Family Vacation at Basin Harbor Resort

Sunset from the cottage deck

Accommodations

There are 74 cottages spread throughout the property, along with guestrooms in the main lodge. My family of five (two adults and three kids) stayed in a two-bedroom lakefront cottage with two bedrooms, one bathroom, a living room, and a deck overlooking the water. It was spacious and comfortable. While it wasn't luxurious, it also didn't feel rustic—it fit the relaxed New England vibe of the resort perfectly.

Cottages range from studios to three-bedroom options, with both lakeview and non-lakeview accommodations available. If possible, I highly recommend booking a lakeview cottage. The setting is one of the property's biggest draws. Dogs are also welcome for an additional fee.

Note: There are no TVs in any of the guestrooms or cottages.

Two-bedroom cottage

Activities for kids

There is a plethora of activities for kids, both structured and self-directed. Each day in the high season, there is a kids camp from 9:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. which includes lunch. My kids were hesitant to do the camp, but as soon as we arrived, they ran right in. There is a playground as well as organized activities like arts and crafts and STEM. They also take the kids to the pool each day.

Dinner camp is offered from 5:30–8:30 p.m. so parents can enjoy an adults-only dinner. Each camp session is $50/child. When we were there, it seemed like about 50% of the camp-aged children opted in.

Kid’s camp schedule July 2026

Activities for adults

Likewise, there is a lot for adults to do. There is an 18-hole golf course which my golf-obsessed husband described as "playable, fair and fun, and in great shape.” Tee times were easy to score once we arrived. There are also tennis and pickleball courts, a heated pool with plenty of lounge chairs and a seasonal bar, and a full waterfront area. Complimentary non-motorized water sports include stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, and pedal boats. You can also rent motorboats with a driver to take you around tubing or waterskiing for 2-hour increments, as well as pontoon boats for a larger group. They also offer a daily guided cruise. The grounds are beautiful just to roam, and there are some nice hiking waterfront trails.

They also have evening programming including an impressive Fourth of July fireworks display.

Golf course

Heated pool

Meals

Guests can choose from several meal plans: breakfast only, breakfast and dinner, or all three meals. The plans include all food, with the exception of alcoholic beverages and purchases from the on-site shops. Alcohol prices were surprisingly reasonable, not marked up the way they often are at resorts.

There are two main restaurants:

• Ardelia's: The more formal dining room in the main lodge serves a breakfast buffet with an omelet station, along with dinner.

• The Red Mill: The more casual option for lunch and dinner. It sits next to a large lawn and play structure, making it especially convenient for families. There's outdoor seating, and takeout is also available.

Lunch is also served from a food truck at the waterfront. The food was consistently good, though not particularly memorable. Dinner service, however, can be quite slow, so it's worth planning for a leisurely meal.

On Thursdays and Sundays, the resort hosts its popular North Dock Dinners, where a buffet is served outdoors by the water. There's also a sushi option available for an additional charge.

Across from the waterfront is a charming general store selling candy, ice cream, children's toys, and Basin Harbor merchandise.

Waterfront

Service

Staff was kind and accommodating, but not overbearing. We didn’t rent a golf cart in advance, but I was able to text the front desk and one would arrive to transport us within 3 minutes. The concierge also organized a “s’mores kit” for us and reserved us seats around a campfire. There was daily housekeeping.

Travelers here are friendly! I joined a Mahjong group during my stay.

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