The Sagamore--Reminiscent of the Grand Hotel Era
by Norm Goldman
Artwork by Lily Azerad-Goldman

Look no further than the Lake George region of New York State. It is here where you will discover the year-round island resort, The Sagamore. A resort situated on a private island surrounded by the stunning Adirondack Mountains overlooking the shoreline of Lake George. A lake, that Thomas Jefferson once described as: ”Without comparison the most beautiful water I ever saw. Its water is limpid as crystal and the mountain sides are covered with rich groves of fir, pine, aspen and birch down to the waters edge.”

The history of this grand luxury hotel dates back to 1883 when it first opened its doors. Realizing the immense resort potential of the area, visionaries Myron O. Brown, together with four millionaires, who hailed from Philadelphia and eventually a fifth from New York City, formed The Green Island Improvement Company and purchased Green Island, where the first grand Sagamore was born. They named their hotel The Sagamore, after the great Native warrior, Chief Sagamore of American author James Fenimore Cooper’s novel, "The Last of the Mohicans."

The hotel twice succumbed to fire-in 1893 and 1914, however, these unfortunate incidents did not prevent a third Sagamore from opening its doors in 1930, only to be closed once again in 1980. Never say die- in 1985, for the fourth time, the hotel was once again restored and reincarnated to its Georgian Colonial grandeur. The grounds were completely landscaped and the golf course was re-seeded and restored in its original Scottish character. There was also the addition of several new facilities, such as an executive retreat, conference center, tennis and racquetball courts, health and fitness center, and six restaurants.

The National Registry Of Historic Places has included The Sagamore among their outstanding collection of inns and hotels offering travelers the opportunity to experience first class service and comfort in settings that evoke the glories of America’s colorful past.

WEDDING CHOICES

What a wonderful setting it is for a dream wedding, where you won’t have to travel halfway around the world to experience history as well as the best of both worlds-land and water.

For starters, the hotel’s 72-foot yacht, The Morgan, a replica of a 19th century touring vessel, is perfect for a wedding rehearsal dinner or for a small intimate wedding. One of the captains will even perform the ceremony on board the yacht.

Recently, it was even the scene of a marriage proposal. Can you picture this scene- a beautiful engagement ring being presented to the bride-to-be, while cruising the beautiful waters of Lake George and sipping Champagne?

Do you dream of walking down a sweeping staircase lined with flower gardens leading from the hotel to the patio? The resort’s Veranda Terrace is the locale that will make your fantasies come true. The stunning lake and mountains serve as the backdrop, and decorated partitions are set up in order to create a sense of privacy.

If the wedding party is not more than 175, the shelving rock terrace located lakeside provides a beautiful canopied venue for an afternoon or evening reception during the months of May through October.

Those who prefer a traditional wedding can choose the Sagamore Dining Room that accommodates 200 people. There is also the Triple A four-diamond award Trillium restaurant that seats up to 120 people. The latter is ideal for an afternoon brunch reception.

Overlooking the resort’s golf course, the Club Grill is ideal for a rehearsal dinner or a small intimate affair. If you really are adventurous and want to kick off your shoes and enjoy barbecues, why not celebrate the wedding on the pool terrace alongside the main hotel?

One caveat, due to the immense popularity of the resort as a wedding destination, reservations should be made at least one year in advance.

RESORT'S ACTIVITIES

As for the newlyweds and their guests, once they check in, they may never want to leave the premises. Accommodations fall into several categories: 350-rooms, of which 100 are luxurious rooms and suites, lodges featuring 240 rooms including 120 spacious suites with fireplaces and terraces, and the Hermitage, a self-contained accommodation ideal for a family reunion following the wedding, containing 10 bi-leveled suites.

After settling in, the guests will quickly discover the many pleasures of the resort that will keep them busy from dawn until dusk. Shuttle service is available to whisk them away to the resort’s beautifully restored Donald Ross 18 hole golf course. Who is Donald Ross? Probably the most sought after golf architect in the world, and who has designed many a PGA course.

Within walking distance of the resort’s rooms or suites are tennis and racquetball courts, an indoor swimming pool and whirlpools, lake beach for sunning and swimming, boating and hiking- trails, cross country skiing and sledding.

A 3,800-square-foot state of the art fitness center offers the workout enthusiast a panoramic view of Lake George and the Adirondacks. No doubt, one of the favorite attractions is the men and women Spa facility where guests can rejuvenate to their hearts content. It is here where you will also find several kinds of massages, European facials, herbal wraps, salt-glow and loofah scrubs, seaweed body masks, foot reflexology, hydrotherapy, and salon services.

ROMANTIC DINING

As for meals and refreshments, guests can turn to the resort’s six dining options. One perennial favorite is the informality of The Club Grill with its sweeping views of the first green of the resort’s golf course.

It is here where the cuisine ranges from grilled prime strip steak, center cut beef tenderloin, marinated chicken breast "paillard," grilled swordfish, and grilled lamb porterhouse steaks to the fish of the day. If you think the entrées are mouth-watering, just look at the starters, jumbo shrimp, seven fruit compote, roast duckling and wild mushroom cannelloni, Portobello mushroom, oysters Rockefeller, lobster cappuccino chantilly and sweet and bittersweet greens.

In the event your guests want to explore the surrounding villages and towns, they may want to head twenty miles north along route 9A to the town of Hague. It is here where they will discover a charming and picturesque restaurant called The View Restaurant At Indian Kettles. Incidentally, you can also reach the restaurant by boat, as there are docking facilities leading to the restaurant’s entrance.

The unusual name of this dining establishment was derived from the great holes that can be found in the lock ledge that slopes down to Lake George. These can be spotted from the north end of the restaurant’s rear deck. Apparently they were hollowed over thousands of years ago during the glacier age. The Native people used these holes for a variety of purposes, such as cooking and food storage. Brad and Mary Ann, the restaurant’s owners, informed me that more artifacts of Native Americans have been found here than anywhere else on Lake George.

This wonderful and informal restaurant is convenient for breakfast, lunch or dinner. If weather permits, you can dine outside on the deck and savor the spectacular view of Lake George.

Among the recent diner selections were the restaurant’s “house specialty” slow roasted herb seasoned prime rib of beef, Cajun blackened NY strip steak, filet mignon with a side of Béarnaise, slow cooked barbecued pork ribs, chicken parmesan over fettuccine, and duck ‘orange glazed with cognac orange sauce.

Portions are very generous, and what is noteworthy is that your food is not drowned in cheese or sauce. The restaurant is also ideal for such events as family reunions, company outings, birthday or anniversary parties, or weddings.


The Sagamore
110 Sagamore Rd. Bolton Landing, NY
Tel: 1-800-358-3585
518-644-9400
Email: reserve@thesagamore.com

The View Restaurant At Indian Kettles
Route 9N
Hague, NY
Tel: 518-543-8038