The Good Life on Mirror Lake

Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa
Lake Placid, New York
Mountain Elegance, $$$

Lake Placid may be best known for Olympic history and rugged Adirondack adventure, but who says a mountain getaway has to involve roughing it? Overlooking Mirror Lake and the Adirondack High Peaks, family-owned Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa — an AAA Four-Diamond Exceptional hotel for 42 years — is the polished home base for exploring this beautiful corner of upstate New York.

The appeal is the balance: lake and mountains, adventure and relaxation, small-town charm and cutting-edge amenities. The Adirondacks provide a dramatically different backdrop with every season, from summer days on the water and fall foliage to snowy winters on the slopes, making the hotel as much a warm-weather escape as a classic ski retreat.

And while the great outdoors may be the reason to come to Lake Placid, Mirror Lake Inn’s destination spa, fine dining, events programming, and warm staff make a strong case for staying inside. With the village of Lake Placid just a short walk away, it's the sort of mountain retreat where doing very little can feel as satisfying as doing it all.

At a Glance

The Vibe: Adirondack adventure meets the good life.

Standout Detail: That beautiful lake.

This Place Is Great For: Mountain people who aren't necessarily camping people.

Rooms: The 127 rooms and suites have a cozy lodge feel and come in many configurations across the categories — classic rooms, suites, and two- and three-bedroom family rooms. Special features include fireplaces, soaking tubs, kitchenettes, and separate living rooms, but all have wood furnishings and comfy armchairs, sunny sitting areas, and floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors onto patios to make the most of the lake and mountain views.

On Site: The award-winning Lake Placid Spa offers a full roster of facials and skin care, massages, sauna, salt room, and floatation therapy, as well as hair and nail treatments at the salon. Seasonal options include a private beach, tennis, pickleball, ice skating, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards. The indoor pool and well-equipped gym are available all the time.

Food + Drink: The View, the fine-dining restaurant, serves a contemporary American menu featuring seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, along with an award-winning wine list and local beers. The Cottage Restaurant and Cafe on the shore of the lake serves more casual pub fare — soups, sandwiches, pizzas, and a kids’ menu with “Kidde Cocktails.” The View Lounge is the spot for light bites and great cocktails by the fireplace.

What to Do Nearby

Explore the Adirondacks by foot, bike, ski, or fishing rod. Take advantage of activities on the lake (ice hockey and dog sledding in winter; paddling and swimming in summer). Stroll Lake Placid's Main Street. Visit the village's 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympic sites. Or head to Whiteface Mountain to hit the ski slopes.