This is a review of the restaurant only. I have not personally experienced the hotel…read more If you live in the Burlington, VT area, you've probably heard their radio campaigns. We went with my parents-in-law. It was a nice pleasant drive to get there (in summer allow extra time for possible drawbridge operation) and upon arrival, I found the grounds to be lovingly maintained, with a long frontage on Lake Champlain. The main menu is available online, however, they have a significant selection of specials. For our appetizer, we had well- executed escargot, delightful calamari with a spicy sesame sweet soy dipping sauce, a squash blossom and cheese tempura thing, and heirloom tomato caprese salad. Our main dishes were the salmon, burger, and the swordfish and prime rib specials. The salmon was perfectly cooked, and came with garlic shallot mashed potatoes and an inventive combination of mustard seeds and a balsamic reduction. The burger is from grass-fed beef that was raised in the Champlain Islands. Grass-fed beef isn't my thing, and my wife wasn't thrilled by the challah bun. The burger seemed a little overpriced. My mother-in-law had only good things to say about the swordfish; she let me try a bite, and it was okay, but I don't have a point of reference for how swordfish should taste. My father-in-law got the prime rib, and that is what I would get if I got to do it over. Very well executed. All in all, an excellent meal. Lots of attentive waitstaff. Reservations are a must.

Came here for dinner and we had a lovely time. They close early on Sundays but will wait until the…read morelast customer leaves. I had the duck breast and the berries crisp for dessert. Everything we ate was delicious. My boyfriend ordered the NY steak and he finished every bit of food in his plate. His dad ordered the same thing too and truly enjoyed it. His mom ordered the salmon and enjoyed it as well. Will definitely be back here again when we are in Vermont. Trust!

Set expectations as a pub and not fine dining and this is an average place. Service was only a 2,…read morefood a 3 and ambiance a 3. We sat outside and looked north at the lake. Good view but noisy with Route 2. My steak frites were good with plenty of local blue cheese. The salmon was good and correctly cooked. Serviceable but not outstanding.

Ridiculous wait time for food. No excuse for the wait to get our dinner. We left. An hour and a…read morehalf and our order wasn't even started they had no reason for the delay.

In July 2024, my wife, two sons, and I made a brunch reservation for the Inn at Shelburne Farms. We…read moreenjoyed the fresh bread and pancakes! I think we also had a sampling of the Shelburne Farms cheddar cheese which is amazingly delicious. Although the brunch is somewhat pricey (but reasonable compared to dinner), you are paying for the location and gorgeous view of Lake Champlain in the backyard of the Inn. Overall, service was pretty good at brunch and attentive, but our reservation was near the end of the brunch period. It's well worth taking pictures outside if the weather is nice. Before you enter the dining room, be sure to visit the sitting room. The Inn has a pleasant, historic vibe and elegant charm with portraits of Lila Vanderbilt Webb in the sitting room. This Yelp review is just for the brunch at the Inn (we did not stay overnight).

Had one of the best dinner experiences of the past few years in VT. We shared an excellent grilled…read morecabbage appetizer. Wine was excellent. They served warm crusty O bread for the table, made at Shelburne Farms. This was followed by main dishes of grilled trout, grilled beef (so tender) and lamb pappardelle, with Al dente pasta and very tender lamb. Shared a scrumptious apple crisp al a mode. Absolutely everything was on point. Service was great; very friendly.

It was breathtaking, a fantastic experience. Of course you have high expectations when going…read moresomewhere like this, but I did not expect the level of high quality details at every turn. For example, we didn't know there would be a birds of prey talk on Monday evening- we got to see owls and a hawk! My partner even got to hold an owl!! And I didn't expect the snowshoe trails to be as gorgeous and well maintained as they were, and we had a nice little map provided to us. I didn't expect the delicious Nespresso coffee maker in the room, or the bath salts for the tub. I didn't expect the prompt service at ever turn and to feel totally taken care of in our little cabin home. We simply have to plan a trip back. We want to visit in every different season, because I'm sure it has lots to offer in each! I'd definitely recommend. My only gripe is wishing the food were better, but its good enough. And the surroundings and accommodations make it well worth it overall. Bravo!

Excellent staff !!! Excellent location!!!…read moreNo television's No access to lower level rooms except through climbing 34 steps!! Food and drink excessively priced Tea $8.00 Glass of Wine $22.00 No work out room - no pool No dedicated concierge. In general an expensive disappointment. For a Lake Placid Experience I would try elsewhere For an Opal experience I would return to the Sagamore

What an absolute gem. You want to stay here, I promise. If you're lucky enough to get a room here,…read more you're in for a treat. This place is gorgeous, clean, and run by the Ellis family. The rooms are huge, the beds are soft (too soft for me), and the bedding is like sleeping on clouds. They have everything you need to never have to leave really. Lots of entertainment, books, pool, and beautiful grounds to relax around. We had the pleasure of staying in the Gray room with a private balcony. The balcony is overlooking the koi pond. It's a great place to drink your morning coffee while lounging on the swing or in the rocking chairs. The breakfast is made in the house daily, the menu changes daily, and every day, it was SO good. We really looked forward to what we were having the next morning. Hosts are so great, I'm extremely sad we didn't spend more time here.

Gorgeous and friendly!…read more We only stayed one night at the Ellis Inn, but we absolutely loved it. We chose the king room with balcony. Upon arriving, you can't help but notice how stunningly beautiful and well maintained the property is. 'Meticulous care' is how I would describe everything about Ellis Inn. Not a single weed or blade of grass out of place, but not at all unwelcoming or stuffy. Delightful. We lugged our suitcases up the stairs and found our room. Large, simple and beautiful with a great view of the property from the balcony. The bathroom was luxurious and spotless. The hosts were incredibly friendly and kind, and made one of the best breakfasts I've ever had, with fluffy pancakes like you wouldn't believe. Next time we are near Burlington area, we will surely return for another visit, and hope you will, too.

Ampersand Bay Resort -- A Lakeside Launchpad for Adventure and Relaxation…read more We stayed at Ampersand Bay Resort the night before -- and the night after -- our big hike up Mt. Marcy. It turned out to be the perfect basecamp for both adventure and recovery. Tucked right on the shores of Lower Saranac Lake, this spot combines rustic Adirondack charm with a sense of comfort and calm that hits just right after 12 hours on the trail. Location, Location... Lakefront You can't beat the setting. The resort sits on 28 peaceful acres along the lake, with stunning views and direct access to the water. We stayed in the Saranac Suite, perched above the on-site Sunset Bistro (more on that later). With three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and five beds, it was a perfect fit for our group of five. The suite includes a full kitchen with a Viking range -- which we mostly used for coffee, post-hike wine, and storing trail snacks. Despite being above the restaurant, the suite was incredibly quiet. We never heard a thing. Mornings and evenings were spent in Adirondack chairs overlooking the lake, unwinding, laughing, and soaking in the view. It's the kind of peaceful, communal space that makes you want to linger. A Rustic Feel -- and That's a Good Thing Let's set expectations: This isn't the Four Seasons or some polished modern lodge -- and that's not the goal. Ampersand Bay delivers a comfortable, clean, and authentic Adirondack experience. Think cozy rather than luxe, with wood accents, nature all around, and yes, a dirt parking lot -- because you're in the mountains, not Midtown. It's charming without pretending to be something it's not, and the vibe fits the setting beautifully. Boating Made Easy One of the best parts of our stay? Taking out a pontoon boat to explore Lower Saranac Lake. The process was seamless, the boat was spotless, and we were out on the water in no time. It was the perfect way to kick off our trip and get into that vacation state of mind. Hospitality That Feels Personal A huge part of what makes Ampersand Bay shine is the people. Brian, the GM, couldn't have been more helpful, welcoming, or genuinely kind. He clearly leads by example, because every single staff member we met was warm and friendly. I always say hospitality starts at the top -- and Brian walks the walk. It's rare to feel so at home at a resort, but that's exactly what we experienced. Sunset Bistro -- A Must-Visit We also had dinner at the Sunset Bistro, located right downstairs. Let me just say -- don't skip this spot. It changed my whole perception of resort dining. The food, wine, service, and views came together for a magical post-hike meal that I'll be thinking about for a long time. You can read my full review on Google or Yelp, but in short: this is a destination-worthy restaurant in its own right. Get a reservation. Final Take If you're planning a trip to Saranac Lake, Ampersand Bay Resort should absolutely be on your shortlist -- if not the only place on your list. It's a rare mix of relaxed charm, thoughtful amenities, unbeatable location, and sincere hospitality. Whether you're climbing a mountain, cruising the lake, or just looking to unplug for a few days, this place delivers.

Rented a boat from them for the day - second time in two years…read more When we got out in the boat, we discovered it had no auxiliary power- radio didn't work, horn didn't work, could not chage phone, etc. We texted the owner to let them know. He apologized and state he would give us back a $100. Never got the money back. Followed up a couple of times. Was told that the electrical system worked fine and that it was operator error but he would send me a check for $100. Never did Would never rent from them again.

I recently stayed here for a wedding, and while the event itself was wonderful, the property really…read morefell short of expectations. This place has great potential, but right now it feels like it's trying to be something it's not. It markets itself as a spa and a "culinary experience" (given its history as a former culinary school), but neither really delivers. The hotel itself feels dated and a bit cheap. The carpet tiles throughout give it a very worn, patchwork feel, and the rooms just aren't comfortable. My bed was honestly one of the most uncomfortable I've experienced in a hotel, and the pillows weren't much better. The rooms were also noisy, which didn't help the overall stay. (I will say--the sheets were surprisingly soft, one of the few highlights.) As for the "culinary experience"--the food was fine, better than average, but nowhere near what you'd expect from a place branding itself that way. Hanging photos of vegetables everywhere doesn't make it a culinary destination. That said, with the right investment, this could be a beautiful property again. The setting and bones are there--it just needs serious attention and upgrades. I wouldn't choose to stay here again unless I had to, but the wedding itself was fantastic.

We stayed at the Essex in February and unfortunately had a very poor experience. We were placed at…read morethe end of a hallway where outside doors slammed all night, the room was dirty, small to the point where you almost tripped over the bed to enter the room and the heating system was noisy. We asked to change rooms, but the hotel was sold out. After we returned home, the manager kindly reached out and offered two complimentary nights, which we appreciated. I've stayed at the Essex for years and have always loved the rooms, spa, and restaurants--especially the comfortable beds (which are no longer there)--so we returned this past weekend hoping for a better stay. Unfortunately, from the moment check-in began, things went downhill. We were unable to check in online despite multiple attempts during our four-hour drive. We were assigned room 303, which was quieter and more spacious, but it came with many issues. Both outlets by the bed were broken, our shower never got hot despite running it for an extended time, and we found trash left in the room along with several ladybugs and spiders. Maintenance came and said the shower eventually reached temperature, but it never felt warm enough for a comfortable shower. They also said the outlets wouldn't be fixed until after we checked out. My husband spoke with the front desk the next morning, but nothing was addressed when we returned that evening, and there was no offer to move our room. We were told that because our stay was complimentary, nothing could be done--though the only reason it was free was because of our previous bad experience. We weren't looking for compensation, just a comfortable stay: working outlets, a hot shower, and a chance to relax. Even a simple room change would have made a big difference. We also chose not to dine at the restaurants this time, as our last visit showed a decline in food quality and fewer vegan/vegetarian options than before. This was once my favorite place to stay in Vermont, and I recommended it often. Sadly, after two disappointing visits, it's clear the Essex needs significant improvements to return to what it once was.

We love the North Hero House. We just got back from an anniversary celebration and it was perfect…read more It's a historic inn lovingly updated -- tastefully combining modern cleanliness and function with historic charm. The grounds are gorgeous, staff are friendly and helpful, the restaurant is excellent, the Pier Bar is a blast, there's a nice beach, beautiful gardens, and large rooms with great views. Just everything you want at a very reasonable price. I'm sure we'll be back.

Friendly and welcoming staff, beautiful rooms and a gorgeous property on the lake. An amazing place…read morefor a summertime getaway.

We spent a couple of nights here during the off-season and enjoyed it very much. Although the room…read morewas a bit small, it was comfortable. The pool, hot tub, and sauna were welcoming as well. And we pretty much had it all to ourselves due to it being off-season. They provide a free tea and cookie hour from 4:00-5:00, but I would not recommend it. They need to offer organic teas and better cookie choices in our opinion. The staff were so very nice and offered a lot of advice about local businesses. We would certainly stay there again.

My husband and I stayed at Green Mountain Inn this past weekend and we were thrilled with our…read moreexperience. Everyone working at the Inn was friendly and helpful. The room furnishings are very basic, but the beds and linens are wonderfully comfortable. We were pleasantly surprised to have a large two room suite with two bathrooms. The grounds are pretty and the pool and sauna inviting. The location is ideal. Coffee is available in-room, a nice coffee machine is available adjacent to the lobby, and the Inn is located steps from a delicious little breakfast cafe, right downtown. We enjoyed walking around town and shopping. I'd definitely stay here again and highly recommend it!