Families and outdoor enthusiasts alike will enjoy the down-home feel and state of the art eco-friendly accommodations at Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort in Lake Placid, New York. The town of  Lake Placid, a longtime favorite of families and adventure vacationers alike, is the heart of Adirondack Park, the largest protected land in the United States with some of the oldest mountain ranges in North America.

Road tripppers will find that the rolling scenic passes offer splendid views of sweeping alpine groves, foothills and plunging rockfaces, making the 5-hour drive from Boston or New York City an adventure in and of itself.

Situated along side the intimate shores of Mirror Lake, Golden Arrow is a family owned and operated eco-hotel, and the only one in the country to have received the prestigious Five Leaf Eco Rating from the Audubon Society. With one look at the amazing setting of the hotel, it's no wonder that the proprietors feel a sense of responsibility to preserving the beauty of the natural environment.

Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort’s Eco Friendly Features

The original hotel opened by Winfried and Stefanie Holderied in the 1970s under the Best Western Hotel Group, and has since evolved into an independent, family-run operation. While each of the Holderied children has played a role in the management and development of the resort, it is currently in the innovative hands of their daughter Jen.

She explains that most of the hotel's environmentally-friendly features were already in place before they considered going green because they just made sense. The list of green renovations could wrap around the perimeter of Mirror Lake, but here are some of the highlights:

• Green Roof – Covering 3,000 square feet of the resort's roof, the Green Roof brings multifaceted benefits to the hotel and visitors including storm water management, energy-saving insulation, and tender microgreens and herbs to complement the farm-fresh fare of Generations Restaurant.
• Private White Sand Beach – Made of pulverized limestone, the white sand around Mirror Lake helps to counteract the effects of the ever-present problem of acid rain. (Not to mention it makes for some luxurious lakeside sunbathing).
• Solar Thermal Panels – Installed in 2010, the solar thermal panels cut down on energy costs by using harnessed energy to heat the indoor pool.
• Use of Recycled Materials – You would never guess, but the beautiful furnishings of GALR's guestrooms are all made of 100% recycled materials including the newly replaced carpets, couches, and mattresses.

Amenities at Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort

Visitors to the Golden Arrow will be appreciate the modern style and attention to detail carefully incorporated in the design of their guestrooms. All rooms are fully equipped with coffee makers, ironing boards, refrigerators, hairdryers, WiFi, and heating and A/C units. Many of the specialty suites feature fully functioning fireplaces so you can warm up after an afternoon of swimming, and others boast ensuite Jacuzzis, balconies, and flat screen televisions.

Guests are also welcome to take any one of the rowboats out onto the lake (with lifejackets) or jump in for an invigorating swim. If you're visiting during the winter months, you can still go for a swim in the newly renovated inground pool and warm up in the adjacent whirlpool.

The hotel also has a fully equipped fitness facility — though you would be hard pressed to find me on a treadmill with mother nature's world-class outdoor training facility literally at the front door.

Family Friendly Programs at Golden Arrow

It's not uncommon to see Jen Holderied heading out for a dip in the lake with her own little ones on a hot summer afternoon. The Holderied family was practically raised on the resort grounds, so keeping the resort family-friendly has been a priority amidst the efforts to modernize and renovate.

Here are several kid-friendly programs to make sure younger visitors, have a memorable stay:

• Kidz Night Inn – Golden Arrow has one of the only kids focused resort programs in Lake Placid. Kidz Night Inn runs from 6:30-9:30pm and offers a pizza party, crafts, movies, and games while the adults can sneak away for a date night. Advance sign up is required and cost is contingent upon the number of participants.
• A Day in The Life of An Olympic Athlete – Both parents and kids will enjoy a tour of the Olympic Training Facility complete with a gold medal. Grown ups will certainly appreciate a complimentary Olympic themed cocktail at Generations Restaurant
• Family Farm Tour Weekend- In the spirit of the environmentally conscious and health-oriented efforts of GALR, the resort and Chef David Hunt of Generations Restaurant have developed a weekend packed with activities and tours of the farms surrounding the Lake Placid area which supply many of the delicious ingredients on the restaurant's menu. The tour is equal parts fun and educational, giving parents and little ones a lesson in local, organic eating and sustainable farming. (Read the Family Farm Tour review here.)

For the most up to date pricing and scheduling of these programs, refer the Specials and Packages page of the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort website.

Farm to Table Dining and After Hours Nightlife

Visitors of The Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort will be have the benefit of getting some of the best food in town right next door at Generations Restaurant. The menu has been lovingly crafted by Chef Dave Hunt, who is committed to sourcing as many ingredients locally as possible, some which come directly from the resort's rooftop.

Because Lake Placid is a popular training and race destination for adventure and endurance athletes, Generations offers a special menu providing healthy options to fuel a weekend of intense workouts. The restaurant also graciously makes every effort to accommodate those with dietary restrictions and special requests.

For visitors wishing looking for a little nightlife, the resort is connected to Roomer's Nightclub, and local favorite for late night dancing and cocktails.

Planning Your Trip To Golden Arrow

Lake Placid is a versatile travel destination, with plenty of seasonal activities offered year round, be it snowboarding, skiing, or ice skating in the winter. It's just a 15-minute drive to Whiteface Mountain for your chance at the Super G and other runs made famous in two winter Olympics.  Of course, hiking, swimming, and kayaking are the order of the day in summer.  By the way, the low season occurs in spring and early summer, during which visitors can enjoy discounted rates.

Be advised, if you're planning on staying the weekend of the Lake Placid Ironman, the Golden Arrow sells out a full year in advance!

For the most up to date information on rates and booking, visit the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort website.

For more ideas on what do to during your stay, check out Adirondack Mountains Attractions.