Startle

Far from the film with the man-eating alligator prowling the peaceful water, Lake Placid Lodge is exactly what it’s name implies: a tranquil getaway. Perched on the water’s edge, this Four-Star lodge has quite a history. Sitting at 144 Lodge Way, the lodge offers fantastic scenery no matter what time of year you visit. Rebuilt in 2005, after a fire destroyed the original property, Lake Placid Lodge is better than ever. Filled with Native Americans, Gilded Age millionaires and Olympians, the legends of Lake Placid are widely known. Still living up to its glory, this Adirondack retreat is chock full of all kinds of activities sprinkled with luxury.

With 30 unique guest rooms, Lake Placid Lodge offers a retreat unlike any other. Think of it as a summer camp for the most luxurious of tastes, yet oozing with that outdoor feel. Of course, a stay at Lake Placid Lodge isn’t just for the outdoorsy types, with the elegantly comfortable accommodations, even those who’d prefer a trip to the mall over a trip to the woods will be in awe. Though you can choose from a variety of rooms, each one comes with its own flavor of the great outdoors. As the lodge has just three standard rooms, you’ll likely book a suite. The Lodge Kings are the standard rooms located on the third floor of the Main Lodge, while two other types of suites are located on the top floor of the main building.

In the colder months, you can expect prices to be lower. Though there is something quite romantic about cuddling up next to the fire, Lake Placid gets pretty darn cold in the winter. During these months, you will find that the rooms start around $350 for the cozy Pine Cabin and go all the way up to $1,200 for the beautiful Whiteface Suite. However, come springtime, these rates jump quite a bit. With the Pine Cabin starting at $500 and the most luxurious suite at $1,550, you’ll be paying for the beauty.

As Lake Placid Lodge is smaller than most hotels — with just 30 rooms — you can imagine that cancellations have quite an effect. With a strict cancellation policy, you should only book if you are completely confident that you will make it to the lodge. Of course, we understand that things come up; but you better hope that nothing comes up any closer than three weeks before your arrival date. As long as you cancel with at least 21-days notice, you will receive your full deposit back, with the exception of a $100 cancellation fee. Or if you plan to reschedule, you can apply your full deposit to a future stay within that same year. That being said, if you wait until the last minute — even though three weeks is hardly the last minute — you’ll have to pay. Seriously, you won’t only pay 100 percent of your stay, but you will also miss out on the peace and tranquility that is Lake Placid Lodge.

Along with the tranquil location of Lake Placid Lodge, come a few delicious dining options. Whether you are looking for a unique experience true to the area or simply a pub to watch a sports game, you’ll find the perfect place at this Four-Star hotel. With its high windows and stellar porches, Artisans is truly a Lake Placid restaurant. Serving up a tasting menu as well as à la carte options, this beautiful restaurant hones in on the farm-to-table concept. As it is based on seasonal ingredients, you can expect the menu at Artisans to change with the leaves of the Adirondacks.

For a casual dining venue, head to Maggie’s Pub. With the only TV on the property, you can catch the game or challenge a fellow guest to a friendly game of pool. The menu has your typical pub fare, but adds a gourmet and creative twist. Nosh on items such as mushroom risotto fritters or mac and cheese with homemade bacon lardon, truffle oil and English peas.

To add on to its peaceful aura, Lake Placid Lodge doesn’t have any of those crazy hotel bars; it simply has a cozy pub. With the only TV on the property, Maggie’s Pub is quite a hit with guests if there’s a football, hockey or lacrosse game on television. (If you didn’t already know, Lake Placid is chock full of hockey and lacrosse junkies.) Serving up creative drinks from “Maggie’s Drink Bowl,” you can sip on a homemade cocktail and nibble on the gourmet pub fare. Whether you opt for the harvest moon or the Indian summer, you’ll be more than happy as you cozy up next to the fireplace or challenge a fellow guest to a friendly game of billiards.