The Spa City is chock-full of fabulous restaurants and attractions, but, at the end of the day, you still need a place to lay your head. Finding the right Saratoga Springs hotel could be the most critical choice of your trip here.
Whether it’s a charming bed & breakfast, a historic five-star hotel, or a warm and welcoming inn on or off the main drag, rest assured you’re bound to find one that’ll tickle your fancy.
Batcheller Mansion Inn
There’s something spectacular about old Victorian homes full of rich history with the kind of architectural design that takes your breath away. The Batcheller Mansion Inn is the epitome of all that and so much more.
From the street, it appears elegant and mysterious, definitely from another era. Inside, each room seems to be a time capsule with original 1800s family furnishings, paintings, hand-carved fireplaces, architectural influences from both the French Renaissance, Italian, and Egyptian design.
During one of my first overnight stays, I learned how the Batcheller Inn hosted some of Saratoga’s most magnificent parties back in the day, with presidents, Hollywood celebrities, European Royalty, and more part of the guest list.
My favorite room is named the Kate Batcheller room. The stunning suite boasts a king-size canopy bed, carved marble fireplace, a stately sitting area, claw-foot soaking tub, separate shower, and tons of natural light streaming in through the windows.
Besides all that, it features a semi-circular covered porch with wicker chairs we sat in after dinner, enjoying the busy night from a distance.
Gideon Putnam
Saratoga State Park is world-renowned for rest, relaxation, mineral springs, hiking trails, a first-class amphitheater, old historic buildings, mineral baths, peerless pools, and more. Smack-dab in the middle of all this natural serenity sits the Gideon Putnam Hotel.
Named after Gideon Putnam, an entrepreneur and one of Saratoga Spring’s founders, the hotel oozes the unmistakable old-time charm of yesteryear.
In 2018, a bitterly cold winter caused a large water main to break, forcing the hotel to close. Reports stated more than 275,000 gallons of water caused damage to The Gideon – a stately hotel that had been open for more than 80-years. They suspected repairs would require four weeks. Instead, it took four months.
During this time, the hotel restored many sections, refurbishing all guest rooms, bathrooms, corridors, and other shared spaces. I think it admirable that they used this terrible situation to make their hotel even better.
For those environmentally conscious visitors, you’ll be happy to learn The Gideon Putnam is involved with ground-breaking programs such as GreenPath and GuestPath.
Saratoga Arms
If you want to talk about a luxurious boutique bed & breakfast, Saratoga Arms better be on your list of places to visit when you’re Saratoga-bound.
Our Spa City is known for its health, history, and horses. This beautifully restored, 1870s brick building highlights all of that and more. Sit for a while on their wrap-around porch. Seek warmth by one of 14 fireplaces, admire period antiques, family treasures, and hand-painted tiles with interesting quotes or facts about Saratoga while wandering throughout the hotel.
My favorite room was the garden-level king suite. Talk about feeling pampered. The king bed was dreamy, the double-whirlpool relaxing, and my private terrace led me onto the main drag, where I could enjoy the hustle and bustle of downtown – mere steps from my room.
When you stay, be sure to try their secret chocolate chip with potato chips cookies. Believe me; you’ll want more than one.
Holiday Inn
Can I take a second to tell you how much I love this Holiday Inn located on Broadway? It has a back story that delights me, as it says so much about our close-knit communities. I’ve stayed here many times over the years – especially during the annual Chowderfest celebration – when friends come to visit from all over the country for this winter wonderland weekend.
Regardless, I never knew how our entire community came together and was instrumental in financing the inn’s construction. In 1961, about 300 campaigners went door-to-door selling over 15,000 shares of stock in this new convention hotel. All told, they collected more than $700,000 in cash, with pledges from over 1,500 residents throughout the city. Some folks invested as little as $50, while others purchased shares up to more than $25,000.
Set in the heart of downtown Saratoga, the inn is pet-friendly, has a great restaurant, and has a bar right off the lobby. The recent face-lift lends to the warm welcome you’ll receive when booking your stay.
The Inn at Saratoga
Built in 1843 to serve as a boarding house, The Inn at Saratoga remains the oldest continually operating lodging house here in Saratoga, standing proudly at the top of Broadway.
The exterior of this charming Inn is a splash of colors in tan and sunny yellow. The outside front porch features bright red rocking chairs for guests to sit and relax throughout their stay.
I’ve enjoyed several stays under their roof and can tell you that each of the 42 rooms and suites is different from the next. Furnished with purposefully- select antiques, handcrafted mahogany furniture, and four-poster beds, you’ll be delighted – no matter which one you book.
And, aside from the complimentary perks like Wi-Fi and breakfast prepared by the chef, guests have access to the Victoria swimming pool located in the park and entrance to the local YMCA.
The Adelphi Hotel
First opening its doors to the public in 1877, present-day Saratogians watched The Adelphi’s painstaking, five-year-long transformation take place just a few years ago, with a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the reimagined, exquisite hotel once more in October 2017.
One of the things I love most is how they created this amazingly luxurious space, with three distinctly different restaurants under its umbrella, rooms with all the amenities one would expect when traveling, yet somehow still managed to pay homage to the past.
For instance, when you walk into the Adelphi, please pay attention to the front desk and the tri-fold backdrop directly behind it.
When I complimented them on the unique design, the young lady working with me on my reservation was gracious – explaining how the owners had kept all of the ashtrays used over the years, rearranging them in the stunning inlay pattern I was admiring.
Many other touches like this will make you think you just stepped back in time during your stay.
The Victorian-style interior boasts a breath-taking four-story staircase and 11-foot ceilings. While the original luxury hotel featured 74 rooms, they were tiny. Now, guests can select from 32 rooms and suites that are spacious and welcoming.
The Adelphi is even dog and cat-friendly – so come and feel free to bring your whole family.
If you want to, you can park the car for your entire stay, exploring the downtown area on foot – everything truly is at your fingertips.
Saratoga Casino Hotel
The Saratoga Casino Hotel, formally known as Saratoga Casino & Raceway, was the first video gaming establishment to open in New York State, complementing the historic harness track – a staple in Saratoga since 1941.
Besides live racing and gaming, the hotel offers the nightclub, Vapor. When the entertainment venue is open, guests can enjoy dancing the night away to live music from some of the best acts in and around the Capital Region.
The hotel itself is beautiful. Just look at its façade. The architecture is red brick, with lots of windows, clean white elaborate trim, and welcoming rocking chairs that run the length of the hotel.
If you’re dying to enjoy a property that oozes luxury and yesteryear allure, this is the place.
In July 2016, 117-state-of-the-art rooms and suites opened to the public. Smartly styled with rich carpeting, hardwood floors, high ceilings, Victorian writing tables, and eco-friendly bath amenities, some even boast a separate dining space or soaking tubs.
The place is incredible, and if you don’t want to leave the premises, you can easily dine on the grounds, enjoy more than 1,700 slot machines and gaming tables, or sip on craft cocktails at the bar.
Last Updated on April 1, 2023