The Adirondacks are a vast area of mountains and lakes in New York State, perfect for an escape to the great outdoors. It's about half a day’s drive from New York City, and when you arrive you’ll be greeted by a great wilderness, ripe for exploring on foot, on two wheels, or by boat on the waterways. Our Gurus have researched the best hotels in the Adirondacks, and found a collection of romantic, traditional looking wooden lodges, large lake-side resorts, and peaceful escapes, with perfect matches for families, couples, groups and explorers of all ilks.
For a Special Occasion
- The Lake Kora Hotel is a collection of 16 stunning villas, nestled into dense forest on the shores of Raquette Lake. Each villa is unique in dimensions and presentation, but they all have romantic, wood clad rooms and private terraces. The facilities are second-to-none, including plenty of watersports kit, a ten pin bowling alley and games room, a library, The Ice House Spa with its sauna and forest-view whirlpool tubs, and a communal dining room serving American classics.
- The Point is an intimate, 11 room hideaway on the shores of Upper Saranac Lake. Each of the rooms and suites is individually decorated, with rustic charm and plenty of space, cosiness, and promotion of the awesome views. Foodies will love the organic produce and fresh menus, plus the option of a winter barbecue, and picnics or alfresco dining on the decks. Fisherfolk will have it made here, as will families, and those seeking romance.
For a Rural Retreat
- The Friends Lake Inn is a rustic retreat in the heart of the Adirondacks, on the banks of Friends Lake. There are 17 spacious yet cosy rooms, offering either lake or garden views. The decor is very lodge chic, with wood-clad walls, fireplaces and plump furnishings. There’s a pool, and a garden, a games room, terrace, and New American organic cuisine paired with an extensive wine list. Romantic, but also family friendly.
- Fern Lodge is a luxurious B&B lodge in a secluded spot on Friends Lake. It has just five rooms and suites, all cosy and romantic, with wood-clad walls, stone fireplaces, plush fabrics and furnishings, and rustic details. They also have two person whirlpool tubs. Expect a superlative breakfast in the morning, and access to an honestly bar in the lounge, which also has a vast stone fireplace in a double height ceiling.
For Families
- The Whiteface Lodge has branded itself as a deluxe hotel for outdoorsy folks, compete with handmade Adirondack-style furniture, lots of wood panelling, stunning views of Lake Placid and the mountains, and an eight thousand foot spa. This is a sizeable resort, with 94 rooms and suites — many designed for families, and complete with self catering facilities. Amenities include indoor and outdoor pools, a gym, ice cream parlour, cinema and restaurant. The Lodge also offers a babysitting service, and there’s a kids club.
- The Haus on Mirror Lake is a luxuriously cool apartment hotel on the shore of Mirror Lake. Its ten apartments are stylishly decorated with contemporary furniture and colours, and have fully stocked state-of-the-art kitchens, as well as period arched windows and balconies that open out onto the water. Some apartments have multiple bedrooms, some jetted tubs, some fireplaces.
For an Active Break
- Mirror Lake Inn is a charmingly traditional, white-painted inn, right on the shores of Mirror Lake. Inside are grand stone fireplaces, exposed beams and beautiful iron stoves. There are 131 rooms and suites, the majority with floor-to-ceiling windows and incredible views. The decor follows Arts and Crafts principles. The Inn also has three dining options, and an onsite spa, plus indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts and private beach area with complimentary boats.
For Couples
- Lake Placid Lodge is a beautiful, rustic-looking lodge on the western shore of Lake Placid, known for its warm welcome and idyllic Adirondack views. All of the 30 rooms and suites have lake views and exposed wood beams — some have stone fireplaces too — and authentic bits of historic memorabilia to add charm. The elegant restaurant serves locally produced gourmet fare.
- The Lake Placid Stagecoach Inn is an historic, and charmingly traditional inn with five cosy, yet spacious rooms, decorated with antiques and plenty of wood — expect colourful quilts and a great central hearth in a welcoming lounge. A two course gourmet breakfast is served on the porch in warm weather, or by the fire in cooler months. This is a great pick for skiers: it’s only a couple of miles from the Olympic Training Centre.
For Great Facilities
- The Sagamore Resort on Lake George is a large and elegant resort on a wooded peninsula jutting onto Lake George. The majority of its 385 rooms and suites have wonderful lake views, and the views from the pool, lounge, terrace and several restaurants, are panoramic. A resort this size is going to have fantastic facilities, and those available at The Sagamore include indoor and outdoor pools, an 18-hole golf course, a spa, a gym, several bars and restaurants, a kids club, and an impressive watersports centre.
For Great Value
- Hotel Saranac is a big hotel, with plenty of history, but it’s recently been renovated to sleek-en up its 82 rooms and suites, and improve the spa and restaurant. The result has retained the huge windows and maple wood features, but updated the furnishings and fabrics to a white and dark grey combination that feels chic and contemporary. The hotel is large enough to offer excellent business facilities, a gym, and a stylish cocktail lounge too.
- The Deer's Head Inn, in Elizabethtown, claims to be the oldest tavern in the Adirondacks, and is now a sort of eatery cum grocers, as well as an inn. The four very affordable rooms are simply, but stylishly, decorated, with antique and vintage touches — including record players. The eatery serves up delicious seasonal, regional fare.
Best B&Bs
- The Rosemont Inn is a boutique-style B&B in Utica, with six romantic, spacious rooms, featuring fireplaces and deep, claw-foot tubs. The house itself is elegant and historic, with huge windows and a beautiful garden. Breakfast is four courses fresh from the farm. Children and pets are welcome.
- The Goose Pond Inn is a charming little B&B converted from a wood-clad farmhouse set on a beautiful plot of land in North Creek. The original home has been converted into four rooms, with their largest suite sleeping up to five, plus there are comfortable sitting rooms, a games room, a breakfast room, and a lovely terrace to enjoy too. During the ski season they offer ski packages.
Still not sure where to book?
