History of the NASWA

What’s in a Name?

What does NASWA mean? is a common question at this 75-years young resort, tucked onto the beaches of Lake Winnipesaukee in Laconia, New Hampshire. Back In 1935 Jim and Fannie Salta, immigrants from Lesbos, Greece, were exploring a rocky hillside near the popular tourist destination, Weirs Beach. They found a natural spring of refreshing, clear water and excitedly rushed to evaluate their discovery. The spring water tested as 100% pure so the Salta’s purchased the property and founded the “Natural Spring Water Company. The following year, the Salta’s added 5 one-room cabins and christened them the Naswa Spring Water Cabins. Jim and Fannie raised their children on the beautiful shores of Lake Winnipesaukee and the NASWA, a multi-generational business was born.

Decades later, when Laconia’s tourists and traffic increased and the NASWA’s visible roadside location attracted many visitors the name changed to the NASWA Motor Inn. As the resort added more food, entertainment and features, it again outgrew its name and became the NASWA Resort—now often shortened to “The Naz.”

Hope Makris (Jim and Fannie’s daughter) is the current NASWA owner. She and her husband Peter (the well-known and loved “Big Kahuna,” who passed away in February, 2007) also raised their three girls Karen, Victoria,and Cynthia at the NASWA. And as their family grew, so did the resort facilities. Docks, kayaks, paddle boats, Karen’s Gift Shop, The Naz Boat, fine dining in The Restaurant at the NASWA and casual dining at The Beach Bar were all introduced under Hope and Peter’s reign. Over the years, the waterfront building and lakeside cottages were also added to grow the resort and its appeal. The entire family has been involved in the Resort business, with daughters Cynthia, Victoria and Karen and son-in-law, Jim in operations.

Up-to-Date

Recommended as “Editors’ Choice” by Yankee Magazine’s 2009 Annual Travel Guide to New England!

The NASWA has come a long way from those 5 cabins on the hill! Today the NASWA Resort is made up of 83 rooms, suites and Cottages overlooking 1,000 feet of coveted sandy beach on beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee. The Restaurant at the NASWA and the NazBar Beach Bar and Grilloffer fine, upscale dining and cocktails in a casual atmosphere, where restaurant and bar guests can enjoy live piano or engaging music. The classic menu includes years of loyal NASWA customer favorites and you’ll find a variety of dishes from steaks and fresh seafood, to authentic northern and southern Italian cuisine with new specials nightly. “Yia yia” Hope still hand-makes desserts with love in each spoonful.

The NazBar Beach Bar and Grill, a Lake Winnipesaukee “must-go” spot since 1981, was the first beach bar on Lake Winnipesaukee and remains a destination by land or lake for visitors and locals. What started with two windows and one blender is now a renowned summer hot spot. The numerous docks are an important amenity for this bustling eatery and entertainment center. Waterside lunches and dinners and even in-water lounging are a trademark at the NazBar where a long list of tropical drinks and live entertainment day and night give you a Caribbean Island feeling right here in New England and make The NAZ THE place for hot summer days and cool seasonal nights.

The NASWA Resort has been featured on the New England Cable Network’s (NECN)” TV Diner with Billy Costa,” the New England Sports Network (NESN) “The Ride,” and was named one of the “Top 20 Boating Hotspots” by Powerboat Magazine. Boaters, bikers, families and fishermen have found the NASWA Beach Bar – Have YOU?

Bring your family and spend the summer with ours. Come by land or by lake and find out why…The NASWA Resort has been COOL FOR 75 YEARS!