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October 5, 2005
The Majestic Adirondacks and the Charming
Mirror Lake Inn
-Article by: Norm Goldman
-Paintings by: Lily Azerad-Goldman
Norm and Lily Goldman are a husband and wife team who meld
words with art focusing on romantic destinations.
Norm is the Editor of the team’s travel site, Sketchandtravel.com,
where you will find Norm’s travel articles and Lily’s
art work. Norm is also the Editor of the book reviewing and author
interviewing site, Bookpleasures.com.
The latter comprises over twenty five international book reviewers
who come from all walks of life and who review all genres.
Rare is the person these days who does not crave for sparkling
clear lakes, lush natural spruce, hemlock and pine forests, high
peak mountains, unspoiled wilderness, and a feeling of complete
relaxation and renewal.
Isn't this what a romantic getaway is all about?
One destination worth considering and offering all of the above
and more is the quaint village of Lake Placid, located within the
Adirondacks in the northern part of New York State.
It is here where you will discover on the northern shore of Mirror
Lake, one of the two lakes surrounding the village, the four-season
resort Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa. An inn where you can kick
off your shoes, hang up your hat and easily stay for a few exhilarating
days without being bored.
The history of this famous inn dates back to 1924 when Climena
Alford, a native of Lake Placid, married William Rufus Wikoff of
Massachusetts, who was the originator of the "Fuller Brush
Man."
William and Climena retired to Lake Placid, where they converted
an estate that dated back to 1883 into a high quality inn known
as Mir-A-Lac Inn. Even during the depression the inn managed to
succeed, adding on rooms, building the dining room, winterizing,
and making general improvements.
It was at this inn that the first rope tow powered by electricity
was installed. It was also the first to have a skating camp housing
many world-class skating champions, and it also hosted the Norwegian
team during the 1932 Olympic Winter Games.
For the past seventeen consecutive years, the Inn has earned a
Four Diamond "Exceptional" Award for excellence from AAA
and it also holds Mobil Travel Guide's three star "Excellent"
Award. Since 1998 it has been a member of the Small Luxury Hotels
of the World group as part of their North American portfolio.
Condé Nast Traveler Reader's Poll in 1998 rated the Inn
as number one for service. In 2002 it was the reader's choice of
Condé Nast as one of the top 30 North American Resorts and
highest rated in the Northeast, and earned a place on its top elite
Gold List.
How can you not agree with these accolades when you consider the
extra personal touches the inn provides: complimentary tea with
biscuits served each afternoon in the Wikoff Room, that has been
recently refurbished in the Adirondack Great Camp style with cedar
log trim, birch bark accents, board and bead paneling and two massive
stone fireplaces; morning and evening housekeeping service; a newspaper
delivered to your door each morning; morning coffee served in the
Terrace Suite Coffee Shop. Above all there is that personal warm
service that immediately greets you when you step into the front
door.
Arriving guests can register into one of the 128 well-appointed
rooms that include 19 suites. These suites are split, single-level
or studio suites with living room areas and whirlpool baths. The
superior bedrooms come with picture windows with panoramic lake
and mountain views and large private balconies. There are Colonial
bedrooms that are smaller and homey.
For those seeking beauty, fitness and pampering, the resort's Spa
offers a myriad of possibilities. Choices include detoxifying armomatherapy,
salt glow, and several massage options. There are even fitness and
yoga classes, individual training sessions, as well as the possibility
of having a one-hour consultation with the inn's Registered Dietitian/Certified
Nutritionist.
If you are into an early morning dip, the indoor and outdoor pools
can more than amply satisfy your needs. There are even specific
times set aside for lap swims.
Paddle- boats are also available during the appropriate seasons
to help you get the stiffness out of your legs while you cruise
Mirror Lake.
In winter you may want to put on your pair of skates and enjoy
the invigorating Lake Placid air.
Guests with hiking and skiing in mind will find the inn's location
ideal. Within minutes there are miles of hiking trails for the beginner
as well as the experienced, leading to magnificent lakes, rivers
and mountain summits. The Adirondack region of New York can boast
that it has the largest hiking trail system in the nation, and it
includes the 6 million-acre Adirondack Park. Nearly half of the
park is public land, accessible to everyone.
Hikers can troop Mt. Jo, one of the finest trails in the area,
providing fantastic rewards for little effort. Another great passage
is Rocky Falls leading you through the woods to a series of cascades
and a swimming hole; a great place to enjoy a picnic lunch and some
painting. The Jackrabbit Trail, named after Herman "Jackrabbit"
Johannsen, the legendary Norwegian who helped popularize ski touring
in the Adirondacks in the early 20th century, is another popular
venue.
In 1988 the Adirondack Ski Touring Council opened the trail as a
cross-country ski trail stretching from Paul Smiths to Keene, a
distance of over 35 miles. Snowshoers, hikers and cross-country
skiers from all over the world use this trail.
The resort's activities coordinator can arrange rock-climbing excursions,
canoe and fly- fishing trips, and out door fun-guided hikes. A licensed
Adirondack guide leads all the resort's adventure trips.
Just bear in mind-- the lakes are just waiting for you to drop
a hook and perhaps catch a rainbow or lake trout, small or largemouth
bass, great northern pike or a pickerel.
If you want to go it alone, the coordinator can provide detailed
maps pertaining to the various hiking trails, ponds and lakes.
Nearby is Whiteface Mountain, host of the 1980 Olympic games, and
where the longest vertical drop in the East at 3430 feet is located.
The ski center is open from November through April, and it has a
network of 65 trails with state-of-the art grooming, 10 ski lifts,
expanded snow making operation, and ski and snowboarding schools.
A complimentary shuttle service provided by the Town of Lake Placid
will pick you up at the inn every hour on the hour between 8 a.m.
and 1 p.m., and brings you back between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. during
the winter season.
At the end of the day, guests can enjoy innovative cuisine of the
inn's Averil Conwell Dining Room, where there is an array of choices
of appetizers and entrées prepared by award winning chef
Matthew Baldwin and his excellent team.
There is nothing like a romantic candlelight dinner, while taking
in the views of the Adirondack High Peaks, the ideal backdrop for
that special experience.
Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa
5 Mirror Lake Drive
Lake Placid, NY
Tel: 518-523-2544
Fax: 518-523-2871
Email: info@mirrorlakeinn.com
Lake Placid Essex County Visitors Bureau
216 Main Street-Olympic Center
Lake Placid, New York
Tel: 518-523-2445
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