A Storied Legacy: History Meets Hospitality at Lady Tree Lodge
Bask in Adirondack Gilded Age charm with modern amenities.
All photos courtesy Lady Tree Lodge.
Located on a wooded bluff overlooking Upper Saranac Lake, Lady Tree Lodge is a masterpiece of Adirondack Great Camp architecture—steeped in history, elegance, and timeless charm.
If you’re looking for an authentic Adirondack Great Camp getaway, this 1896-built retreat stands out as a uniquely compelling destination.
A storied past.
Constructed during the Gilded Age as part of the famed Saranac Inn, Lady Tree Lodge was initially named “Lone Star” and served as a summer sanctuary for Colonel Alfred H. Belo, founder of the A.H. Belo news empire, a Texas newspaper publisher, and now the DallasNews Corporation.
Living room at Lady Tree Lodge.
The Lodge later became the summer seat of New York Governor (and future Supreme Court Justice) Charles Evans Hughes—earning its place as the “summer state capital” in 1908–09, where Hughes conducted official business from the Lodge’s lakeside library.
In 2016, owners Chris Cohan and Rita Wong completed a meticulous restoration to its original grandeur, earning a prestigious Adirondack Architectural Heritage award and nods from the National Register of Historic Places in 2018.
Iconic architecture and a perfect setting: rustic grandeur.
The Lodge is a textbook example of the Rustic Adirondack Great Camp style: built from native logs, bark, and fieldstone with massive masonry fireplaces—an aesthetic designed to harmonize with its forested lakeshore environment.
Boathouse at Lady Tree Lodge.
Sited prominently at the northern tip of the lake, its two-tiered screened porches and expansive windows offer sweeping views across forested slopes and mirror-like water—a vantage unchanged since the early 1900s.
Modern elegance: a spacious retreat with spectacular amenities.
With over 5,000 square feet of light-filled space, five bedrooms (two with ensuite beds), four baths, and three living rooms—including two with fireplaces—the lodge balances communal gathering zones with cozy private nooks.
A large, modern kitchen, outfitted with stainless steel appliances, opens into a grand dining room that seats ten. For alfresco meals, the stone patio, complete with a gas grill and fire pit, sets a scenic stage.
Spacious bedrooms with fireplaces.
Lady Tree Lodge boasts over 400 feet of pristine sandy lakeshore. It features a boathouse equipped with four kayaks, a canoe, a paddleboard, fishing gear, and a dock strategically positioned to take in the sunrise mists and sunsets.
Beyond serene sunbathing and watersports, the level lawn is ideal for croquet, badminton, or horseshoes—a rare find in Adirondack terrain. In the evening, unwind around the fire pit under star-lit skies.
Guests can appreciate the property's electric car charging station and eco-friendly design choices made during the restoration. These thoughtful touches ensure that your stay at Lady Tree Lodge is not only luxurious but also environmentally responsible.
Local attractions that captivate and inspire.
Lady Tree Lodge’s well-equipped kitchen.
If the beauty of Lady Tree Lodge is not enough, guests are also close to the village of Saranac Lake and nearby Lake Placid, which offer lively options: shopping, farmer’s markets, theaters, galleries, pubs and farm-to-table restaurants.
There are also numerous options for outdoor recreation, including hiking, biking, fishing, or paddling your way through countless trails.
Looking to embrace cultural heritage? Explore Adirondack cure cottages, Robert Louis Stevenson’s summer haunt, and learn about the region’s storied connection to tuberculosis treatment.
Lady Tree Lodge is more than a rental—it’s an immersive Adirondack retreat where architectural beauty, natural splendor, and storied heritage converge. Whether you’re anchoring a family reunion, seeking a quiet escape, or walking the path of history, this lakeside sanctuary delivers a once-in-a-lifetime Adirondack lodge experience.
A serene paddle on Saranac Lake.
For those who cherish forest immersion, lakefront ease, and timeless rustic luxury, Lady Tree Lodge represents the essence of Adirondack tradition—refined, restored, and ready to welcome new chapters in its long, storied story.
Whether paddling at dawn, toasting s’mores by the fire pit, or tracing the steps of governors past, Lady Tree Lodge offers an Adirondack escape like no other.
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