Migis Lodge: Maine's Upscale, Old-School Sebago Lake Family Resort
Ever wonder if there's a resort deep in the woods on a sparkling sapphire lake where discriminating families retreat from the world? Where parents while away days kayaking, waterskiing, playing tennis, luxuriating in a wood-fired sauna or lazing on the beach while the kids are safely occupied stalking turtles, tie-dying shirts and decorating cookies? And, as evening falls, everyone dresses for dinner, cocktails are sipped while a precocious preteen tinkles the ivories of an antique upright, and a sumptuous multi-course feast is a prelude to an evening of bonding over Bingo or a bonfire?
You know, a place straight out of Dirty Dancing?
Well, there is such a resort: Migis Lodge on the shores of Sebago Lake in South Casco, Maine.
My family and I stayed at Cove Cottage 2 at Migis Lodge for two nights in June 2010, and this video montage showcases this scenic, 125-acre property and the carefree, old-fashioned getaways Migis Lodge has offered families since 1916.
More About Migis Lodge
I recorded my family's first impressions when we arrived for our two-night stay at Maine's Migis Lodge on June 30, 2010:
"The cabin is awesome," said my daughter.
"The view is amazing," was my husband's reaction.
As might be expected of the writer in the family, my reflections were more descriptive: "I like the way the place sounds: the gentle lapping of the water against the shore, the creaking of boats moored on the cove, the scurry of chipmunks and the tinkle of the piano keys in the dining room."
Migis Lodge is truly a place out of step with modern times, and that is its appeal. Families that choose to vacation here can afford to vacation anywhere. All-inclusive American Plan rates start at $266 per adult, per night during the summer season, with reduced rates available for children 12 and under. Three daily meals and myriad activities, including camp and supervised dinner for the kids, are included, but taxes and gratuities are not. Do the math, and you'll see that a week's stay at this lakeside resort can add up to what many families would consider a ransom: in excess of $5,000 for a family of four. See the resort's 2012 rate sheet for lodging options and pricing details.
It may seem steep for lodging in cabins that, while well-appointed and comfortable, are not the Four Seasons, and for cuisine that is bountiful and fresh, yet far from five-star.
So, why do vacationers choose Migis Lodge for family vacations and reunions and weddings and quieter, more affordable fall escapes? If you watched my video, you may have intuited the answer, and it's not merely because lobster is on the menu every day. Many guests return to Migis Lodge year after year because they value privacy, exclusivity and uninterrupted family time. Because there aren't many secluded, woodsy resorts within two-and-a-half hours of Boston where you can enjoy both outdoor pursuits and first-rate service, truly marvel at a sunset, leave your cabin unlocked and allow children to roam and explore without fear for their safety... a luxury all too uncommon in this day and age.
Yes, a stay at Migis is an investment. But it's also a rare opportunity to embrace simplicity, to disconnect from life's demands, to reconnect with those you cherish and to listen intently to sounds you don't hear in an office, on an airplane or in a boardroom: the call of a loon, the slosh of a canoe paddle, the hiss of a marshmallow toasting over an open flame, your little girl's flirty giggle as she banters with the boy she met on a turtle safari, the snap of the fire that warms your cabin as you snuggle the little ones in for the night. If you like the way that sounds, then Migis Lodge may just be the perfect setting for a memorable family getaway.
For reservations, call Migis Lodge at 207-655-4524.
New England Family Vacation Ideas
Video images © 2010 Kim Knox Beckius.
As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary lodging and services for the purpose of reviewing those services. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of potential conflicts of interest. Ethics Policy
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