While the Olympic venues were our first draw to Lake Placid, staying at the Mirror Lake Inn became equally appealing the more we learned about it. The resort is perched on a hillside overlooking Mirror Lake. While it felt private and secluded, it was only a three minute walk to downtown Lake Placid.
(And for the other newcomers who might be as confused as I was, the town of Lake Placid is actually on Mirror Lake.)
The Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa has a feeling on grandeur from the moment you walk in the front door. We arrived on a blustery day to a cozy scene with a flickering fireplace and a plate of warm cookies.
We were greeted by Sandy Caligiore, a man who was born for the role of inn keeper. His big smile and warm personality quickly made us feel at home. He gave me a quick tour to start us off on the right foot, because it meant that much to him that we had a good time. His passion for the Inn would shine through when he spoke.
The Mirror Lake Inn dates back to 1924 and is rich in history. It wasn’t winterized until 1932 when the Norwegian Team rented the entire Inn for the Winter Olympics.
The Inn has always been known for their sports-related innovations such as the first rope tow powered by electricity and the first snow making machine on Dream Hill. The first bobsled run was made by the owner, except it’s original purpose was to haul deer out of the woods.
The current owner, Andrew Weibrecht, was a World Cup alpine ski racer and two-time Olympic medalist. As you check in, notice the medals hanging behind the desk.
We had a three bedroom suite with sweeping views of the lake and the Adirondack mountain range looming in the distance. The Mirror Lake Inn has a total of 127 units all facing Mirror Lake and the mountains, so you can’t go wrong with a room. None of the rooms face away.
The kids loved the rocking chairs by the windows and I would catch them sitting there just staring out the window. It’s a type of beauty that captures you, no matter what your age is.
A handwritten note was waiting in our room along with sparkling water, cheese, crackers and fresh berries. It was such a nice treat for these weary travelers. I love these personal touches, when people go the extra mile to make you feel welcome.
The kids were so excited to have bunk beds in their room. A second bedroom was connected by a shared bathroom. We had so much room to spread out, which is always appreciated by our large family.
The primary bedroom could be closed off for privacy and we had our own full bathroom. The living room had a television, couch and a dining table with chairs. There was even a little bar sink that always came in handy.
As soon as we settled in, the kids wanted to head straight for the pool. The indoor pool, hot tub and sauna were the prefect place to warm up after cold day of exploring. Mirror Lake Inn took our family vote for the best hot tub we have ever experienced. I think the majority of our time in Lake Placid was spent in that hot tub.
There are two dining options at the Mirror Lake Inn. The View is their fine dining option. It is rated as number 1 on TripAdvisor as the best restaurant in Lake Placid. The View has also earned Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence for the past 23 straight years. When you see their collection of over 460 wine bottles, you will see why.
They also have a more casual option called The Cottage. The Cottage is located across the street right on the water. They recently acquired two gondola cabins from Whiteface Mountain, added heat to them and set them up for dining. The kids loved the experience and we didn’t have to worry about them bothering anyone around us.
The View offers a breakfast buffet in the morning and that is more casual. It was such a big hearty breakfast with so many options. I was really afraid my picky eaters would only eat cereal, but they surprised me with the amount of food they ate. Nobody could turn down Adirondack flapjacks with warm maple syrup.
The library and living room was such a relaxing place to hang out. This large cozy room had couches you could sink into in front of a roaring fireplace. Board games are available on request. Large glass windows showed off the expansive view of the lake. Cell phones are not allowed, forcing you to be present in the moment.
We loved being a short walk into town. There were several restaurants and attractions within walking distance. Lizzie loved making jewelry at Just Bead It. The boys favorite shop was Imagination Station. There is also a great bookstore called The Bookstore Plus. Depending on ice conditions, there are many winter activities you can enjoy such as ice skating, a toboggan ride and dog sledding.
We spent three heavenly nights at the Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa and felt like we just barely scratched the surface. There is just so much to do in Lake Placid, especially if you are an outdoor enthusiast.
The Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa has been AAA Four Diamond rated for the past 38 years (an honor awarded to only 6% of hotels). This well-balanced resort is fancy without being stuffy and family-friendly without being kitschy. It is the type of place that you come as a stranger and leave as family. We will certainly return to Lake Placid and I couldn’t imagine staying anywhere else.
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