Hotel Saranac: A Historic Adirondack Hotel in the Heart of Saranac Lake
In the center of it all, Hotel Saranac. Unless noted, all photos courtesy Hotel Saranac.
Some Adirondack hotels are designed to get travelers away from town. Hotel Saranac offers a compelling reason to stay in the middle of it all.
Opened in 1927 and restored for a new generation of travelers, Hotel Saranac occupies a prominent spot on Main Street in downtown Saranac Lake. The historic hotel combines Jazz Age architecture, polished modern accommodations, a spa, restaurant and one of the Adirondacks’ most memorable hotel bars—all within walking distance of the village’s shops, restaurants and cultural attractions.
For travelers who like their Adirondack adventures with a proper cocktail waiting at the end of the day, the formula has considerable appeal.
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History or story.
Hotel Saranac arrived during an important chapter in Saranac Lake history. By the early 20th century, the village had become nationally known as both a health destination and an Adirondack resort community. When Hotel Saranac opened in 1927, its founders envisioned something decidedly urbane: a sophisticated hotel in the village center.
Historic Hotel Saranac, an Adirondack destination.
Nearly a century later, much of that original character remains.
The handsome brick Colonial Revival exterior is only the beginning; the real showstopper waits upstairs. The Great Hall draws inspiration from a 14th-century Italian palazzo, complete with an elaborate ceiling, grand fireplace, arched windows and architectural details that feel delightfully unexpected in the middle of the Adirondacks.
The hotel underwent an extensive renovation before reopening in 2018 as part of Hilton's Curio Collection. Rather than scrubbing away its past, the restoration made the history part of the experience.
Hotel Saranac is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is part of Historic Hotels of America, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Accommodations and design.
Hotel Saranac has 102 guest rooms spread between its main historic building and Camp Suites building.
King Deluxe accomodations.
The rooms lean more contemporary Adirondack than rustic camp: warm woods, restrained colors and comfortable furnishings rather than antlers-and-plaid overload. Depending on the room category, guests can choose from queen and king rooms as well as larger suites, including accommodations with separate living spaces.
Modern conveniences include WiFi, digital keys and connecting-room options. The hotel also offers pet-friendly accommodations in its Camp Suites building, making it a useful option for travelers who rarely explore the Adirondacks without a four-legged companion.
This makes it a great fit for couples planning a Saranac Lake weekend, travelers who appreciate historic hotels, and visitors who want outdoor access without giving up the pleasures of a full-service hotel.
Amenities and standout features.
Hotel Saranac could easily coast on its history. Fortunately, it doesn't.
Campfire Adirondack Grill + Bar gives guests a convenient place for breakfast or dinner without leaving the property, with a menu influenced by Adirondack ingredients and comfort-food traditions.
But the Great Hall Bar is the hotel's signature experience.
Great Hall Bar.
With its soaring historic surroundings, fireplace and clusters of comfortable seating, it feels like a proper hotel bar—the kind of place that makes ordering a cocktail before dinner seem less like a decision and more like good judgment.
In warmer weather, the adjoining terrace adds outdoor seating, mountain views and a fire pit.
Ampersand Spa provides another reason to linger indoors, particularly after a long hike or winter day outside. Treatments include massages, facials and body services, and the hotel also has a fitness center.
Then there is Academy & Main, the hotel's boutique. It's considerably more interesting than the obligatory hotel gift shop, with locally inspired gifts, apparel and home goods that make browsing dangerous for anyone who arrived insisting they didn't need another Adirondack souvenir. For us, it’s a “must-shop” during any visit to Saranac Lake.
Location and nearby things to do.
Location may be Hotel Saranac's greatest luxury.
Many Adirondack resorts trade convenience for seclusion. Here, guests can leave the car parked and explore downtown Saranac Lake on foot. Restaurants, independent shops, galleries and village attractions sit just outside the hotel.
Ampersand Spa.
That makes Hotel Saranac especially appealing for travelers who want to combine outdoor recreation with a genuine town experience.
The Adirondack Rail Trail offers miles of biking and walking nearby, while paddling, hiking, and the Saranac 46er mountains put outdoor adventure within easy reach. Lake Placid and the Olympic venues are also close enough for day trips, and Whiteface Mountain makes the hotel a smart winter base for skiers who prefer to spend the evening in a lively village rather than at an isolated resort.
Saranac Lake itself deserves time on the itinerary. Its arts scene, independent businesses and distinctive architecture give the village a personality quite different from neighboring Lake Placid—and staying downtown makes it easier to experience.
See Hotel Saranac and Saranac Lake.
Before checking in, take a closer look at Hotel Saranac and its downtown Saranac Lake setting. The video offers a useful preview of the historic property, its Adirondack character and the experience of staying in the heart of the village.
Hotel Saranac combines historic architecture, modern accommodations and a walkable downtown location in Saranac Lake, New York.
For travelers considering where to stay in Saranac Lake, the hotel offers an unusually good combination of history, amenities and access to both the village and the surrounding Adirondacks.
Seasonal appeal.
Summer brings patios, paddling, cycling and long evenings for exploring downtown. Fall puts Hotel Saranac within striking distance of some of the Adirondacks' best foliage drives and hikes, with the considerable advantage of returning to the Great Hall afterward.
Winter may be the hotel's most atmospheric season. Snow outside, a fire in the Great Hall and a cocktail at the bar make a persuasive argument for embracing cold weather. Skiing, snowshoeing and other winter recreation are nearby.
Spring offers something different: fewer crowds and a slower Saranac Lake. For travelers more interested in restaurants, galleries, spa appointments and unhurried exploring than checking off a packed itinerary, that can be a feature rather than a drawback.
The Adirondack Rail Trail. Photo courtesy BikeADK.
ADK Taste recommendations.
Stay here for: A romantic weekend, a Saranac Lake getaway, a ski trip with civilized après-ski or an Adirondack trip that mixes outdoor recreation with restaurants and culture.
Don't miss: A drink in the Great Hall—even guests with dinner plans elsewhere should make time for it.
For more space: Compare suite categories, especially for longer stays or trips when a separate living area matters.
Traveling with a pet: Check the Camp Suites accommodations and current pet policies when booking.
Best strategy: Park the car and spend at least part of the stay exploring Saranac Lake on foot. The hotel's downtown location is part of the experience, not simply an address.
ADK Taste perspective.
Hotel Saranac occupies an interesting place in the Adirondack lodging landscape. It isn't a secluded Great Camp, sprawling lakeside resort or rustic cabin in the woods—and it shouldn't try to be.
Its appeal comes from something the Adirondacks have relatively few of: the grand historic town hotel.
Drinks at Hotel Saranac’s Great Hall are a must.
Guests can hike, paddle, ski or bike during the day, return for a spa treatment, walk to dinner and finish the evening beneath the ornate ceiling of a hotel that has been welcoming travelers since the Roaring Twenties.
That combination of Adirondack adventure and village life makes Hotel Saranac more than a convenient place to sleep. It makes the hotel part of the Saranac Lake experience.
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