Different But The Same, The Sagamore Lights Up Our Summer
We set the clocks ahead on Sunday, March 8 and soon after that we haven’t truly looked forward to anything since. Back in March, April, May and arguably June, we never expected to leave the house never mind taking a summer vacation. But, as the Phases in New York State progressed from 1 to 4 last month, something weird happened. We started planning for our annual trip to The Sagamore Resort, our home away from home for the last five years.
The Sagamore, which sits within the quaint town of Bolton Landing in Lake George, is the epitome of class. It’s not surprising that it was just listed among the Top 15 Resort Hotels in the Northeast by Travel and Leisure. It’s everything you’d want in a luxurious getaway with all the amenities and without the pretension. It’s been a mainstay for my family and I for five straight summers. Our first summer, it was just my three-year-old son and his newborn brother. We’re now a family of five. My boys, now eight and five, often ask about why we’re going back to “vacation” as early as the very second we check out at the front desk to the middle of the winter. It’s all they’ve known and they truly look forward to each year. All this being said, returning this summer was something we really wanted but never expected. The kids already were robbed of finishing their school year and we just assumed the summer vacation would follow. So, even though we had reservations booked in the winter for July we assumed it would just be canceled. We didn’t even discuss it…until early June. When we discovered The Sagamore was open, and that they were taking proper precautions, we decided (after much debate) to return for our sixth summer.
Going into this trip, we knew it would be different. It was an obvious concern. We didn’t want this year to taint our magnetic five summers at The Sagamore in any way. This has been a memory machine for us as a family. My sons have honed their swimming skills in the pool here. We came up with our daughter’s name here. My plunge into the lake each summer is therapeutic for me and almost an unofficial kickoff to summer now as my kids now egg me on to “jump in!” I could list dozens of memories but they’re so personal, I’d rather let them live inside my brain and on the countless pictures on my wall. We were taking a huge chance. What if people weren’t listening to social distancing measures? What if we argued because of it? What if we had to leave? What if? To cut to the chase, the “what ifs” were just that.
Getting There
When we arrived we were pleased with the lengths The Sagamore went to keep us and all of their guests safe. First off, signs are everywhere reminding guests to wear masks and to stay six feet apart whenever possible. We had to sign a waiver, and all associates wore protective equipment. A mask is required inside the Main Hotel and dining areas when not at your table. To minimize interaction in respective rooms, Sagamore suspended housekeeping but if you ever needed anything (extra towels, K-cups, whatever), they were just a call away. A new feature was also very helpful: a guest text messaging service that communicated necessary updates. My favorite? A daily reminder to wear a mask and practice social distancing. “Are you getting texts to wear a mask?,” one guest asked me. “Yes.” “Oh good, I thought they caught me not wearing one or something.” He was wearing one. That’s why the exchange was funny. A subtle reminder is a good thing. And let’s be honest it’s hard to police anyone. People will do what they want. And we saw that at the hotel. Many guests wore masks when they couldn’t maintain a six-foot distance. A few didn’t. For the ones who did, it made us feel safer and respected. For the ones who didn’t, I simply shook my heads (in my head) and walked away from them.
Before agreeing to come to The Sagamore again, my wife and I were concerned that it would be virtually impossible for people to social distance at the pool and at the lake and that could cause tension. The pool is a “must” destination and the lake obviously as well. And while The Sagamore set the pool chairs at a proper distance apart, we were concerned guests would move them. When we called the resort prior to our stay, they even told us they couldn’t control what guests do but they do make every effort to keep the chairs at a distance. We were able to secure chairs without an issue, and spent so much time in the water it didn’t matter anyway. The weather was perfect during our entire stay. The one late afternoon it rained actually resulted in a rainbow. Serendipitous.
In the pool, my family and I kept within our invisible bubble and it seemed to work. For those that got too close, we dodged them like a game of Frogger. Each year, we look forward to this pool. Not only is the temperature just right, but it provides panoramic views of Lake George that can take your breath away. This year, my kids wanted to use the indoor pool as well. An inside pool doesn’t normally float my boat, but this one has open walls with views of the lake so that lights up the room.
The poolside bar was open with glass protecting the servers from the customers and vice versa. Masks were required when ordering at the bar. Staff, most of which had their masks covering their noses and mouths when serving, also delivered drinks to guests on chairs and in the pool. The food was delicious, too. I’m a huge fan of the pizza and the lobster roll. I’ll also say the restaurants, overall, are stellar at The Sagamore (huge fan of The Pavilion.)
Memory Maker
Now, let’s get to that lake. I look forward to taking a plunge into this lake each summer. The second I hit the water for the first time is an indescribable feeling. This year, both of my sons jumped into my arms after I plowed in. For the first time, they put their goggles on and told me to “let me jump in by myself.” This is another memory that will live on for years to come. (Both of my sons, especially my oldest, are cautious in the water.) Even my one-and-a-half-year-old daughter, watching her brothers having so much fun, jumped in the lake for the very first time. I’ll continue the article in a second but I want to take this time to just note that this is what happens here. The energy and happiness at The Sagamore is contagious. In those few moments at the lake, I didn’t think about the virus for the first time in four months. The world’s problems melted away for my family and I. I can honestly say I felt this way for a few passing moments each day: normalcy. That’s all you can ask for these days.
Keeping with the sense of normalcy, we were very excited that The Sagamore continued their S’mores singalong nights with Chip by the fire. It’s obviously modified (you get your own kit and sticks now) but it was still so lovely. Chip singing “Take My Home, Country Roads” is a tradition of sorts. He also played “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley which coincidentally is the first song I played for my daughter and what I refer to my three children. We also didn’t think The “Rec” would be open but it was. This indoor spot for kids to play mini-golf, video games, ping pong and other sports was modified this year (ie. no rock climbing and masks required) but it didn’t matter. I played mini golf with my kids again and it was magical. I’m going to say I let them win but that wouldn’t be true. I’m just really bad at mini golf.
Anyway, before I wrap this up, I want to point out how memorable the room itself is. We stayed at our usual lodge suite, which is spacious, immaculate and has a full service kitchen. We cooked daily and sat down as a family at the table. My boys look forward to the room as much as the amenities of the resort. They love the balcony. My oldest son and I used to watch the boats there when he was three and hardly talked much yet every time I set foot on that balcony I’m instantly transported back in time with him to that very moment: I’m sitting on that green rocking Adirondack chair and he’s pointing at the various boats that cruise by. He still does it. And now my younger son and daughter do it. This is our home away from home — a home we needed to visit so badly this year. And just like any home, we felt safe.
