When you notice the small sign for Migis Lodge and then turn down the tight, rock-covered road, you may wonder if you are heading to the right place. Keep driving, because once you hit the end of that path, you will experience a blissful lakefront vacation.

Migis Lodge is a traditional New England family-style lodge, one that might make you feel like you’ve stepped into the movie, “Dirty Dancing.” Here, one dining room and living room are central to guests. It is in this building where you will enjoy breakfast, some lunches and dinners, and be served by the same smiling faces every day. These servers will be your right hand and get you practically anything you wish. This building is also where you will spend evenings watching sunsets over the lake with wine and cheese, and chatting with other guests whose names you’ll quickly get to know. It’s where you will gather for a game of chess, to pick up a fishing pole or a paddle board oar, or sign up to water ski. Throughout the week, BBQs, bingo, lobster bakes and more are meant to lure you out of your cabins and enjoy time with other families.

And that’s pretty tough to do, considering how lovely the cabins are! The rugged, yet luxurious cabins feature lots of wood, stone and plaid, with comfortable beds and large living rooms. Front porches with rocking chairs become another place to say hello to other guests who stroll by on the paths, for once you reach Migis, your car gets parked in a lot and you walk along wooded paths to reach every avenue of the resort. An especially rugged feel is the piles of firewood lining the paths, which can be collected for use in your cabin when it gets chilly or you just want to enjoy the smell of a fire at night.

Of course, the resort’s best offering is Lake Sebago, of which it fronts. Sail, ski, fish, canoe, kayak, paddle board, float and swim in the beautiful lake that stretches across nearly 50 square miles. Most all equipment and fun is included with your stay, with the exception of gas for the boats or rentals of larger Whalers. Some guests even bring their own boats to dock at the resort, but you can enjoy plenty of time on the lake comfortably with Migis’ offerings.

Migis Lodge will make you feel like you are at summer camp, with better beds and food. My family and I loved the resort and made a promise to return again, as most families do — just ask one of the guests you meet and they’ll tell you how many summers they have been visiting Migis Lodge. It’s a magical place.

Thirty-five cabins are sprinkled throughout the 125-acre resort, and include lake-view and wood-view accommodations. Guests can also reserve rooms in the Main Lodge. Cottages include studios for up to three people, one-bedroom cottages for up to three people, two-bedroom cottages for up to six people, three-bedroom cottages for up to six people, four-bedroom cottages for up to 10 people, and one six-bedroom cottage. A five-bedroom Lake House can accommodate up to 10 in a 1920's cottage with 5.5 baths, a living room, den, sunroom and wraparound porch, as well as a private beach and 150 feet of lakeside terrace. Cottages feature fieldstone fireplaces and porches.

Eight lodge studio rooms, which are best suited for couples, are outfitted with a king or twin beds, sitting area with a fireplace, private balconies with lake views, and private bathrooms.

Rates are per person, per night and include accommodations and all meals and activities with the exception of motorized boats and drinks from the bar.

The resort also rents out two homes adjacent to the lodge. Tall Pines is a three-bedroom, 3.5-bath, two-story house with cathedral ceilings, a dining room that seats 10, fully stocked kitchen, a screened porch and four fireplaces. The Summer House is a four-bedroom, 4.5-bath, two-story house with a sleeping porch, three fireplaces, a dining table for up to 15, and a gourmet, fully stocked kitchen. Rentals are by the week.

This family resort provides a number of activities during the summer season, with an updated schedule appearing in the lodge. On Monday nights, families can gather on the front porch overlooking the lake or in the living room from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for a complimentary cocktail party, complete with hors d'oeuvres. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, join a 10 a.m. hour-long cruise on the lake aboard the lodge's Tykona. On Wednesdays, families can meet in Boulders at 8:30 p.m. for Bingo ($2 per card.) On Thursday nights, families can enjoy a bonfire after dinner overlooking the lake. On Fridays, a lobster bake is followed by karaoke in Boulders.

In the fall, Autumn Adventures includes cooking lessons, apple picking, schooner sails, hiking trips, naturalists, lobstering and wine and beer tastings. Tea and pastries are served by the fire daily, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The resort is situated on 125 wooded acres with plenty of well-marked hiking trails, and features three beaches for swimming (no lifeguards on duty), shuffleboard, three tennis courts and a playground for children, as well as the following:

Children's Programs
During the summer months, Migis provides a supervised Children's Activity Program from noon to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, for children age 5 and older. The program offers lunch, games, hikes, crafts and time on the lake. Families must sign up by 11 a.m. In the evenings, the Children's Zoo provides supervised dinner and fun from 5:55 p.m. to 9 p.m. Parents can pre-select the dinner meal, and kids play at the playground and in Boulders.

Boating
As a lakefront lodge, Sebago Lake is the highlight and Migis provides the means to enjoy it. Canoes, kayaks, rowboats, paddleboards, sunfish and day sailers are all available, at no additional charge, on a first-come, first-serve basis. Small boats with motors, as well as a 250-hp Grady, are also available for a small gas fee.

Waterskiing
Waterskiing is offered three times a day from the Main Dock, with instructional experiences held at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily, and experience skiing and waterboarding in the early morning from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. The free skiing is popular, so guests need to sign up the day before for early-morning sessions and 45 minutes before for the two daily sessions, and may not get more than one turn if there are many people signed up. Private waterski lessons take place at the end of the day.

Fishing
Many guests at Migis bring their own poles, but the resort also provides fishing pools to children and adults. Anyone over the age of 12 must have a fishing license, which can be purchased at the front desk. Bait can be purchased up the road at the Hilltop Mini-Mart

Migis Lodge serves family-style dinner three times a day, and families have the same table and same servers for every meal. Buffets and a la carte options are offered for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Breakfast is available from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., with a continental offering from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. for "snoozers" in the living room. Coffee is available in the living room beginning at 6 a.m. for early risers and those wanting to wake board on glass in the early morning.

Lunch is offered from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the dining room every day except Saturdays during the summer, and Wednesdays and Saturdays after Labor Day, when a cookout lunch is offered at Sunrise Point. From opening day through Labor Day, an Island Cookout is offered every Wednesday on Migis Island, accessible by boat.

Dinner is provided from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. from the summer to Labor Day, and then until 7:30 p.m. on weekdays and 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays after Labor Day. The dining room features a carving station every night. On Friday nights from opening day to Labor Day, a lobster bake is held by the lake with a complimentary cocktail party from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. On Saturday nights, a buffet is offered until 8:30 p.m. up to Labor Day and 8 p.m. after Labor Day.

Families with kids under age 6 will be seated in the Family Dining Room, and high chairs and booster seats are available. At dinner, men are required to wear jackets.

In the summer, children can enjoy the kids' dinner program, known as the Zoo. Kids order from the kid's menu and are dropped off for the free program that includes dinner, crafts, indoor activities and visits to the playground while mom and dad enjoy a date night in the dining room. The program runs from 5:55 p.m. to 9 p.m.

All About the Extras
Migis is a Full American Plan destination resort. The nearly all-inclusive resort charges per person, per night, with rates for adults anywhere from $170 to $395 per person. Children 6 and older are $50 to $120 per night, and children under 6 are $40 to $80 during the season, and free after Labor Day.

As a traditional family lodge, a 15 percent service charge is added to your bill to go to the staff that serves you during your stay. It is customary for guests to give extra to certain staffers who go above and beyond the already exceptional service.

A small DVD library and DVD players are available at the front desk.

A wash, dry and fold laundry service is provided for all guests for a nominal fee.

The entire resort offers free Wi-Fi service, and a computer is available at the front desk.

Babysitting can be arranged, at a fee.

The Art of Smart Timing
Unfortunately, the staff at Migis Lodge is mostly made up of college-aged kids who must return to school at the end of August/beginning of September. This means the lodge loses more than half of its staff at this time and it feels a pinch with less staff and new staff who are learning the ropes late in the season. Try to visit before the staff leaves for college to have a truer and better experience.

Getting There
Migis Lodge is closest to Portland Airport, about a 25-mile drive away. From I-95, the lodge is located about 22 miles off of Exit 48.