The Point
"Start at the top: What was your first impression of this place? There’s that moment, on every trip, when your mindset switches from “everyday, real life” to “blissed out, vacation life.” At The Point, it happens on the approach. You’ll turn off one country road, and onto another that takes you deeper into the woods. After a few minutes, you’ll come to a log gate, the words "The Point" spelled out (in all caps) in the archway in a tangle of branches. As the gate swings open and you slowly drive through, it feels like you’re entering another world. Or, at the very least, leaving this one behind. Pulling up to the main stonehouse, one of the staff will greet you and hand you a glass of Champagne as they whisk your luggage and car away (the former will reappear in your guest room moments later; the latter you won’t see again until check out). The transformation from real life to vacation happens that quickly. Can you give us any backstory on the hotel? The Point was built in the early 1930s as a private retreat for William Avery Rockefeller Jr. (John D. Rockefeller's grand-nephew), one of the Great Camps of the Adirondacks. In 2016 two of its longtime guests, Laurie and Pierre Lapeyre, purchased the resort which sits on a 75-acre peninsula. Immediately they embarked on a refresh—not a redo: Their intention is to keep things unchanged. To mess with this place would be gut-wrenching to its loyal clientele. Tell us about the rooms. There are 11 guest rooms and each is special in its own way (do you really think the Rockefellers would be content with a dud?). I stayed in Lookout, which is above and behind the pub (if that sounds noisy to you, believe me when I say you'd never know another human was nearby, let alone a pub. It was absolutely pin-drop silent). The 625-square-foot room overlooks Upper Saranac Lake, which you can see from the raised half-canopy bed. Or your private deck. Or your sprawling tub. Lookout has cathedral ceilings, wood paneling, a stone fireplace and a bathroom with a massive shower for two. Have breakfast in-room and ask them to set it up on the table on your deck. We did and we were joined by a hummingbird. It was almost Disney-like. How's the F&B? This requires some explanation. First off, everything—all food, all booze—is included. There are fully stocked bars tucked away pretty much all over the property. There's a bar in the boathouse, in the hallway of the main house, and out on the grounds, literally built into stone walls. If ever the urge for a glass of wine or a cocktail strikes, all the fixings are easily within reach. The staff is also quick to pick up on preferences. If, say, on your first night, you order a Manhattan with Rittenhouse, up, hold the cherry, you can bet you’ll never have to specify any of that ever again for the duration of your trip. It’ll just appear. They also intuit every need before you’re even aware of it. If you’re down to your second-to-last sip, another drink will magically appear. They’re flawless. The 24/7 kitchen has an open door policy. You want to stroll in to see what they’re making for dinner? No problem. You need a post-kayaking snack? No biggie. Tell them whatever it is you're craving and it's yours. At any hour. Truffle popcorn before bed? Voilà. Fried chicken at lunch? Done. Literally anything, anytime at all. The kitchen is run by chef Loic Leperlier, who spent time at multi-Michelin starred restaurants and award-winning Relais & Chateaux hotels before landing at The Point nearly six years ago. Guests can even tag along with Chef as he forages nearby for Chanterelle mushrooms or birch syrup or whatever else he’s seeking for that night’s meal. The staff is happy to serve meals anywhere: your room, the terrace, in the pub. Let me tell you about the pub, the most charming cabin outfitted with a jukebox and pool table: There’s of course, a full bar but no bartender, same as the other bars. Guests are encouraged to make their own which is tremendous fun. Of course, if you’d like a barman, one will appear in a snap. You’ll probably be the only patron at the pub—because there’s a plethora of bars scattered around the property, there’s really no need to hightail it to the pub. But you should. Both nights we stopped in for pre-dinner cocktails, we were the only ones there—which meant a bar to ourselves and David Byrne on repeat on the jukebox. In keeping the Great Camp tradition, you should know that black tie is suggested on Wednesday and Saturday evenings for dinner. It’s delightfully old school in that way. And how did you find the service, start to finish? The staff is so phenomenal, it makes returning to your normal life really difficult. You feel taken care of in ways you didn’t know possible. They're warm, observant, and attentive without being intrusive. They pick up on every subtlety. Somehow the general manager, Cameron Karger, has created this atmosphere where you really do feel like you're visiting family. The service is absolutely flawless. Is there anything you'd change? I wouldn't change a single thing about The Point. And fortunately the Lapeyres feel the same way. There's something magical about this place. Tell us what we missed! Something cool about turndown service, or being especially wellness-friendly? Maybe a tidbit that simply elevated the stay? There's no wifi on the property (you can only access it in the front office which houses the shop and gallery). At first, the idea of going cold turkey is jarring and scary. But after a few hours, you're too busy taking hikes, reading books, and enjoying cocktail hour to even notice. There's also so much to do here. In the winter: ice fishing, curling, ice skating. In the warmer months: hiking, kayaking, boating, fishing, tennis, waterskiing, etc. It's summer camp for grown ups. Bottom line: Worth it? Why? Absolutely worth it. It redefines going off the grid." - Lauren DeCarlo
