The Shangri-La
The Shangri-La opened in the summer of 1953, after the Winnecoette House, purchased by George and Mary Spanos on May 2, 1952, was extensively renovated, expanded, and renamed. Click on the link for an extensive look at the Winnecoette House.
On April 28 , 1970, the Shangri-La was sold to new owners and was renamed the Brickyard Mountain Inn. Ownership of the property changed in 1975, in 1981, and in 2001. Comprising 220 acres in the heart of Weirs Beach, the property was ultimately divided into several parcels. One part became the Village at Winnipesaukee condominiums, another part became Cedar Lodge. Most of the original acreage remained undeveloped until 2004, when the Meredith Bay (formerly known as Akwa Soleil) housing development began construction.
On March 16, 1989, the original Hotel, which had been closed and put up for sale, burned down.
Mid-1950s aerial photos of the Shangri-La. The indoor pool still had not been added to the original Winnecoette House structure. The motel wing seen on the left of the photos would later be expanded lengthwise to adjoin the original hotel. Also, an additional floor would be added to the left wing.
Below is an extensive gallery of Shangri-La photos, sourced from various brochures and postcards. Photos of the main building and the outdoor and indoor pools.
The Mermaid Lounge overlooked the L-shaped indoor pool. The Panorama Restaurant overlooked the scenic view of the Lake. Postcards of the motel building. Shangri-la brochures.
