Top 10 Places to Stay in New York

So many resorts promise the world, but we’ve found one that delivers: Villa Roma Resort. And beneath the resort’s sparkling exterior and luxury appointments you’ll find an extensive list of family-friendly activities. You really can have it all on your New York family vacation!

Kids have their own ideas of what a vacation should be, and Villa Roma gives them everything they need to make those visions a reality. With bumper boats, go-carts, paintball tournaments, horseback riding – even Wii tournaments and an aquatic jungle gym in the pool – Villa Roma satisfies even the biggest daydreamers! But kids shouldn’t have all the fun – parents can get in on the action with a bowling alley, tennis courts and the comedians, singers and other entertainers that frequent Villa Roma’s late-night piano bar and cocktail lounge. Architectural and design details lurk around every corner in this family-friendly Catskills resort. Hand-painted wall murals and chandeliers grace the stately main dining room, where full breakfasts and culinary classics like lobster bisque and linguine with white clam sauce are served. One and two-bedroom suites, some with living areas and kitchens, accommodate families of all sizes. And check out Villa Roma’s Caesar’s Night with a seven-course feast worthy of royalty!

Average temperature

Low 11 degrees, high 80 degrees F.

Getting there

From the New York metropolitan area, take the George Washington Bridge to New Jersey Palisades Parkway and proceed north on the New York Thruway. At Exit 16, take Route 17 West to Exit 104. Head west on Route 17B to Cocheton and take a left onto Route 17B. Bear left on Route 17B and at the stop sign make a right onto Route 52A. Take the next left to Gabel Road and follow to Villa Roma.

Related Onsite Offerings

The Villa Roma Ski Area is home to a newly-renovated ski chalet, snowy slopes and a tube run for younger guests.

A little less than two hours from Manhattan sits a resort known throughout the catskills for its luxury and relaxation. We speak, of course, of The Emerson Resort & Spa.

This Catskill Mountains-themed resort is the destination of choice for New York couples and families, and for good reason. Its spacious accommodations off plenty of room for large parties as well as people that just would like some extra leg room. Activities are numerous and varied, from fishing and biking in the summer to skiing and tubing in the winter. When you undoubtedly are exhausted from all the fun you’re having, head over to the on-site spa for some rest and relaxation.

Address

5368 NY-28, Mt Tremper, NY 12457

We were enchanted by Mohonk Mountain House, and you will be too once you see the resort’s Victorian castle perched atop rock formations that surround the deep blue waters of Lake Mohonk. This Hudson Valley resort is straight out of a fairytale and guaranteed to earn a place in your family’s hearts on your New York vacation.

Mohonk means “lake in the sky” – and you’ll feel like you’re walking on a cloud during your stay at this timeless family resort. Young princes and princesses will love skating in the resort’s enchanting 10,000-sq.-ft. ice skating pavilion and making s’mores by the campfire at night. You’ll enjoy an outdoor heated mineral pool and spa services fit for a king – or queen. Winding decks along the rocky cliffs lead to quiet places to watch the sun set over the lake. And what storybook romance would be complete without a horse-drawn carriage ride? You’ll love the breathtaking lake and mountain views from Mohonk’s charming guest cottages and Victorian towers. And nobody does all-inclusive quite like this. Your stay includes buffet breakfasts and four-course dinners, afternoon tea and cookies and access to the resort’s unique recreational offerings and activities. Get lost in the Victorian maze and award-winning show gardens – you can even climb the surrounding cliffs!

Average temperature

Low 17 degrees, high 80 degrees F.

Getting there

From I-87 North take Exit 18 to New Paltz. Turn left at the stoplight onto Route 299 and follow this through New Paltz. After crossing the Wallkill River bridge, turn right and then go left at a fork in the road onto Mountain Rest Road. Follow the signs to the Mohonk Mountain House gates.

Fun facts

The 265-room Victorian castle at Mohonk Mountain House was erected in 1869 and today is one of the country’s oldest family-owned resorts.

True to its slogan, the only thing this stunning New York resort overlooks is the lake – Mirror Lake, that is. And as the only hotel that sits directly on the white sand beach along the lake’s shores, Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort boasts four-season recreation, giving you plenty to do on your Lake Placid vacation!

Breathtaking mountain scenery awaits you in the neighboring Adirondack Park, with scenic hiking trails and old growth forests that account for nearly a fifth of New York’s land area! Snuggle up under fur blankets on an exhilarating dogsled ride across the lake’s frozen surface. And candlelit rides on Golden Arrow’s wooden gondola, handcrafted in Italy, offer a truly unique vantage point of the Olympic Village – only a few miles down the road! Choose from Golden Arrow’s guest rooms, condos and specialty suites on your lakeside New York vacation. Patios put you just steps from the sandy shores, while private balconies offer spectacular lake views. The Wright Peak specialty suite, with its marble shower and stone fireplace, is an ideal couples retreat. And Golden Arrow not only embraces its natural surrounding, the resort also enhances them: it recently unveiled a sustainable, plant-and-flower-covered living roof.

Highlights

The staff at Golden Arrow goes out of its way to accommodate you on your New York Vacation – they even offer pet-friendly and allergen-free rooms!

Getting there

Take I-87 North to the Adirondack Northway toward Montreal. Follow I-87 to Exit 30 and take a left onto Route 9 North. Follow this to Route 73 to the Lake Placid area. Turn left at the traffic light onto Main Street. Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort is on your right.

Fun facts

Longtime guests of Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort have seen it grow from a small 36-room motel to the full-service resort it is today.

The Finger Lakes is one of the most naturally beautiful areas in all of New York, and Kingtown Beach Cottages is the optimal way to experience them!

Each of Kingtown's six cottage is exceedingly opulent and supremely cozy. Both one bedroom and two bedroom variants are available, so make sure you head online and look over your options before settling on a final choice. What doesn't vary, however, is the natural beauty surrounding the resort. With more than 400' of beautiful Cayuga Lakefront to swim, boat, and fish, there's no end to the amount of fun your family can derive from a weekend on the shore. If you crave even more options, however, the lodge is just a short drive away from the Seneca Wine Trail. There you'll be treated to more than 70 Wineries, wonderful restaurants, and the lovely scenery the region is famous for!

Address

9305 Kingtown Beach Rd, Trumansburg, NY 14886

Related activities

Buttermilk Falls State Park, Robert Treman State Park, Cornell University, and Ithaca College are all within 20 minutes of Kingtown Beach!

Getting there

The Lodge is located right at the beginning of the Cayuga Wine Trail on Route 89.

Esteemed author Mark Twain was a frequent visitor to Ampersand Bay, where he frequently holed up in a cottage on Saranac Lake. The same solitude that attracted Twain can be enjoyed today at Ampersand Bay Resort and Boat Club, where 40 miles of scenic waterways are waiting to be explored on your New York vacation!

At Ampersand Bay Resort, relaxation and sitting still are not synonymous. Strap on a pair of snow shoes and tour the resort grounds. Make it a pair of cross country skis and head to the Dewey Mountain Recreation Center, where groomed trails are a beginner’s playground. The Saranac Chain of Lakes are home to world-famous pike and bass fishing and on sun-soaked summer days there’s no better way to explore them than with one of Ampersand Boat Club’s kayaks, canoes or pontoons. When Ampersand Bay Resort says lakefront living, they mean it – part of the lodge literally rests in the pristine waters of Lower Saranac Lake. Cedar log cabins, two-story lakefront suites and beautiful lake cottages are furnished in true Adirondacks style with antiques and artwork to spare. Best of all, you won’t have to go far to access the pristine lake waters – the entire fleet of watercraft docks right under the lodge!

Getting there

From the metropolitan New York and New Jersey area, take the I-97 North to Exit 24 in Albany. Continue on I-87 to Exit 30, then follow Route 9 North to Route 73 and proceed west to Saranac Lake.

Fun facts

ESPN's Outdoor Games has hosted the Bass Fishing Tournament in the Saranac Chain of Lakes for three years in a row!

Related Onsite Offerings

Ampersand Bay Resort boasts plenty of recreation in winter months, like ice skating on frozen Lake Saranac and skiing at nearby Whiteface Mountain!

When creating a list of the top resorts in New York, it's difficult to leave a property like The Point off the list. Forbes only 5-Star resort in Upstate New York offers a unique and luxurious experience that you won't soon forget.

You'll experience luxury at every turn during a trip to The Point. The resort's convenient location on the shores of Saranac Lake offers a bevy of activities to enjoy, regardless of your season for travel. During the winter months, the water freezes over creating the perfect location for ice fishing, skating, and even curling. Summer's warm temperatures make The Point the perfect place to enjoy hiking, tennis, swimming, boating, fishing, and more! After a day full of fun activities, along with world-class cuisine served by the Executive Chef, you'll be ready to enjoy the supreme comfort of your deluxe or suite accommodations, featuring fireplaces, picture perfect views of the lake, and a beautiful private bathroom. The large handcrafted beds will have you sleeping like a baby in eager anticipation of the next day's adventure. Start planning your own getaway today!

Address

222 Beaverwood Road Saranac Lake, NY 12983

Highlights

Forbes Travel Guide has named The Point one of the Top Upscale All-Inclusive Resorts, a Top Hotel for Pet Lovers, one of the Best Places to See Fall Foliage, and more! Find out how the resort garnered all of this recognition.

Fun facts

Nearby Lake Placid was the host to the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics Games.

Stately mansions line the shores of Lake George, but we found a more affordable way to take in the sights and sounds on one of New York’s finest lakes: the Georgian Resort and Conference Center. You’ll have access to an array of millionaire-worthy amenities – minus the price tag – at this Adirondacks lake resort.

There’s no time like summertime at the Georgian Resort. Soak up some sun, sip a fruity drink or build a sandcastle on the private beach. At the end of the dock, the deep blue waters of Lake George beckon; explore them with one of the resort’s kayaks. Or head into town for steamboat tours on the lake and all the twists, turns and excitement of a day at the Great Escape Six Flags amusement park. Skip the crowds and escape to New York in the fall, when the lake is still warm enough for swimming and fall colors are at their peak. You’ll find plenty of ways to stay warm in a honeymoon suite at the Georgian Resort, where a heart-shaped Jacuzzi is sure to light a fire or two. Sirloin steak and steamed mussels are featured dishes in the Bistro Restaurant, and the resort’s Dinner Theater is a real treat!

Population

982

Average temperature

Low 29 degrees, high 82 degrees F.

Getting there

From most areas in New York, take the New York State Thruway to Albany via Exit 24. Keep right through the toll booth and head toward Montreal on I-87 North. Follow I-87 to Exit 22 and straight to the Georgian Resort and Conference Center.

Whether you're in search of a family friendly vacation, a dream-come-true wedding, a romantic rendezvous, or a corporate retreat, The Otesaga Resort Hotel is happy to accommodate you with outstanding amenities and stunning scenery all year round!

Reminiscent of a graceful era of times gone by, The Otesaga was selected as a member of the prestigious Historic Hotels of America by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Blending AAA Four Diamond accommodations, a host of amenities, and an elegant atmosphere, this Cooperstown jewel is perfect for every type of vacation. Swing away on one of the East's best golf getaways at Leatherstocking Golf Course, take care of business with 30,000 square feet of meeting space, or plan a family canoeing trip on Lake Otsego. For a little off-site adventure, stop by the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown and brush up on the history of America's great pastime. After a day of exploration, enjoy relaxation back in your room or suite, which features free high-speed internet, cable television, and fluffy Egyptian-cotton towels. The Otesaga is your New York oasis!

Address

60 Lake Street, Cooperstown, New York 13326

Highlights

A magnificent Federal-style edifice with an imposing front portico supported by massive 30-foot columns, The Otesaga occupies 700 feet of lakefront on the southern shore of Lake Otsego.

Related activities

The village of Cooperstown offers something for more than just baseball fans. Stop by the New York State Historical Association, the Glimmerglass Opera Festival, the Fenimore Art Museum, The Farmers’ Museum, and Brewery Ommegang.

Soak up the sights, sounds – and even a wee bit of culture – of the Emerald Isles. Travelers from New York and beyond flock to East Durham in every season – and with good reason: there’s no better place to celebrate the honorary Irishman in all of us than at Gavin’s Irish Resort and Country Inn.

We don’t blame you if you think you’ve jumped the pond to the Irish countryside when you first take in the sprawling grounds and lush, moss-covered waterfall formations at Gavin’s Irish Resort. Take part in Irish-inspired dance competitions, concerts and the occasional Celtic festival all summer long. In the fall, savor the rich, malty flavors of Ireland’s famous beer at the Guinness Festival. And afternoon tea, homemade breads and other cultural fare can be enjoyed everyday in the Irish tea room and at Gavin’s Pub. Need a break from the festivities? Take a dip in the sparkling waters of the resort’s outdoor pool or dive into swimming holes formed at the base of cascading waterfalls. Spacious poolside rooms are appointed with modern furnishings and décor, while the two bedrooms and bathrooms offered in the cottage are perfect for New York group and family vacations!

Population

2,592

Getting there

From I-97, exit at Catskill interchange No. 21, turn left, and proceed for a quarter of a mile. Turn right onto Route 23 and proceed west to Route 145 and into East Durham, where you’ll find Gavin’s Irish Resort and Country Inn.

Fun facts

Celebrate Irish music in style at East Durham’s Annual Memorial Day Irish Festival, now in its 30th year. Gavin’s Pub hosts Irish bands each year.