United States New York The Best Lake George Hotels of 2023 Relax and refresh with an idyllic lake view By Lindsey Danis Lindsey Danis Instagram Twitter Vassar College Emerson College Lindsey Danis is a queer travel writer based in the Hudson Valley. Lindsey's work has appeared in AFAR, Condé Nast Traveler, Longreads, and other publications. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 12/21/22 Fact checked by Matthew Klammer Fact checked by Matthew Klammer Saginaw Valley State University Central Michigan University As a fact-checker for The Balance and Investopedia Matthew Klammer has spent years providing couples with a reliable source of important financial information. Now working for TripSavvy, Matthew works to ensure vacationers have a source of information they can trust when they need it most. TripSavvy's fact-checking Share Pin Email We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Lake George, New York, offers an appealing blend of active travel and unplugged relaxation in the heart of the rugged Adirondack Mountains, and these seven Lake George hotels offer different ways to experience the region’s charms. Whether you’re seeking family accommodations, budget stays, or a novelty getaway, these properties deliver on hospitality and small-town charm. Not to mention the location—with its accessible lake and mountains—is ideal for boaters, hikers, cyclists, fishers, and leisure travelers. The area’s small size means that nothing is too far away, making any of these hotels ideal for Adirondacks peak bagging, zip-lining, whitewater rafting adventures, or enjoying the slow pace of lakeside life with wine tasting and steamboat cruises. The 8 Best Lake George Hotels of 2023 Best Overall: The Sagamore Best for Families: Holiday Inn Resort Lake George Best Budget: Dunham’s Bay Resort Best Lakefront: The Boathouse Best for Couples: The Inn at Erlowest Best Glamping: Adirondack Safari Best Vacation Rental: The Lodges at Cresthaven Best Luxury: Highlands Castle The Best Lake George Hotels of 2023 View All The Best Lake George Hotels of 2023 Our Top Picks The Sagamore Holiday Inn Resort Lake George Dunham’s Bay Resort The Boathouse The Inn at Erlowest Adirondack Safari The Lodges at Cresthaven Highlands Castle See More (5) Final Verdict Compare the Best Lake George Hotels How We Chose These Hotels Best Overall : The Sagamore The Sagamore See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It The setting—a private lake island—can’t be beat. Notable Amenities Tennis facility, basketball court, indoor and outdoor pools, spa Pros Select pet-friendly rooms for up to 2 dogs with $75/night fee Reputation for outstanding service Cons Hotel does not provide rollaway beds or cots Recent guests say the hotel has a staff shortage, which impacts lake activities Set on a private island on Lake George, the Sagamore has been luring travelers to the region for more than a century. In addition to the lake, its draws include a Donald Ross golf course and a spa that offers treatment packages, including a duet package perfect for couples, mother/daughter, or girls' trips. In addition to the pool, lake, and golf course, you can take a seasonal lake cruise, arrange a fishing expedition, or hike nature trails around the premises. Rooms at the Sagamore are nicely appointed with oversized furniture and rustic touches that reflect the Adirondack style. A handful of rooms have balconies that offer lake views. For a self-catered stay, choose the lodge, where you'll find suites with full kitchens and fireplaces. Otherwise venture to one of the many dining options onsite to enjoy casual food, steakhouse classics, or global-inspired cuisine. A winter visit would not be complete without a trip to the Glacier Ice Bar & Lounge, where the furniture is made of ice. Not to worry; there's a fireplace nearby where you can warm up. Best for Families : Holiday Inn Resort Lake George Holiday Inn Resort Lake George See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It Kids stay free at this one-and-done family vacation pick that features kid-friendly amenities like a bowling alley and playground facilities. Notable Amenities Outdoor big-screen movies, indoor and outdoor pools, kids’ playground, 24-hour fitness center Pros Staff get rave reviews for hospitality Free WiFi Kids under 19 stay free when sharing their parents' room Cons Some guests complain about noise While the Holiday Inn Resort Lake George is one of the best hotels in Lake George for families, all ages will enjoy the recently renovated property. The hotel is within walking distance of many top Lake George attractions, including Fort William Henry and the House of Frankenstein Wax Museum. For a more thrill-seeking adventure, Six Flags is just a 10-minute drive away. Children's activities are generous. Come summer, there is a dedicated Children's Activity Director keeping little ones entertained while parents get time to recharge. Add in multiple pools, sports courts, a bowling alley, a playground, and lakefront activities, and the family vacation is planned. Rooms are well-equipped for families, with a refrigerator, microwave, coffee and tea setup, and flat screen TV. Large groups can choose a kid suite or connecting rooms. The onsite restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and kids eat free. Best Budget : Dunham’s Bay Resort Dunham’s Bay Resort See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It Choose from traditional hotel rooms or standalone cabins for a fraction of the price of other Lake George hotels. Notable Amenities Tennis court, children’s playground, indoor swimming pool Pros Family-friendly amenities Quiet location, since it’s outside of town Cons You’ll need to drive to everything The inn can feel crowded since there are conference and events facilities A family vacation in the Adirondack Mountains can get expensive, but there are budget options around Lake George if you know where to look. The cabins at Dunham's Bay offer a value deal that may be particularly appealing to families who want their own private space. The hotel has several accessible rooms for motorized wheelchair users, making this a great accessibility pick, too. Seasonal-use cabins, open from June through October, are rustic in style but come with full a kitchen and barbecue grill. In the hotel, The View restaurant serves comfort food, like meatloaf, alongside some fancier items such as duck tenderloin cassoulet. Elsewhere on site, you'll find a small private beach, swimming pool, badminton and tennis courts, and a fire pit. Best Lakefront : The Boathouse The Boathouse See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It Lake George’s sole waterfront accommodation puts the lake front and center while offering the charm of a boutique hotel. Notable Amenities Walking distance to restaurants and shops, sun chairs for lounging, kayak rentals Pros Immediate water access Private boat tours available for a fee Close to a variety of points of interest like golf courses, museums, and an amusement park Cons Very strict cancelation policy of no refunds if canceled within 30 days of your stay In-room amenities are unevenly distributed, making some rooms nicer than others Formerly a private home, The Boathouse was opened to the public as a bed-and-breakfast in 2000. While the innkeepers no longer serve breakfast, the location—the only inn right on the water—is reason enough for a stay. The Boathouse caters to adults with a romantic atmosphere, lakeside terrace with loungers, and evening fire pit. While all guest rooms have the standard conveniences such as a flat screen television, central air conditioning, and mini-fridge, some include bonus features like a jetted tub, fireplace, and lakefront view. Best for Couples : The Inn at Erlowest The Inn at Erlowest See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It A babymoon package, wedding celebrations, and in-room amenities make this historic estate the pick for a romantic weekend in the Adirondack Mountains. Notable Amenities Complimentary kayaking, lake cruises, wedding and events facilities Pros Heated outdoor pool with lake views Complimentary breakfast Free Wi-Fi Cons Guests complain about challenges controlling room temperature Lakefront views are obscured by adjacent buildings Set in a Queen Anne mansion on 15 acres, The Inn at Erlowest is close to Lake George attractions, including the West Mountain ski area and Fort William Henry. The thought of sipping champagne in a jacuzzi tub or by the fireplace (some rooms have both, others only one) makes a night in seem equally entertaining. The 10 suites have their own personality, but most come with oversized furniture and floral wallpaper. Some offer lakefront views and separate seating areas. There's a four-diamond restaurant onsite, a heated outdoor pool, and multiple common areas, including a patio with a fireplace and a parlor with board games. Best Glamping : Adirondack Safari Adirondack Safari See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It Adirondack Safari updates the Adirondack Great Camp experience for the glamp era. Notable Amenities River tube and kayak rentals, outdoor games, tents fully furnished with queen size beds Pros Camp store onsite for essentials Many entertainment options included at no extra cost Can accommodate up to eight adults in a tent Cons May be noisier than other options, since it’s a tent 10 days notice required for cancellation For something different this summer, consider glamping purveyor Adirondack Safari, which offers luxury camping along the Schroon River in Warrensburg, seven miles north of Lake George Village. While it’s not located directly on the lake, Adirondack Safari offers kayaking and river tubing (rentals available on site), plus live entertainment. Depending on the date of your stay, you can enjoy silent disco dance parties, outdoor movies, Bingo, or Native American performances. Canvas tents sleep two, four, six, or eight people on queen beds. You'll also get zero gravity chairs, your own picnic table with a canopy in case of rain, a charcoal grill, and a fire pit for cooking and relaxing. This is a seasonal accommodation, and a two-night minimum is required for stays. Best Vacation Rental : The Lodges at Cresthaven The Lodges at Cresthaven See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It Townhome rentals offer more space and privacy than traditional hotels with loads of amenities to suit all ages. Notable Amenities Fitness center and sports facilities, including volleyball court, indoor and outdoor pools, grocery delivery available Pros Family-friendly amenities Historic Boathouse restaurant serves pub fare, steak, and seafood All lodges feature a full kitchen with a refrigerator, oven, microwave, and dishwasher Cons Walls are thin; neighbors can be noisy Some say lodging could be cleaner The Lodges at Cresthaven offers vacation homes and vacation rentals for up to six guests. A two-bedroom, two-bathroom townhome rental comes with use of the property swimming pools, private beach, canoes, paddle boards, and a lounge and fireplace by the lake. Private boats are welcome with written confirmation prior to check-in for $100/day; jet ski fees are $50/day. The onsite restaurant, Boathouse Restaurant, was once part of the Abenin estate, the Adirondacks vacation home of New York Times publisher Adolph Ochs. Every vacation rental comes with central heat and AC, high-speed internet, and cable TV, plus a private balcony to enjoy nature. The bathrooms have a steam shower and jacuzzi tub. The style is rustic, but that's par for the course given the Adirondacks setting. Best Luxury : Highlands Castle Highlands Castle See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It Guests call this Bolton Landing castle a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Notable Amenities Full kitchen onsite, several dining areas within the castle, proximity to various points of interest like breweries, beaches, and golf courses Pros Once-in-a-lifetime stay Private accommodation for your group Cons Policies can be strict; read in full before renting Perched high atop a hill with sweeping views of Lake George is Highlands Castle, three stunning castles built as an elaborate post-divorce hobby by a father-son team. Crafted from over 1,000 tons of local granite, the castles opened in 2010. Host your very own fairy-tale wedding proposal or hold a family reunion in an unbeatable location; the castle accommodates groups of up to 28 and can be rented for an afternoon event or overnight stay. While Highlands Castle is a brief drive outside of Bolton's Landing, the access road is steep and curvy. Note that inexperienced drivers or those with a fear of heights may be put off by the approach. Final Verdict All of these hotels offer convenient access to Lake George and nearby Adirondack Mountains activities. The best choice depends on your travel preferences, including the type of room and available amenities. The Inn at Erlowest is a great pick for romantic weekend getaways, while the Holiday Inn Resort Lake George is a newly renovated hotel with family-friendly amenities and a dedicated Children's Activity director. If you're in the mood for something different this summer, Adirondack Safari's glamp tents fit the bill, with added perks of entertainment and activities on site. Compare the Best Lake George Hotels Property Resort Fee Rates Number of Rooms Free WiFi The Sagamore Best Overall Ranges from $50-$100 depending on accommodation style $$ 137 Yes Holiday Inn Resort Lake George Best for Families No $$ 129 Yes Dunham’s Bay Resort Best Budget No $$ 40 Yes The Boathouse Best Lakefront No $$$ 7 Yes The Inn at Erlowest Best for Couples No $$ 10 Yes Adirondack Safari Best Glamping No $$ 45 No The Lodges at Cresthaven Best Vacation Rental No $$$ 54 Yes Highlands Castle Best Luxury No $$$$ 3 Yes How We Chose These Hotels We reviewed 15 different hotels and inns in Lake George before choosing these as the best for travelers in 2023. We considered proximity to Lake George, types of accommodation offered, in-room and onsite amenities, property reputation, and the experiences of recent travelers. We also looked at the dining options and spa facilities. Jerry Trudell the Skys the Limit / Getty Images Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! 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