Mirror Lake Inn
Lake Placid, New York, is best remembered for hosting the 1980 Winter Olympics. But you don’t have to be a figure skater to appreciate the quaint town about 300 miles north of New York City (or 5.5 hours by car), or the winter (and summer!) wonderland surrounding it. Whether you’re here for wintertime skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing, or want to hike, bike, fish, or boat in the warmer months, Mirror Lake Inn makes for a luxurious base camp. Here’s our review of the nearly 100-year-old hotel.
What You Need to Know
The Look of Mirror Lake Inn
The hotel’s white-hued, Colonial-style buildings are spread along seven picture-perfect acres on the shore of Mirror Lake. In the warmer months, the landscaped gardens bloom with colorful flora. Inside, stone fireplaces, wood paneling, and elegant, Colonial-style furnishings create a distinctly cozy aesthetic. Deer antlers adorn the walls, and the greenery-filled indoor pool area, its ceiling painted to resemble the sky, brings the outdoors in. At The View, the more formal of the two restaurants, tables dressed in crisp white linens overlook the lake through floor-to-ceiling windows. The Cottage is more laid-back and has a wood deck for alfresco drinks and bites.
All 124 rooms and suites have a classic lodge look with Mission-style wood furniture, Oriental rugs, and rocking chairs. Even standard rooms have a sunroom sitting area with oversized chairs; select room categories and suites also feature stone fireplaces, sumptuous four-poster beds, and whirlpool tubs. Regardless of the category, every accommodation faces the lake for knockout views of the surrounding mountains.
The Vibe at Mirror Lake Inn
The Goldilocks of Adirondacks resorts, Mirror Lake is not too formal, not too relaxed. The interiors may be upscale, but guests dress casually to partake in activities or head into town. The seven-acre property — which includes indoor and outdoor pools, a spa, a private beach, an on-site ski shop, and plenty of fireplace-warmed common areas — has plenty of room to roam — it never feels crowded.
Acclaimed for its culinary program, The View is a splurge-worthy spot for dinner and drinks: Mouthwatering dishes include housemade bucatini with white wine truffle butter sauce, venison bolognese, and gouda custard served with peach butter, walnuts, arugula, and a honey-ginger dressing). The 800-bottle wine list features vintages from near (the Finger Lakes) and far (South Africa).