By Dan Murphy
Like most Westchester families, our usual tendency for a family summer vacation was to get on a plane, or travel eight to 10 hours each way by car, and try to “outdo” ourselves or our neighbors from the last year’s jaunt.
The stresses of airline delays or the grind of a day-long car ride usually take away from the desired result, so I was pleasantly surprised when my wife suggested that this year we travel less than three hours north on the New York State Thruway to spend a week in Lake George.
Our family vacation included staying several days at The Sagamore, a landmark hotel with a prestigious history located 10 miles north of Lake George in Bolton Landing. Located on a private, 70-acre island, The Sagamore offers elegant lakeside accommodations, award-winning dining, and an unmatched selection of family-friendly water and land activities ideal for family vacations, weekend getaways and one-of-a-kind events.
The Sagamore opened its doors in 1883 and catered to the wealthy northeasterners who turned the Lake George region into the favorite vacation spot of its time. A fire destroyed the property on two occasions, which was restored to its present-day glory and now sits on the National Register of Historic Places, and is a prestigious AAA-Four Diamond resort.
The historic main hotel on Lake George features 137 rooms, 54 of which are suites, all designed with Adirondack-inspired décor. The main hotel sits above both indoor and outdoor heated swimming pools with breathtaking views of Lake George. Spanning 10,000 square feet, its outdoor terraced pool deck sits next to a 95,000-gallon swimming pool and features 250 chaise lounges, as well as a separate warming pool.
The resort also has its own boat, The Morgan, a 72-foot vessel that brings guests out for a 90-minute tour of the lake and the surrounding islands.
An emphasis on children’s activities – including a massive recreation center complete with miniature golf, ping pong ball, basketball, Whiffle Ball and other games and activities organized by staff – provide young kids with a vacation of their own. A bonfire with s’mores and a horse-drawn carriage around the property are all included amenities.
Eight restaurants on the property make it possible to throw your keys in your suitcase and stay on the grounds and enjoy La Bella Vita Italian Restaurant, Pavilion, Club Grill Steakhouse, Mr. Brown’s Pub, and other, lighter, family-friendly poolside dining options.
Legendary architect Donald Ross designed The Sagamore’s golf course in 1928, which is located 5 minutes away, off the resort’s island. The inland, mountain course is reminiscent of many of Westchester’s famed tree-lined courses and two Ross-designed courses, Siwanoy and Whippoorwill. The course didn’t disappoint, with scenic vistas and challenging bunkers protecting most greens – all features of Ross designs, making the course worthy to be named one of Golf Magazine’s best 100 golf resorts.
My family stayed in a spacious lodge suite located next to the main hotel, which included enough room for my daughter and wife, and a small kitchen and deck with lakefront views. The staff was friendly and accommodating.
While visiting, I read a passage in a local guide to Lake George that summed up every family’s desired result from a summer vacation. It was written by billionaire media mogul David Geffen who, as a kid from Brooklyn, spent summers camping with his family on one of the public islands of Lake George.
Geffen wrote: “If there is one thing that stands out in my mind about our yearly trips to Lake George, it’s probably that my family felt like more of a unit there than any other setting. At home in Brooklyn, it seemed like we rarely sat down together in the same room; my mother worked tirelessly at running her shop, my father’s job kept him very busy, as well, and my brother and I behaved like typical kids, running in different directions.
“Once we arrived and had pitched our tents, we had the chance to hang out together like a traditional family and get to know each other – for better or worse. I’ll always remember those camping trips as happy, wonderful, relaxing times.”
Our visit to The Sagamore was memorable, and had us already planning next year’s return trip. My wife said the views of Lake George, the spanning poolside and waterfront dining reminded her of the Caribbean. And the sights, sounds, games and activities of Lake George Village were only 10 minutes away.
Visit thesagemore.com for more information.
