Ampersand Spa at Hotel Saranac

Hotel Saranac in Saranac Lake, New York, is one of my favorite properties in the Adirondacks. With its historic appeal, walkable location, newly refurbished guestrooms and suites, 1920s-era bar and contemporary restaurant, there’s a lot to love. Even though I’ve stayed and dined at the hotel many times over the last few years, I only recently had the chance to experience the hotel’s Ampersand Salon and Spa.

I arrived for my appointment (admittedly, five minutes late) and the receptionist pointed me toward the ladies’ locker room. I was surprised to see I was the only person there, even if it was a late Friday afternoon. I hurriedly swapped out my jeans and sweater for a plush robe and sandals, and padded my way through the expansive space, complete with several vanities, showers and a steam room, to find my treatment specialist, Kenzy.

I booked an 80-minute deep-tissue massage; it was $190 well spent. After limited spa visits due to the COVID-19 pandemic and many, many days spent crouching over my laptop in an unhealthy fashion, I built up quite the amount of tension and stress. The treatment incorporated my choice of signature oil (I chose Italian blood orange for its supposed energizing, antidepressant properties), hot towels and heated, weighted eye masks.

After I was finished with my treatment, fully relaxed and tension-free, I settled into the spa’s relaxation space, outfitted with several loungers, a tea station and fireplace. After a cup of tea, I (somewhat reluctantly) returned to the locker room to dress for the rest of my evening.

While a busy schedule kept me from prolonging my visit to the spa as much as I would like, I do plan on making a return visit for a longer stay. Tucked away in a corner on the hotel’s bottom floor, I hadn’t realized how large the spa actually was or just how many amenities the spa offered. Maybe next time, though, I won’t wait quite so long before investing in a little self-care.