The Sagamore Resort

This well-known resort has been around since 1883 and is a landmark on the National Register of Historic Places. The sprawling property comprises three different building types (and seven buildings in all) containing hotel rooms and condo units. The main Victorian-style building has an elegant, all-American look, painted white with green shutters, and fronted with cheerful flower beds and traditional lanterns. Inside, decor has a rustic-yet-modern mountain style, combining wood floors with plush seating in navy, and red-patterned rugs. A large patio lined with Adirondack chairs is a popular spot for evening cocktails. Primarily a summer resort, it tends to draw guests between Memorial Day and early autumn, though it still sees guests in winter. While the hotel mostly sees tourist families and couples, the Sagamore also hosts events and weddings; this can be an issue for regular guests when some areas are closed for functions. Plenty of wealthy, high society guests have stayed in the past, as well as political figures that include Richard Nixon. 

The Sagamore sits on a private island called Green Island, right on Lake George in upstate New York. However, it's just a 10-minute walk across the over-water road to reach a cluster of restaurants, shops, and a grocery store -- should guests tire of the eight different dining options on-site. The property can arrange for private hikes and fishing excursions in the surrounding area, while the main town of Lake George is a 20-minute drive away -- although this will feel considerably more touristy than the island. Six Flags Great Escape theme park is a 25-minute drive away. Albany International Airport is about 70 minutes' drive from the resort. 

There are a variety of room and suite types here, as well as condominiums, a private carriage house called Hermitage, and a six-bedroom Tudor-style home called The Castle. Old-fashioned room decor is rustic yet elegant, combining rich leather and understated plush seating with beige carpeting and cherry-wood furniture. Lodge Suites offer kitchens with modern appliances, lake-view balconies, and fireplaces, while Lodge Rooms feature patios with Adirondack rocking chairs. Inside the historic main hotel building are most of the rooms and suites, which are decorated with tasteful Adirondack-inspired decor and original artwork. Balcony suites are available with queen-size pullout sofas. Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs with in-room movies, mini-fridges, and coffee- and tea-making facilities. Bathrooms have a homey feel with patterned wallpaper, subway-tile shower/tub combos, and attractive basin-style sinks. Toiletries, robes and slippers, and makeup mirrors are provided, as are closets stocked with safes and ironing facilities. 

The Sagamore has an 18-hole golf course on-site, and that's only the beginning. Travelers can choose from one of the eight restaurants and bars on-site, including Italian cuisine, a steakhouse, cozy Adirondack-style bar, and restaurant sitting right on the water. Along with indoor and outdoor pools, the property has a vast gymnasium facility with indoor basketball, rock climbing, billiards, and ping-pong. The Sagamore Kids Club, for ages 4 to 12, has more organized sports and activities, such as variety shows and nature walks. A spa and salon offers a variety of massages and facials, plus yoga and personal training, and hydrotherapy. The modern fitness center has cardio and weight-training equipment, plus classes like aqua aerobics and yoga. Four tennis courts are on-site and there's a dock for fishing, plus on-site boat rentals -- from kayaks to fishing charters to wake boarding. Another bonus? The Morgan, which is the resort's 72-foot replica of a 19th-century ship, takes guests on cruises that are included with the resort fee.