18 Best Hotels in The Adirondacks and Thousand Islands, New York

Accommodations at this posh lakefront retreat, a member of the Relais & Châteaux group, have stone fireplaces, featherbeds, twig-and-bark furniture—including many one-of-a-kind pieces created by local artisans—and views of either the woods or Lake Placid. Some rooms have balconies. Lodge suites include a sitting room, often with a fireplace of its own; an extra-spacious bathroom with a large soaking tub; and either a private balcony or patio. A stay is pricey, but includes breakfast, afternoon tea, dinner, turndown service, and all activities on the property. Most of the cabins are one-room units with sitting areas and huge windows. The restaurant, Artisans, is a draw on its own and prepares new American fare.

The camp, built in 1907, has hosted many prominent guests. It was known as the "summer White House" after President Calvin Coolidge vacationed here in 1926. The location, amid majestic pines on 35 acres on Lake Osgood, is a big draw. The property encompasses several cabins, most of them 100 feet away from the water. All have kitchens or kitchenettes and fireplaces or woodstoves and are fully furnished. Only six cabins are open all year. From late June through Labor Day, the minimum stay is a week; a two-night minimum is usually required the rest of the year. Because the property is of historic and architectural interest, small tours sometimes come through the camp, including the guest cabins. The camp is 12 mi northwest of Saranac Lake.

The lodge, 5 mi south of Lake Placid, was built in 1927 on the shore of Heart Lake. It's run by the nonprofit Adirondack Mountain Club, which also runs the High Peaks Information Center here. The lodge has private rooms, family bunk rooms that sleep four to six, and a coed sleeping area with 18 beds. The main room has a stone fireplace, and the dining room serves homemade breads and soups. You may also order trail lunches here. There's a small beach on the property, and trailheads are steps away. The lodge has canoes and kayaks, and snowshoe and cross-country-ski rentals are available at the information center. Also on the grounds are two cabins, three canvas cabins, 36 campsites, and 36 lean-tos. A Modified American Plan for dining is available to lodge guests staying for three or five nights.

The family-owned hotel, named for the famous ski jumper, sits on 2 acres three blocks from the Olympic Center. Every year, the owners renovate a new bit of the property. All but two rooms have been renovated since 2000, and many are now larger, have bigger flat-screen televisions and refrigerators and feature granite countertops and wood ceilings.

You'll be right in the middle of the village at this 1930s budget motel close to the shore. Exterior corridors provide access to the rooms, which are simple and have wood-paneled walls.

At this two-story chain property, interior corridors connect the rooms, which are big and bright and include desks. The heated indoor pool is a plus, as is an outdoor deck overlooking a placid pond The on-site restaurant, McKenzie's Grille, is open almost every day.

The two-story, lodge-style chain motel offsets traditional furnishings with Adirondack flair. Some rooms have sloping wood ceilings, and some suites have fireplaces, but rooms here as a rule are not fancy. The true appeal is that Lake George beaches are 1 mi away and the property has an outdoor swimming pool with a view of the mountains.

The hotel property encompasses a conference center and 18 acres overlooking the southern end of Lake George. Rooms have been refurbished but retain a traditional look. Their configurations range from studios with sleeper sofas to huge suites with fireplaces; some have lake or mountain views. The large outdoor pool looks onto the lake.

Some rooms have views of the harbor at this hotel with a range of accommodations. In addition to standard rooms there are larger minisuites, with roll-away beds, that can sleep up to five people. Minisuites have refrigerators, microwaves, and in-room hot tubs.

This camp, dating from 1880, is where you check in if you want to check out for a while. Forget phones, computers, and TVs—the emphasis here is on the great outdoors, and the rustic accommodations reflect that. Early-morning views from this property are of mist-covered Blue Mountain Lake and surrounding Adirondack Mountains. You might take a kayak or canoe out on the lake, hit some balls on the tennis court, try to hook a fish, or snuggle up with a book in a cozy nook. Kids will love the Ping-Pong tables, pool table, and beach access.

The 7-acre waterfront property that once was the Hilton has now become the newly renovated High Peaks. The property has accommodations in two buildings, one on Main Street in the center of town and another on the water. The entire property has been redone, so everything is new, including the lobby, the rooms, and three new restaurants—the casual Dancing Bears; the fine-dining venue Reflections; and PRs, a warm, elegant bar with a double fireplace. The breakfast plan, which includes a morning nosh at the Dancing Bears, costs extra. Rooms throughout the updated property are attractive, with tasteful wooden furniture and furnishings. Rooms in waterfront buildings have either a balcony or a patio for views of the lake. Complimentary rowboats and paddleboats are offered to guests for use at the resort's access to Mirror Lake.

The upscale two-story motel is on a big piece of land across the road from Whiteface Mountain. Rooms are spacious, with seating areas or kitchenettes and either two double beds or one or two queen-size beds. The decor is cheery, with jolts of bright color here and there. Some rooms have mountain views. Common areas include a great room with a fireplace, a large-screen TV, a pool table, and assorted board games. In fall and winter, complimentary cookies and hot beverages are served here. During fishing season, guide services are offered.

Ivy tendrils scale the facade of this five-story redbrick hotel built in the 1920s. A large fireplace graces the lobby, where cushy chairs invite lingering. Rooms are traditional, with lace-fringed windows, soft colors, and dark-wood furniture. The indoor pool, under a massive skylight, is a nice size. The hotel is across from the city park in downtown Glens Falls.

The small lakefront motel has standard rooms and efficiencies with private screened-in porches and balconies with water views. Some units have kitchenettes. You can rent canoes, rowboats, and paddleboats on the property.

These owner-run lodgings include a variety of accommodations, from standard motel rooms to suites with decks and lakefront cottages with fireplaces. Motel rooms are on the large side and have wood furniture and big windows. One suite has a whirlpool tub. A small park next door has tennis and basketball courts and a nearby restaurant serves breakfast and lunch.

Most rooms at this two-story motel have knotty-wood paneling and forest views; some have two queen beds and a pull-out couch. The location is convenient to canoeing, hiking, and other outdoor activities.

Located right on the banks of Long Lake, the cottages, efficiencies, and motel rooms at Shamrock are trim and tidy, though not overly luxurious. All are located a skip away from the sand and near recreation opportunities. Open year-round.

The single-level motel, a good budget option, has comfortable rooms overlooking the pool, which has a slide. You have a choice of either one or two double or queen-size beds. A supermarket and restaurants are within walking distance.