I grew up in the Adirondacks, and Lake Placid was basically my backyard. I've stayed at multiple properties here personally, and spent time at several others for my job over the years. If you’re trying to figure out where to stay on your trip to Lake Placid, this guide is for you. Here's the curated list of hotels and lodges that I'd give a friend if they asked!

Lake Placid is probably the most popular “hub” town in the Adirondacks, or the one most people think of first. This means that luckily, there are heaps of accommodation options available - from luxury lakefront properties to small boutique lodges. You also have the choice of staying right downtown, or in the surrounding area.

Staying downtown means you're within walking distance from Mirror Lake, the Olympic venues, and every restaurant and shop on Main Street. Stay in nearby Wilmington and you're just minutes from Whiteface, with much a quieter feel. But we’ll get into my recommendations for best areas in the next section!

This guide covers everything you need to know: the best hotel options across every area and budget, and my honest notes on all of them - whether I’ve stayed there personally, have visited the property, or simply have it on my bucket list for a future trip. Let’s get into the list!

Table of Contents:

Introduction
Best Areas to Stay In & Around Lake Placid, NY
Best Hotels in Downtown Lake Placid
Best Hotels in Wilmington
Best Hotels in Saranac Lake
FAQ

Short on time? Here are my favorite hotels right in Lake Placid:

The Whiteface Lodge ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Eastwind Hotel ⭐⭐⭐
The Boha Hotel ⭐⭐

Best Areas to Stay In & Around Lake Placid, NY

Downtown Lake Placid

The easiest, most convenient and liveliest base. Luckily, also an incredibly beautiful one! You're within walking distance of Mirror Lake, Main Street restaurants, coffee shops, and the Olympic venues - no car needed for those. This is what I would consider the best choice for first-timers who want easy access to everything.

Wilmington

About 15 minutes north of Lake Placid Village, Wilmington is located right at the base of Whiteface Mountain. This is a great choice if skiing in winter or driving up the Whiteface Highway in summer is on your itinerary. It’s quieter and more local-feeling than downtown Lake Placid, with a residential feel. There isn’t really a lot in the proper “town” center here, so this is best for anyone wanting to stay more out in nature.

Saranac Lake

Only 15 minutes west of Lake Placid - Saranac Lake is a smaller, quieter village with its own downtown and nice waterfront along Lake Flower. Yes, slightly confusing that the Saranac Lake downtown isn’t right on Saranac Lake! But regardless - I really enjoy this area as a way to stay very close to Lake Placid, have some walkable restaurants and shops nearby, but avoid the busier areas.

Best Hotels in Downtown Lake Placid

1. Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa

The Mirror Lake Inn is a quintessential Lake Placid stay. This is a full-service resort sitting right on the lake with mountain views, a spa, and a restaurant that's been one of the most popular in the area for decades. I've been on the property several times for weddings and events and it’s always a fantastic experience. The setting alone is beautiful, but then on top of that, the service is incredibly friendly, there are lake views from many of the rooms (with gorgeous balconies), and they even have their own private beach where you can take out canoes and SUPs.

>> Book Mirror Lake Inn

2. Eastwind Hotel

Eastwind is the property I recommend to people who want something with a more unique personality than a traditional hotel. I've photographed here and the property is beautiful - a Scandinavian-meets-slightly boho vibe with warm wood tones, a fire pit, hammocks, a bar and lounge, and standalone cabin options alongside the main hotel rooms. The cabins are adorable, by the way - those would be my personal top pick! The design itself is a major part of the experience. If aesthetics are important to you, then this is a great choice.

>> Book Eastwind Hotel

3. The Boha Hotel (I regularly stay here)

The Boha is my go-to when I'm staying in Lake Placid, for a few reasons. Everything was renovated to feel modern and aesthetically pleasing, the communal firepit area out back is a lovely spot to hang out in the evening, and it's just the right distance from downtown - walkable to everything without being right in the middle of the noise. Bonus points for being just a 2 minute walk from the best local soft-serve ice cream spot!

The detail I appreciate most, which might seem small: the private external entryways, motel-style. Hear me out. When you're arriving with heaps of hiking gear or just a weekend's worth of bags, being able to walk straight from your car to your room without going through a lobby is kind of amazing. Highly underrated feature, if you ask me.

>> Book The Boha Hotel

4. Lake Placid Stagecoach Inn & Restaurant

A small, charming inn right outside of downtown, located inside the oldest building in Lake Placid. Yes, seriously - the building dates back to 1780. This is the opposite of a big resort (with only 4 bookable rooms!), in a good way. It’s both Adirondack-rustic and elegant at the same time. I've been here for events and the atmosphere is very homey yet elevated. If you like stays that have a real personality and a boutique feel, the Stagecoach Inn is probably the right pick.

>> Book Lake Placid Stagecoach Inn

5. The Whiteface Lodge

Quite possibly the most impressive property in the Lake Placid area in terms of sheer scale and amenities - The Whiteface Lodge is a full Adirondack great camp-style resort with an indoor pool, outdoor hot tubs, a spa, bowling alley, cinema, and some really great restaurants. They even host special “activities” like a campfire & smores evening every night, special workout classes, and a seasonal ice skating rink.

I've been on the property for weddings (are we seeing a trend here? ha!) and it always shocks me how much is available right on-site. Not to mention, the property itself is lovely. The main building alone is the most iconic example of Adirondack design. This is for you if you like a little bit of luxury (it’s a 5 star resort), but also authenticity to the Adirondack region.

>> Book The Whiteface Lodge

Best Hotels in Wilmington

6. Wolfjaw Lodge

A newly-renovated property in Wilmington that's at the top of my “want to book” list. The Wolfjaw Lodge is actually a sister property of The Boha Hotel (my downtown Lake Placid go-to) so it looks to carry the same modern design elements and amenities. It’s located essentially right next to Whiteface Mountain, so that means it’s also a perfect and super convenient ski season stay.

>> Book Wolfjaw Lodge

7. Adirondack Spruce Lodge

The Adirondack Spruce Lodge underwent a full renovation in 2026 and came out looking beautiful - modern rooms, a communal firepit and BBQ area, and a location just minutes from Whiteface. Plus, the fact that dogs are welcome makes it even easier to recommend - there’s nothing I hate more than finding the perfect accommodations only to find that they won’t allow my two dogs to join. I haven't stayed here yet since their renovation, but it's very high on my list for a future visit.

>> Book Adirondack Spruce Lodge

Best Hotels in Saranac Lake

8. voco Saranac Lake NY

A hotel in the heart of Saranac Lake village, with a great location right on the waterfront of Lake Flower. I've stayed at this hotel when it was under previous ownership as the Saranac Waterfront Lodge, but from what I can see, the core of the property hasn’t changed in the new hands (which is great!). If you can score a room with a lakeview balcony, that’s the way to go.

Saranac Lake is also one of my favorite areas to stay in. The vibe of the town - smaller, quieter, more local - is something I really appreciate. This is a solid pick if you want to base yourself somewhere slightly more calm and make easy trips into Lake Placid (only a 10 minute drive).

>> Book voco Saranac Lake

9. Hotel Saranac

This is one of the most historic properties in the area - originally opened in 1927, and it’s even listed on the National Register of Historic Places. I absolutely love the charm of a historic stay. It’s both a hotel with some retained old world vibes, yet has that laid-back vibe of the Adirondacks infused in its design, and is (of course) filled with modern comforts. With a central location in Saranac Lake village, a great atmosphere, and plenty of amenities, this one is pretty hard to top if you’re interested in the downtown Saranac area.

>> Book Hotel Saranac

FAQ

Q: Where should I stay in Lake Placid for the first time?

A: Downtown Lake Placid is the easiest choice - Mirror Lake Inn if you want the full resort experience with lakefront views and a private beach, or The Boha if you want something more budget-friendly and walkable with a modern feel. Both put you in easy reach of everything without needing a car.

Q: What is the best hotel in Lake Placid, NY?

A: Depends on what your travel style is! For a luxury stay and the most iconic Lake Placid experience, The Whiteface Lodge is hard to beat. For a more personal, design-forward stay, Eastwind is my pick. For a great price point, I often book at The Boha.

Q: Is Lake Placid expensive?

A: It can be, especially in summer and during fall foliage season. Mirror Lake Inn and The Whiteface Lodge are luxury-priced. The Boha and any of the Wilmington options tend to be more mid-range in pricing.

Q: Are there dog-friendly hotels near Lake Placid?

A: Yes, quite a few! For example, the Adirondack Spruce Lodge in Wilmington (discussed above) is a great dog-friendly option. For a full roundup of pet-friendly stays across the entire Adirondacks region, check out my dedicated guide: 14 Best Dog-Friendly Hotels, Cabins & Campsites in the Adirondacks.

Q: Downtown Lake Placid vs. Wilmington vs. Saranac Lake - which area is better?

A: Downtown Lake Placid wins for walkability and convenience, which many first-time visitors like. Wilmington is the right call for Whiteface Mountain access and a quieter, more out-in-nature feel. Saranac Lake is the winner if you want a more local, less tourist-heavy experience while still having a proper downtown nearby. All three are within 10-15 minutes of each other, so there are really no bad choices - it comes down to your preferred vibe!

Q: Where should I stay in Lake Placid if I'm there to ski?

A: Wolfjaw Lodge or Adirondack Spruce Lodge in Wilmington - both are essentially right next to Whiteface Mountain, which makes them the most convenient options for a ski trip. Either of those would be my top picks. For Lake Placid proper, The Whiteface Lodge is also great for skiing since they have on-site amenities to come back to after a day on the slopes.

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