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Historic landmark blends timeless charm with modern comfort in Saranac Lake
Brought to you by Hotel Saranac
Hotel Saranac has been a beacon of hospitality in the heart of the Adirondacks for nearly a century. As the hotel approaches its 100th anniversary, it remains not only a cherished landmark but also a vibrant hub for travelers seeking both heritage and adventure in the storied town of Saranac Lake.
A marvel of 1920s architecture
In 1927, local architect William Scopes, along with Maurice Feustmann, designed a hotel unlike any other in the Adirondacks. They crafted the region’s first modern fireproof hotel, grand in both scale and spirit. With its Colonial Revival design and steel-and-concrete construction, Hotel Saranac was a marvel of its time and the first of its kind in the region.
The heart of Saranac Lake
To experience Hotel Saranac is to experience Saranac Lake, a village defined by legacy of wellness and creativity. Once a haven for tuberculosis patients seeking healing in the pristine mountain air, Saranac Lake became renowned as a center of medical innovation and the ‘cure cottage’ movement. What began as a sanctuary for healing transformed the town into a magnet for artists, explorers, and innovators.
Today, Saranac Lake continues to intrigue wanderers with its rich blend of past and present — walkable streets lined with galleries, shops, historic sites and a community spirit that greets visitors like an old friend.
The Saranac River winds through downtown, along the Riverwalk trail and its charming footbridges. Locally owned shops, art galleries, museums and a rich historic context tell the stories that shaped the region.
Step into 14th-century Italian grandeur
The Great Hall of the hotel once served as the main lobby, welcoming guests as they arrived. It still stands true to its original architecture, designed after a 14th-century Florentine palace in Italy. With carved oak columns, the space continues to welcome guests with the warm grandeur of another era, though the experience is anything but stuck in time. This is a gathering place for all types of explorers.
Modern comfort meets Adirondack heritage
Hotel rooms feature modern design with rustic Adirondack-inspired accents, all curated to reflect the region’s history that lines the hotel’s walls. Adjacent to the hotel, the suites building once housed academics from Paul Smith’s College and now offers apartment-style living for families and longer stays.
Culinary excellence at Campfire
A stay at Hotel Saranac is not simply about where you rest your head — it’s about immersion. Each experience is intentionally crafted to celebrate the place, its beauty, flavor and charm. Guests can wander into Campfire at Hotel Saranac, where meals are both comforting and locally inspired. Campfire pairs culinary creativity with regional ingredients. Whether dining on the terrace in the summer or inside beside the hearth in the Great Hall during winter, it’s more than a meal — it’s a ritual.
Four seasons of adventure
For outdoor enthusiasts, Saranac Lake delivers in all seasons. Warm months bring paddling on Lake Flower, biking through woodland paths, and hiking up Mount Baker or Mount Ampersand. Winter transforms the landscape with snow-laced trees, cozy nights by the fire and the beloved Saranac Lake Winter Carnival, a tradition since 1897.
After outdoor adventures, guests can explore the wonders of Ampersand Spa, where the healing powers of the region merge with the hotel’s historic charm.
Historic stay, iconic experience
As Hotel Saranac nears 100 years, it does so not as a museum piece, but as the Adirondacks’ premier historic hotel. Whether you come for the stories, the setting or the sense of something greater, the hotel offers more than accommodation. It offers a chapter in your own journey. As the hotel celebrates nearly 100 remarkable years, it extends an invitation to every guest to walk the halls, experience the past beneath your feet and weave your own memories to become part of Hotel Saranac’s unfolding 21st century.
Hotel Saranac is located in downtown Saranac Lake and is part of Hilton’s Curio Collection. For reservations and more information, visit the hotel’s website or call directly.