• About
  • Blog
  • Working together
  • Testimonials
  • Contact

Girl Gone Travel

Girl Gone Travel

North America, Travel
/
June 7, 2010

The Adirondacks in Luxury at Whiteface Lodge, Lake Placid, NY

Enjoyed this post? Give it some love and share!
Share

The Adirondacks has become a favorite place for my family and I to visit. A few times we’ve bitten the bullet and driven the 5.5 hours there on a Friday afternoon, just to get as far away as we could from the hustle and bustle of the city. Even the little ones look forward to the escapes to the mountains and have enjoyed our few trips out to places like Tupper Lake and Lake Placid. And the area has been a huge draw for many other families looking to escape as well.

It is a favorite retreat for ski bunnies and snow loving families during the Winter months. But it is equally fun and beautiful to visit during the warmer months as well. This past weekend my family and I visited one of the most popular resorts in the Lake Placid area, Whiteface Lodge.

Whiteface Mountain, best known by city dwellers as being one of the best ski destinations in New York state, is the namesake for this luxury resort. Recognized as a Top Ski Resort and Lodging by About.com, as well as named Best Hotel by Region-US by Travel and Leisure, Whiteface appeals to the desires of those seeking refuge in nature while still being able to enjoy the access and comforts of home. A very luxurious home.

From the moment you drive your vehicle up to the main entrance you are enveloped with the experience of a courteous and gracious staff, as well as great service.

We arrived late to the lodge, and a bit tired. However upon entering our 2-story, 3BR Suite, we felt a tad bit more energized. The little ones so much so that they immediately stripped off their clothes and jumped in the jacuzzi in (you guessed it) the Master bedroom. I realized I had walked into this amazing place, romantic even, and had an amazing room, including king size bed, LCD television, walk-in closet, with sounds of owls and other birds chirping in the night coming through one of the many windows, and my own personal bathroom–ridden with kids in seconds.

We immediately devoured the complimentary cheese and fruit platter left for us (as well as some of the chocolate chips cookies left for guests at time of fold down). The boys all fell asleep right away, however I stood awake in awe of the sounds of nature.

And we were surrounded by it. From Kanu Lounge, where we sat to enjoy our breakfast buffet, you could see Whiteface Mountain.  From our suite balcony you could see the many Adirondack mountains and trees, as well as the small pond where kids line-up for catch and release. All around you is this amazing, peaceful woodland setting, the likes from which paintings and poems are inspired. The original owner purchased the wooded land, cleared if for development, and reused all of the lumber to build the resort. Many local artisans and craftsman were hired (and are still recruited) to continue on with the inspiration of the natural resources of the Adirondacks as a base. And not only do you see it, but you smell it as well. The natural smell of mahogany and cedar is everywhere you turn, giving you a real sense of your surroundings, even when inside.

Buying local is important to the resort. The vegetables, meats, cheeses, and other treats are all purchased locally, many from the local farmers’ market that takes place in the area every Wednesday. The freshness and quality of the products they use is so evident in the tastes of their foods. I had the best rib-eye I have had in a long, long time…and their baked goods are truly delicious, made every morning right on site. Dinner is a gourmet experience, one for which reservations are required.

The little ones took part in the activities offered by Kamp Kanu, which aims to reconnect children with nature and with skill-building strategies. My kids loved it. They kept them busy and active, and even though it was just for 2 hours, my little boys really seemed to enjoy their time there and were excited to go back the next day. We took that time to explore another wonderful amenity available to guests: Canoe Club.

Canoe Club is located off the main lodge area, available by complimentary shuttle service only a short drive away. It is the Lodge’s exclusive lakefront property and offers many activities, including kayaking, canoeing, swimming, badminton, bocce ball, croquet, and rentals of boats for couples or larger groups to take around the lake. They also offer grilled and BBQ meals.

The scenic surroundings of the resort made me wonder about the many beautiful weddings and celebrations that can be had there. At the time of my visit, much of the remainder of this calendar year was already booked with events. Those looking to host say a wedding or a conference event at the Lodge have their choice of beautiful settings and great options, but must consider booking at least a year in advance. If you are hoping to enjoy many of the winter activities that also take place at the Lodge, you might want to consider reserving your stay by the end of the Summer the latest.

It rained most of the time we were there, but we had an amazing stay. Though most of their outdoor activities are definitely fun (tennis, basketball, hiking, etc.), the inside activities kept us equally busy. Their 56-seat movie theater hosts family-friendly movies at no extra cost throughout the day. The game room offers a pool table, shuffleboard, air hockey, and more, including a two-lane bowling alley!

The kids loved the ice cream parlor, while hubby and I thought their spa was just amazing.

But when the rain died down, and the sun came out, we went for a swim, enjoyed the hot tub, and then took part in their nightly gathering over the campfire for s’mores. Here we met other families, with little kids and babies, as well as older couples enjoying a romantic getaway.

When considering the cost of the stay, also note that the Lodge offers varying levels of Resort credits depending on the length of stay. Called the “Customized with Credits” program, the package offers credits  that encourage and assist in enjoying the various services at the Lodge. So for example, guests who book a Superior one-bedroom for one night received $50 credit, two nights $150 credit, and three nights secures a $300 credit. These can then be used towards dining, beverages, spa treatments, and.or ice cream treats on site.

Also, suites come with full service kitchenettes which include stove, oven, fridge, pots, pans, utensils, etc., as well as washer for laundry (there is also a laundry room located at the lower level of the Lodge which washer and dryers).

By the time we left, we felt renewed in spirit and mind. Our family had come together more than once in conversation, whether it was about the fun had at camp or kayaking, or over a hearty breakfast at the start of our days. My husband and I bonded as a couple, and are ready to take on parenthood in the big city.

Related

Enjoyed this post? Give it some love and share!
Share
Pin this Post
Share this Post
Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

You May Also Like...

Christmas Tree Hunting in Long Island, NY

December 12, 2008

Fort Tryon Park, Washington Heights, NY

December 10, 2008

Winter afternoon in the Bronx Zoo, NY

December 16, 2008
5 Comments
  • Jennifer James
    June 7, 2010

    Oh my gosh..It is gorgeous!! Looks like you all had a fabulous time. Thank you for taking a photo of the bathroom. Whenever I travel, that's all I care about really. I hate staying places where the bathroom is tiny. Makes the trip less enjoyable!

    Reply
  • Carol Cain
    June 7, 2010

    Jennifer: And this wasn't the ONLY bathroom, but one of 3!! Bathrooms are key for me too, I agree it makes the trip much more enjoyable.

    Reply
  • Barbara
    June 7, 2010

    Thanks for sharing, Carol — it looks fabulous and just the kind of place we love! Will look forward to planning some time there if we can.

    Reply
  • Carol Cain
    June 7, 2010

    Hi Barbara, I hope you make it out. It is truly a wonderful experience that I know you will love.

    Reply
  • Corine Complicated M
    June 10, 2010

    The hubz and I were just looking for a drivable destination for a mini vaca this summer- This looks so relaxing- yet fun and out doors-y. We will have to add it to our list of places to check out.

    Your blog and beautiful pictures are always like a sneak peek to these great vaca spots- love it

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Barbara Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Previous Post
A Few Favorite Beaches Via the Long Island Rail Road
Next Post
Back to Basic with Stony Creek Farmstead, Walton, NY

About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons and 2 puppies. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

Categories

  • Asia5 Post(s)
  • Caribbean17 Post(s)
  • Central America4 Post(s)
  • Europe53 Post(s)
  • North America315 Post(s)
  • Oceana1 Post(s)

Contact

  • carol@girlgonetravel.com

Follow @girlgonetravel

Hubby and I recently went to check out office spac Hubby and I recently went to check out office spaces for our business. We (I) started getting caught up in the perceptions of what other people might think about our business, or rather, how successful or serious it was with us operating it from our home. So, in order to keep up with the Joneses, we went out and searched. And immediately were like, "Nope."

One, it was an additional expense that we were taking on to convince other people of whatever we (I) thought they needed to be convinced of. And two, it felt like....well, like working out of an office, something which I personally haven't done in over a decade (almost two now) and which my husband just escaped from!

And lastly, we like to go out into the communities that our clients serve, but also that we live in, and get to experience it all ourselves. It makes us a great agency.

I share all of this because I am slowly coming to accept that there will always be those who will make a determination of who we are as people, as professionals, as a business simply from what they think they know, not from actuality...and..we (I) am still working on breaking down the toxic traits of corporate / professional influence and narratives.

As once a full-time travel blogger, I experienced first hand what it is to be dismissed and not taken seriously. But, because of my travel blogging work, I have visit over 40 countries (and still counting) and have been published and spoken on stages around the world. That doesn't just happen.

All this to say, as I (we) move away from renting an office in order to be taken more seriously by the corporate world...and save ourselves some money in the process...we are reminded to work on ourselves and on being our own biggest cheerleaders and advocates. Sure, we seek out support and mentorship and always work on learning and refining our skill. But can't pay attention to what others might be thinking. It will never be an accurate portrayal.

And a lesson to never, ever spend more money than we have to just to convince others how serious we are in our commitment to our work. In the meantime, our current office spaces are working out just fine.

#entrepreneur #smallbusiness
A band of misfits on a beautiful Finger Lakes nigh A band of misfits on a beautiful Finger Lakes night.

Life is too short and time too precious, so make sure to spend it with people who bring you joy and make you laugh. Whether it’s one person or more…it’s not the number of people, but the quality and kindness of their hearts that counts.

Here are some of the kind, sweet friendships we’ve been so lucky to have cultivated in our new home. Kisses and hugs @haejones32, @sarahloublagg, @nevetsretlaw, and @jerakahheady.

Till our next gathering! 

#friends #fingerlakeslife #fingerlakes
My happy place: the farmers market. It’s the sea My happy place: the farmers market. It’s the season for all the fresh, local, delicious goodness of the Finger Lakes to take center stage.

The region has a lot more than fried and fast food to offer locals and visitors. The vast amount of organic and locally sourced food is something that is really celebrated here. Even more so the fact that it is accessible and not exclusive to the privileged.

From cider to cheese to meats and veggies…all local, all from a passionate farming community. 

Oh, then, the artisans. *swoon* So much handcrafted beauty. For example, this beautiful hat from @easylivinghats. I have been wanting one of her hats forever and finally got not one but two! And her team, seen here, is so sweet and helped me find the right fit. Support local, shop small, be happy in the process. 📸@ithacafarmersmarket. 

#fingerlakes #myflx #farmersmarket #shoplocal #shopsmall
Hey, wanna come to a cool event in one of the cool Hey, wanna come to a cool event in one of the coolest places I know in Ithaca? (Read on!)

Today I took a stroll into the pavilion of the @ithacafarmersmarket. There was no market today, and though still a lovely space when empty, nothing compares when the market is buzzing with food purveyors and food-lovers! It is exciting and a favorite pastime of ours. Even more fun is when there is a special event happening!

And with that, I want to let you all know about the upcoming @tasteoftheflx taking place on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at the Ithaca Farmers Market and offer you a discount code for your ticket! Use BRAVE20 for $20 off of either ticket tier.

The event will feature 50 + vendors, music in 3 acts, and a full evening of celebration! Taste of the Finger Lakes serves the dual purposes of showcasing the dynamic Finger Lakes food and beverage industry while raising funds for 3 non-profits doing the important work of improving access to healthy food across the region. Local, good food for a good cause...the best combination!

If you already have your ticket or plan to take advantage of this discount code to purchase it, let me know! I hope to see you there!

#fingerlakes #tasteofthefingerlakes #flxfood #flxeats #farmersmarket #ithacany
Cheers and Happy Pride to this beautiful, inspirin Cheers and Happy Pride
to this beautiful, inspiring, proud community full of people that I love so much.

To my LGTBQIA+ family and friends, know I adore you, would fight for, and support you always. You make my life and the world a more beautiful place. I celebrate you today, this month, and always. 

Thank you for being you. 🌈

#pridemonth #loveislove
What a stunning day to be on the lake with my fam. What a stunning day to be on the lake with my fam. We missed spending time with each other and it was time for us to slow down and bond. Even the surly teens eventually gave in to the fun and smiled a few times. Have I told y’all how much I love our new life here?

#lifeintheflx #fingerlakes #lifeinthecountry #soflx #thisissoflx #Lakelike #myflx #keukalife #winecountry

Copyright © 2022 Girl Gone Travel | Privacy Policy | Copyright Notice