The Whiteface Lodge, Lake Placid, New York, is located in the middle of Adirondack Park, and is a leading destination for winter vacations in the New York region. While the hotel is not on the beachfront (about a mile away), the location is scenic and the beauty of the experience is enhanced by the rustic decor modelled after a long forgotten gilded age.

In addition to just booking a room for a few days or a weekend getaway, you can also get partial or full ownership of one of 86 private residencies for your own second vacation home, inclusive of extensive resort services and amneties such as pre-arrival grocery delivery, concierge service, 24-hour security and in-room dining. The full list of amneties and services includes kitchens with stainless-steel appliances and granite counters, multiple baths and radiant-heat flooring, jetted tubs with separate shower, furnished private verandas, gas fireplace, dining rooms and flat screen television and DVD players. Suite sizes vary from 700 to 3,200 square feet.

If you’re looking at a weekend winter getaway in New York, there’s no place like the one-bedroom junior suite with it’s stately furniture and monstrous fluffy bed which you can sink into and doze off with your nose peeking out from under the covers, warmed by a roaring fireplace, the dull glow of the lamp shades and the lazy ambience. Offers 500 square feet of luxury, with an LCD TV, queen-size pull-out sofa, one bath with a heated bathroom floor, a jetted Jacuzzi tub and private balcony. The Junior Suite costs a hefty 408 dollars and 26 cents, but its definitely worth the cost, at least for a once a year winter vacation. Beats Aspen, if you ask me, once you consider the cost and hassle of traveling to and from Colorado.

Besides, the Whiteface Lodge is one of the most family friendly hotels I have ever been to. Kids here seemed to be having a blast, there’s a spa, a free screening room for watching movies, bowling alley, facilities for outdoor games, a shuttle service to and from the beach.

And the food ain’t bad either. It’s usually been my experience that food in an upscale or luxury resort is expensive and not worth the cost. Not so at the Steak and Stinger, the Whiteface Lodge’s restaurant. Dishes are filling, tasty and prepared using local organic produce, game and fish. The hotel also offers private cooking classes and demonstrations, though its a very costly affair ( $2000 for a party of six). Still, like I said, the food is several notches better than your average five star hotel.

All said and done, if you have a 1000 bucks to blow, you love to ski or frolic in the snow, you’re in or around New York and it’s winter, there’s no place like the Adirondacks. In the Adirondack mountains, there’s no place like Lake Placid. And in Lake Placid, there’s no ski lodge like the Whiteface Lodge for a quick and easy weekend getaway filled with luxury and great service. Lastly, they also offer a completely carbon neutral stay, so that means you can enjoy the luxury without accumulating any guilt about contributing to global warming.

Info: Whiteface Lodge - 76 Main St, Lake Placid, NY 12946; (800) 903-4045.

Web links: NY vacation rentals, Lake Placid hotels, Adirondack Park