The Sagamore, Lake George
Vacationing in Lake George
Lake George is a very special place to me. My parents have been taking my family there in summers since we were little kids. I have so many childhood memories of playing at the lake with family friends, exploring Fort Ticonderoga, and sailing on the Minnie-Ha-Ha. It’s even the location of one of my favorite memories where my Grandfather (80 years old at the time) and I (10 years old) rode our first upside down rollercoaster together hand in hand at Six Flags Great Escape. It may not be an internationally recognized destination, but it’s a place that fills me with nostalgia and reminds me of simpler times. And amongst New Yorkers it’s a pretty popular vacation spot!
I’ve been to Lake George quite a few times, but it’s a new family tradition to take an annual summer vacation there… we haven’t returned to many destinations other than Portugal. But after having such an amazing trip to the lake last summer, we decided to go back to the Sagamore again this past June. This time my siblings and I treated my Mom for her 60th birthday with a long weekend there. And though our excitement to return was high, and our fond memories of last summer quite fresh, the hotel completely lived up to all our expectations! And after enjoying some new experiences at the Sagamore, it felt right to update and refresh this post from 2020!
The Sagamore
This hotel has been on my bucket list forever. My family always dreamed of staying at the Sagamore one day. Because of Covid travel restrictions last summer it was the perfect year to do it!
Every boat ride on Lake George passes the Sagamore hotel, perched on a private island twenty minutes north of the town. Approaching it always felt like seeing a monument in the distance. Hearing the mutters around you like “I think that’s the Sagamore!” far before our eyes could even make out the iconic white Victorian building. It is more than a resort in Lake George, it is a landmark.
To give a sense of this hotels beauty, here are some of my favorite views around the hotel.
Morning light over the gardens.
Stay cool by grabbing a comfortable chair in the shady porch. During our stay the temperature reached over 90 degrees, so the fans provided a much welcomed breeze.
There is plenty of seating around the property. Some of the best locations are on the veranda terrace, where you can grab an Adirondack chair and a drink, and watch the sun go down.
Planning Your Trip & Accommodations
In the old days we always stayed at family friendly hotels in the town of Lake George with pools and lake access. But The Sagamore Resort is a great hotel option for any traveler: family, friends, or couples. It’s a great destination to bring kids, and even your pet! The resort is dog friendly (up to 30 lbs) with a nightly fee. There are also adult only sun decks as well, in case you are literally vacationing to get away from your children.
Room rates are typically high in the peak summer season. Last summer The Sagamore offered 20% off each booking, and 2 free breakfasts each morning. This year for Cyber Monday they offered an amazing flash sale deal that was almost 40% off the room each night. Sign up to receive emails and be notified the next time they have a great sale going on! It’s definitely worth it for the savings :)
My family and I stayed in one of the lodge suites, which was spacious and functional. The room is designed to fit right into its setting in the Adirondacks! The Lodge rooms are quiet and each have a living room with a fireplace, a kitchen, 1-2 bedrooms, and a private patio overlooking the lake. The main hotel rooms and suites are closer to the main amenities and all the action! There are also mobility accessible rooms in the hotel. Last but not least you can rent the former caretaker’s house on the property - which is fun for larger groups and fits up to 11. Pick your room depending on how you are looking to spend your trip!
One tiny but exciting part of the room is that they stock the bathroom with Nest shower products! My favorite.
Things to do
There is no shortage of activities at this resort, you won’t even need to leave the property if you don’t want to. Here are some of my top suggestions!
Water Activities on the Lake
There are a ton of free activities available at the resort, and an extremely helpful staff that comes around providing information and suggestions. We spent the days cooling off in the swimming area and lounging in the area for tubes. We also saw many families fishing together on the docks.
Usually they have access to canoes, kayaks, and paddle boards right at the waterfront, but because of Covid they removed them from the property. If you want to rent them it’s still available at the Lake George Kayak Co. which is just on the other side of Green Island - an easy 7 minute walk from the Sagamore waterfront!
There are also jet ski’s and wave-runners available for rent if you are looking for something that requires a little less physical work and a little more fun.
Take a Boat Ride on the Morgan
The Morgan is a replica of a 19th century ship, that is exclusively operated by the Sagamore. The tour is included in the resort fee you pay when booking your room reservation, so it’s essentially free for guests! For this reason, I’d recommend the experience!
My Mom and sister found themselves bored but the rest of us thought it was nice! The tour is usually an hour and a half, but moves pretty slow on the water. We got to see a good portion of the lake and coves. However, if you’d like to call all the shots on your boat tour, you’ll want to explore other sailing options on the lake!
Renting or Chartering a Boat on Lake
Of all the activities offered, this is the one MUST-DO. If you are exploring Lake George, you won’t truly grasp it in all its beauty until you get on the water.
There is a small Marina right on Green Island where the Sagamore is located. The next closest one, is Chic’s Marina which is also in Bolton Landing.
Renting a Boat: Believe it or not, you can drive away on a boat completely on your own, without even having a boating license! The only rules are that you must be 21 or older with a Valid Driver’s License.
They say that every rental boat undergoes a thorough safety, maintenance and operation checkup. U.S. Coast Guard equipment is on all rentals so that you can cruise with a little more reassurance.
Nevertheless, it may not be the safest method if you have never drove a boat before. And its especially not safe if you’re drinking SO just choose wisely depending on how you’d like to spend your day on the lake. It’s a lot more responsibility for the driver, but it is however cheaper than organizing a private charter with a personal captain.
Organizing a Private Charter: This would be my preferred choice. Let the Captain take charge and not only take you on a tour of the best spots they are so familiar with, but you can drink, eat, swim, tan, nap - DO WHATEVER YOU LIKE - without worry.
There are plenty of great boating companies in the area. A few years ago we chartered a large boat in Lake George for my cousins bachelorette party, and it was one of my favorite summer days maybe ever. The couple who owned and operated it were so sweet, knowledgeable, and easy going. They let us tailor the 4 or 5 hour trip to our Bride’s liking, and encouraged us to relax, eat, and drink while they took care of everything. We spent the entire afternoon tubing, tanning, cliff jumping, and swimming.
Here are some other boat options:
Spending a romantic weekend as a couple in Lake George? This gorgeous and private old vessel is available to charter. It’s fittingly named the Love is On Lake George.
You may want to choose your vessel depending on the size of your party and length of your boat day! Here are some options that will pick you up right from the dock of the Sagamore:
In our second summer vacationing in Lake George we chose to charter an 8 person sized boat (for my family of 5) for 2 hours by hiring Boating With Bob! I can’t recommend the experience more, or speak more highly about our Captain Bob! We had an amazing time exploring a good length of the 32 mile lake, exploring private coves, and getting some of the history on the private homes along the shoreline.
For the adventurous, we hopped into the lake for a swim and even took a crazy fun high speed ride on the raft! You can bring cool drinks or sandwiches if you’re spending all day on the boat as well! I know next time our family would love to do four hours or more, because we enjoyed the experience so much. There is nothing like a great day out on that lake.
Tiki Tours or Pontoon Boats
If you want to have some fun, rent a floating tiki barge or pontoon that can fit tons of people!
Explore the town of Bolton Landing
With plenty of shops and restaurants you could spend a whole afternoon exploring Bolton Landing. My favorite places we stumbled on were the adorable Lakeview Antique shop and a Country store that sold fresh produce, flowers, and a little log cabin model homes.
Take a Hike
There is a really pretty nature trail right on the property. Since we stayed in one of the Lodges we were able to access it from right outside the entrance of our suite. My Dad and I woke up and ran the trail in the early morning, and then walked it again with my family before breakfast.
I was blown away when I saw this view. There was suddenly and unobstructed view of the lake and the Adirondacks.
Going back to the Sagamore I really enjoyed running around the property, and the town of Bolton Landing. It’s a great way to explore and see some more beautiful views from different perspectives on the lake.
In the Lake George area, there are several peaks to choose from! Some are closed for the season but others are still open. During our boat tour, a guide suggested a few peaks after pointing them out to us including Black Mountain, Tongue Mountain, Shelving Rock Mountain, and Stewart’s Ledge.
Spend an Afternoon in the town of Lake George
There is a beautiful park located just off the Visitors Center, and within that is a circular patio that is said to defy the laws of acoustics - you stand at the center of it and hear an echo from the lake. It’s also a nice viewpoint from town.
View from the parks along Beach road, overlooking the docks of Lake George.
Grab some Beers at the Bolton Landing Brewery
If the weather isn’t cooperating, or you have an extra afternoon, I’d recommend checking out the Bolton Landing Brewing Company! It’s right in town, an easy walk from the Sagamore. Or grab a beer after shopping around town.
Have a Spa Day at The Sagamore
The Spa is another popular activity at the hotel. It’s perfect for those looking for some serenity, seeking relaxation, or who just want the full luxurious experience! There are a large number of appointment rooms and services that are offered. You could easily spend hours here enjoying some yoga, the sauna, a peaceful massage, or facial. I’d love to come back again for a girls day here or a couples massage treatment!
The spa is located on the wing of the main hotel.
Dining at the Sagamore
There are several great dining options at the resort! There are many nice restaurants in Lake George, both in Bolton Landing and in the town of Lake of George. But the Sagamore has some of the best dining in the area, so we chose to stay on the property! I recommend making reservations before your trip.
There is another great restaurant at the Sagamore that isn’t listed below, which is the Club Grill Steakhouse, located at the Golf Course. This is just a short shuttle ride off of Green Island.
The Pavilion
The Pavilion restaurant sits along the water at the edge of the property, and has the most gorgeous vistas. We made a dinner reservation here for our first night at the Sagamore! Watching the sun go down over the lake behind us was unforgettable.
The Patio at the Pavilion
Our first evening at the Sagamore we dined at the uncovered patio at the Pavilion.
The menu has a blend of sandwiches and fine dining dishes like reef and beef. We chose a healthy salad and hummus platter to start, some cocktails, and then went big with the entrées.
La Bella Vita
This is my favorite restaurant at the Sagamore, not only for the delicious food (thinking about that menu makes my mouth water) but also because I prefer the views! Last summer we sat on the back porch, which had some trees and the awning over Shelter Rock Terrace obstructing our site of the lake a bit. But this summer we went on a quieter evening and got a great table. I have to say, sitting on the covered porch overlooking the entire property and the lake below makes you feel like you’re in paradise. The meal here was special and I can’t wait to come back again for it!
The veranda at La Bella Vita
The Lake House
This poolside bar sits amongst the terraces of chairs, overlooking the waterfront. It typically serves food as a casual restaurant, and cocktail bar. This was one of my favorite viewpoints of the lake on the property!
Cool Drinks on Deck (little Frozen Margarita pictured here looking so cute)
Mr. Brown’s Pub
If you’re looking for something to do after dinner, grab some drinks and listen to live music at Mr. Brown’s Pub! We had a fun night there, and it seems that a crowd gathers as the evening goes on!
Located downstairs, the large bar has a really festive Adirondacks theme going on.
FOR BREAKFAST:
I’m usually not too hungry in the morning so I had a protein bar and took advantage of the free iced coffee at Caldwell’s - the lobby bar.
If you are looking for an extravagant hotel breakfast, head to the veranda at La Bella Vita. There is also a big breakfast buffet at the tented Shelving Rock Terrace .
Prefer a walk for coffee in town? Head to Bear’s Cup! The coffee and bagels are great, but expect a little line since it’s so popular!
Looking to Dine in Bolton Landing?
Here are other restaurants I’ve either been recommended to try or have on my own list!
The following are all located on the water with views of the lake:
Chateau on the Lake - Very popular, so make a reservation in advancd on Opentable!
Here are some in town:
The Huddle Kitchen & Bar
Cate’s Italian
Bolton Bean’s
Dressing for your Trip!
Some of the restaurants have dinner dress codes, so be sure to pack the appropriate clothing for your trip! Because it’s a nice resort, I packed some cover-ups for walking to the bathroom or pool bar.
Dressed up for dinner
Covered but casual is usually the rule of thumb while outside the pool area of the resort.
I got this swimsuit in Santorini 2 years ago which was perfect for a resort setting! It felt fun and special for a trip.
Looking for some more resort-wear inspiration? Think light flowing fabric for your dresses, straw hats and bags, sunglasses and sandals. My sister Lauren always has the cutest clothes, so here are some pics I snapped of her looks!
A Family Vacation for the Books
This was one of the first times that all 5 of us were able to go on vacation together in years, and we were grateful for every minute of it! Returning again in 2021 as a full family, especially after losing our dog who was going to come on this trip, felt really important and special. We certainly love it here.
I hope I gave a sense of just how special this resort is. My family and I agreed it’s our favorite weekend getaway. So if you’re planning on going to Lake George, I highly recommend a trip to The Sagamore!
Xx Gab