seared sushi-grade tuna appetizer, and the steak dish stood out. And the equally ambitious wine list was very fairly priced. The three servers - who'd clearly been working together for ages - were so pleasant, so attentive, and worked so hard to create an upscale-bordering-on-formal summer experience in the era of COVID-19. A couple of hours in the wood-paneled dining room, with a gentle summer breeze, watching other couples enjoy birthdays and anniversaries, was just perfect. There were a few opportunities for improvement, but most were attributable to the absolutely devastating effect of the pandemic. As a fellow small business owner, I get it ... and these folks are putting their resources exactly where they should - safety, cleanliness, and guest experience. Everything else can wait.

My husband and I were looking for a local Honeymoon get away after our Florida destination wedding! In my searches I stumbled across the Manor and saw they had a honeymoon package. We immediately booked and added an extra night on. The inn was absolutely lovely, and our room was amazing. We had a couples hot stone massage which was beyond relaxing. Our seven course chef tasting was mind blowing- not to mention breakfast every morning. Brian and Mary Ellen- the inn keepers were an absolute pleasure! We can't wait to go back!

The inn did not notify me that a wedding event would be taking place in the common areas during the evening of my one night stay, rendering those spaces in the small inn packed, noisy and impossible to use as a place to unwind or relax. I was stuck in my room. Furnishings in the Yorkshire room are a bit tired and beaten up in spite of being pricey. The candles by the bathtub are the kind from a 1970s Italian restaurant, for example. Flaky wifi dropped me every few minutes. Nicely decorated bar. An unrecognized $35 charge to my card after I left was dropped when AMEX investigated.

Enjoyed our stay at Manor on Golden Pond. This place really wowed me when I got there - right from the front door you have a view of the water and trees on the mountain. Our room was large and had a nice fireplace with logs ready to build a fire. The room was decorated w classical NE pieces of furniture and paintings, but there was a slight musty smell. Also wifi and cell phone service were spotty in and out of the Inn (but that may be a good thing). I was impressed w the menu and quality of the food. Only mishap was that one of my lobster sliders had a burnt/blackened brioche bun, it was quickly fixed. The morning breakfast was delicious - I tried the cranberry oat pancakes w maple syrup. Overall, the staff was friendly and the rooms were nice. On a summer weekend, this place seemed relatively full. It's conveniently located right at Squam Lake :-)

The hotel is amazing, very clean and beautiful. Best is service! The hosts adorable!

We had a marvelous experience at this historic manor. The couple that owns and runs the manor are especially welcoming and helpful with arranging activities. We took a tour On Squam Lake where they filmed on of our favorite movies. Dave is a naturalist who gave us an exceptional idea about the habitat on the lake. It was also memorable for the cuisine at the manor. We had the best of meals and will always remember this trip as part of our first experience on the Eastern section of the country.

This is a terrific little inn with affordable prices, good service, nice views, and an outstanding restaurant. The owners go out of their way to make your stay pleasant and relaxing, and the food is fresh and perfectly prepared. Most rooms have wood-burning fireplaces, and several have large Jacuzzi tubs. Tea and snacks are served at 4:00 PM, and there are nice touches throughout the place that only occur when owners care. The only downsides are small TVs (most people don't come to the lakes to watch TV), no refrigerators in rooms, and bad mobile phone reception (out of their control).

Fell in love with Manor on Golden Pond. The views are spectacular and it is a quiet romantic getaway. Our room had a fireplace and jacuzzi tub. The entire place is decorated beautifully. The pub is fantastic, love the setting! If you go during the winter be sure to try the mushroom risotto at dinner, it's to die for!

My boyfriend and I found Manor on Golden Pond while looking for a B&B to stay at after we skied at Loon. We were incredibly happy with the experience - not one complaint. We kind of lucked out actually; the room that we originally rented had a leak so we were upgraded to a suite at no extra cost. The suite was beautiful, it had a fireplace and a Jacuzzi - what a nice surprise! Most importantly, the room and the common areas were extremely clean and cozy; the staff was extremely friendly and accommodating; and the complimentary breakfast the next morning was DELICIOUS. We will definitely be coming back here for our next New Hampshire adventure. Thank you to the staff for a great experience!

We stayed in the Buckingham room and it was very nice and spacious. There are terrific views of Squam lake around the property. Breakfast was very tasty and generous. The Manor itself could use a little TLC but overall a wonderful place to stay in the area.

The Manor has become our favorite escape from the world. The building has been lovingly maintained. The grounds too. We wanted to roll down the grassy slope to the lake. Our room was large and airy, the bed inviting and comfortable with a working fireplace. You can fidget and roll over to your heart's content without waking your partner. Meals were never other than delicious. The staff will not make you feel at home: you'll feel like you don't want to go home.

On Thanksgiving they served precut turkey breast for $55.00. Not worth the price. Better restaurants out there.

Charming old Inn, with very friendly staff and delicious dinner. The downside is their Spa. The Inn advertises an in-house Spa, called the Seasons Spa. I booked a suite for two nights as a get-away for me and my wife, looking forward to the Inn and spa. A couple days after I booked, I got a call from the staff telling me that they could only a spa service for my wife as they could find a second masseuse. I reluctantly said ok. Shortly after we arrived, my wife arrived at the Spa for her massage. My wife has frequent massages, both locally and thru travel. This was to be an 80 minute massage. She was back in the room after 20 minutes. My wife said the masseuse was awful. She has never left a massage early before, even if she thought the masseuse was below average. This was a first. She also said the Spa had a moldy, stale odor, and was clearly rarely used. The Inn staff did the right thing- they did not charge us. We found another Spa for our 2nd day, although we stayed at the Inn both nights. My big issue here is that the Manor should not advertise a Spa if they are really not in the Spa business. Their false advertising led me to give this Inn only 3 stars.

Overpriced and running on fumes... (if looking for a review of the restaurant only, please skip to end of the review; second to last paragraph) My wife and spent a weekend at the Manor on Golden Pond. I had visited once before decades ago and remembered it being luxurious and elegant. My how age comes for all! Perhaps, I have been blessed to stay at many other beautiful inns and hotels across the U.S. Whatever the reason, the Manor on Golden Pond is a disappointment. Holderness is a great location to get away from it all. And I do mean "all". You will not get a single bar of cellphone service at the Manor. Be prepared, for good or for ill, to be cut off from the world. Still the New Hampshire mountainside is gorgeous. The locale is not the issue. It's the Manor itself. The staff are helpful and well-intentioned although at times, harried and overwhelmed. The decor is quaint and well-suited for the countryside environment. However, the rooms are old and a bit musty. The fireplace is a very nice touch. Unfortunately, at night guests (and some of the staff) who do not know how to start a fire set off the fire alarm. This went off three or four times during the evening. We had no problem starting our fire. We simply ignored the 10 steps listed on the placard above the fireplace and used our previous experience. If we followed the 10 steps we would probably still be trying to light a fire. Plus, the starter packets were nowhere to be found. I will note that the view from our room was breathtaking. The patio outside the room was also pretty. The main parking lot is a little small and if guests dining at the restaurant but not staying at the Manor take up all the spots, prepare to have to park further away. The breakfast was lacking to be quite honest. For a 4-diamond establishment, this should have been much better. The kitchen forgot our homefries on several of our dishes. The eggs benedict were modest in size. My wife's omelet was quite greasy. It simply was not gourmet given the price of the stay and the luxury that the Manor should be aspiring to provide. Any diner could produce a similar breakfast. The dinner was the biggest disappointment of them all. In fairness, I must note before continuing that the server was very nice and helpful. The restaurant is rated 4 diamonds. I ordered the wild mushroom risotto. It was a bit oversalted but not bad by any means. I had the beef medallions for dinner. I asked for the beef to be cooked medium. What I received were two dry bricks that had previously been beef. Most of the other accompaniments, mushrooms and fingerling potatoes, were also very dry and over baked. I have no idea how a 4 diamond kitchen can do this and respect itself. My wife ordered the beet salad which was good. However, her chicken was extremely dry. The desserts (the goat cheese cheesecake and chocolate financier) were average. Perhaps, my definition of 4 diamond is different. Perhaps, Boston has spoiled me. But at a 4 diamond restaurant, I expect to leave impressed and there should not be a single issue with the food. We will not be returning to the Manor on Golden Pond. For the price of one of the night's stay, we could have stayed in any number of luxury inns in NH or Vermont.

I am stunned that the last review was years ago? My husband and I spent a glorious weekend at the manor, worth every penny. Our room was beautiful and clean, complete with turn-down service and yummy cookies in the evening. We were welcomed with a cold bottle of champagne, and the food was superb. We will definitely be returning.

Sorry but restaurant was not good. Very few people there. Bad atmosphere. Not even any music playing. Food was subpar for cost. Would not return.

My husband and I stayed just one night but wish we could of stayed two......it was so peaceful and quiet there and we loved the view of the Lake from our room ( Buckingham). Inn Keeper and the gals that work there are all very nice and helpful .They will give you suggestions on things to do and even print up directions for you ! We were really looking forward on having dinner at the Inn since it got so many good reviews but unfortunately they were in between chefs so they made a reservation for us at a beautiful place Lavinias about ten minutes away ....it was delicious ! We enjoyed having a real fireplace in our room and the breakfast was such a nice treat . Thank you for working so hard to make our stay enjoyable . Now for the down side .... yes the place needs some serious painting and outdoor repairs but the snow probably just melted a month or so ago . I would of liked to have seen a large oriental type rug right at the front door and a fire going in the beautiful fireplace in the lobby ( I asked about the fire and they got it all ready but never lit it ) it is an amazing place and I hope it stays that way for years to come .

We moved and are now permanent residents of the Lakes Region and I have been reviewing the Restaurants in the area. The Manor on Golden Pond is an amazing environment - an Inn built on a hill in 1904 by a wealthy Brit with a fantastic mountain and lake view. It has a distinctively "old world" flavor inside with grand oak woodworking, original wallpaper and multiple fireplaces. The widows are the original multi-pane ones with leaded inlays. Elegance in a backdrop of rustic New England beauty on Squam Lake. Even though it was past-peak foliage in October, there were still a couple-dozen cars with out-of-state license plates in the lot. This time my wife and adult daughter joined me, and I picked it because it was a special occasion. We went on a Saturday night and when I made reservations they asked if there was a special occasion (and it was! My wife's birthday). When we showed up I didn't even give a name, we were shown to our reserved table for 3 people and the greeter noted there was a birthday person - wow nice touch. I got a Mondavi Cabernet for the table ($64). We all started with the Tomato Bisque ($12) which was quite nice, albeit a bit salty and with perhaps too much fresh rosemary needles for some (not me). I loved it and would have licked the bowl if my wife wasn't there. My kid noted that it was way too much rosemary and ate perhaps 70% of it and my wife commented that she loved it except for the saltiness. We got three different entrees and shared all of them. The short-ribs ($32) were not as tender as I would have expected but were quite good. It was accompanied by potato and grapes. The osso buco ($26) was fall-off-the bone tender and very flavorful, in a bowl with mashed potato and generously swimming in a tasty brown gravy with spinach. The pappardelle ($24) was a 3-meat (pork, veal and beef) bowl featuring the meats over the very few home-made noodles, very very rich and delicious. We finished by sharing the trio sorbet ($6) and it was the best I ever had (watermelon, pineapple and cinnamon). All told the meal came to $186 before tip. I summarize with the key points: Quality of food is good, portions are outstanding (since this is a kind of fu-fu place you often leave hungry - but never here), value is good (You'll pay more for a place like this anyway so I have to take this into account), service is individualized and excellent and the atmosphere is elegant and amazing. Sure, this may not be an every-weekend place, but for those rare times when you want the touch of elegance, this place is recommended.

This was my third trip to The Manor on Golden Pond. My husband and I went there many years ago, last year and this year my mom and I had the pleasure of staying at The Manor. My mom is 88 years old, last year was the first time I took her there. We are making it a yearly event. We like to go at the end of April, beginning of May. It is the perfect time to go! I can't say enough about the place. The staff is amazing and they go out of their way to make your visit special from the moment you set foot in the inn. The past 2 years, Carol, was there to greet us. She is such a pleasant woman and she and my mom hit it off right away. The inn is absolutely beautiful, the staff is wonderful and the service in incredible. This year, we stayed in the Yorkshire Suite. It was absolutely gorgeous. We had planned on staying again in the Norfolk room (which is a great room), but the owners upgraded us to Yorkshire. What a pleasant surprise. The inn is within driving distance of all that the Lakes Region has to offer. They offer afternoon tea, my mom absolutely loves it! A wonderful breakfast is included in your stay. The chef is amazing. We did not have our dinners at the inn. I have dined there in the past with my husband and the food is out of this world. Guaranteed you will have a fabulous stay at the inn from the moment you walk through its majestic doors to the moment that you leave. Also, we would like to thank Stephanie (staff member) who put herself out for mom and me. She is so sweet. Special thanks to owners Brian & Mary Ellen for making this another wonderful stay for my mom and I. We look forward to going back next year. Wendy and mom, Jackie

Real wood-burning fireplaces, robes, peaceful and authentic New England. Dinner at the restaurant was the better than any restaurant in Boston I've been to in years. Wonderful parlor with games, books, etc. Afternoon tea, including finger sandwiches. Hot cider available all day in the lobby. Many little details that have been thought of are provided without needing to ask. We will return!

This review is LONG overdue but is still important to post for others who care about not just the quality of accommodations but property ownership. I stayed at this B&B for several years, usually in their best suite, for my annual post-birthday celebration. Indeed, I was a loyal guest and also enjoyed the restaurant dining (if the chef is still the same, the restaurant was certainly the best in the area when I stayed there). One year, I decided to plan a birthday celebration for 16-20 friends, and host them at the Manor, especially because of the excellent cuisine at the restaurant. My group would have essentially taken up most of the accommodations over a two-night period. I contacted the innkeeper, who I'm certain knew of my return stays and the $$$s I had spent there over the years. After much discussion and my advising her that I hosted parties annually for the same group in CT and elsewhere and 10% off the room rate was a given whether I had been a previous guest or not! She told me that people really didn't realize the margins and what they could realistically do (in terms of discounts, incentives, etc.); she would not budge despite the fact that they would be doing a private dinner event for 16-20 people AND booking all their suites and most of the rooms for the weekend (not inexpensive at $600/night back then!). Not once during the conversation was there any spoken gratitude for my repeat business or an apologetic tone while not offering anything over a 10% discount on the room rates. WOW!!! I have travelled extensively and usually never stay at a B&B and have hosted numerous celebrations in the US and abroad for large groups ... never have I come across property/innkeepers who were so arrogant and devoid of real business sense! It is amazing to me that they continue to own and operate this property. It's a shame ... as the location is idyllic and the suites were lovely, not to mention having the rare pleasure of a real working fireplace! I did locate a lovely property right on Lake Winnipesaukee that same year (2006) and hosted my group in their best suites for three nights over the next three years and that is where I've returned each year since. I've checked off and on to see if the same innkeepers own the place and alas, they do!!! Hence, I will never return! My recommendation, based on the current ownership is to stay clear and look into Church Landing at the Inns and Spa at Mills Falls (the spa is also exceptional) ... only a short distance away ... their suites are wonderful, the owners are pet friendly and they are right on the lake with wonderful management who know the value in repeat business!!!

I was truly impressed with the Manor - a rather rare occurrence. Having gone for a birthday get away we requested many special considerations, spa visits, lunch, boat rides, birthday cake the list goes on. Every item I requested was delivered on time and as promised. This is not a hotel or a resort, this is a classic mountain Inn with a devoted staff who truly made us feel as if we were home. We were never rushed for anything- More tea? Certainly Later check out? Why not. Birthday cake decorated with Loons? Delicious. I'm not one for spending time in the common areas but the tone was so elegant and relaxed -one was given full access and permission to do as one pleased. All of the dining experiences while never stuffy were on par with the standards in Paris - perfectly chosen wine by the staff and food always prepared exactly as requested. We were surprised to see so many people at breakfast each morning as the Inn is so quiet we thought we were the only ones there! The Inn owner Brian made it a point to personally check on us multiple times during the stay. The Yorkshire Suite is a large oasis of wonderful - multiple rooms, steam shower, outdoor private deck and a very large spa tub. The decor was perfectly chosen as was the suites amenities. While this may look like ones parents old retreat nothing could be further from the truth. I would like to see the Inn compile a full list of all there services so that one can easily take advantage of all their offerings as its a rather extensive list but not all in once place for the choosing. Being a young guy couple I'm certain we were not the Inns typical guests but to that end I say: Come to The Manor on Golden Pond boys and experience true luxury, elegance and nature.

The Manor is a beautiful inn that looks like it's tired and needs some TLC. The inn itself is beautiful, we had a lovely room for a couple of nights. The BR facilities are great, water pressure great and large towels. The room was very clean with very sweet cleaning staff who felt "blessed" every day. The breakfast was delicious. Now here's where I'm torn. Both my wife and I let out an "oh boy" when we pulled up because of the outside grounds and buildings are in need of some work. Our deck is in bad shape, needs some wood plank replacements, a power wash and then a painting. The other decks were also in need since I walked past them a few times. The grounds are in need of a landscaper badly. The pool wasn't cleaned in a couple of days. The icing on the cake was that the chef took the week off so there wasn't dinner available. We were looking forward to the dinner since it did get some good reviews and we didn't want to drive. We didn't make a big deal of this but I'm sure there would have been some folks who would have not been so happy over that. So I guess we would return but I would worry over the condition of this beautiful inn in the next couple of years if nothing is done.

came here for an anniversary dinner. empty on a monday night, so we had the place all to ourselves! great food, reasonable prices, friendly service, beautiful atmosphere/location. highly recommend!

What a fabulous, special place! The Manor is located on a gorgeous hillside overlooking Squam Lake. Our room was upgraded, giving us a beautiful view and fireplace. Everything was personalized from beginning to end. The staff is friendly, personable and genuinely want your stay to be memorable. A peaceful locale with little in the way of distractions was exactly what we wanted this weekend. Can't wait to go back!

My wife and I have lived in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire for many years and up until last night had never stepped inside the Manor. The Manor offers an elegant, if not nostalgic, decor reminiscent of a by-gone era. We were there at night, so could not indulge the lake views or comment on the general condition of the outside. The inside, however, was the perfect environment for our large family (20+) to gather over a celebratory dinner. There were several meal choices, from which I selected the filet mignon. It was outstanding, both in quality and quantity. The service was terrific, from the well timed delivery of multiple courses, to the attentiveness of staff clearing dishes, pouring wine, and replacing utensils. The Three Cocks Bar is a charming space, as is the sitting room with a variety of board games and nooks. Although we were not overnight guests, I had a chance to speak with the Innkeeper whose hospitality was inviting. We do hope to return soon. Thanks for a wonderful night.