If you are looking for a memorable getaway in the countryside that will make you feel at home, visiting Lake Placid in New York must be at the top of your list. Regardless of the time of the year, you can always count on Lake Placid. My husband and I try to avoid visiting the same place twice (there is so much to see!), but we have been to Lake Placid three times in five short years. That is how much we love the area. In the past, we traveled as a couple, as (somewhat) newlyweds, and now we bring our toddler with us. We decided to stay at the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort during our last visit.

In this post, you can read about our wonderful stay at the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort. If you are interested, I have a complete guide to visiting Lake Placid.

Our Stay at the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort

First and foremost, I would like to say a big thank you to Golden Arrow and its management. They were very kind to host my family and me. Their Incredibly welcoming hospitality made our stay in Lake Placid beyond pleasant and yet again memorable. Below, you can read about our experience and the top reasons you should stay at the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort. Although the hotel sponsored our stay, our collaboration did not influence this post or my opinions. All observations are made based on my experience and familiarity with the area.

Location, Location, Location – When You Stay at the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort

If you visit Lake Placid, you want to stay on Mirror Lake. This sounds counterintuitive, but it is the most desirable location in Lake Placid. Mirror Lake is smaller in the general Lake Placid area. It is a gorgeous downtown place with many cute shops, restaurants, and activities. The Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort is on Main Street, just seconds from all important attractions. 

Besides all the cute shops and restaurants, the Golden Arrow is only steps away (quite literally) from the Olympic Center, one of Lake Placid’s must-see sights. You can learn more about this historical sight in my post here. It means a lot to save time on commutes when trying to check off as many exciting bucket list “to-dos” as possible in a short period.

In Lake Placid, we always spend much time strolling around Main Street. We even had a stroller with us this time, so choosing a convenient location was extra important. Our Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort stay gave us precisely what we sought!

Private Beach Access – When You Stay at the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort

The Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort is one of the few beachfront hotels on Mirror Lake and the General Lake Placid area. Here is why this is very exciting. Motorized water vehicles are prohibited in Mirror Lake (you can go to Lake Placid for that). Because of that, the water is spotless, and water activities are very popular. Having beachfront access truly adds a lot of value to your overall experience. It comes free when you stay at the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort. 

Waking up to calm lake views can bring so much serenity to your day. As a bonus point, you get astonishing lake views! On a sunny morning, you will see the sunshine reflected in the water. On other days the mist covers the Lake. Overlooking the Lake on these mornings, as a handful of early kayakers and a flock of ducks roam peacefully, makes the mornings memorable. 

The beach is accessible only to hotel guests. Whether you want to go out and ride a kayak in the morning or relax on the shore, there are no timing restrictions. There are also a couple of fire pits along the beach line. These fire pits come to life later in the day as guests gather to wind down. We loved sitting around them in the evenings.

Complimentary Water Toys and Indoor Pool – When You Stay at the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort

Not only do you get unlimited beach access when you stay at the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort, but you also get plenty of water “toys”! The resort has Kayaks, rowboats, canoes, paddleboats, and hydro bikes available for free. We were excited about the complimentary water gear because we wanted to introduce our son to water activities. During COVID, a beach attendant frequently sanitizes the equipment and keeps the beach organized and clean during the day.

The resort has an indoor pool if you are not up for lake activities. However, it was undergoing a renovation and was closed during our stay. We hope it will reopen soon, just before it gets too cold to swim in the Lake. Check their website for pool updates! You will probably be enjoying the luxury of a newly renovated amenity soon!

Generations Restaurant

If you are looking for one place that offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the whole family, look no further than the Generations Tap & Grill. The Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort owns the restaurant and is correct by the Hotel at the Main Street entrance. It has indoor seating as well as a beautiful outdoor porch.

Their menu is sustainable. A lot of their products are gathered at the local farms in the Adirondacks. It is always good to know what comes on your plate. We were able to have two breakfasts and lunch there. They were as good as they looked (haha)! Last but not least, they have happy hour pricing ALL DAY LONG when you stay at the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort. Don’t miss this deal!

Family Friendly

The resort is family and dog-friendly, in line with the Lake Placid ambiance. Our toddler enjoyed sharing the beach with other kids and making new friends. As for dogs, we did not see many at all. Neither dogs nor kids were a distraction for us during our Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort stay. You can still easily enjoy all the available amenities if you travel without kids.

It is worth noting that it is a family-owned and operated (currently by its third generation) resort. Originally from Germany, the owners have put a touch of German in the architecture and design of the resort. Their dedication to their guests is evident at every turn. The resort also strives for excellence when it comes to being environmentally friendly. Over a decade ago, the Green Arrow became the first U.S. hotel to achieve a 5 Green Leaf status as a green property from Audubon International.

Lastly, given the times, I want to say a few words about COVID-19 and how it impacts your stay at the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort. As much as I want to stop mentioning COVID in my posts, unfortunately, it is still part of our lives. When we stay at a hotel, we are extra cautious about ensuring that the place strictly follows best practices and keeps the premises germ-free.

At Golden Arrow, we felt safe. We noticed that the water equipment was frequently sanitized, the staff was constantly in their face masks, the housekeeping services were limited, and sanitizers were available on each floor.

To conclude, we are thrilled that we chose to stay at the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort. We are looking forward to spending many summer days in this place again. We highly recommend this resort to anybody looking to spend their Lakefront vacation in Lake Placid.