The Best Hotels in the Adirondacks, New York

Don’t worry about landing the dud room at this traditional family-run resort on the shore of Mirror Lake. Every single room overlooks the satin-smooth waters and Adirondack High Peaks beyond, while roaring fires, cozy Arts & Crafts decor and an indoor lap pool make it easy to stay inside and enjoy the mother-may-I views. If the great outdoors beckon, there are a private sandy beach with complimentary canoes and paddleboards, a skating rink and tennis court and even private ski lessons available with Olympic medallist Andrew Weibrecht.

Enjoy big-city attractions but small-town charm at the Queensbury Hotel in downtown Glen Falls, between Saratoga Springs and Lake George. Welcoming guests for nearly 100 years, the red-brick property features an indoor pool, a barbershop and its very own pub, Fenimore’s. World-class art museum the Hyde Collection, the Charles R Wood Theater and a range of restaurants and shops are all nearby for easy exploring.

A stay at the Lake Placid Stagecoach Inn, which was built in the late 1700s on 7 acres (3ha) of land, feels like visiting an old friend determined to spoil you. Think complimentary coffee delivered to enjoy in bed each morning, cozy fireplaces in the snug, pine-clad rooms and free wine on the covered front porch each evening. After a day hiking on nearby Whiteface Mountain, retire to the backyard for drinks served by the fire pit from a vintage upcycled horse-trailer bar.

Planning to stay a while? The swish suites at the Hotel Saranac are larger than the average city-center apartment and come with private bedrooms, fridges and full access to the main hotel just next door. Head to the renovated 1920s-era building to relax with cocktails on an outdoor terrace overlooking the mountains, borrow complimentary bikes to tour the area, or be pampered at the spa. Just don’t miss the hearty comfort food (and indecently moreish rum and root beer float) at the hotel’s Campfire Grill.

Used as a location on the hit HBO series Succession, Lake Placid Lodge is every bit as lavish as the show’s fictional family might demand. Antique-stuffed rooms and cabins offer sweeping lake views, hand-carved beds and wood-burning fireplaces, while guests enjoy private boat tours, nightly bonfires with s’mores and guided wilderness adventures. Though you may prefer to stick close to the wine cellar packed with rare vintages, the onsite pub and renowned restaurant serving pancakes have been voted among the best in America.

Even the most restless family will be entertained at the High Peaks resort, a sprawling complex of three hotels overlooking Mirror Lake close to the village of Lake Placid. There are two outdoor and two indoor pools, several restaurants and bars and everything from paddleboards and paddleboats to ice skates and kicksleds available, allowing you to make the most of the resort’s unbeatable location. No need to leave four-legged family members behind either: dog beds, bowls and treats are all provided.

Boredom is not an option at this sumptuous Lake Placid resort, built by a former Olympian using timber hand-milled on site. Hunker down in a suite with a cast-iron fireplace and private balcony, or drag yourself away to visit the onsite tennis and basketball courts, ice-skating rink, bowling alley, games room, ice cream parlor or cinema serving free popcorn with every screening. Finish a dream stay at the opulent spa, ranked among the best in North America.

Foodies will be in gourmet heaven at this relaxed Elizabethtown inn, the oldest tavern in the Adirondacks. Open since 1808, the historic property stays true to all that first made it great, focusing on local, sustainable meals, regional cuisine and no-nonsense comfort food staples with all local farms and suppliers listed on the menu. Fill up, and then stagger to one of four elegant bedrooms, where thoughtful touches include record players, vintage artwork and stacks of quirky paperbacks.

There’s no need to choose between the outdoorsy activities of the Adirondack Mountains and the downtown delights of Lake Placid at this Best Western. Located smack bang on Main Street, the restaurants and shops in town are within strolling distance, the famous Olympic Center is just across the street, and Mirror Lake Beach is next door for summer kayaking and paddleboarding or ice skating in winter. Mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking and skiing opportunities are all close by for adventure seekers.

Escape the daily grind in motel-style rooms and simple cottages at this serene 9-acre (4ha) lakeside resort. A sandy beach is steps away from all rooms, with a roped-off swimming area, sun deck, fishing piers and paddleboards and kayaks for rent. On dry land, potter round the children’s playgrounds, croquet lawns and badminton court, and enjoy lazy lunches at the barbecue grills and picnic tables scattered through the resort.