New Hampshire Lake Country

The timeshare units are nicely laid out and a two-bedroom unit is suitable for two couples sharing. The resort is short on amenities, but it does have a small pool and tennis.

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The units are well equipped and laid out as well as comfortable. Two couples could share a unit and have a reasonable amount of privacy.

Resort Experience:
Our unit was probably typical (there are slight variations on the floor plan). Immediately upon entry, you encounter the dining table (seats 4... in a small space). The living room is a fair size, with fireplace and TV, but really, it would only seat four as long as no one wanted to sprawl out. There were patio doors with a small balcony off the living area. The kitchen is open concept, looking into the living room with the two bedrooms, each with its own full bath, on each side of it. That meant that there was an excellent buffer between the two sleeping areas. Other observations... you can't see the beach from here and I wouldn't want a first floor unit... the buildings are on a hillside and there is a loss of privacy in the first floor units with some of the windows at ground-level looking out onto walkways. My most vivid memory of walking in was my immediate opening of the patio doors and windows... the place reeked of cigarette smoke... what a pity.

It is a good place for a family vacation, although activities at the resort appear to be a bit sparse and the pool is on the small side. It is possible to walk down to the beach as long as one is prepared to make the walk back up the hill. Weirs Beach itself provides a mooring spot for cruises on the Mount Washington and has the usual tourist traps filled with machines dispensing cotton candy and arcades. The site provides quick access to all of southern New Hampshire . . . an extraordinarily scenic place.

• Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
• Activities: Fair
• Amenities: Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Very Good
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Very Good

As brief background, the Shakers were formed in England from a combination of influences: the charismatic movement in the Anglican church, French Huguenot and Quakerism. When the original founders passed away, the movement had grown to about 300 members and their adopted daughter became the head of the sect. Having come from an poor background, she decided that part of church doctrine should be celibacy. The immediate effect was the loss of membership.

Regardless, it still attracted adherents and several colonies were established in the United States. Celibacy meant the separation of sexes. On your tour of Canterbury, you will notice that buildings have doors and staircases for each sex. A married couple could join the sect, but would be separated and have to live apart. The name Shaker comes from the vigorous celebration of their faith... dancing in concentric circles . . . a circle of men, a circle of women, a circle of men etc., moving in opposite directions.

The population at Canterbury finally died out, and in fact, we were told that there were only four Shakers left in a small colony in Maine.

The visitor arrives at a parking lot . . . the reception/restaurant is in the former stables. Visitors are taken up the hill to the mansion by trolley. Once you receive an introduction to the Plant story, you pass through the house at your own pace. Notable are the bedrooms, one of which was often occupied by Teddy Roosevelt, Plant's friend. (And apparently the guy who advised him to buy Russian bonds just before the revolution). Also remarkable are the showers... each having several heads. Water for the house was brought from further up in the mountains and apparently the water pressure in the house was remarkable. Other features include Mr. Plante's secret reading room which is hidden behind a panel... a small room containing just a chair to allow the house's owner to escape from guests, family and staff. The house strikes one as being very liveable and completely lacking in ostentation.