The Adirondack Coast is a very beautiful part of New York, situated along the western shore of Lake Champlain and in the shadows of the High Peaks, New York’s tallest mountains. It is a region rich in history, loaded with charm and just begging to be explored. You’ll need an ideal base to do that, and I cannot think of a better one, at least around Lake Champlain, than Point Au Roche Lodge, a delightful Adirondack Coast bed and breakfast.

Situated just one mile west of Lake Champlain, 15 minutes north of Plattsburgh, a mere hour south of Montreal, and bounded on three sides by Point Au Roche State Park, Point Au Roche Lodge provides an ideal location for a personal retreat. It was not by chance I stumbled into the beauty and serenity of the lodge. I was part of a small group of adventure travel media exploring the Adirondacks and, for two idyllic days, our hosts Karen and Creston Billings saw to it we wanted for nothing.

From the outside, the lodge looks like a giant log cabin, albeit a magnificent one. Then, when you step through the front door and into the great room you feel the warmth and beauty of the place. A huge stone fireplace takes center stage, with a reading loft overhead, and ample seating all around. It is luxurious without being pretentious.

Point Au Roche offers eight guest rooms, each individual in design, and each with a private bath. A number of the rooms offer a fireplace and jacuzzi tub and all but the Angler Room have private balconies or patios to enjoy the sitting out in the natural environment. I stayed in the Weaver Room, with a Southwestern theme and a most amazingly comfortable bed.

The sitting area in front of the corner fireplace in my room provided a cozy place to nestle in and go over notes (Yes, I was working) or read a book. And the jacuzzi tub? Well, there is just no going wrong with a hot soak after a long day exploring. And for those in need of Internet, the Wi-Fi works supremely well anywhere in the lodge. The one thing the rooms do not have, however, are TVs, which seems pretty wonderful to me!!

You may also like to read about a delicious cooking experience not far from Point Au Roche Lodge – The Art of Pi: Making pizza at Carriage House Cooking School

Each morning, breakfast is cooked to order, with a choice of an egg dish or a sweet dish – think frittatas, omelets, pancakes, or waffles. Creston dons the chef’s hat since he was trained at the Culinary Institute of America, and I can attest the food is delectable. Fresh fruit, hot coffee or tea, yogurt and fresh juice are also included.

Feel like a hike? Just across the road is the entrance to Point Au Roche State Park with nearly 12 miles of hiking trails. There is also a lovely sandy beach for hanging out. In the winter months, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing begin literally right out the front door I was told.

For cycling enthusiasts, the Adirondack Coast is considered ideal bike touring terrain and both Karen and Creston will be all too happy to help you decide which route is best for you. In addition to ample parking next to the lodge, there is also sufficient garage space that Point Au Roche offers to store your bikes.

You may also want to read The best of the Adirondack Coast – top things to do in the Adirondacks

Of course, there is a lot to be said for doing nothing, and Point Au Roche Lodge is well situated and set up ideally for that. In fact, I’m already dreaming of going back, with Therese. Days spent reading books, drawing, writing in a journal, playing table games, listening to the birds, scratching the ears of the two resident dogs – Emma and Angus – drinking local wines, and enjoying the many restaurants and places to eat nearby. Just off the great room there is a small library with an honor bar and a refrigerator – perfect for storing a personal wine stash or leftovers from the day’s culinary adventures. And if you enjoy into looking at the night sky as I do… oh my! Just step outside your room and onto your deck or the front lawn and gaze upward.

You may also enjoy reading 24 hours in Albany – fascinating walk through time

Discover More Things To Do In New York State