Halfway Cottage

Halfway Cottage is a prominent and versatile residential lodging option located within the historic Twin Lake Village resort in New London, New Hampshire. For over a century, this resort has been a sanctuary for families seeking a "vacation like it used to be." Halfway Cottage itself stands out within the community as a "winterized house," meaning it offers a comfortable retreat not just during the vibrant summer months, but also during the serene New Hampshire winters. Managed by the Kidder family for over 120 years, the cottage embodies a tradition of genuine New England hospitality, characterized by unpretentious charm, warm service, and a deep connection to the natural landscape of the Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee region.

The atmosphere at Halfway Cottage is one of refined simplicity. Unlike modern, sterile hotel environments, this cottage provides a lived-in warmth that invites residents to truly settle in. The architecture features the classic sprawling porches and wicker rockers that have become synonymous with the Twin Lake Village experience. It is a place where multigenerational families return year after year, drawn by the quiet beauty of the 200-acre estate of hillside woods and rolling fields. Here, the focus is on simple pleasures: reading a book on the porch, sharing a meal in the historic dining room, or gathering around the fireplace on a crisp autumn evening. Halfway Cottage serves as a perfect home base for those who value tradition, privacy, and the outdoors.

Located on the Twin Lake Villa Loop Road, Halfway Cottage enjoys a prime location on the shores of Little Lake Sunapee. This area of New London is renowned for its scenic beauty and its role as a premier New Hampshire vacation spot. The cottage is approximately 100 miles from Boston and 250 miles from New York City, making it an accessible destination for local New Hampshire residents and those from the broader Northeast. The resort’s position provides a secluded, private-community feel while being only minutes away from the bustling Main Street of New London, which features local shops, the New London Barn Playhouse, and the campus of Colby-Sawyer College.

Accessibility is a hallmark of the Twin Lake Village layout. The "Loop Road" ensures that all cottages are within easy walking distance of the central hotel, the dining room, and the waterfront facilities. For those arriving from out of state, the property is conveniently located near Interstate 89, providing a direct route to the cultural centers of Concord and Manchester to the south and the White Mountains to the north. Within the resort, the level terrain around the cottage and the gently sloping beach make it easy for guests of all ages to navigate between their private residence and the various recreational hubs. This central location within the state allows residents to easily explore nearby landmarks like Mount Kearsarge or the John Hay Estate at The Fells.

• The American Plan: An all-inclusive service providing three home-cooked meals daily in the resort’s central dining room.
• Daily maid service (excluding Sundays) provided between 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM to maintain a pristine living environment.
• Access to a full kitchen, dining room, and a spacious living room with a working fireplace within the cottage.
• Supervised Playhouse activities for children ages 2 to 5, available most weekday mornings during the summer season.
• Complimentary use of the resort’s fleet of rowboats, canoes, and kayaks at the private boathouse.
• Wireless internet access available for guests in the hotel lobby and communal sitting rooms.
• Box lunch services available for guests planning day-long adventures or picnics on the lake.

Halfway Cottage is uniquely characterized by its layout and seasonal versatility. As a four-bedroom, two-bath house, it is designed to accommodate larger families or groups comfortably. The ground floor features a bedroom with two twin beds and a shower bath, while the second floor offers three additional bedrooms with various bedding configurations, including a room with four twins—perfect for children. The fact that it is a winterized house makes it a rare find within the resort, allowing for year-round rentals. The "signature" feature of the cottage is its integration into the resort's recreational landscape, which offers everything from golf to lakefront relaxation.

• Unlimited play on the resort's private nine-hole, par-3 golf course, featuring challenging holes ranging from 100 to 220 yards.
• Private waterfront access with a gently sloping sandy beach on Little Lake Sunapee, ideal for swimming and sunning.
• Three professional-grade clay tennis courts available for guest use without any additional court fees.
• A classic New England "winterized" design, making it suitable for ski-season rentals and winter retreats.
• A spacious front porch with traditional wicker rockers, offering views of the surrounding woods and fields.
• Proximity to groomed hiking and mountain biking trails that wind through the 200-acre private estate.
• Traditional community activities including Bingo nights, bridge tournaments, and weekly children’s dances.

For those interested in booking Halfway Cottage or learning more about seasonal rates and availability, direct communication with the Twin Lake Village office is recommended. As a family-run business that prides itself on personal service, they do not typically use automated booking platforms. Please note that the resort accepts cash or personal checks for payment; credit cards are not accepted. The contact details are as follows:

Address: 164 Twin Lake Villa Road (Twin Lake Villa Loop Rd), New London, NH 03257, USA

Phone: (603) 526-6460

Email: info@twinlakevillage.com

Halfway Cottage is worth choosing for the sense of freedom and predictability it offers. By operating on the American Plan, the resort removes the daily stress of meal planning and budgeting; once you arrive, your meals and most recreational activities are already covered. This is particularly valuable for families who want to spend their time together rather than navigating restaurant wait times or grocery shopping. The cottage itself provides a significant amount of space, allowing everyone in the group to find their own corner for quiet reflection while still being part of a vibrant community.

Furthermore, the legacy of the Kidder family ensures a level of care and consistency that is hard to find in modern hospitality. Choosing Halfway Cottage means becoming part of a tradition that celebrates the simple joys of a New Hampshire summer—real maple syrup on your pancakes, the smell of pine needles in the air, and the sound of the evening loons on Little Lake Sunapee. For those seeking a winter escape, the cottage offers a cozy, snow-covered sanctuary close to the region's best skiing and winter hiking. It is an investment in a lifestyle that prioritizes connection, nature, and the enduring charm of the Granite State.

Would you like me to find the sample dining room menus for the upcoming season or check for any specific winter activity recommendations in the New London area?