3. Lake Placid Lodge
This rustic lodge set on the shore of Lake Placid in the Adirondacks is stunning inside and out, according to recent guests. Typical of most Relais & Châteaux properties, accommodations are exquisitely designed with rustic objets d’art, custom-made beds crafted from tree limbs and the occasional private balcony overlooking the waterfront. And then there are the hotel’s romantic cabins, which offer couples a more secluded (but still lavish) retreat. Travelers love dining at Artisans Restaurant and Maggie’s Pub, but are split on service. Some said the hotel staff members go above and beyond to provide first-rate service, while others encountered slow dinner service and less-than-impressive wait staff during recent stays.
4. Grand Hotel
Open since 1887, this Mackinac Island mainstay boasts the world’s longest front porch. Another claim to fame is the Grand Hotel’s guest book: Past visitors include everyone from Thomas Edison to American author Mark Twain. Recent guests give the hotel high praise, complimenting everything from the meals in the Main Dining Room to the views from the front porch. Rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and a coffee maker, among other amenities. As for things to do, the long list of activities includes golfing, biking, tennis and lawn games. You’ll find Grand Hotel situated on Mackinac Island between Michigan’s Upper and Lower peninsulas. Some guests warn that though the Mackinac Island setting is idyllic, it’s also expensive. If you choose to stay here, prepare to splurge. Also, keep in mind that the hotel is only open from the spring through the fall.
