Forty years ago, Winifred and Stefanie Holderied took a 37-room motel and turned it into a 165-room resort. Nestled in the heart of Lake Placid Village and right along Mirror Lake, the family-owned and operated resort — on its third generation Holderied — underwent a complete renovation in 2006, and added its West Wing in 2008. In 2009, the resort became the first U.S. hotel to achieve a 5 Green Leaf status as a green property from the Audubon International.

The family’s commitment to its guests, its community and the environment is evident at every turn. An in-room recycling program and Green Quiz scavenger hunt are most notable, but guests who arrive by hybrid car, foot or skis receive a gift bag — and premiere parking for the hybrid. Solar panels on the roof are done to keep the hotel as one with the Adirondack environment, and the five-story resort is 100 percent smoke-free.

Steffi Holderied was also one of the residents of Lake Placid who pushed to get the 1980 Winter Games to the area, and during the games, ABC television crews and other media occupied the resort. The family, originally from Germany, also personally took in the Austrian ski team at their home.

Without the dedication of the family, the resort would still be a top choice for families, due to its prime location on the lake, within steps of the Olympic Arena and the quaint shop-lined main street. The resort’s tagline, “the only thing we overlook is the lake,” is refreshingly true, and the staff and owners will work to make every single guest feel like a V.I.P. It’s no wonder families have been returning to the Golden Arrow again and again for generations.

All guestrooms are equipped with refrigerators, coffee makers and free Wi-Fi. Lakefront rooms also include balconies and patios overlooking Mirror Lake, for just $20 more per night. The hotel's 46 suites are named after the Adirondack's 46 high peaks. Patio rooms --located on the third floor -- are pet-friendly. Deluxe rooms have two queen-sized beds or one king bed with a sleeper sofa, and some rooms have small dividers separating the sleeping and sitting areas.

Twenty specialty rooms and suites feature upgrades, such as microwaves, fireplaces (real and gas) or whirlpool tubs. Family suites have separate bed and living room spaces. Three condo suites, while lacking views of anything but the parking lot, have multiple bedrooms and living and dining space, along with full kitchens, ideal for larger families looking for a true home away from home.

During the summer, the resort provides canoes, kayaks, paddleboats and rowboats to guests at no charge; the lake does not allow motorized boats. The crushed limestone beach features chairs and umbrellas available on a first-come, first-served basis.

In the winter, Mirror Lake freezes over and the resort provides ice skating opportunities and pick-up hockey games, as well as cross-country skiing, tobogganing and dog sledding, at an additional charge.

The resort's indoor, heated pool is open year-round and also features two hot tubs, a steam room, and a sauna, as well as changing rooms. The pool is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Near the pool area are a few indoor games, including darts, Foosball, Ping Pong and a pool table.

One-hour gondola cruises on Mirror Lake can accommodate two to 10 people in the resort's authentic Italian gondola, also at an additional fee.

A free Green Trolley, operated by Lake Placid, stops at the resort and takes visitors to Whiteface Mountain, as well as Olympic sites around the town.

Generations Restaurant & Bar
This onsite restaurant features breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as in-room dining from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. A hearty breakfast buffet ($10 per person) or a la carte options are available, with a la carte dining for lunch and dinner. As part of the resort and its green initiatives, the restaurant utilizes the green roof, a 3,000-square-foot roof providing views of the lake, as well as growing plants and herbs for dishes. The restaurant's menu focuses on locally grown and bred foods, as well as a drink list featuring organic and local wines.

Wyatt's Tex Mex
Connected to the resort is the Alpine Village Shoppes, which is home to Wyatt's Tex Mex, which serves burritos, tortillas, tacos and other popular Tex-Mex cuisine. The family-owned, quick-service restaurant also features great BBQ.

Sugar Shack Dessert Co.
Above the condo suites, this American bakery provides sweet treats and drinks, including cakes, cookies and frozen goodies, perfect at the end of a hot day on the lake.

All About the Extras
Pets are welcome at the Golden Arrow, with rooms on the third floor dedicated to pets. A one-time fee of $50 per pet is charged for a seven-day (or less) stay. Ten percent of the fees are donated annually to the Tri Lakes Humane Society or the pet charity of one of their pet-loving guest's choosing.

A fitness center with lake views is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The Art of Smart Timing
July and August are the busiest season for the resort, which runs at about 90 percent occupancy. Book ahead to enjoy the resort during the summer months.

Getting There
The Golden Arrow can be reached by car via I-87 and is four hours from New York City and about an hour away from Montreal. The Adirondack Regional Airport is within 30 minutes of the resort, Albany is two hours away, and Burlington International in Vermont is 2.5 hours away.