Friends Lake Inn
Full view
View all photos(185)185
Room & Suite (53)
Dining (27)
View prices for your travel dates
Contact accommodation for availability.
There are similar hotels available.
View allDid you already book this hotel?
Tell us so we can help you plan.
Avg. $148 /night, 1/25 - 1/26
$263
per night
$200
per night
$137
per night
Jan
Feb
Jan 25
Today
Jan 27
Jan 29
Jan 31
Feb 2
Feb 4
Feb 6
Feb 8
Feb 10
Feb 12
Feb 14
Feb 16
Feb 18
Feb 20
Feb 22
Feb 24
Reflects recent average nightly prices reported by our partners, and may not include estimated taxes or fees. Price at checkout may differ.
Cheaper
Average
Higher
About
#1 of 2 hotels in Chestertown
Location
4.4
Rooms
4.4
Value
4.1
Cleanliness
4.7
Service
4.6
Sleep Quality
4.5
Located near the charming town of Lake George, New York, Friends Lake Inn is rated as the #1 Romantic Getaway in the Adirondacks. Friends Lake Inn is a luxury Adirondack hotel offering romantic lodging and two on-site dining options; our intimate dining room and welcoming Birch Bistro featuring local hand crafted beers and signature martinis and manhattans! Guests are treated to a full made-to-order breakfast each morning. If you are looking for the perfect Upstate getaway, the Cabin provides privacy (includes a queen size sofa sleeper) and space to enjoy all the inn has to offer. Enter into a tastefully decorated Adirondack retreat with a cast iron stove, and a king bed. There is a soaker tub but the double steam shower is an incredible experience, plus the built in bench makes it a private sauna really. The cabin also has a full kitchen stocked with all the cooking utensils and plate settings you need for a couple. Imagine starting off your day with breakfast overlooking through the trees. Then, have lunch outside on a large screened porch while keeping an eye out for wildlife. In the evening, cook a great meal then go out to your private fire pit where you can sit watch the sunset, roast marshmallows and eat s’mores under the stars.
Read more
Suggest edits to improve what we show.Improve this listing
Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Sauna
Free breakfast
Golf course
Hiking
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Banquet room
Wifi
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Kids' meals
Outdoor dining area
Special diet menus
Wine / champagne
Horseback riding
Skiing
Billiards
Canoeing offsite
Patio
Board games / puzzles
Couples massage
Full body massage
Massage
Concierge
Gift shop
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor fireplace
Outdoor furniture
Picnic area
Shared lounge / TV area
Sun terrace
Room features
Bathrobes
Air conditioning
Fireplace
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Coffee / tea maker
Cable / satellite TV
Walk-in shower
Iron
Private bathrooms
Flatscreen TV
Whirlpool bathtub
Bath / shower
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
Room types
Bridal suite
Non-smoking rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Business
Romantic
Languages Spoken
English
Location
963 Friends Lake Rd, Chestertown, NY 12817
Getting there
9 Restaurants
within 5 miles
Reviews
Traveler rating
- 196
- 37
- 27
- 14
- 5
Time of year
Traveler type
Language
Selected filters
- Filter
- English
Popular mentions
Sort by:
Detailed Reviews
Friends Lake Inn features special touches that make it a true Adirondacks destination: warm service, plush towels and sheets, and a delicious restaurant. What sets this inn apart are two lovely women. Brittany is the soul of the place -- kind, genuine, and deeply knowledgable about the area. Whether from behind the front desk or down by the lake hoisting a canoe for guests, she understands the hospitality business. Shelby in the dining room does, too, making our two dinners we ate outside a great experience. The wine list is, as advertised, a cut above.
I loved my "bird room" with a view of the county road and lake. My mother had a larger suite in the back with a bathtub. But be warned, the floors are old and creaky, so if you are on the second floor, you will likely hear elephants above you. And, for those who want to sleep a little later on vacation (with earplugs), the breakfast only goes from 8-9 a.m. The dining staff is happy to box up anything you want, though. The homemade granola was memorable. The inn is at a perfect location for local hikes, visiting the Wednesday farmer's market in Chestertown, or just putting in a boat at the lake. When we saw a rainbow our first day, we knew we were in the right place.
I loved my "bird room" with a view of the county road and lake. My mother had a larger suite in the back with a bathtub. But be warned, the floors are old and creaky, so if you are on the second floor, you will likely hear elephants above you. And, for those who want to sleep a little later on vacation (with earplugs), the breakfast only goes from 8-9 a.m. The dining staff is happy to box up anything you want, though. The homemade granola was memorable. The inn is at a perfect location for local hikes, visiting the Wednesday farmer's market in Chestertown, or just putting in a boat at the lake. When we saw a rainbow our first day, we knew we were in the right place.
Read more
Date of stay: August 2020
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Each room has its own character with a cute theme of lake, tree, and bird rooms. The entire place is immaculately clean and decorated. The sheets and bed feel like being in a cloud. The location is amazing as Lake George is nearby for any lake outings and trails nearby for hiking. The property has 9 miles of trails in the back so you don't even need to drive. There is a trail to the lake across the street which has beautiful views. The food truly is fine dining as well (get the pancakes for breakfast!!). I spent almost all of my time on my private balcony enjoying the fall views. Staff are friendly and will go above and beyond to make your stay perfect. I cannot wait to return
Read more
Date of stay: October 2021
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: Birch room is corner balcony so a little more privacy.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jeff Stokholm, Owner at Friends Lake Inn
Responded Dec 31, 2021
Elenalucyh, We are so happy that you found peace and quite here in the ADK to renew your spirit this fall! Wonderful to read all of the wonderful things our Team did to make your stay a Five out of Five. We look forward to your return when time permits. Regards, Jeff
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I decided to take a trip to Friends Lake Inn last weekend to unwind and treat myself to the culinary delights they are known for. What a wonderful experience! I enjoyed the cozy Maple room and the most incredible dinner…the Pan Seared Chicken with creamy polenta and pepper sauce. Amazing! The breakfast that was included in my stay was delicious and I had the pleasure of not only meeting the owner, Amir, who made everyone feel so welcome, but several other nice people staying at the inn. Every single member of staff I met was gracious and friendly. I even enjoyed a heavenly in-room massage by Gail. Thank you so much for a relaxing getaway in the Adirondacks!
Read more
Date of stay: November 2021Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jeff Stokholm, Owner at Friends Lake Inn
Responded Dec 31, 2021
Dear Guest, thank you for your kind words and I will pass on your compliments to the Team! We enjoy seeing our guests getting to know one another during their time with us. Gail provides wonderful massages as I have enjoyed one from her in the past. Happy New Year! Jeff
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This is a well-run property with nice, rustic accommodations and good food. The staff is wonderful. We stayed in the Lake Placid room, which was spacious and had an especially nice bathroom with clawfoot tub and steam shower. However, we never would have chosen this property for our getaway had we known there was no access to Friends Lake. The photos on the website are extremely deceiving. There is essentially no view from the Inn of this lake, which is across the street, down a long gravel road, and largely obscured by a private home. You can walk down the buggy road and look at the lake, but you can not sit there, swim, or launch a kayak/canoe. The reservation form includes a disclaimer to acknowledge their pool (never mentioned or pictured on website) is closed, but really should acknowledge that they have no lake access. The Inn is a 20 to 30 minute drive from other lakes and anything else you might want to do.
Read more
Date of stay: August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We have stayed at the inn several times in the past. We decided to do an overnight for Valentine’s Day after several years since our last visit. We were somewhat disappointed in our stay. The staff seemed very inexperienced and the choices for food and drink were limited.
The inn used to have a highly professional waitstaff. Dinner was ok but we actually walked out of breakfast. After waiting 1 hour and 15 minutes, we still had no breakfast (despite bringing the long wait to a server’s attention. We left our “included breakfast” and purchased breakfast at a nearby restaurant.
The menu was limited for dinner. We were not aware there was a small price fixe menu for the night. Also, the wine menu used to be IMMENSE! We had about 10 wines to chose from. One reason we used to go there was to splurge on a nice bottle of wine.
Overall, it was fine. Nothing special and nothing like it used to be.
The inn used to have a highly professional waitstaff. Dinner was ok but we actually walked out of breakfast. After waiting 1 hour and 15 minutes, we still had no breakfast (despite bringing the long wait to a server’s attention. We left our “included breakfast” and purchased breakfast at a nearby restaurant.
The menu was limited for dinner. We were not aware there was a small price fixe menu for the night. Also, the wine menu used to be IMMENSE! We had about 10 wines to chose from. One reason we used to go there was to splurge on a nice bottle of wine.
Overall, it was fine. Nothing special and nothing like it used to be.
Read more
Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Starting with the positive things. Our room was clean, the bed was comfortable, and the staff were very nice.
Unfortunately, the negatives far outweighed the bad. A lot of what you would expect at this price was absent or inadequate. There was no refrigerator in the room, which even inexpensive motels have. Little things were also missing: laundry bag, soap dish, reading lights, tissues. At check-in we had to ask for help with our bags. After 10 minutes, they hadn’t found anyone to help, so we carried them up two flights, plus a flight at the entrance. The pillows were awful – thick slabs of foam rubber. The shower had nice tiles, but instead of the water angled toward the drain, which was in the middle and you had to avoid standing on it, it all pooled on the half near the door. You had to use the handheld showerhead to move the soapy water toward the drain to avoid walking through it to exit. Instead of a duvet, there was an icky blanket and a sheet that was some slick and shiny material. There were a number of other smaller issues – such as a tiny night table with no drawer to put things and half the surface taken up with a large lamp, only one available outlet near the bed, etc.
The worst part was the so-called Continental breakfast. The first day there were plastic-wrapped things in the shape of a croissant that were dense and dry and barely edible. I had to ask for hot water for tea and had to wait 15 minutes for it, only to get a tiny pot of hot water that filled half a cup. The second day, there were muffins, but they lost their appeal after watching a worker who was not wearing very clean clothes completely handle every muffin with his bare hands as he put it on the plate. On the third day, the muffins came plastic-wrapped, but were not good. On our last day, we did what we saw other guests do upon seeing the breakfast – we left to eat elsewhere. The hours for breakfast are very limited: 8:00 – 9:30, but given how bad it was, probably best to avoid anyway.
Unfortunately, the negatives far outweighed the bad. A lot of what you would expect at this price was absent or inadequate. There was no refrigerator in the room, which even inexpensive motels have. Little things were also missing: laundry bag, soap dish, reading lights, tissues. At check-in we had to ask for help with our bags. After 10 minutes, they hadn’t found anyone to help, so we carried them up two flights, plus a flight at the entrance. The pillows were awful – thick slabs of foam rubber. The shower had nice tiles, but instead of the water angled toward the drain, which was in the middle and you had to avoid standing on it, it all pooled on the half near the door. You had to use the handheld showerhead to move the soapy water toward the drain to avoid walking through it to exit. Instead of a duvet, there was an icky blanket and a sheet that was some slick and shiny material. There were a number of other smaller issues – such as a tiny night table with no drawer to put things and half the surface taken up with a large lamp, only one available outlet near the bed, etc.
The worst part was the so-called Continental breakfast. The first day there were plastic-wrapped things in the shape of a croissant that were dense and dry and barely edible. I had to ask for hot water for tea and had to wait 15 minutes for it, only to get a tiny pot of hot water that filled half a cup. The second day, there were muffins, but they lost their appeal after watching a worker who was not wearing very clean clothes completely handle every muffin with his bare hands as he put it on the plate. On the third day, the muffins came plastic-wrapped, but were not good. On our last day, we did what we saw other guests do upon seeing the breakfast – we left to eat elsewhere. The hours for breakfast are very limited: 8:00 – 9:30, but given how bad it was, probably best to avoid anyway.
Read more
Date of stay: July 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This was my first summer stay at FLI. The grounds are not well cared for (overgrown and weedy) and the pool defunct. In the winter you cannot see these things so I was surprised. The upgraded rooms are nice and I love the steam shower and fireplace but as it was summer we did not have a fire. The dining was good, dinner delicious however our waitress very clearly asked us to tip her. I've never been asked that before so it came across as rude. If it's a problem, perhaps they should mention on the menu that gratuities are customary (for those living under a rock who don't know this). The breakfast food is lovely but the servers were seriously under-dressed for what you would expect at an Inn that charges close to $400/night. Our server was wearing yoga pants and a sweatshirt with an auto body advertisement on it. I've had wonderful stays at FLI but this time it was lacking in sophistication and not worth the dough.
Read more
Date of stay: July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My boyfriend and I both loved this place.
Customer service was incredible from the front desk to indoor dining, everything was wonderful. We are plant based and they were easily able to accommodate our needs. -Thank you Kim and Courtney!
Other pros: outdoor sauna, double sink, steam shower, fireplace in room, available parking, close to Gore and West Mountain.
Only downside: we initially came to ski at Gore but didn’t realize that because of Covid you have too book online and early. Gore was sold out. The silver lining is that West Mountain is about 40 minutes away and had plenty of open skiing availability.
Customer service was incredible from the front desk to indoor dining, everything was wonderful. We are plant based and they were easily able to accommodate our needs. -Thank you Kim and Courtney!
Other pros: outdoor sauna, double sink, steam shower, fireplace in room, available parking, close to Gore and West Mountain.
Only downside: we initially came to ski at Gore but didn’t realize that because of Covid you have too book online and early. Gore was sold out. The silver lining is that West Mountain is about 40 minutes away and had plenty of open skiing availability.
Read more
Date of stay: January 2021Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Do “rustic” and “pampered” contradict each other? Not at Friends Lake Inn. The Adirondack decor and secluded setting tell you you’re out in the wilds, but the room amenities, indulgent dining, and super-friendly staff will make you feel like royalty. We stayed in the Mirror Lake room, featuring a fireplace, private entrance, and deck. The recently redecorated Adirondack dining room was also a highlight, with hand painted murals gracing the walls. The winter salad, filet mignon, salmon and risotto, pumpkin turtle cheesecake, and hazelnut crème brûlée were all scrumptious. Best of all, the atmosphere is laid back and every staffer we met did everything in their power to assure that we enjoyed our stay. We will be back!
Read more
Date of stay: October 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jeff Stokholm, General Manager at Friends Lake Inn
Responded Nov 9, 2022
Margaret, It is so wonderful to read your story about your time with us here at Friends Lake Inn! We have been receiving wonderful reviews on Chef Rachels food and I will share your review with her and her team. Thank you for your kind words and compliments about our wonderful Staff. We hope to see you again this winter season to ski at Gore or snowshoe on our groomed trails. Stay well. Jeff
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We spent a ski weekend at the Friends Lake Inn. We chose the inn because it was the nicest accommodations we could find that would accommodate our family of 3 within 20 minutes of GORE mountain. Also when we called the Inn the staff was so helpful that we knew even before we got there that we would have a wonderful time. We are looking forward to returning.
Rooms: The rooms and Inn all have a rustic flare but the rooms are nicely renovated and very comfortable. We stayed in the Cedar room and the bed was comfortable, the bathroom was large and well maintained. We were greeted with a bottle of sparkling wine and freshly covered strawberries in our room.
Breakfast: The rooms all come with a made to order breakfast served from 8 - 9:30. The breakfast menu had a good variety and the breakfast was very good.
Bistro Food: We ate in the bistro twice and it was good. There is also a happy hour in the Bistro from 4 - 6 with 1/2 draft beers (they have a nice local draft beer menu) and discounted drinks and small plates. Kelly was an amazing server!
Main Dining Room: We also ate in the main dining room one night and it was excellent. The menu in the main dining room is more upscale and more expensive but we had a lovely meal and would not hesitate to eat in the main dining room again.
Common Areas: There are a few common areas throughout the inn with games, books and a billiards table. We also saw snow shoes at the front door for guests to use, although we did not have a chance to use them or access the trails around the hotel.
Rooms: The rooms and Inn all have a rustic flare but the rooms are nicely renovated and very comfortable. We stayed in the Cedar room and the bed was comfortable, the bathroom was large and well maintained. We were greeted with a bottle of sparkling wine and freshly covered strawberries in our room.
Breakfast: The rooms all come with a made to order breakfast served from 8 - 9:30. The breakfast menu had a good variety and the breakfast was very good.
Bistro Food: We ate in the bistro twice and it was good. There is also a happy hour in the Bistro from 4 - 6 with 1/2 draft beers (they have a nice local draft beer menu) and discounted drinks and small plates. Kelly was an amazing server!
Main Dining Room: We also ate in the main dining room one night and it was excellent. The menu in the main dining room is more upscale and more expensive but we had a lovely meal and would not hesitate to eat in the main dining room again.
Common Areas: There are a few common areas throughout the inn with games, books and a billiards table. We also saw snow shoes at the front door for guests to use, although we did not have a chance to use them or access the trails around the hotel.
Read more
Date of stay: February 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi yes we have Kayks that you are welcome to use and there is an outoor fireplace area. Our cabin also has its own private fire pit as well.
Don't know. They do have canoes you can launch yourself and likely fish from.
Our room DID have air conditioning. Maybe some do and some don't. The people at Friends Lake Inn are fantastic, you can always call them and ask them.
Yes, the restaurant serves dinner. The days and hours vary by season so please call 518-494-4751 for reservations.
"Be advised that there is no elevator, be prepared to carry your luggage although I am sure the staff would help if you asked."Read full review
…
PRICE RANGE
$169 - $292 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
the friends lake hotel chestertown
LOCATION
United StatesNew YorkChestertown
NUMBER OF ROOMS
18
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your ListingFRIENDS LAKE INN - Updated 2025
Frequently Asked Questions about Friends Lake Inn
Which popular attractions are close to Friends Lake Inn?
Nearby attractions include C&C Snowmobile Tours (1.5 miles), The Crossroads (4.3 miles), and Rustic Charm (2.7 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Friends Lake Inn?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and an on-site restaurant.
Which room amenities are available at Friends Lake Inn?
Top room amenities include air conditioning, a flat screen TV, and a fireplace.
What food & drink options are available at Friends Lake Inn?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
What are some restaurants close to Friends Lake Inn?
Conveniently located restaurants include Main Street Ice Cream Parlor, The Bullhouse, and Odd Duck.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Friends Lake Inn?
Yes, guests have access to a sauna during their stay.
Are pets allowed at Friends Lake Inn?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Are there any historical sites close to Friends Lake Inn?
Many travelers enjoy visiting North Creek Depot Museum (8.1 miles).
Does Friends Lake Inn have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the lake view available here.