trudy,johnand staff arevery professional and make you feel like you are part of family. the food was nothing but top of the line and prepared by a number 1 chef and staff. the inn is very well kept and furnished and made our christmas great this year.the old saying is you get what you pay for but we received much more for our money. we will be going back to dine and stay overnight again

Friends Lake Inn is one of our most favorite places to get away from the stresses of our everyday lives. The rooms are clean and beautifully furnished. The food is superb, and the selection of wines offered is truly first class. We snowshoed along mountain trails, great fun made even easier by booking an Adirondack Room with private entrance and balcony. This romantic inn is not inexpensive, but well worth the cost!

We selected this full-service Inn (located in picturesque Chestertown just beyond the NY Thruway, about 1 hour north of Saratoga Springs) to celebrate my husband’s birthday and our wedding anniversary during peak foliage season in mid-October.

This romantic getaway spot was nestled in beautiful natural surroundings. We had the benefit of canoeing on a private lake across from the Inn, and forest hiking (path begins behind the Inn) to the secluded Palmer Pond.

Since the Inn serves high-end New American Cuisine and extensive selections from an award-winning wine list (not to mention housing a separate bar/bistro, common room with pool table, outdoor sauna and wine cellar/shop), guests, particulary foodies, could very well choose to hide out at the Inn for days without leaving the premises. When our friends in nearby Bolton Landing joined us for a meal there, they noticed many locals who had made the Inn their social gathering and dining spot.

We liked Room 7 with its lakeside view, king-sized bed and glorious steam shower, but admittedly, our visit to the Inn was pricey. (Had I paid enough attention on the web to notice that we could have opted for rooms WITHOUT dinner included, we may have selected that option.) For those on the meal plan, be aware that an 18% gratuity is already added to the bill and that charges, such as alcohol or appetizers, are not on the main plan. On two occasions, we found the not inexpensive entrees to be below par (overboiled chicken and tasteless antelope), but we decided not to mention it.

One afternoon, we enjoyed a 25-minute ride to North Creek, where antique shops dotted the main drag. (Hudson River Trading sells lovely Adirondack furnishings.) For winter skiers, Gore Mountain is a 20-minute drive from the Inn. We liked our day hike to Palmer Pond and back. (It doubles as a cross-country snowshoeing path in winter) and appreciated the trail map provided by the Inn. Alas, the map did not indicate how long the hike would be, and while we had all the energy and supplies needed, it would have helped to have known the length of the hike ahead of time (About 6 miles, round trip). Also, some of the trail markers were missing, problematic when we encountered a few forks in the trailpaths.

All in all, our stay was a pleasant, though expensive, respite from the busy world and which revivified our senses. The staff was very friendly, helpful and attentive but not intrusive. Visitors should bear in mind that after Indian Summer but before ski season, some businesses in this region are open sporadically, some only on the weekends, if at all.

I booked this INN on a MAP rate including a three course dinner and breakfast for $420, back in August.We were advised at check in that we would pay for drinks on top which I was prepared for . The rate for the room was debited from my credit card at the time of the booking yet a $52 bottle of wine generated an extras bill of $129,94. How was this done ,NY taxes and gratuities that were added automatically for all meals including breakfast on top of the tip given for the wine service .Although I am from the U.K I am very aware of U.S.A tipping practices and amounts ,but in other INN stays on the trip I had a choice or the tips were included in the quoted charge . This was a slick operation, I complained. but this was New York State was the response . I should have demanded the Gratuity charge was removed but alas a I was so mad I did not . The food and the rooms were fine just understand what you will be really charged when making a booking decision