Highlands Castle overlooking Lake George +2 more!

Castle in Bolton, New York

  1. 8 guests
  2. 3 bedrooms
  3. 4 beds
  4. 2.5 baths
Rated 4.83 out of 5 stars.6 reviews
Hosted by John
  1. 14 years hosting

Listing highlights

A real castle on a private mountaintop

A castle with 25-foot ceilings, 21 windows, and a private terrace overlooking the lake and mountains

Hosts John and Yvonne go the extra mile

One guest called the castle more magnificent in person and praised the hosts as genuine and welcoming
HIGHLANDS CASTLE is one of America's most extraordinary 'castle-stay' experiences.

THREE CASTLES.
ONE PRIVATE MOUNTAINTOP.
2 castles overlook beautiful Lake George.

Highlands Castle is incomparable to all other places.

THE MOST INTRIGUING PART? ITS REAL-LIFE STORY:
What began as a father's promise to his 3-year-old son in 1978 became a decades-long journey of imagination and perseverance — and the belief that what seemed impossible could become real.

Come. Stay. Create Your Own Story.

The space
Highlands Castle is a hidden gem in a private setting, yet only 3 minutes from the shores of Lake George and downtown Main Street in Bolton Landing, which offers family-owned restaurants, supermarket, brewery, boutique shops, 2 public beaches with picnic areas, swimming, fishing, kayaking, tennis, golf, hiking trails, boat rentals, scenic boat cruises, and more!

"SPECIAL OFFERS":
Stay 3 Nights - SAVE $600!
Stay 4 Nights - SAVE $1000!

Guest access
Our "2-Suites for 2-Couples" package is a unique getaway for an unforgettable experience! It includes two elegant bedroom suites and access to 'The Great Hall' located in the center or heart of Highlands Castle, plus our outdoor terraces with the most spectacular views in the world! Miles of breathtaking, panoramic vistas of Lake George are yours to enjoy!

Guests will have access to the most impressive spaces of the castle including the main entryway, foyer, vestibule area, the Great Hall, music room/library, and the first-floor half bath (in addition to their 2 bedroom suites). The Great Hall is our grandest room of the castle with 25' high ceilings and 21 windows overlooking beautiful Lake George and the Adirondack Mountains. (Note: The Great Hall is curtained off from a private kitchen & family room where the owners reside).

*The upstairs Lakeview 'ROYAL BEDROOM' sleeps 1 couple.
*The downstairs 'KING'S SUITE' sleeps 2 guests.
*The King's Suite sleeps up to 6 guests ($125/night per guest over 4)
Note: Each suite has a mini-fridge and a coffee maker.

The 'KING SUITE' features an adjoining screened-in covered terrace, plus another outside lower terrace, and both have spectacular lake views!

WE HAVE TWO (2) OTHER CASTLES ON THIS SAME PROPERTY:
(Search the Airbnb links to our 2 other castles).
1.) 'CASTLE COTTAGE'... our adorable mini-castle overlooking Lake George sleeps 4-6 guests and is located just steps away from Highlands Castle.

2.) 'CASTLE GATEHOUSE' sleeps 4-7 guests and is nestled in a wooded setting at the entrance to our property.

Are you looking for a unique setting for a small family gathering, special occasion, birthday party, anniversary celebration, reunion, etc.? (See below):

'FAMILY RENTAL' OPTION AT HIGHLANDS CASTLE:
Our FAMILY RENTAL option allows you (the guest) to invite up to 34 people to Highlands Castle from 4-8 pm for an extra fee of $239/person. Note: You can book your overnight stay through Airbnb, but inviting 'non-overnight guests' to the property is outside Airbnb's parameters, so contact us directly to discuss your specific details. (Dates available from May-Oct.)

Highlands Castle is unparalleled in its uniqueness and incomparable to all other places. That is what sets us apart. You won't find a more magical setting to share with your loved ones.

Other things to note
NO PETS POLICY: Our friendly German Shepherd, 'Major', lives on the property, is friendly & socialized, and loves guests; however, our pet cannot cohabitate with a guest's ESA or Service Dog. Although our dog is not allowed in the designated guest areas, if you are allergic to dogs, please consider booking the King's Suite, the Castle Cottage, or Castle Gatehouse.

Children are welcome but must be well-supervised by a responsible adult at all times. So that you know, the property is not ideally suited for toddlers.

Please consider purchasing 'travel insurance' to safeguard you from unforeseen circumstances.

Downtown Shopping: Take a relaxing stroll down Main Street and enjoy all the amenities that Bolton Landing has to offer! You'll discover great restaurants, fine gift stores, wine store, brewery, clothing apparel, antique shop, museum, hair salon, pastry shop, and ice cream parlors!

Fun Activities: LAKE GEORGE, America's queen lake, is 32 miles long, for all to enjoy! There are local hiking trails, scenic boat cruises, boat rentals, jet skiing, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, fishing, water tubing, whitewater rafting, golf, miniature golf, horseback riding, basketball, tennis, skiing, snowboarding, and adventure sports! There’s plenty to do and see while you’re here, including 2 public parks, picnic areas, and 2 beaches!

Experience the natural wonders of Lake George and our Adirondack paradise!
The memories of Highlands Castle and the Lake George region will last a lifetime!

Where you’ll sleep

1 of 2 pages

What this place offers

Lake view
Mountain view
Wifi
Dedicated workspace
Free driveway parking on premises – 4 spaces

7 nights in Bolton

Oct 24, 2021 - Oct 31, 2021

4.83 out of 5 stars from 6 reviews

Overall rating

  1. 5 stars, 83% of reviews
  2. 4 stars, 17% of reviews
  3. 3 stars, 0% of reviews
  4. 2 stars, 0% of reviews
  5. 1 stars, 0% of reviews

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars for cleanliness

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for accuracy

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for check-in

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for communication

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for location

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for value

Where you’ll be

Bolton, New York, United States

Neighborhood highlights

Downtown Shopping: Take a relaxing stroll down Main Street and enjoy all the amenities that Bolton Landing has to offer! You'll discover fine gift stores, a wine store, brewery, clothing apparel, antique shops, museum, hair salon, pastry shops, and ice cream parlors!

Fun Activities: LAKE GEORGE, America's queen lake is 32-miles long, for all to enjoy! There's local hiking trails, bicycle trails, bike rentals, scenic boat cruises, boat rentals, jet skiing, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, fishing, water tubing, whitewater rafting, golf, miniature golf, horseback riding, basketball, tennis, skiing, snowboarding, and adventure sports! There’s plenty to do and see while you’re here including 2-public parks, picnic areas, and 2-beaches!

Experience the natural wonders of Lake George and our Adirondack paradise!
The memories of Highlands Castle and our Lake George region will last a lifetime!

Meet your host

Host
148 reviews
4.94 out of 5 average rating
14 years of hosting
My work: My wife Yvonne and I have been hosting guests from all over the world since 2010. When you can bring joy to others in life, It's not 'work'. We thank YOU for giving purpose & meaning to what we do.
Speaks English
John A. Lavender II - owner of Highlands Castle. Highlands Castle was born from a promise I made to my young son... “Someday I’ll build a house where we both will live… a place we’ll call home. A place where you can bring your friends and create special memories… someday Jason I will build you a castle." Looking back to 1978, my 3-year old son would likely have never remembered these words. The promise had more to do with a desire to build a better life, than an actual castle. It would be another 5-years before the ideal property presented itself, a mountaintop in Bolton Landing, NY. While clearing the land for the foundation, a picture was being painted with a chain saw rather than a brush. Within a matter of weeks, the most spectacular view in the world was uncovered. The majesty of Lake George and the Adirondack Mountains seemed as grateful as I was to be unveiled. How was it, that I would be the one to settle here? Was it simply luck or something much greater? I believe it was the latter, and that I was led to this specific spot for a reason. Once the foundation was completed, the wood framing construction was to the roof in a few months and the structure began to find its outward appearance. I finally graduated from the living quarters of a tent to a mattress on the floor, which was fine with me… I was quite happy to be sleeping in my own home. In 1986, I met Yvonne, the woman who 'turned a pile of rocks into a home'. We were married here in 1992, and my parents who were both Methodist pastors officiated our ceremony. (In 2008, my son Jason & Mary would be married at Highlands Castle with his grandparents also officiating their wedding). "Jason, I promised that I would build you a castle, I didn't say you wouldn't be helping me!"... So, when Jason was a teenager, he joined in the stonework. Naturally resourceful, he recruited his football teammates to lend some muscle over the summer months. Their daily mantra was "Let's rock!" and they took great pride in what they accomplished while working together again as a team. (Jason was not only an impressive stonemason, but he also went on to earn an Architectural Engineering Degree, and achieve anything he put his mind to). The stonework was a slow, tedious process and the labor of laying up more than 1,000 tons of local granite would take decades. Over the past 40+ years, the property would evolve into what it is today... a series of three castles. In 2010, my wife Yvonne and I decided to make Highlands Castle available so others could experience what our family has been so fortunate to enjoy. Since then, families & friends from all over the world have gathered here to create their own special memories. We hope you'll visit us, too! Poised on a graceful mountainside overlooking majestic Lake George, a castle awaits you...

Host details

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