By Susan Elise Campbell
Adirondack Diamond Point Lodge in Lake George is expanding with the acquisition of Forest Hill Lodge & Cabins, two adjacent acres that will help meet the demand of vacationers who seek the rustic, off-lake experience the Lodge provides, according to owner Todd Drake.
The Drake family purchased the Lodge at 3629 Lake Shore Drive in April 2021 and added Cramer’s Point Motel at 3382 Lake Shore Drive to their holdings in February, he said.
The latest purchase adds “a mix of apartments and short-term rentals” to their offerings. The deal closed at $990,000.
“We overpaid for it, but didn’t want it sold to someone else,” said Drake. “Some people who had rented at Forest Hills already thought it was ours and showed up on our doorstep. It made sense to buy it.”
Drake’s construction company, CornerStone Building Corp. in Watervliet, has begun “interior upgrades and redecorations” and “the FF&E is up to speed” on the rustic Adirondack style décor and finishes.
“The furniture, linens, and flooring are all being upgraded,” he said. “Exterior work will begin in the Spring and we may have a grand opening in June.”
The Adirondack Diamond Point Lodge has seven cabins and a main lodge and Drake said that “the cabins and chalets on the neighboring property are different, special, and unique.”
“You don’t see a lot of A-framed chalets,” said Drake. “We will be able to offer some rentals with three bedrooms and two bathrooms for families and others traveling in larger groups.”
Drake said the owners are also exploring designs to make four bedroom/two bath units, such as by adding a spiral staircase between floors.
“There may be opportunities with traditional buildings to make enhancements like these, but no one builds like this today,” he said. “Old equals authentic. You can’t get these organic materials in a hotel room built for commercial use.”
“We are maintaining the traditional, authentic log cabins because that is our appeal at Adirondack Diamond Point Lodge,” he said. “The additional 11 rental cabins will be the same quality as the Lodge, although each is unique.”
Drake said that leisure travel was a strong market in 2021 and that properties like theirs “off of Lake George did very well. But that changed this year with rising energy costs and inflation.”
“There were not as many travelers in 2022 and on-lake properties tend to be weekly stays by a monied crowd,” he said. “So rates stayed high.”
Thus the owners expect more competition for off-lake rentals among a limited pool of prospective vacationers, according to Drake.
“At our price point, vacationers are getting the quality and amenities of an expensive hotel, such as 100 percent cotton sheets and linens,” he said. “They get more of the upscale Lake George experience for their money.”
“Adirondack Diamond Point Lodge is building a tradition of family and friends in the Adirondacks,” Drake said. “Hospitality is not the word for what we are achieving. It’s experience.”
The Drake family also owns Smoke Rise Campground on Route 9 north of Chestertown.
Visit www.adirondackdiamondpointlodge.com for more information.