We chose Lake Placid as our extended-family vacation destination because my parents have enjoyed visits there the past two summers. On their recommendation we booked rooms at the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort. Fantastic hotel! It couldn’t be more convenient, or more picturesque, and the staff are friendly and helpful. It’s in the heart of Lake Placid, with the main drag on one side and the Olympic Centre just a few steps away on the other side.
The best part, though, is that it backs onto Mirror Lake, and the first-floor rooms all have walk-out access to the grassy yard, mere steps to a white, sandy beach with roped off swimming area. They also have free peddle-boats and canoes, and a family of resident ducks and fuzzy ducklings.
(I was particularly fond of the yellow duckling, which struck me as the “ugly duckling” from the story. We kept speculating on why he was yellow when his nest-mates were mottled brown, and then wondered why cartoon and stuffie ducklings are always yellow when most ducklings are not. Such are the pressing issues of a well-spent vacation!)
We stayed in one of their specialty “fireplace rooms,” (scroll down to the “Whiteface”) which gave us two queen-sized beds and a little sitting area with a pull-out sofa and armchair arranged around a fireplace. There’s a glass door that walks out to a small private patio, and the lake is maybe 50 feet away. They also have an indoor pool with two hot tubs and a sectioned-off baby pool. I can’t tell you how much I already miss our after-dinner swim!
This is the back of the hotel and the beach (the sun is shining because it’s our last day and we are just about to leave!):
And the view. The view!! The only good thing I have to say about three days of rain is that when it lets up just as the sun is setting, you can get some pretty spectacular sunset photos. One of my favourite memories of Lake Placid is prowling around the beach after dinner, chasing gorgeous shots with my Nikon. Like these:
I’m already planning our return visit in my head.
Next, out and about in Lake Placid with five kids under seven…
It’s beautiful! I’d be planning my trip back too, if I were you.
Sweet!
Wow, great shots Dani! Beautiful.