Crowne Plaza Lake Placid

Lake Placid has plenty of small lodges and motels, and then it has the big resort on the hill above Mirror Lake. Now operating as the Crowne Plaza Lake Placid Resort and Golf Club, and appearing in some recent listings under the name Grandview Lake Placid as a rebrand looks to be underway, it is the largest resort in the Adirondacks and the most full-service base in the village. What sets it apart is the combination of a central Lake Placid location, a view of Mirror Lake from every room, and a genuine resort's worth of amenities, including one of the region's great golf clubs.

Is Crowne Plaza Lake Placid worth it?

For a full-service resort stay in Lake Placid, yes, and it is the most complete base in the village. The case is range and location: every one of the 246 rooms has a Mirror Lake view, there is a private beach on the lake, 45 holes of championship golf at the historic Lake Placid Club, an indoor pool, and four restaurants, all a short walk from Main Street and the Olympic sites. Few places in the Adirondacks offer that much in one spot. The honest counterpoint is that it is a large resort, so it is less intimate than a small inn, room quality varies between the newer Adirondack Wing and older sections, and it is busy in peak season. Also worth noting is the brand transition, so confirm the current name and any loyalty program. For amenities and setting together, it leads the village.

Where is Crowne Plaza Lake Placid?

The resort sits at 101 Olympic Drive on a rise above Mirror Lake, right in the heart of Lake Placid village. That central position is a real advantage: Main Street's shops and restaurants, the lakefront, and the Olympic sites that made the town famous are all within walking distance, and the resort itself has a private beach on Mirror Lake. The golf courses of the Lake Placid Club and the wider Adirondack High Peaks, with their hiking, paddling, and winter sports, extend from there. It is the Adirondacks, so a car is essential for exploring the region, but the in-village location means you can leave it parked and walk to much of the town.

What are the rooms like?

Comfortable and view-focused, with a clear best category. The resort has 246 rooms, and the standout feature is shared across all of them: a view of Mirror Lake, along with practical touches like a microwave and mini-fridge. The rooms to book are in the Adirondack Wing, which adds lake or mountain views and options for a fireplace or a jetted tub, giving the most resort-like experience. Because this is a large, established resort, room quality varies between the updated sections and older parts of the property, which is the main thing to watch, so it is worth requesting an Adirondack Wing or recently refreshed room when you book. The lake view, though, is the constant that makes the setting work.

What is there to do?

This is a proper resort, so the amenities are the point. The headline is golf: the resort owns the historic Lake Placid Club, with 45 holes across three courses, one of the premier golf destinations in the Adirondacks, complemented by tennis courts and a putting green. On the water there is a private beach on Mirror Lake for swimming and paddling, and indoors an indoor pool, a hot tub, and a fitness center for any weather. Dining runs across around four venues, including MacKenzie's for Italian and American cooking and the Great Room restaurant and bar, whose big windows frame the lake alongside a stone fireplace and an English-style bar. Add the village and the Olympic sites at the door, and there is more than enough to fill a multi-day stay.

When should you book, and what will it cost?

The Adirondacks are a four-season destination, and demand tracks the calendar. Summer and fall foliage are the busiest and priciest, with the lake, golf, and trails at their best, and winter draws visitors for the Olympic sports and snow season, so those peaks reward booking ahead. Late spring and quieter shoulder weeks are the value windows. Because room quality varies across the property, it pays to request an Adirondack Wing or recently updated room, and to confirm the current brand name and any loyalty program given the apparent transition. As a full-service resort with golf and a beach, it rewards a multi-day stay rather than a single overnight.