Lake Placid’s Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort

Family owned and operated, this Lake Placid resort with a commitment to good environmental practices has discovered that ‘Green’ business is good business.

Purchased in 1974 by Winfried and Stefanie Holderied, The Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort in Lake Placid continues to be a family-owned and operated holiday destination. During the years of raising their family in Lake Placid, Stefanie and Wini dramatically expanded the lakeside property to 165 rooms and suites from the original 36-room motor lodge. However, while the resort is now a significant business and employer; they have maintained the feeling that guests are welcome visitors to a sprawling family home. The Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort is managed, maintained and continually updated by three generations of the Holderied family.

A golden summer day on the shore of Mirror Lake

We recently visited this warm and welcoming property that enjoys one of the finest locations in Lake Placid. The Golden Arrow Resort is centrally located in the Adirondack town of Lake Placid, home the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics. The resort underwent a major expansion prior to the 1980 Olympics, and became the headquarters for ABC Sports.

As the Holderied extended family continued to expand the resort building to increase guest capacity, they also took a leadership position in practicing proactive environmental responsibility in the everyday management of the resort. The Golden Arrow became a No Smoking resort in 2005. That same year, management began working with Audubon International to create goals and action plans to become an environment-friendly resort. The Holderied family embraced the green initiatives, and soon realized that significant cost savings could be realized. For example, the indoor swimming pool is heated mainly by solar panels. After realizing a significant saving in their energy costs, they quickly converted to solar energy for the hot water in the laundry facility. By 2009, The Golden Arrow Resort was the first resort in the United States to earn a five green leaf rating from Audubon International – the organization’s highest award.

The Golden Arrow complex, with Generations Restaurant overlooking Mirror Lake and Whiteface Mountain

The ‘village-side’ of the resort faces the shops, restaurants and popular pubs along the main street, and the ‘lakefront side’ is literally on the shore of the pristine and motor-boat-free Mirror Lake. The resort has a lovely white sand beach that has become a resort trademark, along with the Tyrolean-styled architecture.

All the guest rooms and suites have recently been completely renovated; and that has included the installation of new locally made Harden furniture. Guests have a choice of double queen-bedded rooms or one king-sized bed; usually with a comfortable leather pullout couch. All rooms are equipped with Kuerig coffee makers, small refrigerators, hairdryers, wireless internet access, iron and board, extra pillows and individual heat and air conditioning units. All Lakeside rooms have glass doors opening onto private balconies overlooking Mirror Lake; and the doors in ground-level rooms open directly onto the lawn and beach – great for families!

The lakeside Haystack Specialty Room has a
convenient gas fireplace

Our room was had a king-sized bed and very cool in-room Jacuzzi. A gas fireplace completed the romantic getaway theme for our Golden Arrow accommodations. (Many specialty rooms and suites have wood-burning fireplaces.) The spacious bathroom has a natural cedar plank ceiling a large glass-door shower with a rain showerhead. Plush robes are an added touch in Specialty Rooms and complete the guest pampering experience.

Family Suites have the same amenities as Deluxe and Specialty Rooms, with the addition of more bed chambers and living areas – ideal for families with young children or young adults. Each family suite has a unique design and configuration, and many guests will book their favourite suite for the next family holiday as they are checking out. The resort has fully equipped condo units available; with the added advantage of kitchen facilities.

The Algonquin Suite has a wood-burning fireplace

Pet owners will be glad to know that The Golden Arrow is a pet-friendly resort, with the third floor reserved for guests travelling with their furry friend. There is a one-time fee of $50 for a stay of up to seven nights.

In the summer months, outdoor activities tend to focus around the beach and waterfront. Complimentary canoes, kayaks, rowboats, and stand up paddle boards are available for resort guests. When it’s just too nice to leave the waterfront and go up to the on-property Generations restaurant, the Sandbar has snacks, boxed lunches, soft drinks and cold beer. The resort has an indoor pool, with two whirlpool tubs, and saunas in each or the men’s and ladies’ changing rooms. Overlooking Mirror Lake and Whiteface beyond, the fitness center has been completely redesigned and outfitted. There is a racquetball court adjacent to the fitness centre.

Lots of room in the indoor pool

Golfers have a choice of four local courses, including: The Lake Placid Resort Links and Mountain Course, Craig Wood Golf Club, Whiteface Club Golf Club, and the nearby Saranac Inn Golf Club.

For people who enjoy a bracing walk or run, the sidewalk at the resort’s front door that runs the circumference of Mirror Lake is 2.7 miles long. For the more adventurous, there are hiking trails and cycling routes, including one that runs alongside the Ausable River, its rapids and calm pools. Lake Placid is one of the permanent training facilities for the US Winter Olympic Team, and visitors can take the elevator at the ski jump facility to see what the ‘view’ is like for the jumpers before they hurtle down the track and launch themselves in space.

The well-equipped fitness centre includes a racquetball court and saunas

All this activity and fresh air is sure to work up an appetite, while there are many restaurants in lake Placid, the on-site Generations is a great option. Beverley enjoyed a flavourful trout that was lightly breaded, and I wolfed down a delicious beef filet. Diners at the next table ordered cheeseburgers, and they gave an “It’s good!” thumbs-up when we asked about their burgers. Hearty Adirondack breakfasts served overlooking the flowers and herbs growing on the resorts’ green roof and Mirror Lake can set you up the morning ahead – and possibly the day. The chef folds the egg whites into the Adirondack flapjacks to make them fluffier; and you know what? They are indeed light, leaving room for a few sausages, orange juice and coffee. A large deck is open for dining during the summer months.

Enjoy a gondola tour of the lake with some wine & cheese

The Golden Arrow Resort has a motto that exemplifies the family’s commitment to satisfied guests; “The only thing we overlook is the lake.” In our experience, the accommodations, restaurant and staff life up that credo; and we would happily recommend this centrally located resort for a couple’s getaway, a family vacation or for outdoor enthusiasts. In addition to the resort’s on-site activities, Lake Placid and the surrounding area offers golf, hiking, cycling, fishing, and informative tours of the Olympic Museum and winter training facilities.

Travel Planner

The Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort is centrally located in the Lake Placid at 2559 Main St; about a two-hour drive from Montreal. The web site has a wide selection of photos of the resort; www.golden-arrow.com Reservations can be made online, or call 1-844-624-9113.

Green business is good business at The Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort

The green roof doubles as the chef’s herb garden and a natural insulator from heat and cold

The Adirondack Park covers six million acres, and is larger than the combined areas of Yellowstone, Everglades, Glacier and Grand Canyon National Park. The family decided that it was logical to introduce environmentally-sensitive practices to the operation of the resort in order to help preserve the pristine forest preserve that is literally next door. The family soon realized that real savings could be realized from the combined environmental initiatives.

Green Roof: installed in 2008 and visible from the Generations Restaurant, the green roof doubles as a natural insulator and herb garden.

White Sand Beach: looks great and the crushed limestone sand counteracts the effects of acid rain in Mirror Lake.

CFL Lightbulbs: In 2005 the Boy Scouts called on the resort in their CFL light bulb fundraiser. The resort purchased all the inventory the Scouts had, and continues to purchase their CFL bulbs from the Boy Scouts.

Purchasing: In 2005 all paper products from office paper to bathroom tissue had to be 100% recycled content. This was extended for all purchasing, that products from pens to carpeting had to have a recycled component, and that suppliers operate as sustainable businesses.

Double Paned Windows: A common sense practice where the winters get very cold. Still – it reduces energy consumption by reducing heat-loss.

Pool Renovations: New and more efficient plumbing installed in 2007. Bromine is used instead of chlorine, and the concrete deck was replaced with flagstones from a local quarry. Solar energy added to heat the pool in 2010.

Reusing Building Materials: Whenever possible, building material are reused during renovations. The wood panelling in the lobby was saved during renovations in Generations and reused in the lobby.

Storm Water Management: An extensive storm water management system keeps pollutants from the parking garages and roadways out of Mirror Lake.

Solar Thermal Panels: A source of heating for the swimming pool and hot water for the laundry. Energy is conserved and money saved.

In Room Recycling: All rooms have a paper bag for recyclable items, and 85% of guests participate. Laundry is reduced by guests re-using towels.

Green Cleaning Agents: Effective cleaning and disinfectant agents are difficult to source, but the resort continues to test green agents. The Head of Housekeeping is still trying to source green disinfecting agents. If you have a suggestion, please call: 1-800-582-5540 or email: [email protected]

Laundry: Phosphate-free soap is used, and machines are filled to capacity, reducing the number of loads.