11 Best Hotels in Lake George on the Lake

The lovely town of Lake George sits on the southern end of its namesake, Lake George, in the heart of the vast Adirondacks in New York. A classic summer escape, the region has boatloads of natural beauty, with the town itself boasting small-town charm. When we were looking for stays, how could we not look for the best hotels in Lake George on the lake? What we found was a plethora of hotels right on the shoreline, which ranged across various budgets, sizes, and even kinds, whether it was luxurious resorts, small boutique hotels, or even guesthouses. Plus, they’re popular, season or not, which means they’ll fill up very quickly, too.

If that wasn’t enough, these hotels were more than just their lakeside locations; they also had excellent amenities and were designed for all kinds of travelers so everyone could enjoy a vacation of their choice. To that end, here’s a detailed guide to staying on the shoreline of the “Queen of American Lakes.”

Fort William Henry Hotel and Conference Center

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We begin with the Fort William Henry Hotel and Conference Center, one of the most upscale stays in the region. The historic, elegant, and stately stay sits on a sprawling 18-acre estate at Lake George’s southern tip, harking back to the classic era of family resorts in the region.

We were bowled over by the amenities of this historic hotel, with the standout being the three-wave bean-shaped outdoor pool area overlooking the lake. After a swim, we’d relax with cocktails on the daybeds, looking out to the shimmering lake waters. It was followed by a fun game of croquet in the manicured gardens, after which we’d unwind in the sauna to soak our sore muscles. Plus, we had the options of many onsite restaurants, including the iconic White Lion. It’s been a Lake George institution for hearty and delicious meals since 1911. In fact, the dining room here was originally this historic hotel’s ballroom, complete with expansive windows overlooking the lake.

The rooms and suites here are upscale and luxurious. They are divided between the Deluxe West Wing, the Premium East Wing, and the main Grand Hotel itself. However, they all have roaring fireplaces, tea/coffee facilities, TVs, and luxurious bathrooms. The best ones in all three buildings had large windows with beautiful views of Lake George.

Depe Dene Lakeside Resort

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The Depe Dene Lakeside Resort lies on the western shores of Lake George, close to Diamond Point and around 10 minutes north of Lake George Town. We loved swimming in and lounging by the seasonal outdoor swimming pool, which also had daybeds and splendid views of the lake. Families with kids had a lot of relief, thanks to the games room and the children’s playground. Since this was an extended-stay resort, there was no restaurant. However, the staff was fantastic, welcoming, and very friendly, happily answering all our questions about the best places to get food and drinks around.

We not only had the choice of the kind of stay here, but also the views. For instance, we had the choice of two/three-bedroom apartments, different suites, chalets, bungalows, cottages, townhouses, and even villas. What’s more, some of them had courtyard views, others had pool views, some had partial lakefront views, and the best were the lakefront suites and bungalows. Notwithstanding the kind of room, they all had cable flatscreen TVs, luxe bathrooms, and terraces. What more could we want?

Ruah Bed and Breakfast, Hague

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Not all Lake George properties were sprawling and flamboyant; there were also stays focusing on seclusion, like the historic Ruah Bed and Breakfast. Sitting on the main Lake Shore drive in northern Lake George, this elegant B&B was tucked into a 1900-built historic home. In fact, it was hailed as one of the “12 Best Undiscovered Bed and Breakfasts in North America, and featured on PBS, House Beautiful, and Forbes. Oof!

There were just four individually styled rooms in an intimate atmosphere, namely Waltonian, Flirtation, Asas, and Queen of the Lakes, the largest one. Moreover, they all had gorgeous artwork, original light fixtures, stone fireplaces, and modern bathrooms with bathrobes and bathtubs. Plus, they all had beautiful views of the greenery, with Queen of the Lakes featuring partial views of the lake. The free Wi-Fi allowed us to stay connected and even plan our day’s itineraries. After a day of exploring and sightseeing, we’d sit in the library with a glass of wine and a good book. Finally, our days would begin with a fabulous breakfast spread, including cold and hot items and juices, tea, and coffee.

Sun Castle Resort, Lake George

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Most luxurious. Since we wanted to indulge in our Lake George stay, we chose the Sun Castle Resort, which, with its private beach, was the ultimate lakefront luxury. In fact, the private sandy stretch of the beach was the best we’d seen on the Lake George shoreline. We’d spend long, sun-kissed days out by the water, sipping on cocktails, soaking in the sun and the vibe.

We had a lot of lakefront fun, even back at the resort, in the form of the heated outdoor swimming pool. When we weren’t at the beach, the pool was swimming, lounging, and relaxing at the pool. What was unique about the pool was that it faced the mountains rather than the lake, allowing us to enjoy two unique settings. Besides that, it even had a private dock where we could park our rented boat. We’d spend our evenings sipping on a glass of wine beside the outdoor fireplace, followed by a delectable dinner at the onsite fine dining restaurant.

Since we were looking for an indulgent stay, we chose the one-bedroom waterfront villa. It had an outdoor private patio and a wall dows, both with panoramic views of Lake George. It also had cable TV, free Wi-Fi, a living room with a cushy sofa, and a fully equipped kitchen.

The Georgian Lakeside Resort

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Sitting right on the shoreline in the heart of Lake George, the Georgian Lakeside Resort even boasts a private beach that is open to just us resort guests. So, we had a wonderful place to unwind with direct lake views right on the property, and that too with full F&B service. Back at the resort, we had many lakefront amenities to enjoy and take advantage of. For instance, the rooftop Cabana Bar served all meals, including a delicious breakfast buffet every day. We could even park our rented boat in the dock space and even rent boats to go exploring the lake/ Our days ended by the lakeside fire pits, where we’d enjoy roasting s’mores and sipping wine.

We had the choice of three rooms: namely Courtyard rooms without lake views, Poolside rooms with partial lake views, and Lakefront ones with patios and sweeping lake views. Nevertheless, they all had plush beds, luxe bathrooms, TVs, and coffeemakers, with lakeside rooms being larger than other standard, entry-level ones.

Bayside Resort, Lake George

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Most family-friendly. When we traveled to Lake George with kids, the lakeside Bayside Resort (formerly Dunham’s Bay Resort) was perfect for us. They had a whale of a time at the lakefront property, thanks to the many amenities onsite. The highlight for all of us to have fun together was the Family Fun Center, which kept us all entertained with a pool table, air hockey, foosball, and even vintage video games.

However, the property was more about outdoor fun, especially at the private beach and the outdoor pool, which overlooked Lewis Bay. We’d lounge poolside, ordering snacks and cocktails from the Tiki Bar, even as the kids frolicked about in the water. The tropical indoor heated pool is a respite if you’re traveling during autumn or winter. Even when the weather turned cold one day we were here, the oversized Whirlpool Spa was a blessing. Since we’d begin the day with complimentary breakfast spreads, we weren’t worried about the kids either, as we could come down anytime we wanted.

While we had a huge choice of rooms and suites, we chose the family suite as we were traveling with kids. Not only did it have a kitchenette and a flat-screen cable TV, but it also had an outdoor patio with amazing lake views. What more could we want?

Boathouse Waterfront Lodging, Bolton

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Most historic. We love mixing our stays with a little bit of history; hence, we chose to stay at Boathouse Waterfront Lodging. Formerly the Boathouse B&B, this magnificent Lake George waterfront property impressed us to the hilt. The structure was actually constructed in 1911 to accommodate a 24-ft mahogany speedboat that the owners cherished. In fact, it was famed speedboat racer and Gold Cup recipient George Reis’ former summer home. Perhaps the most famous spot here, including our favorite, was the outdoor porch hanging right above the water. That, along with the water-facing fire pit with alfresco seating, were two of our favorite spots to relax and unwind after a long day.

A delicious breakfast spread awaited us every morning, and that too which we could have at any time we wanted. Moreover, the 24-hour tea/coffee always on offer and a microwave and toaster to use in the Great Room was an excellent perk. The hosts, who also ran the former B&B, were very helpful, cheerful, and always ready to tell us what to see and do. The stays weren’t any less impressive, all of which had fridges, cable flatscreen TVs, and private bathrooms with bathrobes. Our particular room even had a seating area with lake views, so we had a real treat when it came to good views.

Marine Village Resort, Lake George

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Where could we find prime private beachfront right in the heart of the town of Lake George? At the Marine Village Resort, of course! This affordable beach resort had options for all kinds of stays, including rooms, cottages, and lakefront suites. What’s more, all of them have heat and air conditioning, so you can stay here in all kinds of Lake George weather. That, along with coffeemakers, microwaves, fridges, and free Wi-Fi, ensured that we had a very comfortable stay here. Our chosen abode, the lakefront suite, was not only spacious but also boasted panoramic views of the lake from the balcony. In fact, there were many seasonal packages we could choose from, so ensure that you check out what’s available when you’re making a reservation here. Since we chose the lakefront suite, we were also entitled to a complimentary boat ride!

The enviable location meant that there were many shorefront activities for us to do here. Every morning, we awaited a healthy breakfast at the seasonal on-site restaurant. After that, we’d be off to explore and sightsee, heading straight to the outdoor heated lakefront pool after we headed back. Since there were daybeds, we could also soak up the sunshine along with lake views. We’d wrap up the days by roasting s’mores at the barbecue, again with lake views.

The Lodges at Cresthaven, Lake George

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Best hotel with a private beach. While looking for rustic lakefront elegance, The Lodges at Cresthaven caught our eye. We loved the glorious views from one of the most beautiful waterfront properties in the region, even more so because it had a private beach area. In fact, it had Adirondack chairs so we could enjoy the morning sun and unwind after swimming in the lake. Thanks to the kayaks and canoes that the resort offered, we even explored the waters on our own.

Even though all of the stays here were either king suites or two-bedroom apartments, with just 50 of them, staying here felt intimate. We loved the upscale lodge-style classic Adirondack decor, like wood-beamed ceilings, cozy blankets, gas fireplaces, and cushy area rugs. What’s more, all units had full kitchens, allowing us to prepare light and lavish meals. Since we were traveling to Lake George with our friends, the fact that our apartment could sleep up to six people was incredibly convenient, complete with beautiful lake views.

There’s a lot to do at the hotel, too. We loved playing games in the game room and working out in the fitness center. Finally, we’d dig into meals at Boathouse, the waterfront restaurant, complete with sweeping lake views.

The Inn at Erlowest, Lake George

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We felt like modern royalty while staying at the luxurious and stunning Inn at Erlowest. The inn is tucked in a historic Queen Anne revival castle on the lakeshore drive in the town of Lake George. We loved the stunning Instagrammable stone structure, which conjured up visions of the old days, with sensational views of the Adirondack mountains and the lake.

Staying here felt very exclusive and intimate, as the inn had only 10 individually decorated suites. While some of them had forest views, others had partial lake views, and the best ones had sweeping frontal views of the lake. Moreover, some of them were historic in character, while the townhomes and villas were more modern. We wanted to stay in a historic room with lake views, so we chose the Lake George Suite. This second-floor sanctuary boasted chandeliers, a two-person jacuzzi, and amazing lake views from everywhere, even the bathroom!

“Sitting in a modern-day castle overlooking Lake George was a dream come true!”

WOW Travel

That said, the lakefront amenities here were no less than wonderful. We loved swimming in the outdoor heated pool, after which we’d lounge on the daybeds soaking in the lake views. During mealtimes, we’d be at the fine dining waterfront restaurant, but dining in the heated igloos was a special experience. Digging into a meal under the stars right next to the outdoor fireplace and the lake was phenomenal.

The Sagamore Resort, Bolton

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There’s no doubt that the absolute best waterfront stay on Lake George is the iconic Sagamore Resort, where old-world elegance meets modern luxury. In fact, the resort doesn’t just sit on the shoreline; it sits on its own 70-acre private and secluded island on Lake George in historic Bolton. Founded in 1883, it’s even listed on the National Register of Historic Places. To get to the hotel, we had to cross the small bridge and up a stately private road to get to the grand white structure.

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We were thoroughly impressed by all the lakeside amenities, which ensured we didn’t leave the island during our stay. Firstly, the spacious front patio had Adirondack chairs, where we got the best lake views in the town. Secondly, we had eight choices for drinking and dining, a fitness center, and even a hillside golf course with spectacular lake views. Even the rejuvenating spa, where we enjoyed a massage, had lake views, as did the massive lake-facing outdoor pool area. After a languorous swim, we’d lay on the daybeds facing the lake, cocktails in hand. Since the resort had a fishing dock and boat rentals, we were even able to spend time on the lake’s waters. Finally, we also sailed the lake’s waters onboard the Morgan, the resort’s 72-ft replica of a 19th-century ship – all complimentary and part of the resort fee.

We had the choices of stately rooms, condos, Hermitage, a private carriage house, and a six-bedroom Tudor-designed manor, The Castle. While all rooms had mod-cons like kitchens and fireplaces, only the best had views of Lake George. We’re talking about our abode, the premier lakeside balcony suite, which boasts sweeping lake views from our private lakefront balcony.

Our Verdict!

When it comes to Lake George, all lakefront staying options were amazing. That said, we’ve drawn up a shorter, special list to help you choose where to stay.

• Most family-friendly: Bayside Resort, Lake George
• Most luxurious: Sun Castle Resort, Lake George
• Most historic: Boathouse Waterfront Lodging, Bolton
• Best hotel with a private beach: The Lodges At Cresthaven, Lake George

Where to Stay in Lake George?

High up in the Adirondacks, one of the best places to see fall foliage in New York, Lake George is an outdoorsman’s dream. That’s why the base town of Lake George Town was our favorite place, nestled at the southeastern part of the Adirondack State Park. Not only does it have lakeside accommodations, but it also has fun beach activities, dining, and shopping. Secondly, the lively yet tranquil Bolton Landing is a 20-minute drive north of the town. Here, it was all about enjoying the natural beauty and the outdoor activities for all tastes and ages. That’s why it’s very popular with families for its swimming, paddleboarding, canoeing, kayaking, and the like.

Finally, there’s the small but scenic Diamond Point between Lake Geroge town and Bolton Landing. It also had many kinds of lakeside accommodations. In fact, some stays even had a dock and direct access to a private beach, allowing for enjoying the tranquility of the lake.

You might also want to check out Upstate New York’s best spa hotels and ski resorts.

What is the best shoreline part of Lake George to stay?

That would be Lake George town, as it has the nicest part of the shoreline and many kinds of stays and attractions.

Can we swim in Lake George?

Yes, there are many public beaches along the Lake Geroge shoreline. Resorts also have private stretches of the shoreline where we could enjoy swimming in seclusion.

How is Lake George so clean?

That’s because the water comes from a watershed on the steep slopes due to the mountains surrounding the lake. This small, forested watershed doesn’t have any pollution, thus keeping Lake George’s water clear and clean.