Things to do / Travel Guide
Northern New York is a vast region of mountains and lakes, among which you'll find many venerable, though renewed and friendly resorts, and picture-perfect old towns. As a result, you'll also find lots of happy and content visitors, year-round. The scenery and location are the area's main selling points. Winter here is a white wonderland, and a great place to hole up for first-rate spa treatment, fabulously-tasty cuisine, and, of course, room service and more room service. Sit around the fire and soak it all in! In the spring, you get to see the mountains bloom from your boat on the lake; summertime is the best for hiking and enjoying the great outdoors in style; and autumn is a no-brainer, with the fantastic foliage just outside your window.
The two best resorts in the region are far-and-away the Sagamore, on Lake George, and Mirror Lake Inn, on the outskirts of the town of Lake Placid.
The Sagamore
The world-famous Sagamore is literally “on” Lake George, situated as it is on its own island, right off the mainland. It was built in the tradition of the Grand Hotels, most of which have, by this point, been relegated to old postcards. The Sagamore survived, and has even flourished, precisely due to its uniqueness. If the White House was ever converted to a hotel, this is almost certainly what it would look like. The huge veranda here, where they serve coffee and cocktails, tapas and sushi, overlooks the water. The wings on either side of the regal lobby and welcome hall are all window and porch, thereby providing guests with the maximum opportunity for appreciating the pristine surroundings.
There are several types of accommodations offered here, to the delight of discerning vacationers. You can choose a room or suite in either the hotel or the lodges, or you may choose to take “the castle” all to yourself. The historic castle can accommodate up to 12 people, and fireplaces abound. This is the height of luxury, in a region where every whim has already been thought of and taken care of for vacationers.
There are a huge selection of eateries available at the Sagamore. Six restaurants can be found on the premises, two of which are located on resort-owned boats on Lake George and, naturally, serve seafood. It's hard to beat a boiled, three-pound Maine lobster, or, back on shore, pistachio dusted domestic lamb chops in a pomegranate and red wine sauce. This is true even in a place where you've most likely started off your day with a classic Sagamore Dining Room breakfast, featuring Belgian waffles or honey-cured bacon and sausages.
After that epic breakfast, it's time to hit the island! The whole place is filled with activities for the sports and outdoors lover. Tennis courts and nature paths abound, and numerous sailboats and yachts are at the docks for your sailing pleasure. The spa specializes in European-style services, and you can also take advantage of the available fitness programs, complete with a one on one meeting with a personal trainer.
Mirror Lake Inn
Mirror lake Inn Resort and Spa may be a little less grand than the Sagamore in outward appearance, but it more than makes up for this with its stunning interiors and fantastic service. The rooms, suites, restaurants, and spa are all done out in impeccable taste, and the service here is of the highest quality. This resort dates to the Roaring Twenties, and, despite several reincarnations, it still strives to live up to the expectations of the original gentry who frequented it in its early days.
The rooms and suites are quite something to see, mixing the rustic and modern with a unique usage of colors. In-room whirlpool tubs, in addition to full bathrooms, characterize some suites; others are two-story; all have working fireplaces. One thing to keep in mind, is that all the accommodations at the resort offer views of Mirror Lake.
The spa focuses on the natural local benefits of the Adirondacks, featuring everything you would expect from a top-notch spa. There's the water massage, rehydration treatments, and a variety of facials available. The highest-class restaurant on the premises is "The View," which is noted not only for the excellent food, but for the service. Begin your feast with the warm endive salad or barbecue onion soup. Next, consider moving on to the venison osso bucco Milanese, seared and braised, with a caramelized vegetable matignon, creamy polenta, and a reduction of port wine, tomato, pepper, and balsamic vinegar. Each main dish comes paired with its own wine, which may come from anywhere from New York's own Finger Lakes region to the great wine regions of Europe.
Vacation Ideas in the Thousand Islands
If you've got a yacht, or decide to rent one in Alexandria Bay, you can explore the manifold treasures among the Thousand Islands. Two castles, Boldt Castle and Singer Castle, are now open to the public as museums. You can dock for free, and explore these winsome structures to your heart's content. The former was never actually inhabited, while the latter was lived in until the 1980s, since which it's been on and off the real estate market. Any takers?
This whole magical region of northern New York is a playground for those who like to vacation in style, living in the lap of luxury even while "getting away from it all." Winter or summer, the lakes or the mountains, castle or otherwise, prepare to be impressed. Any takers?
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