Cozy.

That’s the first feeling you’ll get when you arrive at Whiteface Lodge in Lake Placid, New York. The second feeling? Longing… longing to return to this resort before you’ve even left.

A Forbes Four-Star and AAA Four-Diamond Hotel, Whiteface Lodge is the epitome of luxury in the Adirondacks. Wooden beams, rustic decor (think taxidermy and antique winter sports gear) and crackling fireplaces provide a romantic atmosphere that’s perfect for a weekend getaway (or if you do it right, longer).

But don’t be fooled—this resort is just as family-friendly as it is romantic. In fact, we saw more families than we did couples during our wintertime visit—which isn’t surprising when you realize just how much this resort offers for kids. 

There’s a movie theater with three showings and freshly made popcorn daily; a game room with foosball, billiards, and the like; and even a two-lane bowling alley. There’s also indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs, a spa, fitness center, and several onsite dining options, plus room service. Other treats include an old-fashioned ice cream parlor, afternoon cookies and hot chocolate (or tea or coffee) and S’mores by a campfire at night.

All of these activities are offered year-round. Come winter, add an ice skating rink—and the sheer beauty of Lake Placid covered in snow—to the mix. In the summer, enjoy the resort’s exclusive beach and beach grill (just down the road), as well as boat charters, fishing, and complimentary water sports equipment rentals. 

But the highlight for any traveler is the suites, most of which feature fully equipped kitchens, dining areas, fireplaces (self-controlled), patios or balconies, and our personal favorite, spacious bathrooms with a shower, soaking tub and heated floors—the perfect place to relax after a chilly day (or any day) in Lake Placid. 

All accommodations at Whiteface Lodge are suites, and most accommodate at least four people (though cribs and rollaway beds are available for additional guests). All suites have fully equipped kitchens, and some have fireplaces and/or combination washers and dryers. Most accommodations have porches, as well.

Turndown service is provided nightly, and includes freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.

One Bedroom Junior Suite
These 500-square-foot suites offer a king bed and queen-size sleeper sofa, sleeping a maximum of four guests. The bathroom has a combination shower/jetted tub.

One Bedroom Clubhouse Junior Suite
Clubhouse Suites translate to more space at Whiteface Lodge, and as such, guests of the One Bedroom Clubhouse Junior Suite can expect a small living area with fireplace, as well as partial views of the courtyard and mountains. This suite has one queen bed, and is ideal for couples. 

One Bedroom Superior Suite
These suites accommodate up to four guests, and are available on all three floors of the hotel. They feature a fireplace and balcony or porch.

One Bedroom Deluxe Suite
The One Bedroom Deluxe Suite spans 925 square feet, and sleeps up to four guests, with a king bed and sofa bed. The master bathroom features a heavenly jetted tub and separate walk-in shower, as well as a half bathroom next to the living room.

Two Bedroom Suite
Located on the third floor, the Two Bedroom Suites are bi-level, with two full bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and a balcony. Take the room upstairs so you can enjoy the master bathroom with soaking tub and walk-in shower, and leave the downstairs bedroom to the kids.

Two Bedroom Clubhouse Suite
Larger than the Two Bedroom Suite, the Two Bedroom Clubhouse Suite has a loft with built-in twin beds—the kids will love it! This room also has an enclosed, four-season porch.

Three Bedroom Suite
Eight guests can be accommodated in the three-bedroom suite, which spans two levels. It has three full bathrooms.

Three Bedroom Clubhouse Suite
In addition to more space than the three-bedroom suite, this suite has three bedrooms and two bathrooms, plus a private master bedroom balcony and four-season porch.

Grand Lodge Suite
The hotel has five Grand Lodge Suites (each with a different name), offering three full bedrooms and spanning 2,200 square feet. The views are outstanding.

Presidential Suite
Spanning up to 3,300 square feet (!), the Presidential Suite is available in a two-, three-, or four-bedroom configuration, sleeping between six and 12 guests. We guarantee you'll never want to leave!

Movie Theater
The hotel has its own movie theater, with three showings daily (typically a G, PG, and PG13 movie): 3:30, 6:30 and 9 p.m. Be sure to grab some freshly popped popcorn on your way into the theater!

Family Game Room
The game room has billiards, foosball, shuffleboard, and Ping Pong, as well as a two-lane bowling alley! If you'd like to bowl, you'll need to reserve a time at the front desk. Bowling is typically available between noon and 8 p.m.

Pools
The hotel has an indoor/outdoor pool (you can swim from the indoor pool to the outdoor pool), as well as indoor and outdoor hot tubs. The outdoor hot tub is especially relaxing on a cold winter day! The pools and hot tubs are open between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Campfires
Enjoy S'mores around a campfire between 6 and 9:30 p.m. nightly. In the event of inclement weather, S'mores can be roasted over a fireplace indoors.

Kamp Kanu
Available the last weekend in June through Labor Day, Kamp Kanu offers activities for kids aged 3 to 14, with two sessions daily (9:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3:30 p.m.).

Kids aged 3 to 10 enjoy activities such as obstacle courses and treasure hunts during both sessions. Tweens and teens aged 11 to 14 can participate in all-day sessions (9:30 to 3:30) that include off-property activities such as hiking and kayaking.

Water Sports
Enjoy kayaking, paddle boarding and paddle boats with equipment provided by the Canoe Club, next to the beach. Water sports rentals are complimentary.

Sports Courts
Tennis, pickleball, ladderball and cornhole are available seasonally.

Boating
You can charter a hacker craft, pontoon, or Nautique ski boat, the latter of which includes waterskiing and tubing. All boats are escorted by a certified driver.

Fishing
The hotel has its own catch-and-release fishing pond, open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the summer (usually mid-May through early October). Fishing rods, bait and tackle are provided, though you're certainly welcome to bring your own gear.

Ice Skating
From November through late-March, you can go ice skating at Whiteface Lodge. Skates and child skate trainers are available (or you can bring your own), and ice skating lessons can be arranged in advance of your visit.

The hotel has several onsite dining options, all of which are kid-friendly, with highchairs and children's menus available.

Kanu
Don't leave Whiteface Lodge without dining at Kanu. The grand, yet intimate ambiance, alone, is worth a visit to this fine-dining establishment. The menu comprises three courses (though you don't have to order all three) that can best be described as upscale American fare. Nightly specials are available, and the menu rotates seasonally.

Peak 47
Open for lunch and dinner, Peak 47 is the hotel's most casual dining option, with soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, pizza, and the like on the menu. Full entrees are served beginning at 5:30 p.m, and live music is offered on select nights.

Breakfast
Enjoy a complimentary breakfast buffet at Kanu each morning. Options rotate daily, but you can expect two egg options (think plain scrambled eggs and Huevos Rancheros or eggs with cheddar and herbs), French toast, pancakes, oatmeal, assorted pastries and breads, fresh fruit, yogurt, bacon, sausage, and breakfast potatoes. Made-to-order items such as omelettes and Belgian waffles are available, as are alcoholic beverages (for a fee).

Ice Cream Parlor
Order a soda, sundae, milkshake, or ice cream cone at the hotel's adorable ice cream parlor. It's open on Fridays and Saturdays between 5 and 10 p.m. year-round, and daily between June and Labor Day and again over Christmas and Presidents Day week.

Canoe Club Grill
Open Memorial Day to Labor Day, the Canoe Club Grill is located on the resort's exclusive beach, just a few minutes from the hotel. Towel off and enjoy an ice-cold drink (wine slushy, anyone?), ice cream, salad, sandwich, wrap, panini, quesadilla, kabobs, or hot dog before diving back into the lake.

Room Service
In-room dining is available 24/7.

All About the Extras

• Wi-Fi
  Wi-Fi is complimentary to hotel guests.
• Fitness Center
  The hotel's fitness center has cardio and strength training equipment and is open 24/7 with key card access. Fitness classes such such as yoga and aqua aerobics are also available on select days.
• Babysitting
  Babysitting services can be arranged through a third-party agency; contact the hotel concierge for more information.
• Schedule
  You'll receive a daily schedule of the resort's offerings at turndown each night.

The Best Time to Visit
With a full roster of activities available year-round, anytime is a good time to visit Whiteface Lodge and Lake Placid. It really just depends on your family's preference for activities.

Getting There
The closest airport is Adirondack Regional Airport in Saranac Lake, about 20 minutes away. The airport has limited flight service between larger hubs, so it may make more sense to fly into Albany International Airport and drive two hours to Lakes Placid.

If you're based in the New York City metro area, Amtrak is also an option. You'll still need to drive from Albany or Saratoga Springs to Lake Placid, but the two-hour train ride from New York makes the trip a bit easier for those coming from the city.

Getting Around
In 2019, Whiteface Lodge purchased a fleet of BMWs for shuttle service to and from downtown Lake Placid. Shuttle service is available between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. year-round. You can also hire a driver between 6 and 11 p.m. nightly.

We personally recommend you rent your own vehicle so you have the flexibility to explore the area on your own terms—just make sure it's 4WD. Complimentary valet parking is available in a covered garage.

For Parents

• Spa
  The spa is the perfect antidote to a cold day in Lake Placid, with a steam room, sauna, and all manner of services, from massages (solo or tandem) to facials. There's also a salon for hair, makeup and nail services. Children's salon services are available for kids aged 12 and up when accompanied by an adult; children aged 12 to 16 can also receive spa services when accompanied by an adult.