Looking for the perfect place to stay in Saratoga Springs, New York? This is it. You’ll appreciate the history of this luxury hotel as well as the comfort and amenities you’ll enjoy while staying here. Saratoga Arms offers great hospitality as well as a location that can’t be beat. Step out of the hotel and walk to several landmark sights, restaurants, and shops.
Saratoga Arms: Saratoga Springs, NY / Saratoga Arms / (518) 584-1775
DISCLAIMER: My husband and I have stayed in many hotels, inns, and other properties in our travels, but a few stand out above the rest — this is one of them. Although I am highlighting this property that we enjoyed, we have not accepted free trips, endorsements, or gratuities from it. All the opinions, along with the photographs (unless otherwise noted), featured in this article are my own. I simply share this property profile because it was unique in its location and hospitality, so I think others may consider staying there as well. Happy travels!
Why Saratoga Arms?
- The hotel owners, Kathleen and Amy Smith (mother and daughter), operate the hotel. No off-site owners here. This means there’s personal attention to the guests and the facility itself. The Smith family has always prided itself on providing attentive concierge services; if checking online reviews, you’ll notice that is something that guests appreciate.
- The Saratoga Arms staff is very helpful and, after finding out their guests’ interests, will point them to places and restaurants that they’ll enjoy. There’s plenty to do and enjoy in delightful Saratoga Springs plus there’s more waiting for you beyond the city limits. By the way, some of the places we enjoyed in the area were hiking spots (recommended by the staff), Grant Cottage, the Saratoga National Historical Park, and the Hyde Collection (a restored home in nearby Glens Falls that boasts an amazing variety of artwork). Lake George (just a 30-minute drive away) is a fun place to visit; take a tour boat around the lake or visit one of the centuries-old forts (Fort Ticonderoga and Fort William Henry). The hotel staff can provide more details on these places and other ideas for you upon your arrival.
- Saratoga Arms is committed to its guests’ well-being and health. From the first glance at the website, guests will notice their stringent attention to public health recommendations and guidelines. (When we visited during the pandemic, we felt safe staying here and appreciated the disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer in our room. Also, we were able to choose the level of housekeeping service during our stay. We opted not to have anyone come in to clean. Instead, we chose to make use of their daily replenishment service in which we could have fresh towels, toiletries, coffee and tea Keurig cups, and/or bottled water delivered to our bedroom door. Of course, we could have had our room cleaned while we were out for the day, but the replenishment service just gave us more peace of mind at the time.)
- The rooms (with queen or king beds) are very comfortable and well-appointed. Each room has unique furnishings all with a nod to history while offering modern amenities. We enjoyed one of the two garden-level king rooms that gave us direct access to Broadway, the main street. Staying in the ground-level room felt like staying in an apartment, coming and going as we wished.
- All guests are offered a bountiful farm-to-table breakfast in the mornings.
- The deep wrap-around porch and indoor living rooms are nice places to relax with a book or just for some downtime — before or after a busy day out. Inside are historical pieces including some original works by local artists. Outside are wicker chairs to entice guests to sit and enjoy the comings and goings along Broadway.
- There’s a 24-hour pantry with complimentary treats for guests. Here you’ll find Saratoga Potato Chips (you have to try these!), candy, and other snacks along with soda, tea, and coffee.
- Feel like a beer, wine, or champagne in the evening? Saratoga Arms has you covered there, too. Just let a staff member know what you’d like, and it’s yours. Cheers!
- Saratoga Arms is in the perfect location to explore Saratoga Springs on foot. It’s located right on Broadway which is the main thoroughfare. From the hotel, it’s an easy walk to great shopping, restaurants, and craft breweries. It’s also a perfect place from which to launch a walk in the surrounding neighborhoods. One morning I walked through Congress Park and some neighborhoods north of Broadway. There I found stately historical homes and the Saratoga Race Course and decided to stop to watch trainers keep the horses fit at the exercise track.
- Free on-site parking is included in your stay. That sure makes a road trip to this area easier. 😊
History of Saratoga Arms
What you see today began as a modest hotel with one bathroom on each floor. The original hotel was actually two adjoining buildings that were constructed in 1870. By the time Noel and Kathleen Smith purchased them in 1997, they were quite dilapidated. After the purchase, extensive renovations joined the two buildings, and a large wrap-around Saratoga porch at the entrance was added. In 2005, an addition increased the capacity of the inn to a total of 31 rooms. In addition to the guest rooms, Saratoga Arms boasts an exercise room as well as conference facilities.
Things To Do in the Area
As mentioned, we really enjoyed our stay in Saratoga Springs. The town itself is bursting with charm — the grand old buildings, the beauty of Congress Park and Saratoga Spa State Park, the mineral springs and spas, the wonderful array of shopping (including several independently-owned stores), and dining choices. Read more about what to do and see in the Saratoga Springs area. Looking to dig into history a bit more? Read about Saratoga National Historical Park plus other historical sites of interest in the general Saratoga Springs/Adirondack region.
Hospitality Highlight: Featured Recipe
One of the treats that Saratoga Arms offers its guests is freshly baked cookies each day. Here’s the recipe for their yummy chocolate chip cookies. There’s a secret ingredient you probably never thought to pair with chocolate chips — but it works wonderfully! (I’ve made these at home, and they’re a hit.)
Signature Chocolate Chip Cookies
Equipment
- 1 mixer
- 2 baking sheets
Ingredients
- 3 sticks unsalted butter at room temperature
- 2 cups brown sugar firmly packed
- 1 cup white sugar
- 3 eggs
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 2 tbsp vanilla
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 3 cups chocolate chips 60% cocoa
- 8 oz bag of Saratoga Potato Chips crushed slightly
Instructions
- In a mixer with a paddle attachment, blend the butter and sugars until well incorporated.
- Beat in eggs, one at a time, until smooth. Add the vanilla and scrape the bowl well after all the eggs are added, and mix a few minutes more.
- In another bowl, blend all of the dry ingredients together.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients until combined. Don't overmix. Add the chocolate chips and mix until just combined.
- Cursh the potato chips in the bag with your hands, then add to the mixer, mix until combined.
- Using a small scoop, portion the batter and then roll each one in your hands. They should be the size of a ping pong ball. Place onto a parchment paper lined sheet pan 2" apart. Press down slightly on each and bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through. If baking more than one pan at a time, switch them to different oven racks halfway through baking.
- Let the cookies rest on the sheet pan undisturbed until cool and them remove from pan. Cool completely before storing.
Final Thoughts
Saratoga Arms served as our home away from home while visiting this lovely area in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains. We appreciated the comfort and hospitality at this 4-star luxury hotel. Each morning after breakfast, we’d set out on an exploration of the town and surrounding areas. We’d return in the afternoon to freshen up before heading out — on foot — to a wonderful restaurant recommended by Kathleen for a leisurely, delicious dinner. I can’t say enough about the Saratoga Arms and the Saratoga Springs area. It’s a charming hotel in an equally charming town.
