The Sagamore, Lake George

[Laura24]

Just returned from a 2 nt. stay and it was beautiful. The summer season has not started so it was peaceful and not many guests yet. What a gorgeous lake. Our room was clean, comfortable and quiet. Can not say enough about the dining, food was fantastic. There are many additons going on, new outdoor pool is going to be fantastic, lakeside dining is in the works and new expansions for events on site are in the works. Since the season is not in full swing, we did not have the opportunity to take one of the many excursion boats to do the lake tour, but will definitely time it better next visit. The shops along Routes 9 & 9n were enjoying a warm start to the season, many places to shop especially the outlets. We found a wonderful, friendly Italian restaurant just around the corner from The Sagamore...Cate's Italian Garden Restaurant! Delicious and the portions were huge. Loved their meatloaf...just sad the chef wouldn't share his "secret recipe"!

 

[penguins1]

I love Lake George. Spent a week every summer there as a kid. Too bad we stayed in a Motel on Route 9, not the Sagamore! It was still a great time though.

 

[bobbiwoz]

DM/DD honeymooned at Lake George in the '40s!

I love that part of NY state. Maybe we'll visit it again once we retire and have more time to travel!

Thanks for the report.

Bobbi

 

[Star Wars mom]

Thanks for the report! We live in western New York -- about 4 hours drive from the Sagamore. My husband and I were just wondering if it would be worth a visit sometime. Sounds like it would be.

 

[PalVal]

I grew up on Lake George and the manager of the Sagamore is a very close family friend.

My father was an Adirondack Guide and we camped on the islands all of the time. What I love about the lake is the fact that the state owns the islands and there will be no development to ruin the look of the lake. When you visit again, make sure your boat ride takes you through "the narrows" one of the prettiest parts of of the lake.

A local favorite restaurant is the Log Jam (located in the same area as the discount shopping malls on Route 9). Also the Harvest Restaurant has the best pizza in the area - another local favorite. Then of course there is Martha's ice cream across from the Great Escape theme park!

 

[robertdangelo]

Lake George is our 2nd favorite vacation spot.(WDW is 1st) We always stay at The Heritage on Canada Street(Rt. 9) in the Village. It's family owned and operated. They have units with full kitchens, kitchenettes and I believe all other rooms have fridge, microwave and coffee maker. You walk throught the village and it's on the trolly line. www.heritageoflakegeorge.com
Mario's Italian Restaurant is excellent, right next door!
Fall is a beautiful time to go too.

 

[Laura24]

Thanks for the report! We live in western New York -- about 4 hours drive from the Sagamore. My husband and I were just wondering if it would be worth a visit sometime. Sounds like it would be.

I had points that were going to go down the drain if I didn't use them and I am so glad I did. It is also about a 4 hour, very easy drive for us from NJ. I would go again in a heart beat. The season begins Memorial weekend. I look forward to doing the lake tour next time. Enjoy!

 

[WowWow]

My family vacationed at the Sagamore last June. The staff was friendly and the surroundings were beautiful. We woke up to the sunrise on the lake every morning.

I enjoyed a wonderful massage in the spa. Thye also had lavendar scented towels to help melt your stress away. I would go back again.

 

[CandyMandy]

We stayed at the Sagamore on points over the Columbus Day weekend years ago, in one of the Lakeside Lodge villas. That was during the peak fall foliage, so the entire area (especially while cruising the lake, see below) was absolutely gorgeous. Nice warm days and cool evenings; Lake George proper was quiet (compared to the summer madness there) but plenty of shops and restaurants were still open. The villa had a fireplace which made things so nice late at light....

Bottom line: this resort is a gem and arguably the best use of points within the Concierge Collection. Thank heaven Disney negotiated that relationship with the resort and let's hope it continues (the available properties in Concierge have changed slowly but surely during out 11 years of membership, not always for the better).

 

[sushilover]

We have been to the Sagamore 3X, twice using DVC points. My family really loves this place. I agree that Cates restaurant just outside the Sagamore has very good food.

My only comment - the 1st time we stayed at the Sagamore over Labor Day weekend, it seemed like everything and everyone was packing up and leaving town for the end of the season. All of the resort restaurants including the dining room was closed except for the grill - we did not like the food at all there. This was the Monday of Labor Day weekend - the actual Labor Day.

We have also been there over Xmas and the resort was beautiful - they also offer a shuttle to Gore mountain for skiing.

 

[Halle]

I'd like more info about the boat tour.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

That fall foilage picture is amazing!

 

[Laura24]

I'd like more info about the boat tour.

at least 4-5 tours that I know of, but I am sure there are more. The largest of the boats is the Lac Du Saint Sacrament. We just missed their brunch tour, didn't research the schedule before hand to take advantage of it. There is also the Minne-Ha-Ha, which is a real paddlewheeler. The Sagamore has it's own boat, The Morgan. I've done the dinner cruise a few years ago and enjoyed it. I think you can google it through Lake George boat tours.
I was told the resort itself shuts down for the winter and reopens in April. Not sure how true that is as one poster mentioned Christmas there. The town pretty much pulls in the sidewalks and sleeps the winter away. Many motels, cottages have cute little signs to let you know if they are open or not. The most memorable was the Travel Lodge...."Coming out of hibernation"!
We woke up to fog one morning and it was eerily beautiful how in engulfed the lake and wisped around the small islands. I wish I knew how to put pictures on here!

 

[robertdangelo]

I'd like more info about the boat tour.

We go to Lake George almost every year, even if just a weekend getaway. Here's a link to The Lake George Steamboat Company site:
http://www.lakegeorgesteamboat.com/

 

[Daddio]

Spent 4 days there during our honeymoon, many years ago. It was absolutely fantastic. Rented a boat and cruised the lake, visited all the attractions, did the dinner theatre at the Holiday Inn and visited all the attractions in the area. I can't even remember half of them but they were fun in those days. Let's see... Gaslight VIllage, Santa's Workshop, Frontier Town (to the north) and many more. Mini-putt was a big thing too. DW is sitting across from me saying "let's go back". Ahhh, sweet memories.


David

 

[RobDoc]

I grew up a short distance away from Lake George and worked summers at a camp across from the Sagamore (many years ago). The area is rich in history and the lake itself is gorgeous.

In addition to all of the great suggestions alerady mentioned, I think a trip to the northern tip of the lake is worthwhile to visit Fort Ticonderoga which sits between Lake George and Lake Champlain. It is a Revolutionary War vintage stone fort with a museum. At one time, the fleet of cruise ships included the Ticonderoga, but it was retired a number of years ago.

Also a short (relatively) drive away is Lake Placid, home to a couple of winter Olympics.

Thanks for the report - glad to hear the Sag is still doing well!