Finding a place to stay in the Adirondacks used to be a binary choice. You either went full "Great Camp" luxury with taxidermy on every wall and a price tag that required a second mortgage, or you ended up in a drafty roadside motel where the coffee tasted like cardboard. Then voco Saranac Lake NY Waterfront an IHG Hotel showed up. Honestly, it’s about time.
Lake Flower is the kind of water that looks different every hour of the day. One minute it’s a sheet of glass reflecting the Pines, the next it’s choppy and dark under a sudden mountain cloud. This hotel sits right on that edge. It isn't just "near" the water; it’s basically shaking hands with it. When IHG brought the voco brand here, people were skeptical. Would a global brand strip away the soul of a mountain town? Thankfully, no.
The Reality of Staying at voco Saranac Lake NY Waterfront an IHG Hotel
It’s cozy. That’s the first thing you notice. The lobby doesn't feel like a corporate waiting room. It feels like a living room belonging to that one friend who has really good taste and a bigger-than-average fireplace. They kept the grit and the woodsy charm of the North Country but added things like high-thread-count sheets and Wi-Fi that actually works. If you’ve ever tried to send an email from a remote cabin in Harrietstown, you know that’s a luxury.
The rooms are a mix. Some look right out over the docks. Others face the town. If you can, always spring for the lake view. Seeing the mist rise off Lake Flower at 6:00 AM while you’re wrapped in a duvet is the whole point of being here. The design uses these pops of yellow—it’s the voco signature—which sounds like it would clash with the Adirondack green, but it actually wakes the place up.
Most people don't realize that Saranac Lake is the "cool younger sibling" to Lake Placid. Placid is Olympic glory and high-end shopping. Saranac Lake is artists, dive bars, and the Winter Carnival. Staying at voco Saranac Lake NY Waterfront an IHG Hotel puts you right in the middle of that authenticity without making you sleep on a lumpy mattress.
Dining and The Local Hangout
Let’s talk about the food because, honestly, the dining scene in the Adirondacks can be hit or miss. The onsite restaurant, The Great Hall Bar, serves as the heart of the building. It’s got that open, airy feel with massive windows that make you feel like you’re eating on a boat.
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The menu leans into what you’d want after a day of hiking. Think burgers that require two hands and locally sourced trout. But it’s the patio that wins. In the summer, sitting outside with a drink while the boats pull up to the public docks nearby is basically the peak New York summer experience. It’s social. You’ll see locals stopping in for a beer, which is always a good sign. If the locals avoid a hotel bar, you should too. Here, they actually hang out.
The Winter Carnival Factor
If you are planning to visit during the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival in February, this hotel is ground zero. It’s right near where they build the Ice Palace.
- You can walk to the parade.
- The hotel usually does something special for the festivities.
- It’s warm. (Seriously, it gets to -20°F here; don't underestimate the value of a modern heating system).
Staying here during the carnival is a different beast. The town transforms. There are people in lawn chair folding "drill teams" and a general sense of joyous Adirondack madness. Having a base like the voco means you can retreat from the freezing wind, thaw your toes, and then jump right back into the fray.
What People Get Wrong About the Location
A lot of travelers book voco Saranac Lake NY Waterfront an IHG Hotel thinking they are going to be in the middle of a shopping mall district. You aren't. This is a walking town. You can stroll from the hotel right into the downtown area where the Nori’s Village Market is (go there for snacks) or the Adirondack Center for Writing.
Another misconception? That "waterfront" means a private beach for every room. The waterfront here is active. It’s a lake. There are boats, kayaks, and ducks. It’s a living landscape. The hotel provides access, but you're sharing that beauty with the rest of the Saranac Lake community. That’s the charm. It’s not an isolated bubble; it’s part of the neighborhood.
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The hotel also sits on the site of what used to be the Saranac Waterfront Lodge. IHG took over the management and rebranded it, bringing in the voco standards. This was a smart move. It stabilized the service levels. You get the IHG One Rewards points, which is a nice perk for the business travelers who find themselves up here for regional meetings, but the vibe remains decidedly "boutique."
Sustainable Sleep and Mountain Air
One thing voco pushes is sustainability. In a place like the Adirondack Park—the largest protected area in the contiguous United States—that actually matters. They use bedding made from 100% recycled materials. It sounds like it might be scratchy, but it’s actually incredibly soft.
They also ditched the tiny plastic shampoo bottles for larger, refillable bulk dispensers. Some people hate this. They want to hoard the little bottles. But when you look at how much waste a 100-room hotel generates in a fragile ecosystem like this, the bulk dispensers are a no-brainer. The water in the taps is some of the cleanest in the country, but the hotel still emphasizes reducing plastic waste wherever possible.
Technical Details You Should Know
If you’re driving an EV, they have charging stations. This is a big deal because the North Country is still catching up on charging infrastructure.
- Check-in is usually at 4:00 PM.
- They are pet-friendly, but call ahead because those rooms fill up fast.
- The fitness center isn't just a treadmill in a closet; it’s actually decent.
The parking can be a bit tight during peak weekends. If there’s a wedding or a major event, be prepared to navigate a full lot. The staff is usually pretty good about helping you find a spot, though. Speaking of staff, they are mostly locals. They know which trails are muddy and which breweries are worth the drive. Ask them questions. They aren't reading from a script.
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The Verdict on the Value
Is it the cheapest place in town? No. Is it the most expensive? Not by a long shot. voco Saranac Lake NY Waterfront an IHG Hotel sits in that "sweet spot" of value. You’re paying for the view, the reliability of a major brand, and the convenience of being able to walk to a gallery or a bar without needing your car.
If you’re a solo traveler, the bar is a great place to meet people. If you’re a family, the proximity to the Jackrabbit Trail and the local parks makes it easy to burn off kid energy. It’s a versatile property.
The rooms are quiet. The walls are thick enough that you don't hear your neighbor's TV, which is a common complaint in the older timber-frame lodges nearby. The bathrooms are modern, with great water pressure—something you'll appreciate after hiking Ampersand Mountain or one of the nearby High Peaks.
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
Don't just book a room and show up. To get the most out of a stay at the voco, you need a plan.
- Book the Lake Side: Specifically ask for a room on a higher floor facing Lake Flower. The sunrise is worth the extra few dollars.
- Check the Event Calendar: Saranac Lake has a weirdly busy event schedule. From the 6er hiking challenge events to the can-am rugby tournament, the town can get packed. Check the local calendar before you lock in your dates.
- Download the App: Use the IHG app for digital check-in. It saves you time at the desk when a tour bus or a wedding party arrives at the same time as you.
- Explore Beyond the Hotel: Walk ten minutes down Main Street to the Left Bank Cafe for a crepe. The hotel food is good, but Saranac Lake’s local culinary scene is surprisingly diverse for a mountain village.
- Pack for Variables: Even in July, the temperature can drop forty degrees once the sun goes behind the mountains. Bring layers.
Ultimately, this hotel represents a shift in how people visit the Adirondacks. It’s proof that you can have a modern, comfortable, brand-backed experience without losing the rugged, slightly eccentric spirit of the North Country. It’s a place for people who love the outdoors but also really love a hot shower and a glass of wine at the end of the day.
If you are looking for a basecamp that feels like a destination in itself, this is it. Just make sure you take five minutes to sit on the dock, put your phone away, and listen to the water. That’s what you’re really there for.