I'm not usually a fan of winter activities, but this place made me get into all of that. I travelled with my husband and a few of my girlfriends over MLK, Jr. holiday weekend. Let me start with the view from the room--it is absolutely breathtaking! We stayed at the topmost floor in the room with a Skylight and fireplace--very cozy. The lake was frozen and was covered in a thick white blanket of snow with Whiteface Mountain in the background. Frozen icicles suspended from the roof of our balcony gave it an extra wintry feeling and perfect for taking pictures. The location of the hotel was perfect! It was central to everything (shops/restaurants) and was so close to the Olympic Center and Olympic Public Skating Arena, just literally across the street. We also got to do some dogsledding at Golden Arrow, which was an experience! ($10/person for an ~5-5 1/2 minute ride over the frozen lake--not a bad deal). Nearby the hotel, there are companies that rent out Snow Mobiles--which is also another thrilling experience. Just be prepared to bundle up and dress in warm layers as the weather can get very frigid quite easily most especially at night. But if you want to try something out of the ordinary, you should definitely try Golden Arrow at Lake Placid, NY.

The Golden Arrow continues to be our favorite hotel in our travels. We have traveled in many states and no where compares with the excellent service and down to earth home like experience that you have while staying at this resort. This resort used to be a Best Western and decided to break away. I know of no other resort chain that has the ambiance of this hotel. The Holdereid Family that runs this hotel is always visible and willing to talk with the people who stay here. The family bends over backwards to make sure your stay is above the norm and is a golden experience just like the "Miracle on the Ice" in 1980. They also run an excellent restaurant, Generations, next to the hotel and can really meet any of your expectations as to what you like to do. Do stay at the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort. You won't want to stay anywhere else in Lake Placid after that.

We have been staying at the now family-owned Golden Arrow on relaxing weekend getaways for years, beginning way back when it was affiliated with the Best Western chain. Its central location means that after driving through the Adirondacks we can leave the car in their parking lot or covered garage and walk wherever we want to go – Olympic skating rink, movie theatre, outlet stores (Bass, Izod, Gap, Van Heusen), restaurants (Great Adirondack Steak & Seafood, Fireside, Jimmy’s. Brown Dog Café, Nicola’s, Veranda), chocolate, bakery, coffee, antique and souvenir shops. The post office is a block away. Always get a lakeview room. Rooms are ‘homey’ but clean and comfortable with a small refrigerator and coffee maker in each. Some new suites have a whirlpool tub and fireplace. There is a great two-storey window in the lobby overlooking Mirror Lake. Staff are friendly and knowledgeable about what Lake Placid has to offer. Note that the town of Lake Placid overlooks Mirror Lake and the body of water called Lake Placid is off to the NE side of town. In winter there is a toboggan slide nearby, sled dog rides and ice skating on Mirror Lake. In summer you can make coffee in the room then sit out on the balcony to see the morning or evening sky turn pink over the mountains and the reflection on the water. If you have kids the ground floor lets them out on the grass with access to a clean little beach, paddle boats and roped-off shallow area. Watch out because this is a spring-fed lake that is deep, drops off fast and is cold. Mirror Lake is a non-power lake so there are no loud speed boats just canoes, sail and paddle boats. Golden Arrow has an on-site indoor pool and health club plus a restaurant which has undergone many name changes and renovations from Goldberries, to Charlie’s to the current Generations but still serves hearty ‘Adirondack’ breakfasts (meats, eggs and maple syrup). There is a direct indoor hallway link to the Alpine Mall shops and onto Main Street. We book starting on Sunday evenings because on Thursdays to Saturdays there are many sports events at the Olympic facilities and the place is packed with young hockey players, figure skaters, skiers, horseback riders and their parents/chaperones. Naturally, the hotel is crowded and noisy then. Choose accordingly. The hotel is also pet friendly.

We come here every year for a week of xcross country skiing with a group of 30 people. They handled our accomodations very efficiently and always with a smile. Would not stay anyplace else when in Lake Placid!