Other Lodging

National Parks

We absolutely think for your first or even first several trips to the Adirondacks you should stay at The Lodge At Schroon Lake. However, once you've visited all the major attractions along the eastern side of the park and decided which specific interests you want to explore in more detail you may want to check out other lodging.

If you want to explore the Siamese Ponds Wilderness in depth, we suggest the Garnet Hill Lodge.

If you want to hike the Long Lake trails or fish Long Lake we suggest the Adirondack Hotel.

If you want to explore the Racquette Lake area we suggest Great Camp Sagamore.

If you want to focus on the Olympics and Lake Placid area we suggest the Grand Adirondack.

If you want to hike Mt.Marcy and surrounding High Peaks we suggest the Adirondack Loj.

And if you want to explore the trails in the Elk Lake area of the High Peaks we recommend Elk Lake Lodge.

The important thing to remember is to make reservations as much as a year in advance. All of these are extremely popular and have been around a century or more so have a loyal cult of returning guests who renew their following year's reservations when they check out this year. So to grab one of the remaining openings you have to reserve early.

Do not expect any of these lodges to have all the amenities The Lodge At Schroon Lake offers. Most have lake access, and they all have restaurants, but their lakes aren't as big as Schroon Lake and their restaurants don't match the gourmet quality of The Brown Swan.

If you're coming to the Adirondacks mainly to hike and/or fish the Siamese Ponds Wilderness, you should consider the 1936 Garnet Hill Lodge. It's right there. You're high on a ridge looking out over it and trails lead right from the lodge's yard, which sits within several yards of the wilderness boundary and is surrounded by it on three sides. It looks down on Thirteenth Lake with Peaked Mountain, Puffer Pond and Siamese Ponds Sacandaga Trailheads. There's also a day long Botheration Pond Loop Trail and a short but steep climb up Gilead Mountain. In the Winter, this is a mecca for cross country skiiers and snowshoers, and the nearby Gore Mountain attracts downhill skiiers. Be aware there's no TV or cell service and wifi is limited. Kayaks and mountain bikes can be checked out. Your room rate includes breakfast, and lunch items you can pack for the trail. Breakfast is set up as a buffet but it's disappointing, not the generous buffet most lodges and inns offer. Dinner on the other hand is excellent, although it needs to be as it's too far to drive into town. There's a Soup of the Day, Chili, Crab Cakes, Wings, a few Salads, and a few Veggie items like Broccoli and Street Corn Medley. The entree menu offers Salmon, Chicken, Elk, Pork Chop, Ribeye and Vegetable Risotto. Pies are outstanding so save room. Prices range from $28 - 40.

The Adirondack Hotel is the oldest facility in the park, having been in continuous operation since 1853. It has a beautiful location on Long Lake, roughly in the center of the park, with hiking trails fanning out in all directions. The building itself is a treasure and its expansive veranda and two dining rooms are classics. The four story hotel has 10 guest rooms on the second and 10 more on the third floor. Prices vary from $152 - 200. The cafe is informal, while the Victorian Room is more upscale, but they both serve the same food. There's a French Onion Soup plus a Soup of the Day. Lunch includes seven salads, seven sandwiches (the best of which are the Haddock Fish Sandwich and the Reuben), and two Wraps. Dinner includes an Asian Medley, Chicken Piccata, Chicken Scampi, Chicken Parmegiana, Summer Greens, Filet Mignon, Ribeye, Pork Chop, and Salmon Siciliano. Prices range from $26 - 40. This is a beloved hotel, where families have been returning for over 100 years, so advance reservations are essential.

Elk Lake Lodge is the priciest back country lodge in the Adirondacks but it's still very difficult to find an opening because the same people come back from year to year. Figure on calling a year in advance. Rooms are a bit rough --- screens have tears and some windows do not fully close, so bugs get in, bathrooms are tiny, mice get in through various openings----- and the restaurant is plastic tablecloths and paper napkins. Meals are included in the room price, but at $250 per person per night you expect high quality. The food is mostly frozen, not fresh and locally sourced. The corn on the cob is awful and cole slaw is bagged. But that's not why people come here. First, it has its own trail network and its own beautiful lake, only for guests, with canoes and kayaks provided. Second, Elk Lake Lodge sits at the very base of the High Peaks, its trails link into the High Peaks Trail Network, and all the trails are well maintained. So this is a hiking and backpacking Paradise. A typical wilderness hiker and backpacker tolerates sub standard room and restaurant conditions because their priority is the trails, and these are among the best in North America. Loons, Beaver, Moose, Owls, Hawks and Deer are constantly visible.

If your primary focus is Lake Placid and the Olympic experience, your best option may be the Grand Adirondack Hotel on the main street just down from the Olympic Training Center. This is a classic 1920s hotel recently upgraded. Try to get a standard room on the 5th or 6th floor facing the lake. Avoid the suites because they face the rear parking lot. Lobby somehow has a pine, woodsy smell which is a neat touch. They charge $20 a day for valet parking but the municipal parking lot a block away only charges $5. The restaurants are excellent. Marcy's serves breakfast, which is included with your room. The two Omelettes and Brisket Skillet are particularly tasty but there are the usual Pancakes, Eggs, etc. The Bar serves dinner, with several creative items, like Green Chili and Hominy Pork Stew, Duck Wings, Citrus BBQ Salmon, Smoked Shrimp and Steak Schnitzel. However, a dozen restaurants are in a two block radius. At $140 a night rooms here are a great bargain.