Whiteface Lodge in Lake Placid, NY Review

For families looking for a mountain getaway that's luxurious yet completely family-friendly, the all-suite Whiteface Lodge is a fabulous choice in the gorgeous Adirondacks of Upstate New York.

Review of Whiteface Lodge

As the only all-suite resort in the Adirondacks, Whiteface Lodge offers spacious digs with plenty of room to spread out. There's a winning array of family-friendly amenities, from the year-round, heated, indoor-outdoor pool and trio of hot tubs to the games room, bowling alley, movie theater, old-fashioned ice cream parlor, tennis courts, nature trails, playground, and catch-and-release fishing in the pond. A kids' club, Kamp Kanu, runs seven days a week during the summer, and in the evenings families are invited to make s'mores around the outdoor firepit, or kids can attend the kids-night-out-style Sunset Club. Grown-ups can indulge at the spectacular spa or visit a cigar-and-cognac outdoor lean-to.

The location is nothing short of spectacular, surrounded by breathtaking Adirondack vistas and close to all that Lake Placid has to offer. In the winter, you can go skating at the lodge's skating rink and you're just a short drive from Whiteface Mountain, the Olympic Center, and dozens of charming eateries and shops in the village of Lake Placid. In the summer, Whiteface Lodge offers free shuttles to its fabulous private beach on Lake Placid with swimming and complimentary use of canoes, kayaks, pedal boats, and stand-up paddleboards. Lake tours and motorized water sports are available for a fee. Add basketball, tetherball, a firepit, and food and beverage service, and you've got a low-key beach party atmosphere on any beautiful summer day.

Families used to getting nickel and dimed at other luxury resorts will find genuine value here. There's no resort fee and guests not only receive free valet parking and wi-fi access but nearly every on-site activity, from fishing, skating, and s'more-making to bowling and movies, is included in the room rate.

Best Rooms

Suites range in size from studios to palatial apartment-style digs with three bedrooms that are perfect for larger families and multi-generational gatherings. All are beautifully appointed with Adirondack-style furnishings, cozy gas fireplaces, and flatscreen TVs. Many units feature three-season rooms, screened porches, or balconies. The modern bathrooms feature Jacuzzi tubs, and every suite has a separate dining area and full kitchen with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. 

Best Season to Go

All year long, Lake Placid offers plenty for families to do. The host of the Winter Olympics in 1932 and 1980 offers dozens of wonderful family-friendly winter activities and summer brings a wealth of ways for families to get outdoors, from hiking and biking to climbing and water sports, not to mention year-round activities at the Olympic facilities.

Winter and summer are peak seasons, but midweek rates are almost always significantly lower and there are special offers available year round, including two- and three-night Stay & Play packages that include up to $100 per day in resort credit. Late spring and the sweet spot between Memorial Day and late June also offer lower prices, yet plenty of activities.

Visited: July 2014

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Disclaimer: As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary services for review purposes. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our Ethics Policy.