Featured in print in DOWNTOWN Summer 2025. Photos courtesy of The Lake Estate on Winnisquam
The Lake Estate on Winnisquam is poised to become your next great escape, a destination resort that is a return to old world charm, in a location that still offers small town intimacy. Getting ready for its grand opening, The Lake Estate on Winnisquam is a $90 million, sprawling 36 acre, 114 room luxury resort in Tilton, New Hampshire, that will also feature a 5,000 square foot, full service day spa, offering stunning views of the Belknap and Ossipee mountain ranges. Whether you are making plans to stay at the estate for a wedding, or are just coming for a girls’ weekend at the spa, there are separate entrances to ensure an ideal experience.
THE LAKE ESTATE
Situated on Lake Winnisquam, the state’s fourth largest lake, the resort and spa will be just a scenic 90 minute drive from Boston, near to Laconia Airport. The property will offer 96 oversized, custom-designed guest rooms and 18 luxurious suites, each exuding an elevated New England aesthetic inspired by the surrounding natural beauty. More than 70% of the rooms offer direct views of the lake, while others overlook lush woodlands. Note there will be no shortage of fireplaces! All suites are enhanced by cozy fireplaces and most include balconies or patios with captivating lake views.
The Lake Estate is a longtime “dream come true,” says Dan Dagesse, who is a senior partner with wife Elaine; they’ve been married for more than 51 years.
Dagesse built himself a career in the automotive industry, saving with his wife to sell his initial dealership business. Eventually, he started up NuCar Automall in Tilton, which has grown to a 30 store dealership throughout New England. Earlier this year Dan was hailed Time Magazine’s Dealer of the Year. Dagesse, who has made frequent charitable donations over the years to various endeavors from paying partial tuition for college students to stocking food banks and renovating an ice rink, wanted to revive the property, and bolster the economy, along with tourism in Tilton to create The Lake Estate, that would create somewhere upwards of 200 jobs. It is their love letter to lake life.
New to the business of creating and running a resort, Dagesse sought assistance to realize his vision. He found out that Ed Rocco and his wife Patti, who both had more than 30 years of experience as hoteliers with Marriott, lived a couple of doors away, and knocked on their door, shortly after Covid. “I’m a very granular person, so I got right down to it. After about three hours, we realized we both had the same mindset,” Dagesse explained, bringing on partners Ed Rocco as General Manager and Patti as Estate Manager. Ed Rocco swiftly agreed. “We had similar interests. It’s my dream, I’m on board. We want to make The Lake Estate the first Five Star Diamond Hotel [in Tilton]. We couldn’t be happier. I wouldn’t be here without my wife leading the charge,” he says fondly. Patti Rocco says of the two couples working together, “It’s a match made in heaven. My uncle was a hotelier. It’s in my blood.” The senior partners team then sought out an architect. They hired Samyn-D’Elia Architects from Holderness, NH to build the resort. They also fell in love with the work of veteran Boston interior designer Manuel de Santaren. “The man is an artist,” praises Dagesse. “We spared no expense.”
(NOT ONLY) A WEDDING DESTINATION
The Estate Ballroom.
The Lake Estate on Winnisquam is intentionally designed to be a year-round venue for everything from grand occasions to private intimate ceremonies, to larger celebrations for up to 220 guests. There are seven event rooms. For added convenience, they’ll also have an in-house wedding planner, and even a dedicated in-house florist. Reservations are already underway, with 15 weddings confirmed for 2025 and more than a dozen confirmed for 2026.
One of the junior suites at The Lake Estate.
But there is so much more to take advantage of during downtime from festivities-pickle ball courts, two groomed private beaches, canoeing, walking trails, a workout room, a bourbon room, a wine cellar, even an art room. There is also 10,000 square feet of flexible meeting space. Plans are underway for themed night packages in the near future.
THE DINING ROOM AND BAR
Chef Chris Viaud has been brought on as the Director of Culinary Arts. Viaud is a two-time James Beard Foundation nominee, as well as a Top Chef alum.
The Dining Room, modeled after a grand lake estate, will be an elegant restaurant featuring floor-to-ceiling windows framing panoramic views of the lake and The Bar will offer a cozy and sophisticated setting for enjoying casual seasonal cuisine, handcrafted cocktails and fine wines. Chef Chris Viaud has been brought on as the Director of Culinary Arts. Viaud is a two-time James Beard Foundation nominee, as well as a Top Chef alum. Both The Dining Room and The Bar will be open to the public.
THE SPA
The Spa will have eight treatment rooms, of which two will be devoted to couples, with state-of-the-art, oversized and ADA-compliant massage beds by Lemi, the Italian global leader in spa and wellness equipment. They are going the extra mile to pamper guests that have special health needs. A Cancer Wellness Program will provide therapists with the skills and knowledge on how to adapt treatments for clients undergoing any form of cancer treatment and recovery. Private in-room massage will be available and outdoor massages in private cabanas will be offered seasonally. The Spa can also serve as a one stop beautifying station for brides to be getting ready for their big day. An additional 1,500 sq. ft. terrace with views of the lake will offer a year-round outdoor oversized heated mineral spa, meditation garden, and dedicated spa fire pit. A salon on a lower level will offer styling and blow-outs and on-site customized bridal hair and make-up services, in addition to a full array of nail services. Curated packages for bachelorette gatherings, bridal groups, girls’ weekends, as well as rejuvenating weekend retreats will be available.
Reservations are now being taken. For more information, visit thelakeestatenh.com. DTM