From the moment you walk through the front door you’ll realize this is where you can welcome the day and appreciate how lucky you are. The charming entrance is a combined Living Room and Library and with warmth created by a mahogany front desk and wood panelled walls. Oversize leather sofas on yellow pine floors, with oriental rugs scattered throughout seem to be from an earlier time. An 1895 Grandfather Clock, carved from one solid piece of mahogany, chimes your arrival. A distinctive early 1900s Knabe piano sits nearby. Stay here on any Friday or Saturday evening and you can listen to its music. And after you’ve checked in you might simply want to chill-out and sit beside a real wood burning fieldstone fireplace in the library. Read one of the up-to-date popular magazines or play one of the many supplied board games such as checkers, chess or backgammon. Sorry, folks there’s no TV in the library.

One of the highlights of the day for guests is the afternoon tea served between 3:30 and 4:30 served with freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. There’s nothing shabby about this, the tea is served from a real sterling silver tea set.

If you’re lucky enough to occupy one of the luxurious room that overlook Mirror Lake you’re in for another treat. When you wake in the morning, look outside and drink in the early morning light as it emerges over the lake with the Adirondack Mountains rising in the distance. It’s a magical experience.

If it’s some early morning exercise you want put on a good pair of walking shoes and take the 40 minute hike around Mirror Lake. You’ll return ready to face the day with a new spirit. If walking is not your thing, then be spoiled in Mirror Lake’s full service European Spa and Salon ( two weeks reservation required) or take a dip in the indoor pool with a large whirlpool and sauna.

You can walk into town (about ten minutes away) and explore the retail shops, including a wonderfully quirky bookstore. Anchoring the end of the main street is Lake Placid Winter Olympic Museum located at the Olympic Center. The museum features things from the 1932 and 1980 Olympics which were both held in Lake Placid. It’s open year-round. There is a small admission fee.

On the way back to the Inn, if the lake is frozen, hop on a sleigh pulled by dogs (about $10.00 per person) and be whisked around the lake before you return to your home away from home.

Once in a while you’ll come across a scrumptiously delicious place. The Inn's Averil Conwell Dining Room is top notch and rated #1 for service and top 6 for food in North America by Condé Nast magazines' Traveler Readers’ poll. The "icing on the cake” at your Mirror Lake Inn stay is dinner in the Averil Conwell Dining Room. Service is polished yet not snooty. Server Casey suggested the sweet-potato-crusted Atlantic Cod, finished with tiny fingerling potatoes and braised red Cabbage Timbale, drizzled with a sweet pea puree. When asked where the chef got the unusual fingerling potatoes Casey smiled and said, “They were born that way.” It was superb meal. Outside the dining room twinkle lights, nestled in mature spruce trees, reflected off Mirror Lake and all the cares of the world melted away.

It’s located about an 8 hour drive from the Niagara border. Take I 90 east to 81 south and at Watertown travel 3 east. There is a minimum stay of two nights on weekends and holidays at the Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa. Bed and Breakfast, Spa and Romance packages are posted on their website, www.mirrorlakeinn.com