Tilton, New Hampshire, welcomes new luxury resort on Lake Winnisquam
The Lake Estate on Winnisquam aims to become the state’s first five-star hotel
ALREADY A GOOD START AT THE EDGE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE’S LAKES REGION, TILTON IS A HISTORIC TEXTILE MILL TOWN INCORPORATED IN 1869. MORE THAN 150 YEARS LATER, THE BODY OF WATER THAT POWERED THOSE MILLS, THE WINNIPESAUKEE RIVER, IS STILL A POPULAR LURE FOR LOCALS AND VISITORS. NEW HAMPSHIRE FISH AND GAME DOES STOCK IT FOR FISHERMEN. THIS IS A GREAT SECTION FOR BEGINNER WHITEWATER PADDLERS. THERE’S A SLALOM RACE EVERY YEAR IN THE SUMMERTIME WHEN THERE’S A WHITEWATER RELEASE, THERE ARE SIX DAMS BETWEEN LACONIA AND FRANKLIN THAT ARE HYDROELECTRIC. A QUARTER CENTURY AGO, LOCALS DEVELOPED THE WINNIE RIVER TRAIL ALONGSIDE THE RIVER TO CONNECT NEARBY COMMUNITIES, STIMULATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PROVIDE A SAFE PLACE TO WALK AND BIKE. IT’S REALLY MULTI-GENERATIONAL, WHICH I LOVE, YOU WILL SEE OLDER FOLKS OUT WALKING OR FISHING, YOUNG PEOPLE WITH A STROLLER AND A BABY IN A CARRIAGE, PEOPLE RIDING BIKES, PEOPLE RUNNING, PEOPLE WALKING THEIR DOGS AT THE RIVER’S EAST END IS LAKE WINNISQUAM, THE SHORELINE OF WHICH JUST WELCOMED A BRAND NEW $90 MILLION LUXURY RESORT. THREE TWO ONE. I’M GOING TO GET EMOTIONAL. VERY PROUD OF WHAT ED AND I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD HERE. MY UNCLE BUILT THE SECOND RESORT PROPERTY ON LAKE WINNIPESAUKEE BACK IN 1954, SO HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING IT FORWARD IN MY GENERATION IN HOSPITALITY IS IT’S A DREAM COME TRUE. I’VE BEEN IN THE BUSINESS FOR 44 YEARS. I TELL PEOPLE I HAVEN’T EVEN WORKED A DAY IN MY LIFE. THIS IS REALLY A WAY OF LIFE FOR US. THIS IS WHAT WE DO AND WE JUST LOVE THE BUSINESS. HUSBAND AND WIFE TEAM EDWARD AND PATTY ROCCO OPENED THE LAKE ESTATE ON WINNISQUAM IN AUGUST 2025, THREE YEARS AFTER BREAKING GROUND. WE SPARED NO EXPENSE AS FAR AS THE QUALITY OF THE CONSTRUCTION, THE DESIGN. IT TRULY WAS A PASSION PROJECT. THE PAIR, TOGETHER WITH PRINCIPAL OWNERS DAN DARGIS, OWNER OF NEW CAR, AND HIS WIFE ELAINE, SELF-FUNDED THE 36 ACRE, 114 ROOM INDEPENDENT RESORT. THIS WAS NOT AN ESTATE. BEFORE YOU TRANSFORMED IT. ANYTHING BUT ANYTHING BUT THIS WAS A COTTAGE COMMUNITY. IT SERVED ITS PURPOSE IN ITS DAY AND IT WAS TIME TO BRING SOMETHING NEW. AND WE WANTED TO KEEP THE HISTORY OF WHAT IT WAS, BUT ELEVATE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL FOR TODAY, TO ELEVATE THE ESTATE’S DINING SCENE. THE ROCCO’S BROUGHT IN TWO TIME JAMES BEARD NOMINEE AND TOP CHEF ALUM CHRIS BEARD TO RUN ITS THREE RESTAURANTS. WE JUST THOUGHT WE NEEDED THE VERY BEST CHEF AVAILABLE. SO AS IT TURNS OUT, OUR SEARCH NEVER LEFT THE STATE VOTE. PREVIOUSLY RAN HIS OWN RESTAURANTS PAVILION IN WOLFEBORO AND GREENLEAF IN MILFORD, CHEF BEARD DESCRIBES HIS MENU AS CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN, SUPPORTING AS MANY LOCAL FARMS AS POSSIBLE, AND IT CHANGES WITH THE SEASON. THAT COMMUNITY SUPPORT EXTENDS OUT ONTO THE WATER AS WELL. THE ESTATE PARTNERS WITH WINNISQUAM MARINE TO OFFER BOAT RENTALS. WE’RE OFFERING THE VIP SERVICE TO THOSE GUESTS SO THEY CAN MAKE THE RESERVATION, AND WE’LL BRING THE BOAT TO THEM, MAKE SURE THEY KNOW HOW TO USE IT, OR WE DRIVE THE BOAT FOR THEM. JULIE MARSH IS ONE OF THE OWNERS OF THE THIRD GENERATION FAMILY BUSINESS THAT STARTED IN 1977. THE LAKE COMMUNITY IS SO EXCITED TO HAVE THE RESORT HERE. IT’S A PLACE THEY CAN STAY AND ALSO BRING PEOPLE TO THE AREA TO SHOW THEM THE BEAUTY. 3400FT OF PRIVATE SHORELINE, A 5000 SQUARE FOOT SPA WITH INTIMATE AND COZY TOUCHES THAT MAKE IT FEEL LIKE A HOME. ALL OF THESE EFFORTS HAVE A DISTINCT PURPOSE. THE ROCCO’S ASPIRE THAT ONE DAY THIS WILL BECOME NEW HAMPSHIRE’S FIRST FIVE STAR, FIVE DIAMOND HOTEL. WHERE ARE YOU IN THAT PROCESS? IT’S GOING TO BE A LONG TIME, BUT I THINK THE BEST CASE SCENARIO WE CAN TALK ABOUT THIS 18 MONTHS FROM NOW, 24 MONTHS FROM NOW, AND I THINK WE’RE GOING TO BE LIGHT YEARS AHEAD OF WHERE WE ARE TODAY, AS LONG AS WE HAVE CONSTANT IMPROVEMENT EACH WEEK, WE’RE GOING TO BE CONTENT WITH THAT PATIENCE AND PERSISTENCE PRINCIPLES THAT HAVE CARRIED THIS COUPLE WELL FOR THE PAST 44 YEARS. WE’VE STARTED FROM SCRATCH TO BUILD THIS TOGETHER, AND I FEEL IT HAS STRENGTHENED OUR MARRIAGE AND OUR RELATIONSHIP AT THIS STAGE IN OUR LIFE. LIKE WE DID THIS TOGETHER AND WE’RE COMPATIBLE STILL. OH, THAT’S REALLY CUTE. AND ED AND PATTY AREN’T THE ONLY HUSBAND AND WIFE TEAM AT THE RESORT. CHEF THEO’S WIFE, EMILY, IS THE PASTRY CHEF PASTRY CHEF THERE AND BACK TO THE WINNIE RIVER TRAIL. BEAUTIFUL SPOT. IT GOES THROUGH TILTON, NORTHFIELD, AND FRANKLIN, AND THEN IT CONNECTS ULTIMATELY TO THE NORTHERN RAIL TRAIL LINE, WHICH IS A 59 MILE HIKING TRAIL THAT
Tilton, New Hampshire, welcomes new luxury resort on Lake Winnisquam
The Lake Estate on Winnisquam aims to become the state’s first five-star hotel
Tilton, New Hampshire, a former textile mill town incorporated in 1869, sits at the edge of the state’s Lakes Region, where the Winnipesaukee River continues to attract locals and visitors alike. The river, stocked by New Hampshire Fish and Game, is ideal for anglers and beginner whitewater paddlers.”There’s a slalom race every summer during a whitewater release,” said Ken Norton, president of the Winnipesaukee River Trail Association.Two decades ago, locals developed the Winni River Trail to link nearby towns, boost the economy, and provide a scenic path for walking and biking.”It’s really multi-generational,” Norton said. “You’ll see older folks fishing, parents with strollers, cyclists and runners.”At the river’s east end lies Lake Winnisquam, now home to a new $90 million luxury resort— The Lake Estate on Winnisquam — opened in August 2025 by Edward and Patti Rocco. Their vision: to make it New Hampshire’s first five-star, five-diamond hotel. The Roccos, along with principal owners Dan and Elaine Dagesse of Nucar Auto Dealerships, self-funded the 36-acre, 114-room project.”It truly was a passion project,” Ed Rocco said.The resort honors its setting while embracing modern luxury, featuring three restaurants led by two-time James Beard nominee and “Top Chef” alum Chris Viaud. His contemporary American menus highlight local farms and seasonal flavors.”We wanted the very best chef — and found him right here in New Hampshire,” Rocco said.Partnering with Winnisquam Marine, the resort offers private boat rentals and VIP lake experiences.”It’s a beautiful addition to the community,” co-owner Julie Marsh said. With 3,400 feet of shoreline and a 5,000-square-foot spa, the Lake Estate blends elegance with intimacy.”It’s been a labor of love,” Patti Rocco said. “We built this together — and it’s made us stronger.”
Tilton, New Hampshire, a former textile mill town incorporated in 1869, sits at the edge of the state’s Lakes Region, where the Winnipesaukee River continues to attract locals and visitors alike. The river, stocked by New Hampshire Fish and Game, is ideal for anglers and beginner whitewater paddlers.
“There’s a slalom race every summer during a whitewater release,” said Ken Norton, president of the Winnipesaukee River Trail Association.
Two decades ago, locals developed the Winni River Trail to link nearby towns, boost the economy, and provide a scenic path for walking and biking.
“It’s really multi-generational,” Norton said. “You’ll see older folks fishing, parents with strollers, cyclists and runners.”
At the river’s east end lies Lake Winnisquam, now home to a new $90 million luxury resort— The Lake Estate on Winnisquam — opened in August 2025 by Edward and Patti Rocco. Their vision: to make it New Hampshire’s first five-star, five-diamond hotel. The Roccos, along with principal owners Dan and Elaine Dagesse of Nucar Auto Dealerships, self-funded the 36-acre, 114-room project.
“It truly was a passion project,” Ed Rocco said.
The resort honors its setting while embracing modern luxury, featuring three restaurants led by two-time James Beard nominee and “Top Chef” alum Chris Viaud. His contemporary American menus highlight local farms and seasonal flavors.
“We wanted the very best chef — and found him right here in New Hampshire,” Rocco said.
Partnering with Winnisquam Marine, the resort offers private boat rentals and VIP lake experiences.
“It’s a beautiful addition to the community,” co-owner Julie Marsh said. With 3,400 feet of shoreline and a 5,000-square-foot spa, the Lake Estate blends elegance with intimacy.
“It’s been a labor of love,” Patti Rocco said. “We built this together — and it’s made us stronger.”
