Lodging (Area code 518)

Some of the larger hotels centered around the town of Lake Placid tend to be of the modern franchise variety. An important exception is the Mirror Lake Inn & Spa (523-2544; $$–$$$$; right), a traditional lodge right on the lake shore, and probably the finest overnight in the area. The New England-style exterior continues inside with antiques, chandeliers and mahogany walls. The inn also offers such modern amenities as indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna, health spa, and game room. The two restaurants include one of the best in town, with candlelight dining overlooking the lake.

A new guy in town is The Whiteface Lodge (800-903-4045; 523-0500), an elegant inn on Saranac Avenue built to replicate the classic Adirondack style. It features rooms and suites, an indoor/outdoor pool, spa, movie theater, ice skating rink, and fine dining in the vaulted ceiling, beam-butressed Great Room. It also features its own shuttle service to downtown and to Whiteface. Even newer is the Courtyard by Marriott (877-525-3752; 518-523-2900; $$-$$$), that opened in 2007. It's located on Route 73, about two miles from Main Street in the village .

If snowshoeing or cross-country is your main interest or if you just want to experience the traditional Adirondack Lodge atmosphere, try the Lake Placid Lodge (523-2700; $$$$). However, the main building, including the highly regarded dining room, was destroyed by fire in December 2005 and the resort is expected to remain only partially open until restoration is completed in 2008.
A little more affordable are the Mt. Van Hoevenberg B&B and Cabins (523-9572; $$), with an outdoor sauna and a game room, and Trail’s End Inn (800-281-9860; 576-9860; $$ ), in Keene Valley, which has a hot tub.

The Lake Placid Crowne Plaza (800-874-1980; 523-2556; $–$$) in the town center is Lake Placid’s largest hotel (209 rooms). All rooms have refrigerators and microwaves, and some have a Jacuzzi tub and fireplace. It has a large indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna, complete health club, 20 km. of cross-country trails and two restaurants, including The Veranda, one of the area’s finest.

The Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort (800-582-5540; 523-3353; $–$$$; above left) is on the lake with spectacular views and has an indoor pool, hot tub, sauna, weight room, and racquetball courts. Located right in the center of the village, it is the only certified "green resort" in town

With similar amenities, the Lake Placid Hilton Resort (800-755-5598; 523-4411; $$–$$$), has two indoor pools and private balconies for each room with a view of the lake. The hotel’s bed-and-breakfast package is quite popular.

There is also an excellent Comfort Inn, formerly the Howard Johnson Resort Inn, (800-858-4656; 523-9555; $$–$$$) in town.

Skiers on a budget should try The Alpine Inn (523-2180 $$), Art Devlin’s Motor Inn (523-3700), Town House Motor Inn (523-2532), Alpine Air Motel (800-469-3663, 523-9261; $–$$$), Placid Bay Inn (523-2001; $$) Econo Lodge (523-2817; $–$$), and Wildwood on the Lake (523-2624; $).

Those who want to stay right by Whiteface should try the Ledgerock (800-336-4754; 946-2379; $-$$), a family-owned and operated 19-unit motel, right opposite the entrance to the mountain in Wilmington. The view from the spacious rooms looks just like the trail map. The Hungry Trout (946-2217; $$-$$$) and Huntington's (946-2332; $-$$), opposite the entrance to the mountain are good as well.

Accommodations Legend: (double room) $$$$–$200+; $$$–$141–$200; $$–$81–$140; $–$80 and less.