Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa offers the best in luxury accommodations and unique experiences for its guests. Located in Lake Placid, NY, the Inn has been a popular destination since it opened in the early 1920s.
Ed and Lisa Weibrecht, who bought the Inn in the mid-70s, has made major renovations over the years to provide up-to-date amenities and modern designs, while still keeping the classic Adirondack charm. For the last three decades, it has been given the AAA Four-Diamond Exceptional award, and it’s also a member of the prestigious Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
The Inn is beautiful all year round, but the holiday décor is really spectacular. This is when they go all out to provide a true winter wonderland full of holiday magic for their guests.
“It’s a special place to be during the holidays,” says son Andrew Weibrecht, who, along with his wife, Denja, helps run the Inn. “My mother, Lisa, has decorated the hotel since the late ‘70s and she tries to outdo herself every single year. We have hundreds of thousands of bulbs and Christmas lights on the exterior of the property. We have Christmas trees throughout the lobby, the dining room, the living room, and everywhere else in between.”
“Christmas here at the Inn has become a tradition for a lot of families, and they come every year, including one family for over 20 years, so it’s been great to see the different generations grow up over the years,” says Chris Jarvis, the director of rooms. Close to 70% of their business is either guests who have stayed with them before or those who have been referred.
He adds, “Our goal is when someone leaves the hotel, we don’t want them to go home and just feel like they want to come back; we want them to feel like they have to come back. We strive to provide our guests with an experience they don’t get anywhere else. A huge part of that is our staff. They’re warm, genuine and friendly and truly care about the guests’ experiences.”
Adds Andrew, “Two of the most common compliments we receive are about the staff and the cleanliness of the establishment. We have always been obsessed with providing a clean, welcoming environment.”
Guests are encouraged to pamper themselves at the European spa offering all types of massages and other upscale services. There’s also a salt room for salt therapy which encourages respiratory health.
For dining, there are two restaurants on the property. The View, which is AAA Four Diamond rated and a Wine Spectator Restaurant Award winner, is their fine dining restaurant. The other is the Cottage Café, which offers more casual fare. Whenever possible, most of the food and drinks at the Inn are locally sourced. “We get a lot of our meats and produce from local farms, and a lot of the liquors and draft beers come from regional local breweries,” says Andrew.
The Inn has 128 rooms that can comfortably accommodate couples as well as large families, and all have spectacular views. Guests may not be spending much time inside though; the Inn and the town offer plenty to do outdoors.
“We have over seven acres, so we’re really driven to use every bit of it,” says Andrew. “We try to think of every little thing that people could want or need out of the holiday experience. It’s pretty magical.” Mirror Lake is also a hub of activity and is just steps from the Inn’s front doors.
Every December, Lake Placid hosts the “Holiday Village Stroll.” Events include caroling, the lighting of the village Christmas tree, arts and crafts, a viewing of “The Polar Express” and a parade through Main Street featuring Santa Claus himself.
Lake Placid is unique in that it has hosted two winter Olympic games. During the winter, all of the Olympic venues are operational, and people have the opportunity to challenge themselves.
“The Olympic arena, where the ‘Miracle on Ice’ game happened, is open, as well as the 1980 Olympic Oval,” says Andrew. “They have skating every night. The Nordic ski venue added snowmaking and is a fully operational world-class venue.”
He adds, “We set it up so that we take the guest information and fit them right in the hotel so they can skip the lines and hassle of traditional rental outlets. We have everything ready and waiting for them in the morning.”
Andrew knows all about skiing. He competed in three Olympic games and medaled in two in alpine skiing. In 2010 in Vancouver, he received the bronze medal, and in 2014 in Sochi, he won the silver medal.
“His medals are on display at the front desk and guests like to have their pictures taken with them,” says Chris.
To find out more and to book a stay, go to mirrorlakeinn.com.
Fun things to do:
At the Inn
Dine on gourmet meals
Enjoy premium wines, beers and cocktails
Indulge in a maple sugar body scrub, enjoy a Vichy shower, and/or luxuriate in a dry float European soft pack in the spa
Have breakfast with Santa and one of his elves right in your room. Enjoy magic tricks, holiday singalongs, and a snack of cookies and milk. It’s always a special treat filled with holiday cheer for kids and parents alike.
Around the area
Visit the Olympic venues and go bobsledding down the Olympic bobsled track, ice skate or master the Nordic ski venue
Participate in the Holiday Village Stroll in Lake Placid
Take a ride on a horse-drawn sleigh ride
Ski at White Face Mountain, a prime destination for skiers that’s close by
Visit nearby North Pole, NY, the home of Santa and his reindeer
On the lake
Go ice skating
Take a dog sled ride
Savor the view!
