Lake Placid Lodge: An Adirondack Escape, Luxury-Style

Always on the lookout for value-oriented travel, Senior Editor Patricia Magaña has trekked throughout the States, Latin America, and Europe. Follow her on Instagram @PatiTravels.

Since joining the editorial crew in 2005, Magaña has pounced on incredible deals to Amsterdam, Madrid, and San Pedro Sula—each for less than $300. Her favorite travel experiences involve discovering street art while meandering a city, chatting up locals, and day drinking.

Her stories have appeared on USA Today, Huffington Post, Yahoo!, TripAdvisor, AirfareWatchdog, and other publications.

Email Patricia at editor@smartertravel.com.

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With luxe accommodations and postcard-perfect views, Lake Placid Lodge is the destination for a weekend escape in Upstate New York.

Though not far from many major Northeastern cities, downtime in the Adirondacks invokes the feeling of being transported to another time and place: a pastoral kingdom of endless high peaks and peaceful waters. And Lake Placid Lodge is the embodiment of that sentiment. With luxury lodge-style accommodations, postcard-perfect lake and mountain views from every guest room, and fine dining, Lake Placid Lodge effortlessly blends into the serene Adirondack surroundings.

The only resort directly on Lake Placid, the lodge offers a total of 30 guest rooms and is a member of the exclusive Relais & Chateaux collection, an international association of privately owned luxury hotels and restaurants.

Dining

Creative fine dining is what’s on the menu at Lake Placid Lodge’s Artisans Restaurant. Executive Chef Mark Hannon prepares delicious Adirondack dishes with locally sourced bounty. As such, the menu changes daily.

Deep underground, the reservations-only Wine Cellar private dining room also houses the master sommelier’s curated wine collection of 8,000 to 10,000 bottles tucked floor to ceiling. Reservations are recommended (call 518-523-2700) as the Lodge’s dining venues are open to non-guests as well.

The lodge’s tavern, Maggie’s Pub, serves up drink and light fare in a welcoming setting serviced by the lodge’s popular bartender, Lori Kudelski. (Really, you should Google her.) Warning: You may never again play a board game or tease out a puzzle if it’s not while sipping a satisfying drink and sitting in a cozy armchair next to a fireplace.

Guest Rooms

At the end of a long day, nothing’s lovelier than a lingering soak in a deep tub, a crackling fire in the stone hearth, and a dive into a luxury bed. All accommodations options at Lake Placid Lodge include turndown service, twice-daily housekeeping, and lake and mountain views. A few include private balconies or patios.

And just like the rest of the property, each room, cabin, and suite is furnished with Adirondack log furniture. Found throughout the luxurious property are custom-made Adirondack-style furnishings by artisans and fine craftspeople, each piece telling the timeless story of the Lodge’s majestic surrounds.

The Surrounds

Lake Placid Lodge organizes a sunset cruise every evening and provides complimentary use of canoes, snow shoes, and mountain bikes. Outdoor-enthusiasts will also find no shortage of hunting, fishing, and backwoods excursions in the surrounding wilderness; golfers can indulge in world-class tee time at the Whiteface Club, in the adjoining property; downhill skiers at the nearby Whiteface Mountain; and those adventurous enough to try bobsled or luging can do so at Olympic Village, the site of two Winter Olympics. And there’s always the Ironman Lake Placid in late July.

Hiking and biking trail explorations in Adirondack National Park—with its six million acres of diverse mountain landscape—start just feet from the lodge.
Another nearby option is the Adirondack Craft and Beverage Trail of area microbreweries and wineries. Lake Placid balances its small-town charm with a town center that hosts high-end restaurants, cute boutiques, and an overall artsy feel.

Getting to Lake Placid Lodge

Regional airline Cape Air, which covers commuter flights to Maine, Vermont, Cape Cop and Martha’s Vineyard, several New York State airports, Puerto Rico, and the British and U.S. Virgin Islands, can get you to Saranac Lake Airport from Boston or White Plains in 90 minutes. What’s more, the airline offers shuttle service from midtown Manhattan to White Plain’s Westchester County Airport. Use originating/destination airport code “ZYP” when booking for access to Manhattan ground transportation.

Despite the easy flights, Lake Placid remains a drive-to destination and is only a few hours’ drive from Manhattan, many major Northeastern cities, and Montreal; and the Quebec border is just minutes away.

For its bountiful sweeping views of rivers, lakes, and mountains, Amtrak lists its New York City-Montreal Adirondack route as one of the most scenic train rides in the world.

Prices for overnight stays at the Lake Placid Lodge vary based on the season and room type. Seasonal specials are readily available.

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Patricia Magaña received complimentary accommodations from Lake Placid Lodge and a free flight from Cape Air. Follow her on Instagram @PatiTravels for more travel everything.

Photos: (Lake Placid Lodge)

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