Pinecone Lodge

Newry sits at the gateway to Maine's Western Mountains, where the hills roll steep and the skiing is serious. Pinecone Lodge is built for people who want to book an entire house - not a hotel room - and have space to breathe. It's a four-bedroom chalet with three bathrooms, a full kitchen, and enough common areas that a group can sprawl across the property without tripping over each other. The hot tub sits outside. The fireplace waits inside. The ping-pong table and game room keep everyone occupied on the quiet nights.

This is the kind of place you rent for a long weekend with friends or a multi-generational family trip where nobody wants to book three separate rooms. One review, from a group of five who stayed in August, rated it 8/10 - praising the space itself and the kitchen setup without reservation.

Built for groups who need real space. The four-bedroom layout means everyone has their own room - no arguments over sleeping arrangements. The living areas are genuine gathering spaces: a dining table for group meals, a sofa for movie nights, a fireplace for quieter evenings. Groups of 6–12 people can move through the house without feeling cramped.

A full kitchen makes meals your choice, not theirs. The chalet includes a stovetop, oven, dishwasher, microwave, and all the kitchenware you'd expect. Breakfast happens on your schedule. Dinner is what you want it to be. For groups with dietary preferences or cost-conscious travelers, this setup pays for itself in a few days.

Winter and summer activities are minutes away. Sunday River ski resort is nearby for those who came to carve the mountains. In warmer months, hiking trails wind through the surrounding forest - many directly accessible from the property. The hot tub is non-negotiable after either pursuit.

A game room and ping-pong table keep the group entertained. Beyond the obvious, there's a TV for downtime and the kind of space that allows small groups to split off without anyone feeling isolated. Fishing access is available if the group includes anyone angling to try it.

Kitchen & Cooking · Full stovetop, oven, microwave, dishwasher, refrigerator, coffee machine, and all kitchenware · Dining table for group meals · Tea and coffee makers stocked

Living & Fireplace · Wood-burning fireplace in the living area · Multiple sitting areas and sofa · Work desk if anyone needs to stay connected

Outdoor & Recreation · Hot tub/Jacuzzi · Barbecue facilities · Ping-pong table · Game room with TV · Hiking access from property

Practical · Washing machine and dryer for multi-day stays · Private bathrooms in each bedroom · Laundry services available · Smoke-free property

The property is organized as a true chalet rather than a hotel broken into rooms. You get a private entrance, and the spaces flow naturally: bedrooms cluster in quieter zones, bathrooms are well-distributed across three, and the living area - dining table, fireplace, sofa, sitting area - feels like an actual home, not a rental staging.

Bed and linens are clean and adequate. Bathrooms are stocked with towels and free toiletries. The focus here is on the shared spaces and the kitchen, not on luxury bedroom finishes.

One note: the property is smoke-free and equipped with fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, and a carbon monoxide detector, which matters if anyone in your group has sensitivities.

Hot Tub & Outdoor Space

The hot tub is your main draw outside the skiing and hiking. It's positioned to take advantage of the scenery, and after a day of activity or a long evening of games, it's where groups naturally congregate. The barbecue facilities mean grilling is an option on clear nights.

One Thing to Know

A guest who stayed for five nights flagged that cleaning supplies - brooms, mops, vacuums in working order - weren't readily available for mid-stay tidying. The property provides a vacuum, but it wasn't operational at the time of their visit. If you're planning a longer stay and want to do light cleaning between days, confirm with the owner beforehand.

Winter (December–March): Peak season for skiing. Sunday River runs full operation. The hot tub is especially welcome after cold days on the mountain. Roads are maintained but winter driving applies. The fireplace gets real use.

Spring (April–May): Mud season in Maine; trails can be wet and soft. Skiing winds down by late April. Fewer crowds, lower rates. The chalet still feels peaceful.

Summer (June–September): Hiking and outdoor activities dominate. The hot tub is refreshing after active days. Barbecue season. The region is green and warm, though mountain nights cool off. Less crowded than winter.

Fall (September–October): Foliage peaks in late September and early October. Hiking is ideal. Ski season hasn't started yet, so rates are moderate. Cool evenings around the fireplace.

"The space in the house was beautiful. Rooms were well done, everything we needed in the kitchen was available."

• Timothy, United States · Group · 8/10

• Sunday River ski resort - 15–20 minutes by car; the closest major downhill area
• Grafton Notch State Park - 10 miles; hiking, scenic drives, waterfall walks
• Hiking trails - directly accessible from the property; ranging from short walks to afternoon scrambles through the Western Mountains
• Newry village - 2 miles; small general store, local dining, farmstand in season
• Bethel - 25 minutes; a full-service mountain town with galleries, restaurants, and a town green
• Fishing - Sunday River and nearby streams; permits available locally
• Scenic drives - Route 2 through the Notch is a classic, especially during fall foliage season

Is this a ski-in, ski-out property? No. Sunday River is 15–20 minutes by car, making it a close but not immediate drive.

Can we cook full meals in the kitchen? Yes. It's fully equipped with stovetop, oven, dishwasher, microwave, refrigerator, and full kitchenware. This is designed for groups planning to prepare their own meals.

Is there a hot tub? Yes. It's one of the main amenities and is available year-round, though peak enjoyment is winter (after skiing) and summer (after hiking).

How many bathrooms are there? Three bathrooms across four bedrooms, so generally one per two bedrooms, with shared access to a third.

Can we have a group dinner or cook outside? Yes. The barbecue facilities support outdoor cooking. The dining table seats a full group inside.

Is there a restaurant on-site? No. The chalet is set up for self-catering. The nearest dining is in Newry village (2 miles) or Bethel (25 minutes).

Is the property pet-friendly? The JSON doesn't specify. Contact the owner directly before booking if pets are part of your group.