The Best Cabins and Lodges to Book in New York State

Enjoy a peaceful retreat at Wellnesste Lodge, in 60 acres (24ha) of Appalachian wilderness where the appreciation of nature comes first. Seven cabins surround the lodge, like the Henry David Thoreau cabin, built from a former 1800s summer kitchen, and the Goodall Treehouse cabin, named after ecologist Jane Goodall. They come with a variety of amenities including wood burning fireplaces, small kitchens and lofts accessible by ladder, and some have shared detached full bathrooms. Guests are welcome to curl up in front of the fire in the main lodge with a good book and a glass of wine.

This family-run establishment would like to invite you to “bearadise” near the town of Lake George. Cabins range from one to six beds, with adjacent cabins and loft bedrooms available; all have kitchenettes, picnic tables and porches. A deli, farmer’s market and convenience store are right across the street, and the Lake George trolley stops at the entrance. Bring your dog for long walks on the trails, and enjoy the outdoor pool and nearby restaurants.

This lodge boasts one-, two- and three-bedroom suites with wood-burning, cast-iron fireplaces, timber balconies and antler chandeliers. Kitchenettes are standard in every suite, and there are two on-site restaurants, including the impressive two-story Kanu dining room, for when you don’t feel like cooking. Daily activities are endless, with a movie theater, bowling alley, indoor and outdoor pools and games rooms. Look out for the bear in a canoe in the lobby.

The Fern has just five carefully curated guest rooms. Colorful throw rugs decorate the pine floors, jacuzzi tubs are situated with a view of the wood-burning fireplace, delicious breakfasts are delivered to your bedside every morning and balconies have a view of the sunset every night. Try a complimentary kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard on Friends Lake during the day, and enjoy a boat ride early in the evening. There are activities for every season at this Adirondacks getaway.

Fall foliage and winter snowfalls are particularly beautiful at Lake George – and best appreciated from the balcony of your private lodge at Cresthaven. The one- and two-bedroom pine-paneled suites have fully equipped kitchens; children will enjoy the heated pool, many varieties of playground equipment and field games on the 11-acre (4.5ha) resort in the summer. After a game of basketball, volleyball, shuffleboard or bocce, it’s a five-minute drive to the restaurants at Bolton Landing or Lake George.

Lakeside living awaits you at the pristine LEED-certified Saranac Waterfront Lodge, located in the Tri-Lakes area between Lake Placid and Tupper Lake. The lodge offers contemporary guest rooms and suites overlooking Pontiac Bay in Lake Flower, with a choice of town, bay or lake views. You’ll find deep-soaker tubs, luxurious bedding and Keurig coffee makers in every room; suites add a walk-out balcony, sofa bed and living areas. Rent a kayak or paddleboard and take off from the dock, or take a 10-minute walk to the galleries and shops of Saranac Lake, a local artists’ colony.

A four-hour drive from New York City will bring you to this modern lodge on the Hudson River, in an area that’s the perfect place to experience high-energy whitewater rafting. Alpine prides itself on being the first “smart” hotel in the area with an Alexa voice-activated assistant and multiple USB stations in each room, plus two Tesla charging stations. Allergen-free rooms range from single beds to the Eagle’s Nest with a full kitchen, a porch overlooking Main Street and two bedrooms. Dogs are more than welcome to join you in the private backyard that has a fire pit and dog run.

Single Island’s immaculate cottages and chalets overlook beautiful Seneca Lake, in the heart of the Finger Lakes region. Double log cabins sleep four, while the larger chalets accommodate up to 14 guests with fully equipped kitchens. Wraparound porches are the perfect place to take in the sunset over the lake, after an afternoon spent touring local wineries.