Holiday Inn Resort Lake George

Set on a large tract of land, this Holiday Inn Resort is surrounded by swaths of neatly cut grass. The property is piled high with features, making it a destination hotel of sorts, with little need to venture off the grounds of activities. Guests enter through a modern and inviting lobby, with a stone fireplace, ample wood paneling, and banks of two-story windows illuminating the space. Vintage photos of Lake George add a lodge-like vibe, though the pearl-gray armchairs seem to be aiming for something more elegant. While busy year round, the property is spread out enough that it never feels crowded. TR’s Lounge is especially popular, offering daily happy hour specials that even attract locals. The outdoor pool and recreation area also buzzes with activity on warm summer afternoons and evenings. While families and other tourists are the focus, it’s not unusual to see business travelers or groups on retreats staying here.

This Holiday Inn Resort is located on Route 9 just south of Lake George Village and the southern tip of Lake George, both of which are two-minute drives. It’s a scenic spot that’s adjacent to the lovely Lake George Beach State Park. It’s possible to walk to the park’s Million Dollar Beach in about 15 minutes. A few restaurants and convenience stores can be reached on foot in as little as three minutes, but it requires walking on the busy road that is Lake George’s main drag. Still, plenty of restaurants and shops are in the Village. Adirondack State Park -- the largest state park in the lower 48 U.S. states with more than 3,000 lakes and 2,000 miles of hiking trails -- surrounds the area. Queensbury is a 12-minute drive, and the historic town of Saratoga Springs is 30 minutes by car. Albany International Airport is one hour away, as is Rutland, Vermont. 

The 105 rooms and 24 suites have the type of tasteful but generic decor that travelers associate with the Holiday Inn brand: off-white walls, gold drapes, and rectangular sconce lighting. Some details, like the olive-hued bedskirts and framed landscapes feel a little tired, but as a whole they feel tasteful. The reddish-brown wood furniture includes work desks or small dining tables. Some rooms also have light blue upholstered sleeper sofas and balconies or patios with views of the lake and Adirondack Mountains. The rooms offer plenty of space to move around, with King and Double Queen options. At 533 square feet, Suites are especially spacious. Bathrooms have standard shower/tub combos and vary in terms of their look. A few have roomy tan granite vanities and tan tiling, other have gotten a modern makeover with white acrylic vanities and wood laminate floors. Standard amenities include microwaves, mini-fridges, free bottled water, safes, free Wi-Fi and Keurig coffeemakers. Suites also have small wet bars.

This family-friendly hotel is chockfull of features both inside and out, including spacious indoor and outdoor heated pools and an outdoor whirlpool. The grounds also have a basketball court, shuffleboard, fire pit, playground, putting green, and huge chess board. Inside, there is a sauna, video arcade, children’s play center with supervised activities, and 24/7 fitness center. TR’s Restaurant serves American classics for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and TR’s Lounge is a full-service bar with big-screen TVs. The gift shop sells sundries, snacks, and soft drinks, and free newspapers, coffee/tea, and ice water are available in the lobby. Room service is also available. Valet dry cleaning and laundry are among the concierge services, and a guest laundry room is on site. For corporate travelers or those booking events, there's meeting space for up to 175 people available, and the business center has two computers and printers for guests to use. Parking and Wi-Fi are both free.