The Sagamore Resort in Bolton Landing, New York, was a most-booked hotel by Condé Nast Traveler readers in 2023. For plenty of good reasons, too.

The people have spoken. Or, more like, the readers have spoken. Better yet: the readers have booked.

We’re referring to the fact that The Sagamore Resort was a top 15 most-booked hotel by Condé Nast Traveler readers for the year of 2023. It’s an exciting stat that’s quite the feather in the resort’s cap. After all, it’s no secret that the readers of this legendary luxury travel magazine are only looking for the best in the biz – they won’t settle for just any ol‘ stay or any ol‘ hospitality. They’re discerning, serious travelers with expectations to be met.

So what did they discern about our historic Lake George hotel that resulted in them hitting that “Book Now” button? We have seven surefire guesses…

1. ITS LOCATION SET ON THE “QUEEN OF AMERICAN LAKES”

There’s a reason Thomas Jefferson once called the 32-mile-long Lake George “the most beautiful water he ever saw.” Not only is it considered to be one of the clearest and cleanest large lakes in the world, but these crystalline waters set at the southeast base of Upstate New York’s Adirondacks are ringed by majestic 4,000-footers and peppered with more than 100 breathtaking islands. It’s a serene – almost surreal – bucolic site that, no surprise, has served as the muse for the likes of famous artists Georgia O’Keeffe, John Frederick Kensett, and Thomas Cole (to name just a few). And The Sagamore is set right smack dab in the middle of it – perched on its own private 70-acre island that juts out into the western edge of the lake. A stone’s throw from the quaint and scenic village of Bolton Landing, it’s a quiet location that is a far cry from the hubbub of downtown Lake George.

2. IT’S A STUNNING HISTORIC PROPERTY THAT CATCHES THE EYE

The resort consistently hears firsthand stories from various guests who initially discovered the hotel while cruising by with the Lake George Steamboat Company or camping on one of the many nearby islands. And their reaction is always the same: That the mere sight of the grand hotel convinced them to return for a stay.

Grand indeed. With an iconic Colonial-Revival façade boasting two wings clad in white clapboard that stretch into either direction like open arms, the historic 1883 Lake George resort is certainly something to behold. In fact, it takes its cue from the luxurious mansions lining Millionaires’ Row (Lake Shore Drive) in Lake George, with refined Victorian touches like intricate wainscoting and decorative cornices. Chandeliers light the hotel’s shared spaces while the hand-carved fireplaces offer a warm respite to meet around after a long day on the water. And nothing beats the beautiful grounds, where a series of cascading stone terraces – surrounded by lush grass and hedges – roll down to meet the water.

3. THERE’S AN ACCOMMODATION FOR ANYONE & EVERYONE

The Sagamore Resort certainly boasts an impressive roster of diverse accommodations to choose from. That includes traditional luxury guest rooms and suites in the main historic hotel; inviting lakeside lodges with modern kitchens, comfortable living rooms, fireplaces, and balconies; and bi-level suites housed in The Hermitage (originally a nineteenth-century carriage house). There are even individually decorated two-bedroom condominiums for your booking pleasure. Still, for a really special stay experience – say for a milestone birthday, family reunion, or wedding party – these on-site private homes truly stun: The First House, a two-level meticulously decorated lakehouse, and The Castle, a six-bedroom, four-bathroom château where you can choose from one of five gas fireplaces to warm up beside.

4. THE MYRIAD OF ON-SITE DINING OPTIONS

There’s no hunger quite like the hunger that hits after a day spent hiking, swimming, and exploring the unending wilderness of the surrounding Adirondacks. Luckily, when you stay at The Sagamore, fuel comes in the form of an assortment of eating options (up to eight different options in-season) all located right on property. This includes lakeside Italian at La Bella Vita, towers of chilled seafood at the open-air Pavilion, gourmet burgers in BRGR Kitchen & Bar, and poolside dining at The LakeHouse. The hardest part won’t be finding somewhere to eat, but which location to dig into first.

5. THE HOLIDAYS HERE ARE HOPPING

And we don’t just mean Christmas or New Year’s, but year-round ways to celebrate all holidays, small and big. Think romantic Valentine’s Day dinners, special Easter brunches, and elaborate programming around school vacation weeks, Fourth of July, and long weekends like Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Martin Luther King Day. If a holiday escape is an annual tradition (or one you’re looking to start), there’s no better place than The Sagamore.

6. THE SPA JUST OPENED A BRAND-NEW SALT ROOM

Halotherapy (“halo” being the Greek word for salt) is the process of breathing in a dry salt aerosol within a closed-off room. Why? Because these tiny salt particles – once inhaled – essentially draw out all the gunk, allergens, and toxins from your respiratory system (much like a sponge soaks up water), resulting in cleaner and clear airways. And it’s a wellness trend Opal Spas – including the 13-room sanctuary at The Sagamore – are jumping onto. Opened in fall of 2023, The Sagamore’s Salt & Sound Lounge is a zen-like space lined with walls of beautifully illuminated, hand-carved pink Himalayan salt blocks. So not only is it good for your lungs, but your mind with a meditative vibe where all you have to do is sit back and relax.

7. WITH SO MANY ON-SITE ACTIVITIES, YOU NEVER HAVE TO LEAVE THE PROPERTY

The property’s surrounding 70 acres are absolutely packed with year-round activities, offering visitors a vacation without the need to venture far and wide. In the warmer months, that includes fishing directly off the dock, practicing your sun salutations during a yoga session overlooking the lake, or lounging on the outdoor terraced pool deck. In the winter months, you’ll find cross-country skiing and snowshoeing right at your doorstep. There’s also The Morgan, a replica of a nineteenth-century touring vessel that takes guests on an unforgettable tour of Lake George, and the legendary links of the 18-hole Sagamore Golf Course that was designed by Donald Ross in 1928. And what if a spit of rain brings you indoors? Located within the heart of the resort, The Rec Center offers 10,000 square feet chockablock with mini-golf, wiffle ball, basketball, all types of table games, video games, board games, even a mini-movie theater.

So while The Sagamore may be a stately historic property, don’t let that lead you to believe that it’s stuffy or museum-like. The playtime is plentiful.