8 Best Hotels in Lake Placid, The Adirondacks and Thousand Islands

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 complex is on the small, pristine lake that is its namesake, and many get a view of the lake either in their rooms or at the resort's afternoon tea. Most guest rooms here are elegant, with traditional furnishings and large doses of neutral colors. Four-poster beds, fireplaces, private balconies, and couches are available in some rooms. Fodorites say that sitting in the big, cozy chairs next to the fire is heaven, but the resort offers a slew of organized activities, too—sunset cruises, kayak and fishing trips, guided hikes, snowshoe outings, cross-country-skiing lessons, yoga classes—and there's a full-service spa on the property. The Averil Conwell Dining Room earns high marks for its food.

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.

From its hilltop perch, the four-story hotel takes in the resort's 1,000-plus acres and lovely mountain and lake views. The property encompasses two highly regarded 18-hole golf courses and the well-known Veranda restaurant. It also has a private beach on Lake Placid. Guest-room furnishings are traditional and attractive, with two double beds. Some rooms have jetted tubs and fireplaces. Also on the grounds are chalets and lakeside condominiums.

The former Best Western Golden Arrow is under new management, and sits right in the heart of Lake Placid, on Main Street. Beautiful views of Mirror Lake are available from the lobby and some rooms, which have balconies. But what really sets the property apart is the owners' decision to go as green as possible. Expect recycled and ecofriendly gifts to greet you on arrival (perhaps a pine-tree seed in a terra-cotta pot filled with earth, for example). Have a seat at Charlie's, the resort restaurant, for a view of the green roof. The roof, finished in summer 2008, is an insulating blanket of plants grown on a flat section of the property's roof. Some of the herbs grown there might go into dishes served at Charlie's. Kids' programs are available.

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.

A lovely Victorian houses this classy getaway with individually appointed rooms and an excellent restaurant. Some rooms look out onto the Adirondacks and some overlook the Interlaken's lush gardens. Interior schemes offset old-fashioned fabrics. Rooms are handsome, with four-poster and sleigh beds, down comforters, and Frette linens and towels. A few rooms have private balconies, and third-floor rooms have sloping ceilings. The smallest, least expensive rooms are simple but still attractive.