Cottage Place on Squam Lake
Cottage Place on Squam Lake
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About
4.5
#1 of 2 cottages in HoldernessLocation
4.5
Cleanliness
4.4
Service
4.6
Value
4.2
Cottage Place on Squam Lake offers 16 rentals, 7 cottages of various sizes, a 6 bedroom Lodge for large family gatherings, and 8 family apartments referred to as Cottage Suites. Our frontage on Squam Lake offers a 140 feet of sandy beach and easy access to swimming, floating, or paddling. We have dock space available if you would like to bring your boat or rent one from one of the three marinas on Squam Lake. The property is landscaped with vintage gardens and stonewalls. We specialize in cottage living with a cozy 1950s style where every day ends with sitting around the outside fire pit under the star laden sky. It is simple and relaxing.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Wifi
Beach
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Gift shop
Non-smoking hotel
Room features
Air conditioning
Private beach
Kitchenette
Microwave
Refrigerator
Flatscreen TV
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Lake View
Location
1132 US Route 3, Holderness, NH 03245-5640
Getting there
Lebanon Regional Airport
35.4 mi•
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Manchester Municipal Airport
55.6 mi•
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Rental Cars
49 Restaurants
within 5 miles
225Reviews3Q+A63Room tips
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Detailed Reviews
My husband and I went to came here in July and had a fantastic time! It was impeccable clean and completely contactless check in and check out process. The owner, Sue was always on property if we needed anything. The private beach was great and right across the street. There are grills on the property too - so you didn’t need to leave if you didn’t want to.
Very quiet and private and we felt very safe will all the extra cleaning and safety protocols in place.
Highly recommend.
Very quiet and private and we felt very safe will all the extra cleaning and safety protocols in place.
Highly recommend.
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Date of stay: July 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Susan Smith, Owner at Cottage Place on Squam Lake
Responded Sep 25, 2020
Thank you for taking the time to write a review. Also, thank you for accepting the Covid-19 guidelines of social distancing and contactless hosting as much as possible. We are working way harder to sterilize and launder in between every guests and we truly appreciate when our visitors notice all the extra precautions. We look forward to your return to our property and thanks again for your kind words.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
we came here in October. It was a good spot to unwind. Yes they were doing construction, but it didn't bother us. The private beach across the street would be much fun in the summer months. This place is like an old fashioned time machine, if you want to slow down your life. The host made a great outdoor fire for us, and the indoor fireplace is a great touch. Overall its simple but a good simple.
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Date of stay: October 2020
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Susan Smith, Owner at Cottage Place on Squam Lake
Responded Oct 17, 2020
We so appreciate your time in creating this review. We are simple by choice and strive to create an environment that is relaxing with a beautiful view of Squam Lake. Thank you for you understanding as we had to replace one of our roofs on the cottages. Luckily it was all done in one day and 1/2 - not starting too early and not working on it too late - as not to disturb our guests. We appreciate that you like us the way we are and hope you will return.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I have been going both to Cottage Place multiple times a year for an amount of years and probably my family is one of the higher yearly spend to this wonderful place near the edge of the White Mtns but still in the Lakes Region, including prior to when it was under former ownership/name. To be clear, is it the Ritz Carlton?-no, but it never pretended to be. It is a wonderful rustic cottages/suites in a cove in the smaller lake of two connected lakes that is quite honestly the best use of my money to become relaxed and at one with the world. It is just on the edge of having near zero cell service, which allows me to truly disconnect. Both the cottages and suites are taken care of, and if there are any issues(let's be real, all places can and will have issues at some point) the staff will more than attend to things. My direct family goes up at least twice a year(including a week with a large amount of extended family/friends), and Nathalie knows many times if I've had a not great week I've called/emailed and came up last minute for the weekend certain times of the year.
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Traveled with family
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip:Â Any questions or clarifications needed, please call or email prior. The owner/managers are some...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Susan Smith, Owner at Cottage Place on Squam Lake
Responded Oct 15, 2023
Thank you so much your honest and complimentary review of our sweet property with it's magical location. We absolutely love hosting the people/families who understand that we take great pride in our business and our special vintage buildings. We are rustic, simple but our very small team works hard to keep the cottages, suites, our Lodge (82 person capacity) and our frontage, gardens and property well maintained. We so appreciate the repeat customers who become an extension of our family. We are experiencing our 22nd year of ownership and the 4th family to have the pleasure of living and working (owning) this very special place on beautiful Squam Lake. Many guests, including this wonderful reviewer have experienced all seasons and many decades of different ownerships, so reviews like this mean so much to us. We hope that this review will attract more people like this treasured guest.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We stayed for 3 nights in the cottages. They are comfy but dated and on the small size related to the number of people they are declared to host.
Facilities are basic and the beach is across a busy road with lot of traffic and noisy motorcycles, which was bad for kids and dogs (our dog was almost run over).
The landlady can be rough and we were scolded by her multiple times. From 30min after we arrived and the kids were not using the beach equipment to her liking, to pure insults in front of guests and friends, to a follow up email to our stay with "how you should be a better guest in the future". She was right on some of thr cases - but her attitude was unheard of and unacceptable toward guests.
Prices are ambitious compared to facilities and expect being nickel and dimed for anything you will want to use outside thr room.
We loved the location and view but will not go back.
Facilities are basic and the beach is across a busy road with lot of traffic and noisy motorcycles, which was bad for kids and dogs (our dog was almost run over).
The landlady can be rough and we were scolded by her multiple times. From 30min after we arrived and the kids were not using the beach equipment to her liking, to pure insults in front of guests and friends, to a follow up email to our stay with "how you should be a better guest in the future". She was right on some of thr cases - but her attitude was unheard of and unacceptable toward guests.
Prices are ambitious compared to facilities and expect being nickel and dimed for anything you will want to use outside thr room.
We loved the location and view but will not go back.
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Date of stay: June 2020Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Susan Smith, Owner at Cottage Place on Squam Lake
Responded Sep 25, 2020
Some visitors are not a good match for our property. These people arrived two weeks after we were allowed to open back up to the public. We had our Covid-19 guidelines in place to keep everyone (including our staff and family safe). There were two families in this group. This family continued to challenge our boundaries and guidelines during Covid-19 - the young sons (8 and 10 - guessing) were using our kayaks like bumper cars - ramming them into each other - then they decided to use them as jumping vessels from the swim raft - no life jackets and NOT SAFE - parents sitting on the beach as they abused our equipment - so if that makes me "rough" and my attitude unheard of and unacceptable - and you agree, you are also, not a match for our property. They did not understand when we would not allow two car loads of people on the property (during Covid-19) to use our beach and have a picnic - they invited people who were not staying with us, did not have a reservation with us to join them for the day on our property. In ordinary times, we allow this with a guest fee attached, but during Covid-19, we could not allow any extra people on our property who were not asked the proper questions and signed the proper documentation. It took 3 hours of very uncomfortable exchanges before their friends left the property. We do have reasonable boundaries and they center around safety and preserving our property and expensive equipment. Proper use is expected.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We were visiting on Parent's weekend in October of 2022-the room we stayed in was filthy with leaking sinks, and bathtub in addition to rotting floors around the toilet, kitchen sink, and bathtube.
It is a Great Location, but no cleaning services for the room and the rooms we stayed in are probably the worst condition of any hotel, motel, or other facility I ever stayed at, and I traveled for over 20 years throughout all of New England and upstate New York. I am surprised that the State of New Hampshire does not regulate these facilities. I would not recommend staying here unless your review the accommodations in person to see what you are paying for. The owners have obviously never have maintained the place and take no pride or responsibility in their business.
It is a Great Location, but no cleaning services for the room and the rooms we stayed in are probably the worst condition of any hotel, motel, or other facility I ever stayed at, and I traveled for over 20 years throughout all of New England and upstate New York. I am surprised that the State of New Hampshire does not regulate these facilities. I would not recommend staying here unless your review the accommodations in person to see what you are paying for. The owners have obviously never have maintained the place and take no pride or responsibility in their business.
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Date of stay: October 2022
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip:Â DO not choose this
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Susan Smith, Owner at Cottage Place on Squam Lake
Responded Nov 22, 2022
Extreme reviews like this are always disheartening. Our property was built in 1957 and we purposely decorate with vintage furniture. We have a dedicated housekeeping staff that cleans thoroughly in between each guests - we do not offer cleaning services to guests while they are there. That expectation for that level of service indicates that we were not a good choice for these guests. Most lodging properties discontinued any kind of daily housekeeping services during the pandemic of 2020. We take great pride in our 21 years of serving the Squam Lake area as a lodging option for visitors. These comments are shocking and harsh as we have spent over $100000 a year making improvements not only in the infrastructure, but for linens, furniture, decor and landscape costs. Our rates are driven by our operating expenses and owning frontage on Squam Lake comes with a very heavy property tax. The rental being described here is a Cottage Suite which we refer to as a two room family apartment with a full kitchen and sleeping capacity for 5 people (double bed + queen bed + twin bed) and has a wonderful view of our Squam Lake frontage so our rates are appropriate and competitive for our area. We have been chosen many, many times as a primary lodging option for NH officials, members of local Chamber of Commerce, Plymouth State University officials, Holderness School special events, Squam Lake Association Board members, Squam Lake Natural Science Center presenters, as well as our 1200 repeat customers that visit every summer. We have also hosted 10 to 15 family reunions and over 20 weddings a year. So, as owners, we have had to maintain our special vintage property and we are a proud, hard working and responsible family. We hope that those who read this review will understand that we may not be the right property for everyone, but we aspire to be the right property for you.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This cottage is badly in need of attention... my husband and I rented cottage #1. When I first went in I was very surprised to see holes in the wood bathroom floor where water had rotted it. It was too late to change anything and we were looking forward to a hot shower (since we had been camping for 3 days prior) anyhow so we disregarded the holes. However when we went to take a shower the water would not adjust... it was scalding and we couldn’t get in. My husband, who is handy, tried to fix it with his leatherman to no avail. We went to the office and no one was there. We left a message, hoping someone would fix it but no one got in touch with us. The next day I called the office and they said there wasn’t time to fix it. I asked for a partial refund but the owner said no. Bad business practice if you ask me!!! Not to mention the very lumpy bed. I will not be going back there and certainly don’t recommend it to anyone!
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Date of stay: July 2020
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Don’t go! Holes in floor, shower not working, lumpy bed
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Susan Smith, Owner at Cottage Place on Squam Lake
Responded Sep 25, 2020
As always there is two sides to every situation. Our property was built in 1957 and yes, there is a long list of improvements that can be made. The floor in Cottage #1 is on the list this Fall. Cottage #1 is our least expensive and smallest rental so it is booked back to back throughout the summer and difficult to make improvements especially a floor replacement. No one else has been bothered by the very small signs of disrepair. Due to Covid-19, we are operating our office from 9 to 6 pm and we are available on site for all of our guests. There was a note left late at night on the front desk saying that the shower was broken. We open at 9 am so I did not want to go down too early to check on the shower - waited until 10 am which is check out time to go down and they had already left as it was check out time. I went immediately to the shower and turned it on - there was absolutely nothing wrong with it - I could adjust it both ways - it was a circular fixture which these folks may not have been used to - it was only three years old - and it was working - it has been working ever since they left with no complaints. This summer was very difficult with the Covid-19 pandemic and the responsibility to sterilize, accommodate a very difficult crowd of people from other States. This bad review may deter others from booking with us, however, please spend time reading the other nicer and more accurate reviews before you make up your mind to believe this one. Some people arrive unhappy and stay that way.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We loved staying here. The cabins are rustic with knotty pine and furnished with interesting older type furniture. We stayed in #7 which was very private. We could look through mature Hemlocks and see the lake. It was clean and the kitchen had everything we could need (you should bring a sponge and paper towels). Most importantly, we could bring our dog anywhere, even on the beach. The staff (and owners) were incredibly nice and accommodating. My only minor complaint was that the mattress in the bedroom was a bit hard for me and it was kind of pricey, especially for May. We will be back!
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Date of stay: May 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â It was very quiet while we were there (in May) but I imagine it could get a bit louder in the...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from The Lodge on Squam, Owner at Cottage Place on Squam Lake
Responded Jun 4, 2024
Hello and thank you for your lovely review! We're thrilled you enjoyed the rustic charm and privacy of Cabin #7, as well as our pet-friendly policy. We appreciate your feedback on the mattress and plan to upgrade it very soon! We're also reviewing our pricing to provide the best possible value. Your kind words about our staff mean a lot - thank you! We so look forward to welcoming you and your dog back soon! -- Cottage Place on Squam Lake Team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The office staff where so pleasant on the phone every time I called. When we arrived we needed a A/C unit because of a heat wave. They put us right away into an A/c unit. No problem. Any other place would have said sorry we cant help you. Very accommodating. It made my stay to see my sisters so special . Thank you Cottage Place.
The girl , never got her name was so friendly and nice. Staying here again in November... Cant wait. Great Place.
Colleen
The girl , never got her name was so friendly and nice. Staying here again in November... Cant wait. Great Place.
Colleen
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Date of stay: June 2021
Rooms
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Susan Smith, Owner at Cottage Place on Squam Lake
Responded Jul 1, 2021
Dear Colleen - your review is so important to us. Glad we could accommodate your needs and we are so grateful for return business. We are open year round and have lots of specialty weekends in our off season. We have a great FB page Cottage Place on Squam Lake so hope you and others reading this response will "like" our page so we can keep you up on all of our great property events as well as the great offerings in our Squam Lakes area of New Hampshire! Thanks again for taking the time to write a review.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Amazing experience if you enjoy slightly retro cottages. Cottage 2 had more than enough space for cooking dinner and everything there worked well. Sue made me feel like family and it was great to spend my hours working on my computer sitting out on the deck. You'd love this place if you like hiking, boating, swimming, kayaking, or just enjoying the great outdoors.
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Date of stay: May 2020Trip type: Traveled on business
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â Cottage 1 and 3 are closer to Rt 3 if you don't mind a little bit of road noise.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Susan Smith, Owner at Cottage Place on Squam Lake
Responded Sep 25, 2020
Thanks so much for taking the time to write about your experience - we could not say it better "if you like hiking, boating, swimming, kayaking" you will love our location. Also we would add, eating outside, sitting by the camp fire and enjoying all that the two small towns of Holderness and Ashland have to offer - all creature comforts within 3 mile radius. Thanks again and cannot wait to have you back
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The new owners have made some beautiful changes to Cottage Place. There is now comfortable and nicely decorated sitting and eating areas both inside and outside of the main office. The rooms are clean and comfortable with nice extras like outside chairs and beach towels. The lake and beach across the street are as beautiful and relaxing as ever with kayaks and paddle boards and a dock the kids loved swimming out to. We love being able to bring our dog and that he can come to the beach. We will be back!
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Date of stay: July 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Cottage Place on Squam, Owner at Cottage Place on Squam Lake
Responded Jul 22, 2024
Thank you so much for your wonderful review of Cottage Place! We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the recent changes and found the new sitting and eating areas both inside and outside the main office to your liking. It’s great to know that you appreciated the clean and comfortable rooms, as well as the extra touches like outside chairs and beach towels. We’re delighted that you and your family enjoyed the lake, beach, kayaks, paddle boards, and especially the dock that the kids loved swimming out to. We understand how important it is to include all family members, so we’re glad to hear that bringing your dog and having him at the beach was a positive experience. Thank you for choosing Cottage Place for your stay. We look forward to welcoming you and your family back for another relaxing and enjoyable visit! Best regards, Cottage Place on Squam Lake Team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Our coffee makers are 12 cup - basket filter type - we provide coffee filters - just need to bring coffee and condiments. We make coffee in the gift shop every day if you don't feel like making it in your own kitchen. Look forward to your visit
Check in is usually 2:00 pm (sometimes it could be earlier) and check out is 10:00 am in the busy season (sometimes we can be flexible) - check with our front desk
It's the wonderful rustic feel to the cottages, and the friendly welcome we receive, that keeps us coming back. For years I was a "beach person", but after finding Cottage Place, I've turned into a "lake person". I want a place where I can relax and enjoy, and Cottage Place on Squam Lake offers that. The peace and beauty make us truly sad to leave. When we were there for 2 weeks in July, I booked a weekend in October. After we got home, I decided I didn't want to wait that long to go back, so I booked a long weekend in September. We'll be in a different cottage this time, and we're excited to see it. Each cottage is different, and it's obvious each one has been decorated with care, and thoughtfulness. We can't wait to go back, and I highly recommend Cottage Place to all my friends.
"It was very quiet while we were there (in May) but I imagine it could get a bit louder in the summer months."Read full review
"Any questions or clarifications needed, please call or email prior. The owner/managers are some of the kindest people I've known."Read full review
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PRICE RANGE
$226 - $336 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
the cottage place on squam lake hotel holderness
LOCATION
United StatesNew HampshireWhite MountainsHolderness
NUMBER OF ROOMS
16
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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Claim Your ListingCOTTAGE PLACE ON SQUAM LAKE - Updated 2024
Frequently Asked Questions about Cottage Place on Squam Lake
Which popular attractions are close to Cottage Place on Squam Lake?
Nearby attractions include West Rattlesnake Mountain (3.1 miles), Squam Lakes Natural Science Center (1.2 miles), and The Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center (4.4 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Cottage Place on Squam Lake?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free parking, and kids activities.
Which room amenities are available at Cottage Place on Squam Lake?
Top room amenities include a kitchenette, air conditioning, and a flat screen TV.
Is parking available at Cottage Place on Squam Lake?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Cottage Place on Squam Lake?
Conveniently located restaurants include Six Burner Bistro, Walter's Basin, and The Common Man Ashland.
Is Cottage Place on Squam Lake located near the city center?
Yes, it is 0.2 miles away from the center of Holderness.
Are pets allowed at Cottage Place on Squam Lake?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Are there any historical sites close to Cottage Place on Squam Lake?
Many travelers enjoy visiting Meredith Historical Society (7.2 miles).
Does Cottage Place on Squam Lake have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the lake view available here.