The indoor, heated pool located at the original resort facilities has been a staple of Steele Hill since the pool area was first built in 1976. Many of our original guests have fond memories of teaching their children to swim in the resort pool or relaxing with a book while appreciating the views of the lakes and mountains. Now some of those children have grown up to bring their kids back up the Hill to enjoy the pool they had so much fun in when they were little. This resort amenity has been at the heart of the property since the original expansion.
Given the importance of the resort pool to Steele Hill’s identity, management has made a significant effort to renovate the area while maintaining the relaxing atmosphere it is known for. In an effort to brighten up the facility and reface the area, our maintenance staff went to work stripping the entire floor from the pool space. With help from our vendor at Sierra Stone, we brought in a team to completely re-floor the facility with a bright, safe, stone flooring system that helped turn back the clock on this great amenity. Given the recent renovation of the adjacent patio that houses the resort’s outdoor pool and sun-bathing areas, the new floor for the indoor pool is another key project to ensure that Steele Hill Resorts is one of the most modernized, amenity-rich destinations available to people visiting the lakes region.
Looking to hit the slopes and save a few bucks? Steele Hill Resorts offers guest great discounts on ski tickets to all the local mountains. Known as the top choice for Gunstock Lodging, we are also a great location to explore Waterville, Loon and Ragged Mountain.
With our active tickets, you can skip the ticket lines and head right to the slopes at both Loon Mountain and Waterville Valley. For Gunstock and Ragged Mountain you can purchase a discounted ticket voucher at our desk that can quickly be turned into an active ticket at the respective mountain’s ticket office.
Spend the day carving up the slopes and head back to Steele Hill to enjoy all of our onsite amenities from our heated indoor pools to our relaxing roman spa. A hearty meal by the fire at Tova’s Tavern or a seat near the windows at the Hilltop Restaurant is a sure way to recharge your body after a long day of winter fun.
With the sheer variety of amenities at our New Hampshire Resort, who would have thought that the pond is often the biggest draw? Golfers love the views from our 9 hole course. The new, full-sized basketball courts have been a huge hit and the west indoor pool is what we are known for, but often times, on those bright and sunny summer days, visitors flock to the resort’s large fishing pond.
In part, the popularity is driven by our activities director showing kids and adults alike all of the wildlife that calls the pond home. From the resident snapping turtles to the stocked rainbow trout and the old bull frogs, Steele Hill’s fishing pond can be a great substitute for a trip to the aquarium. Oftentimes guests will get a chance to get up close and personal with the resident animals.
This year, Brianna, one of our luckiest guests, was able to catch the biggest crayfish on record at Steele Hill. While the picture doesn’t quite do it justice, this king of crustaceans measured out at almost 7 inches long. Good job Brianna and thanks for helping us release him back into the water. Future guest are bound to be in for a shock when they think they see a lobster strolling along the bottom.
Formed over thousands of years by glacial erosion, New Hampshire’s Lakes Region offers unparalleled beauty and natural splendor. Majestic bodies of pristine water including Lake Winnisquam, Squam Lake and the famous Lake Winnipesaukee serve as the focal point of the region. Framed in by the Belknap Mountain Range along the shores of Winnipesaukee and the White Mountains to the north, the diverse landscape offers a unique display of New Hampshire’s world famous scenery for all to enjoy.
The area has a long tradition of tourism with visitors looking to explore the sites and enjoy the attractions. From the golden age of summer camps nestled along the shores to the pioneer days of downhill skiing at nearby Gunstock, Waterville, Loon and Cannon Mountain, the Lakes Region is the perfect destination to escape from the city and embrace the spirit of New England. Experiencing a surge of popularity with the Boston elite in the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s as a wilderness retreat, the area has continue to grow and cater to new visitors each year. From the quiet Mountains and Hills perched above Lake Winnisquam to the bustling Boardwalk of Weirs Beach, New Hampshire’s Lakes Region truly has something for everyone.
The summer season offers a variety of exciting activities. Adventure seeker can experience dramatic panoramic views from local summits like Mount Major, Red Hill and Mount Morgan. For those looking to see the lakes firsthand, local marinas offer boat rentals and the famous M/S Mount Washington cruises Lake Winnipesaukee each day with a cargo of tourists. More family fun can be enjoyed basking at the public beaches, racing at an area go-kart track, putting your way through a mini-golf course or trying your hand at one of the classic arcades games at Funspot.
Fall in the Lakes Region hosts one of the most beautiful displays of foliage in the entire country. The mountains burst into glowing oranges, bright yellows and burning reds and the lakes reflect the scenery along their shores. One need only rent a room with a deck to appreciate the splendor. Visitors can enjoy apple picking and hot cider at the local farms or go to one of the many country fairs for some true New Hampshire fun.
The winter season marks an opening to the many ski mountains in the area. Gunstock Mountain, with some of the most notable views of Lake Winnipesaukee, comes to life with carpets of white snow and smiling families. Enjoy a day hitting the slopes and experience a true après ski atmosphere back at your resort in a relaxing hot tub or by a glowing fire in the tavern. For those non-skiers out there, quiet sweeping snowshoe trails through the hills offer a Zen alternative to any downhill sports.
Spring in the lakes region marks a rebirth of the lush greenery. Visitors can experience great deals on lodging with the advantage of fewer crowds at the many area attractions. The Tanger Outlet Mall offers a perfect daytime destination with unbelievable deals only a short distance from the highway.
For long time visitors the charms of the Lakes Region are easy to spot. Many have their own favorite activities and attractions that draw them back each year. If you have yet to experience the area for yourself, you are in for a pleasant surprise. You just might find your own piece of heaven looking down on the lakes that stretch to the horizon. Come plan a trip, and check out one of our Lakes Region Vacation Packages. We hope to see you soon.
Are you as serious about your health as you are about your vacation time? If the answer is yes then Steele Hill is the resort for you. Forget our network of hiking trails. Forget the pools, tennis, basketball, racquetball and golf. Our shiny new fitness center is the perfect place for you to get serious about your daily workout routine.
From elliptical machines to treadmills to recumbent bikes, the new aerobic section includes a variety of high quality fitness equipment. Each cardio station sports its own flat-screen TV for your workout entertainment. If you are not in the mood for a run, the weights section has everything you need to break a sweat. From our CYBEX tower station to our two flat benches and high quality dumbbells, the new gym is designed for a full body workout. Additional amenities include Medicine balls, stretch bands and a plyometric pull-up/dip station.
The new fitness facility has been relocated to a completely renovated space near the main indoor pool area at Steele Hill West. After a hard workout it is just a short walk through the locker room to relax in the pool or kick back in the roman spa. The new fitness center offers a professional gym experience down to the last details of rubberized flooring, full air conditioning and a stainless steel water cooler. So if you are looking for a fit-cation, come visit our New Hampshire Resort and check out the new fitness center.
With Laconia Motorcycle Week fast approaching, Steele Hill is getting prepped for the festivities. This year’s 89th anniversary of the original Laconia Motorcycle Rally is scheduled to take place June 9 – 17th. Located just 15 miles from the heart of Weirs Beach, Steele Hill provides the ideal home base to kick back after a long day on the bike. Our 550 acres of natural mountaintop beauty offer spectacular views overlooking the Lakes. Relax your sore muscles in our roman spa or enjoy the view from one of our many decks once you shrug off the leathers. If you are looking for a great deal on some bike week lodging, check out our Mid-week Bike Week Saving Package.
Laconia Motorcycle Week offers a unique experience for any motorcycle enthusiast, from the action and attractions near the Weirs Boardwalk to the variety of motorcycle parts and accessories vendors along the road. Catch a view of some of the rarest and most unique bikes on the street. From chromed out hogs to stripped down racing bikes, the machines are almost as fun as the crowds. Don’t miss a chance to be a spectator at the annual hill climb event or attend the Loudon Classic Motorcycle race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Laconia Motorcycle Week is a great experience for anyone who lives and breathes motorcycles.
Get your cameras handy. The grounds crew has been hard at work planting the latest delivery of 226 flowers. Braving a rather wet, unforgiving day, the grounds team tackled the monumental task head on. Transporting the plants around the resort with the help of golf carts and utility vehicles, the crew put in long hours tending to the plants and making sure things looked just right for the Memorial Day rush.
The annual “planting of the flowers” event helps mark our big push before the busy summer season at the resort. Trucks arrived bright and early, stocked to the brim with pink, red and white Supertunias, delivering a swath of colors to help accent the beautiful resort campus. If you are someone who appreciates the natural backdrop of a lovely New Hampshire day, then our flowers are sure to catch your eye on your next visit to the Hill. We hope to see you soon.
The staff of the Hilltop Restaurant recently flexed their culinary muscles with a great showing at the annual Taste of the Lakes Region event. Showcasing the Hilltop’s tradition in delicious food, Steele Hill sent three representatives to the event, Becky Guyer, Evan Vogel and Larry Mosbrucker. Evan, a chef at the Hilltop, shared his award winning chili to the delight of the numerous tasters that visited the Hilltop’s display table. With the perfect balance of spicy flavor and hardy ingredients, the chili was as big a hit at the Taste of the Lakes Region event as it is at the Hilltop on a regular basis.
To complement the chili, the restaurant also featured bite sized servings of succulent bistro steak on homemade gorgonzola puff pastries. “We had a lot of smiling faces and some real positive feedback throughout the day” says Becky Guyer, Assistant Manager at the Hilltop. While Steele Hill is known for world class views, the food at the Hilltop may be our best kept secret. If you are thinking about visiting the Lakes Region or are planning on staying at Steele Hill, don’t miss a chance to grab a window seat at the Hilltop Restaurant, where the food is as good as the views of the Lakes and Mountains.
The panoramic view from the observation tower at Steele Hill West gives you a glimpse of the wonders that Mother Nature has to offer in and around our NH resort, but only a walk along our trails or a quiet morning stroll through the grounds will give you opportunities to view some of the animals that thrive in this mountainous region of the Granite State. From black bears to wild turkeys, we have it all here at Steele Hill. If you’re staying with us for a while, please make it a point to check out the local wildlife.
Don’t get us wrong. We’re not suggesting you go forage with a family of bears or track down one of the fisher cats we occasionally see in the back woods. Safety must come first, but if you travel along our well-marked trails you should be fine. Making sure you have some people along with you is a good idea, at least to grab a good picture if the opportunity presents itself. It’s extremely rare for any wild animal to approach people this close to a NH resort. You will, of course, need to keep the noise levels down if you want to spot some of the rare and beautiful woodland bird species that can be found here.
Before you venture into the woods, check out the golf course just south of the Inn. In the spring you’ll see a flock of robins gathered along its slopes, true harbingers of warmer weather soon to come. If you’re lucky you may even spot a deer or our resident fox and in the summer you might just get to meet our course woodchuck. No need to worry about him if you’re playing a round of nine. He just likes to watch. Like all creatures here at Steele Hill, we consider him family too.
Venture behind the registration building, and you’ll find an equally diverse group of species in our fishing pond. Yes, that is a large snapping turtle you see hovering just below the surface and the creature you see skimming through the water is an otter. They both live there in harmony with other turtles, fish, frogs, and whoever decides they want to hang out along the banks, including our guests, many of whom spend hours by the pond both with and without fishing rods.
Have you ever encountered a wild turkey? Don’t get too close, especially if you happen to catch old Tom Turkey with his tail fanned out helping a line of his more feminine feathered friends across the road between the basketball courts and the carriage house. He doesn’t mind showing off his charges, but don’t startle him. You might be in for a surprise. We recommend you do what the rest of us do. Kick back, relax, and wonder at the marvels Mother Nature has provided for you. Our NH resort at Steel Hill has plenty of them to offer.
Practice your cast, pack your bags and bring your cameras. The fish have arrived at Steele Hill Resorts. Here at the hill we are getting ready for another busy season of family fun and stocking the pond is one of our annual rituals to kick things off. Last week Hy-On-A-Hill Trout Farm dropped off 170 of the liveliest 8 to 10 inch rainbow trout they had in stock. The recent school vacation period has been a great opportunity for would-be anglers to test their skills and reel in the big one from our large pond.
Sadly Old Goliath, the monster fish that many guests have spied trolling the depths over the years, passed away. While the grounds crew had a moment of silence removing the 7 plus pound remains of our resident “big one”, there are plenty of new fish to take his place. Surely a new king of the deep will move up the ranks to fill his shoes. Either way, it is going to be a great year to catch (and release) some fish up at Steele Hill Resorts.
So make sure to bring you fishing pole and get ready for a relaxing day catching some fish under a wide open New Hampshire sky. If you are lucky you may even get a picture of Ralphy the resident snapping turtle.
