Blue Mountain Lake Inn — Hotel in Town of Indian Lake

There are other lakes in the Adirondacks, but I doubt you will find one as stunningly scenic as Blue Mountain Lake. They tell me it has the cleanest water east of the Mississippi, and with one swim, bath or drink, you won’t doubt it. Set in the heart of the Park, the hamlet of Blue Mountain Lake has a drowsy charm that moves with the rhythm of the seasons. Set atop a breezy knoll among pines and cedars, this vintage Victorian vacation home has a welcome mat out if you’re looking to relax, explore, celebrate life and make memories. Nothing pretentious here, just a roomy house with stories in every odd corner, and a porch that could hold a full-size banquet or breakfast for two in the sun. Your sweet and attentive hostess, Meredith, will make you feel at home and give you great tips on local landmarks and amenities. She will cook you some of the best breakfasts – do try her quiche! Check out the kitchen – this is how families were fed for generations! Upstairs are six unique bedrooms with very comfortable beds: between the pillowtop mattresses and the Adirondack night air, you should sleep soundly. I feel very lucky to have found this Inn. In the past two years I’ve stayed here four times – there is so much to explore and experience right in the neighborhood – that is if you want to leave. Being an older house, there are always projects in the works, and I've seen some great improvements here - the new porch for one. There may be other properties around with fancier appointments, but I doubt you find one run with as much love. If you want to experience the classic hospitality of the North Country, do make time for...

I ended up at Blue Mountain Lake Inn randomly when it got too cold to camp. I was on a solo trip for my birthday and finding this unique, quirky, friendly place felt like fate. The Innkeeper, Meredith, and I chatted throughout the night and she even brought me a birthday brownie with a candle in it. She's funny, welcoming, down-to-earth and makes an amazing breakfast!

After that fateful trip, I found myself returning to the Inn every year since. The lovely outdoor porch, the Inn itself which feels full of story and history and a big ole personality, the breakfast, the gorgeous location and beach across the street, the amazing hikes all around, the canoe you can borrow to paddle out to the Blue Mountain Lake islands to swim and rock jump, the affordability, the art gallery next door, the brewery down the street.

Some of the rooms are more rustic, some are more updated. One room has an amazing view of the lake if you can snag it. You can even rent the entire inn at an affordable price as well which I did for my 40th birthday! We were able to use the whole inn, kitchen and all, and were welcome and encouraged to be our strange, quirky, artsy, music-loving, true selves. Meredith started a big fire for us, laughed at our antics, gave us space but was attentive and around if we needed anything. She seems to truly love being an innkeeper and seeing people have fun in this unique space that she's put a lot...

My family and I stayed in the Osprey for a week. The view is beautiful and the beds were comfortable. The breakfasts were delicious. The service is great. Meredith is a good hostess and very funny! It is extra for room service and breakfast but very reasonable and definitely worth it. The deck is a great place for a family dinner too! ||The Inn is prettier than the pictures, some of which are outdated because Meredith keeps renovating. It has lots of charm. There is WIFI and 2 fire pits.||My husband and I were there with our 1 1/2 and 3 1/2 year olds and it was fine. They could play in the living room or on the large deck. There are DVDs there. The beach is across the street and has a lifeguard during the day. The Adirondack museum is a pretty and interesting place to visit (5mn drive). The Wild Center is cool too (40mn drive). They have canoes you can use or you can rent a boat across the street (5mn walk away). There is a nice design shop/cafe in town. Long Lake has sea plane ride, larger beach with trampoline etc and icecream stands (15mn drive). I grew up going to Long Lake yearly and am a huge Adirondack fan but I think Blue Mountain Lake is the prettiest lake. We'll be back...