Ampersand Bay Resort.

The address is Bayside Drive, on a quiet pocket of Lower Saranac Lake five minutes from Main Street Saranac Lake. The mix of townhomes and rustic cabins is the point: groups can spread out without sharing walls, and most units have kitchens, which matters when the closest grocery is a short drive away.

The marina is the strongest reason to book here over the in-town hotels. Slips and ramp access put guests directly onto the Saranac Chain, so you can launch a canoe at 7 a.m. without driving anywhere. The private beach handles the swim crowd; the on-site restaurant and wine bar handles the dinner crowd after the boats come off the water.

It also runs as a wedding venue, so weekends in June through early October can book up early. For travelers who want lake access without the parking hassle of staying in Saranac Lake village itself, this is the call.