Arrival/Check-In: After driving two hours north to Lake George, New York, toward The Sagamore, we followed the directions to a stretch of road loaded with quaint shops and restaurants. We had arrived in Bolton Landing. We walked around town and enjoyed some coffee and shopping as we had made great time and arrived a bit early for check-in.

Once our rooms were ready, we headed over a small bridge and entered what is essentially The Sagamore’s own private island on Lake George. Our Opal breakfast offer included complimentary valet parking, but we opted for self-parking and grabbed our bags. After about five minutes with the concierge, we received homemade cookies and fresh-pressed apple cider. It couldn’t get more quintessentially fall.

Guest Quarters: But then we saw the rooms. They were rich with hardwood furniture, deep tones and possessed a homey feel. Our room opened into a living room with a few comfortable chairs, a television and medium-sized refrigerator. In the bedroom we found two queen-sized beds, another television and a beautiful bathroom. The old-fashioned touches and flooring made the space large enough for two to get ready at the same time.

The bedroom windows opened to the resort property, filled with Adirondack chairs, swimming pools and stunning views of the lake. Seeing everyone below in their sweaters, holding hot drinks and taking in the views made me want to run right back down to the lake.

Services/Amenities: The Sagamore is reminiscent of an old-school, members-only club-meets-summer camp. The resort fee includes everything guests could want: tennis and basketball courts; an expansive kids club and rec center; golf; one of the largest hotel gyms I’ve seen (with one coveted Peloton bike); indoor and outdoor swimming pools; indoor and outdoor hot tubs; and daily, complimentary boat tours of Lake George on The Morgan. Our particular stay included daily breakfast at the buffet, but guests can choose from a variety of offers for all dining needs.

You can enjoy several dining establishments and activities throughout your stay; just check with the front desk about timing for each, as they may vary by season. With Champagne toasts in the lobby at 4 p.m., live music in the evenings and s’more roasting later in the night at the fire pit by the rec center, there’s a good chance guests can come with a few friends and leave with even more.

TOP TAKEAWAYS:

◆ Summer may be the high season for guests, but fall and the holidays are a best-kept secret. Winter vacancies are limited, so check the website for availability.

◆ Make reservations for dinner! Even in the off-season, the restaurants are popular.

◆ The Sagamore presents a real sense of community, from the staff to the guests. Everyone seems friendly and as if they know each other.

◆ We took our server’s advice for a local hike and enjoyed some of the best views of Lake George in the area.

THE SAGAMORE RESORT
110 Sagamore Road Bolton Landing, NY 12814
tel 518 644 9400
thesagamore.com