Lake Placid Lodge

After a devastating fire in 2005 damaged the original 1882 main house, the hotel reopened a new five-suite 30,000-square-foot main building in August of 2008. The new lodge's style is updated Arts and Crafts with antique local furniture. But the property's best feature is still down by the private shore: 19 luxe log cabins built in the 1920's and 1930's. The service is impeccable and out of sight. Return from dinner and a fire has miraculously been lit in the stone fireplace, and wood replenished in a neatly stacked pile beside the hearth. Breakfast (a plate of raspberry pancakes, tiny jars of house-made preserves) arrives magically in a wicker basket and is whisked away when you're not looking. Blanket-strewn Adirondack chairs from a circle around the fire pit at dusk, with the makings of s'mores (fresh marshmallows, artisanal chocolate) on a tiday table nearby. The hotel's romantic Artisans restaurant offers a fresh spin on the area's warm-your-bones cuisine thanks to chef Nathan Rich, who pairs lamb loin with fava beans, English peas, and mint. What to drink? Perhaps a 2007 Châteauneuf-du-Pape from the property’s 8,000-bottle wine cellar.

Room to Book: The lakeside Whitney and Eagles Eyre cabins.

Insider Tip: The hotel offers sunset champagne cruises aboard its own luxury “barge.”