Lake Placid is much more than the Olympics, with stunning views, great outdoor activities, informative museums, and beautiful lakes, visitors can have plenty of fun during their getaway. Restaurants and shops line Main Street, providing a great place to browse the area. With a very small population of only 2,500, Lake Placid is mainly a vacationing town. Since it was once the site of the 1980 winter Olympics, there are plenty of activities and sites to be seen. Be sure to check out my favorite hotels in the area.
1. Lake Placid Lodge
Rating: ★★★★★
To feel like you are in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains – you are! – Lake Placid Lodge uses natural stone and timber to create rustic charm.
This lodge houses a variety of beautiful Adirondack-inspired rooms, including the tree top room at the very top of the lodge. It includes unique furnishings, like a twisted twig canopy bed. With beautiful rooms overlooking the lake, room service, and in-room massages, this is a great place to stay on a romantic getaway.
In fact, most bathrooms have a deep-soak tub for two. Lake Placid Lodge houses two restaurants: Maggie’s Pub and Artisans (with outdoor seating overlooking the lake and Whiteface Mountain).
144 Lodge Way, Lake Placid, NY 12946, Phone: 518-523-2700
2. Whiteface Lodge
Established by a former Olympian in 2005, Whiteface Lodge is more than just a hotel.
This resort includes several indoor and outdoor activities, onsite restaurants, team rooms, and a spa.
Along with a movie theater, there are bowling and canoeing available. Mani/Pedi, facial, and massage services are available, as well as some wellness classes, like aqua aerobics, yoga, and muscles tone building. For those looking to top off their evening with some delicious food, Whiteface Lodge has an upscale dining venue called Kanu and casual restaurant called Peak 47.
If you’re just looking for a quick bite, head over to the spa café or the Ice Cream Parlor.
7 Whiteface Inn Lane, Lake Placid, NY 12946, Phone: 518-523-0505
3. High Peaks Resort
Lake Placid is full of beautiful resorts, and High Peaks is a company that offers three unique resort experiences.
With a modern flair on rustic styling, The Resort (as it’s called among the three hotels), has four room styles to select from: accessible rooms, superior view rooms, one-bedroom suites, and signature rooms.
All rooms offer walk-in river rock showers and luxurious bedding. Coming in the summer months? Be sure to check out the rooftop bar,
The Deck, for a drink and fantastic views of Whiteface Mountain. Or, if you’re a winter-sports person, check out the lobby bar, The Den, during the colder months.
2384 Saranac Avenue, Lake Placid, NY 12946, Phone: 518-523-4411
4. Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly option, the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort is the first in America to receive the Platinum Eco-Rating by Audubon International.
Along with deluxe rooms and suites, there are fantastic amenities to consider when selecting your Lake Placid hotel. The Golden Arrow is the first to have a green roof in New York.
Pets are also welcome at the resort, though there is a fee. However, a percentage of this fee goes to the local humane society to further care for animals.
The Golden Arrow is close to the Olympic village, so sightseeing is just a few minutes away.
2559 Main Street, Lake Placid, NY 12946, Phone: 844-209-8080
5. Lake House
The Lake House at High Peaks is a smaller inn consisting of only 44 rooms. Each room is named after one of the Adirondack’s high peaks, letting each guest feel familiarity and uniqueness from each other.
All rooms include a private patio or balcony with views of the lake and mountains around the inn.
Since the Lake House is across the street from the High Peaks Resort, anyone who stays can use the High Peaks Resort’s amenities. This isn’t to say that the Lake House has none.
Along with a pool and an air hockey table, the Great Room is a good place to play some board games with the family. Along with paddleboard, canoe, and paddleboat rentals, there is also an onsite bar.
1 Mirror Lake Drive, Lake Placid, NY 12946, Phone: 518-423-4422
6. Crowne Plaza Lake Placid
A well-known name in luxury hotels, the Crowne Plaza Lake Placid is located right in Olympic Village.
You won’t be able to get much closer to the sightseeing with the Olympic Center and some of Main Street’s best shops and restaurants right around the corner.
The views are breathtaking, but more importantly, so are the amenities.
A 45-hole golf course club is part of the hotel, as well as a cross-country ski & snowshoe center.
Guests can eat in the gorgeous Great Room Bar that overlooks the mountains or at MacKenzie’s Restaurant. Pets are welcome for a small fee.
101 Olympic Drive, Lake Placid, NY 12946, Phone:518-523-2556
7. Courtyard Lake Placid
Similar to many of Lake Placid’s hotels, Courtyard Lake Placid is pet-friendly. As a typical hotel, the rooms do not vary much other than by size.
The décor is modern and some rooms do include whirlpool tubs or fireplaces.
The only dining option at the hotel is The Bistro, which serves some breakfast and dinner options.
Most importantly, they serve hand-crafted drinks made with Starbucks coffee to get you going in the morning. There are a pool and fitness center on site as well.
Though there are fewer options for amenities than some, the location is perfect for shopping, eating, and sightseeing.
5920 Cascade Road, Lake Placid, NY 12946, Phone: 518-523-2900
8. Best Western Adirondack Inn
Simply steps away from Mirror Lake Beach and the Olympic Center, the Best Western Adirondack Inn may be one of the more affordable hotels in Lake Placid.
While staying at the Best Western Adirondack Inn, you can visit the Wild Center Museum or Santa’s Workshop Amusement Park.
All rooms are equipped with a refrigerator and a complimentary hot breakfast. When you want to relax from the day out adventuring, hit the fitness center. I enjoy the sauna and the indoor pool featuring a hot tub.
Parking on site is free, though this is a smoke- and pet-free accommodation.
2625 Main Street, Lake Placid, NY 12946, Phone:518-523-2424
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