In full disclosure, we were provided two nights stay at the Hope Lake Lodge to make this post possible. We appreciate their support of Jersey Family Fun’s family travel series. As always, all opinions are our own.
Convenience, Service, Comfort and Luxury at Hope Lake Lodge
Sometimes when taking a trip you want everything in one place. You want to park the car and not move until it’s time to leave. That would require meals and activities be in one place, and possibly a shuttle to get you to a nearby attraction. We found that place at Hope Lake Lodge, part of the Greek Peak Mountain Resort in Cortland NY. Our recent ski weekend included two nights at the Hope Lake Lodge, and we wished it could have been longer!
When you drive up to the Hope Lake Lodge – a 3 1/2 hour drive from our central NJ home – it looks exactly as you would imagine a ski resort to be. A large wooden structure on top of a hill and directly across from the Greek Peak ski trails, the lodge is welcoming and impressive. Ample parking is available as well as valet service, so we pulled up and unloaded our car and began our stay!
The lobby of Hope Lake Lodge is so inviting! With a large fireplace, the Acorn Grill and a loft area, you need a few minutes to take it all in. The Lodge was built in 2009 and is LEED Certified, meaning it was designed and built with high environmental standards. The lobby decor is rustic with a nod to the nature of the area. Comfortable couches await, but we were waterpark bound! Read about the Greek Peak waterpark here.
Such a welcoming space!
We returned to check in around 4 PM, and the lobby was crowded as there was 100% occupancy that night! It was great to see Bearfoot Den Activities Room staff offering facepainting to the children in the lobby which helped the wait go quickly. There’s also a gift shop/Starbucks just off the lobby so with some coffee; we had a happy wait to check in. But if you’re thinking of checking in in the 4:00 hour – take some extra time skiing or at the waterpark to let the crowd subside.
Hope Lake Lodge offers a room type for every need. From your typical studio with one bath, to loft arrangements and rooms that sleep 10, you will find your perfect accommodations there.
We were placed in the Hope Lake Lodge River Rock Suite and it was all we could ask for! For a family of four it fit us with so much room to spare. It included:
- Queen Murphy Bed
- Full appointed kitchen
- 2 bathrooms – one with tub, one with stall shower
- Dining table and chairs (even a leaf in the closet)
- Queen sleeper sofa
- Multiple closets
- Two televisions
- Fireplace
- Dresser
- Two balconies
- Extra pillows and blankets
It was great to not have to wait for a bathroom! We all fought over who could sleep on the couch. The fireplace was so perfect no one wanted to leave the room! The full kitchen is such a great help when you’re trying to cut back on eating out, or to save money or time. It was stocked with everything you could need for cooking/serving. There is wi-fi throughout the hotel (though it was spotty as to be expected on the top of a mountain), and a phone in the room.
Discussing their skiing plans for the day.
You’ll love your room but if you want to venture outside of it, you’ll find plenty to do in the lodge. It felt like a safe and protected environment; we were comfortable enough to let our 10 year old take the elevator alone, or sit on the couch near our floor’s elevator. There was live music in the lobby on our weekend nights, and lots of activities offered by the Bearfoot Den Activities Center. There was a campfire outside one night, and we heard a smart hotel guest say she brought the fixings for smores! There’s room service of course, but we loved our breakfasts at the Acorn Grill, and our midday Starbucks breaks at the gift shop in the lobby. Read our full article about the activities at Hope Lake Lodge and Greek Peak Mountain Resort here, and click here to read more about your dining options while staying at the lodge.
Don’t hesitate to book your getaway at Hope Lake Lodge, whether you ski or not. You and your family will feel welcomed, relaxed and like you could stay for weeks!
Click over to see the rest of our Family Travel to Cortland, New York series including details about our visit to Downtown Cortland.
To arrange a feature on your location contact Jennifer Auer, Jersey Family Fun publisher.
