The Sagamore Lake George, NY

 

The Sagamore
The Sagamore overlooks Lake George and is the quintessential Adirondacks retreat.

 

Perched atop a hill along Lake George and overlooking its smattering of islands and inlets, The Sagamore is the quintessential Adirondacks retreat—a social hub for the affluent families that have been calling the resort their summer home for more than a century. 

The Sagamore’s accommodations are divvied up among two separate areas: The Hotel, what amounts to the historic main building, and The Lodges, which are spread out among seven Adirondack-styled buildings. We say the latter are perfect for families as the Lodge suites have full kitchens and private balconies overlooking Lake George. Note: Lodge suites can also connect to an adjoining Lodge room to create a two-bedroom unit large enough for a family of six.

The main building is the focal point of the resort. Guests are greeted by an open lobby, which was recently redone to allow for striking views out onto Lake George upon entry. Within The Hotel, the top accommodations are the four Veranda Suites and nine Governor Suites.

Our stay in a Governor Suite, No. 349, was notable for the view: Off the bedroom is an expansive roof deck that looks out onto the lake and mountains. Be Mindful: Even though the deck area can be accessed via the suite, it is not private and any guest can venture onto it from the hallway. 

Lodge Suites
Lodge Suites are equipped with full-fledged kitchens and overlook the magnificent lake.

Luxury travel advisors should contact Director of Sales and Marketing Kevin Rosa ([email protected]; 518-743-6210) with any questions. General Manager Tom Guay ([email protected]; 518-743-6150) is also available for any queries to be addressed. 

Guests at The Sagamore have an array of services and activities at their disposal. The Sagamore Spa is tucked away down a long corridor off the lobby (Cool Touch: The hotel’s storied history is presented up and down the hallway’s wall). It has a total of 14 treatment rooms, including one couples’ massage room. We recommend the Green Island Sugar Scrub, which blends sugar cane crystals and coconut milk to nourish skin. 

Note: Book spa treatments at least two weeks out during holiday weekends, and as much as a month out during Memorial Day or Labor Day. Contact Spa Director Michelle Calzada ([email protected]; 518-743-6111) to make reservations or if you need special arrangements.

If golf is your game, you are in luck. The Sagamore Golf Course is one of the best in the Adirondacks and one of the tougher tests: it was designed by Donald Ross, best known for his work at Pinehurst in North Carolina. Parts of the course look out onto Lake George, particularly the opening tee. Tip: After a round, check out Club Grill, a New York-style steakhouse situated at the golf course.

Lake George
The Main Building has a redone lobby that offers striking views of Lake George.

For tee times, contact golf pro Dave Cummings ([email protected]; 518-743-6830). Note: The golf course is a few minutes drive off the resort. The front deck can arrange complimentary shuttle service.

Dining at The Sagamore is an inside/outside affair depending on your preference. La Bella Vita is The Sagamore’s signature restaurant and offers alfresco dining overlooking Lake George. We say there is no better way to take a meal on a breezy summer evening. The restaurant serves up Italian-inspired dishes using local ingredients. The rustic stew of coastal shellfish turned out to be a big winner the evening we dined at the restaurant.

After the meal, take a nightcap at Caldwell’s, the bar right at the entrance of La Bella Vita. However, for the true night owls, who like a little bit of downhome fun, check out Mister Brown’s Pub (think your local bar with a nice selection of beers on tap). On a night we were there, live music played until late into the night. Tip: Take a photo with the life-sized, stuffed bear that stands sentry at the front entrance. 

The biggest treat at The Sagamore is taking a boat ride on the hotel’s own boat, The Morgan, which operates daily cruises. The boat takes passengers through the lake’s narrows and inlets with up close views of the Adirondacks. Special arrangements can be made for group dinner cruises by contacting Front Office Manager Kelly Frasier ([email protected]; 518-743-6026). She is also the person to contact for customized experiences, which can include picnics on one of the private islands that dot the lake, fishing charters, parasailing and even private transportation via helicopter to the The Sagamore’s golf course. 

Getting There: Albany International Airport is about an hour from the resort, which has a fleet of Lincoln Navigators available for private transfers (contact Frasier to schedule). Private jets can land at Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport in Glen Falls, NY, about a 25-minute drive from The Sagamore. 

Note: The Sagamore is a seasonal hotel, opening each year on April 27 before shutting down on the first Sunday after Thanksgiving.