Step Back in Time: Historic Places to Stay in the Adirondacks
The Adirondack Park isn't just rich with natural beauty and outdoor recreation - it's steeped in history as well! If you're looking to stay somewhere that offers character, charm, and a meaningful connection to the Gilded Age, iconic hotels, and Great Adirondack Camps, check out the following historic places to stay in the Adirondacks.
Hemlock Hall: Gilded Age Camp Turned Family Resort
Located on the shores of Blue Mountain Lake, Hemlock Hall offers guests the chance to experience a living piece of Adirondack history.
Originally built in 1898 as a private hunting camp called Mawadaha - an Ojibwe word meaning “in the midst of the rapids” - the property was part of the Gilded Age boom when wealthy families sought refuge in the wilderness.
In 1948, Wesley and Eleanor Webb purchased the camp and began transforming it into a resort. Over the years, they added motel units and cabins, building the foundation of the Hemlock Hall we know today.
In 1986, Paul Provost and his late wife Susan acquired the property, raising their family there and carrying on traditions for more than three decades. Their son Anthony and his wife Chelsea now help manage the lodge.
Hemlock Hall features 8 lodge rooms, 4 motel rooms, and 10 cozy cottages, all nestled into the lakeside landscape. Guests return year after year for the serene setting, warm hospitality, and authentic Adirondack atmosphere that’s been lovingly maintained for generations.
Hotel Saranac: A Storied Icon in Saranac Lake
A centerpiece of Saranac Lake since 1927, the Hotel Saranac combines timeless elegance with a deep cultural legacy. Designed in the Colonial Revival style with touches of Italian Renaissance, the hotel was created to serve the wave of tourists and health seekers drawn to the region - many of whom came to the Adirondack Cottage Sanitorium for tuberculosis treatment.
One of the hotel's architects, William Scopes, had TB himself and recovered in Saranac Lake. Inspired to stay, he partnered with Maurice Feustmann to design a grand hotel - a "true city hotel" in the middle of the Adirondack wilderness.
Over the years, the hotel has hosted events tied to the 1932 Lake Placid Winter Olympics and served as a training ground for hospitality students when it was owned by Paul Smith’s College. Following a major restoration by the Roedel Companies, Hotel Saranac reopened in 2018 as part of Hilton’s Curio Collection.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2013, it now blends modern amenities with preserved historic details, offering guests the best of both worlds in downtown Saranac Lake.
The Hedges: Classic Great Camp Experience
If you've ever dreamed of staying in an authentic Adirondack Great Camp, The Hedges on Blue Mountain Lake is your chance. Originally built around 1880 by Brigadier General Hiram Duryea, the property evolved into a rustic hotel in 1921 when Richard J. Collins purchased the land and began expanding it.
For decades, The Hedges welcomed guests under the care of the Collins family and later the Van Yperens. In 2000, Rip and Pat Benton began a new phase of restoration, preserving its unique architecture and historic charm. By 2018, a coalition of more than 60 long-time guests organized to purchase the property and maintain it for future generations.
The Hedges includes the original Main Lodge and Stone Lodge, along with the Moose Lodge and several cabins, all exuding that distinctive Adirondack Camp style. Officially recognized as a Great Camp and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2008, The Hedges celebrated its centennial season in 2021 with a commemorative historic marker.
Garnet Hill Lodge: A Rustic Retreat With Mining Roots
Perched above Thirteenth Lake in North River, Garnet Hill Lodge is one of the last remaining classic Adirondack lodges still operating today. Its roots go back to the late 19th century, when Frank Hooper opened a bustling garnet mine nearby that produced thousands of tons of ore each year.
In 1937, Hooper built the Loghouse at Garnet Hill for his son-in-law, as a guesthouse and restaurant, styled in the rustic architecture of Adirondack Great Camps. It later evolved into a full-service inn and cross-country ski center, gaining a national reputation as one of the best Nordic ski destinations in the country.
The lodge's centerpiece is its original log-built lounge with a massive stone fireplace - still the heart of the guest experience today. Garnet Hill has undergone renovations and expansions over the years but remains true to its heritage, offering cozy lodging, scenic trails, and a deep connection to local history.
Friends Lake Inn: From Tannery Boarding House to Boutique Getaway
In the southern Adirondacks near Chestertown, Friends Lake Inn offers upscale lodging with roots that stretch back to the 1860s. Originally built as a boarding house for workers at a nearby tannery, the building has been transformed into a romantic country inn known for its gourmet dining and peaceful surroundings.
Renovated in the 1980s, Friends Lake Inn has retained its historic charm, including original stone fireplaces and warm wood finishes. Today it serves as an ideal retreat for couples and travelers looking for a quieter, more refined experience with access to hiking, paddling, and year-round outdoor activities.
Bonus: Prospect Point Cottages: On the Site of a World First
The unassuming Prospect Point Cottages in Blue Mountain Lake sit on the former site of one of the most innovative hotels in the world - the Prospect House. Built in 1881 by Frederic Durant, nephew of railroad tycoon Thomas C. Durant, the hotel was the first in the world to have electric lighting in every room, thanks to the help of Thomas Edison.
At six stories tall, the Prospect House was a marvel of its time, boasting amenities like a steam-powered elevator, a bowling alley, a library, and even its own orchestra. Although it closed in 1903 and was later dismantled, the site has since been reimagined as a quieter, more intimate retreat.
Today, Prospect Point Cottages offers families and travelers a relaxed lakeside experience while honoring the legacy of innovation and grandeur that once stood on its shores.
What Is the Oldest Hotel in the Adirondacks? The Adirondack Hotel
Perched above the scenic shoreline of Long Lake, the Adirondack Hotel is generally considered the oldest operating hotel in the Adirondacks.
The original structure dates back to the mid-1800s and has long been a fixture of this quiet hamlet in the central Adirondacks. The building was rebuilt after a fire in 1898, and a four-story addition was constructed in 1914, including a formal dining room and eight additional guestrooms.
The current owner has been at the helm since 1990, having taken it over after a two-year closure period. She's continued to upgrade and improve upon the hotel, which now boasts 20 guest rooms.
Can You Stay in an Adirondack Great Camp? Yes!
The Hedges at Blue Mountain Lake is officially recognized as a historic Adirondack Great Camp, and it welcomes guests each season with its distinctive rustic architecture and lakefront setting.
While not officially categorized as Great Camps, both Hemlock Hall and Garnet Hill Lodge offer a similar experience. Their historic structures, handcrafted log buildings, and ties to the Gilded Age and early tourism in the region give visitors a genuine sense of Adirondack history.
Plan Your Historic Getaway Now
Whether you're a history buff or the above places appeal to you for their sheer Adirondack-ness, they're an excellent starting place to a rewarding getaway in the Park. Book today, make memories soon!
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