The Point in Lake Placid. $$$$$$ but amazing.

http://thepointresort.com

A bit more affordable - [we have stayed here twice and loved it]
Mirror Lake Inn - http://www.mirrorlakeinn.com/

Also in the area-

http://www.thewhitefacelodge.com/

resortsandlodges.com has a tonne of stuff

My fav up in Quebec is the Chateau Frontenac amazing views

Similar almost exactly 2 the Fairmont Banff Springs.

Have stayed there from $150/nt beautiful views in an

awesome hotel probably my fav in the east...

booking.com otel.com good deals

Fairmont.com/Frontenac

simply amazing...

The Chateau Frontenac is awesome. But it is NOT a "lodge".

DebitNM; the links to these lodges are just beautiful, just what I am looking for but I can't spend those rates. The lodge I went to in Idaho I believe I spent under $200 per night. I am going to keep searching; maybe I will come up with something not so first class. Thank you so much. How did you know my taste?

The Point Resort in Lake Placid is indeed incredible. The level of service is amazing.

The Frontenac is also amazing but lacks that 'lodge' charm although it has plenty of inherent charm. We stayed in a turret room that had windows overlooking the old city on one side and the St. Lawrence on the other. Make sure you take the 'haunted hotel' tour. It's quite a place.

For something between these two choices, take a look at Mohonk Mountain House in New York. It's a short trip from the city and combines the rustic feel of The Point with the 'Grand Hotel' feel of the Frontenac.

What was the name of the lodge in Sandpoint? I love that area and it sounds like your lodge might work for my group.

Here's the link for the Mohonk Mountain House:

http://www.mohonk.com/

It's not a budget choice.

cmcfong; The lodge at Sandpoint is the name. Here is the link:

http://www.lodgeatsandpoint.com

Thanks!

Not sure if this is the type of place you are looking for:

http://greatcampsagamore.org/

I don;t think you're going to find Idaho-like prices in the NY - esp if you are loking for luxuty rather than rustic.

I know a lot ofpeople like Mohonk - but tome it's way too rustic - and the food leaves a lot to be desired based on a recent report from friends.

I think what you want will be much bigger $ in proximity to more poulated areas. (And I wsn;t aware that the major western lodges were that inexpensive either.)

I am somewhat confused by the term "lodge." This is not in the US but north eastern canada. Maybe close to what you are looking for?
http://www.fairmont.com/montebello

How about The Balsams in Dixville Notch, NH? Beautiful property and location. I haven't actually stayed there, but the dining is superb.

http://thebalsams.com/home

I think I mentioned that I am looking for a place in MA, ME, NH, VT as well, not NY specifically. It does not need to be luxury (although if I could afford it I would love it); I just don't want completely rustic. Small is fine, quiet, clean, close to water, relaxing, sounds of a river, of loons on a lake, gentle breezes.

VTtraveler; I just looked at the Fairmont Montebello and it looks very nice. The surrounding area (Fairmont Kenauk) looks fabulous as a natural preserve. It looks like it is over a 7 hrs. drive so will have to consider. Thanks for the suggestion.

If your name VTtraveler means you are from VT, do you know any wonderful VT locations that might fit what I am looking for?

Clousie, I have been through Dixville Notch but never stayed at The Balsams; I will check it out.

Okay, I'll admit I don't really quite know what you're looking for, but these 2 places look lovely to me and I'd love to stay there if I had the $.

The Inn at Castle Hill
http://www.thetrustees.org/the-inn-at-castle-hill/

Cranwell Resort in Lenox MA
http://www.cranwell.com/

yk, thanks. I am very familiar with both of your suggestions although I have not stayed there. I am not looking to spend big bucks as I explain above.

I'm wondering if one of the ski lodges in southern Vermont would fit the bill for an off season stay? Stowe? Okemo?

The big, old but renovated, New England hotels come to mind like The Balsams, Mt. Washington, Wentworth-by-the-Sea, Mountain View Grand, the Equinox, the Bar Harbor Inn, Chatham Bars Inn, Shelburne Inn to name a few. None are really "lodges" or inexpensive. I'm not sure what you're looking for exists in the area at the price you want to pay. You may be happier with a nice B&B. Am an old New Englander and can't really come up with any western type lodges here. The Lopstick Cabins group in Pittsburg, NH might appeal although accommodations are individual but you should hear loons and see moose and all under $200/nt but you're on your own for meals. The Glen up there does offer an American Plan. Let us know where you wind up.

This is what I was thinking about:

http://www.stowemountainlodge.com/about-stowe-vermont-resort.php

They have queen rooms on their website for this August @ $199.00 a night. Not a bad rate and the scenery's stunning.

I'm thinking of booking a weekend here myself!

Interesting question. I've only heard about this place. Squam Lake in NH isn't far from the very popular Lake Winnipesaukee but there isn't any public beach and very little commercial development. It's almost a secret from the rest of the world. Note that the room rates are full American plan. It appears to be like summer camp for adults and families. Very rustic but a lake with loons and not a lot of boating traffic.
http://www.rdcsquam.com/lodging/rates.html

I have lived in NE since 1979 and have traveled extensively and intensively in most parts of it for fun and in my job .

What you want does not exist at the price point you give. There is no equivalent of, say, the Izaak Walton Inn.

What is closest perhaps are old-fashioned hotels like Irishswampyankee lists, but they will be beyond your price. Next would be old fashioned cottage hotels which are like the 1930's to 1950's. I am thinking of the Ocean Point Inn outside Boothbay Harbor last time I was there, though it may have been gentrified out of existence by now.

There is no danger of twee, like many B&B's or "Inns" but there is no luxury either. Just reasonably comfortable accomodation in a beautiful, relaxd setting. Do not expect fabulous food or "lots of things to do."

Look at Down East Magazine or Yankee Magazine for leads.

irishswampyankee; thank you for the suggestion of the Lopstick cabins. I checked into them but for the dates I need they just had a a couple left that are by the office. The spot looks lovely and many of the cabins are wonderful. I am going to check with The Glen.

dfrostnh; the Squam Lake cabins look to be very family oriented by the website. If you have been there, was that your experience? It will be my husband and myself and don't want to be where the place is geared to be a summer camp for families; a summer camp for adults is good though since we are looking for quiet and restful.

Bowspirit; I looked into Stowe Mountain Lodge but I read some reviews on it and it looks like you have to valet your car and there was hassle involved every time you want to get to your car. I hate to be picky, but don't want that kind of hassle when we are away to "chill."

I appreciate everyone's suggestions thus far; I will continue to see what I can come up with.

You can Google for "guest ranches" and "lodges" in each of the states you are interested in. I tried it and several came up.

I live in a rural area in north central Vermont so am not inclined to visit similar places on vacation. One place you might want to check out is the Highland Lodge on Lake Caspian in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont

Hi Vttraveler; I have stayed at the Highland Lodge a number of years ago actually, thanks. I got a Groupon today for Newagen Seaside Inn in the Boothbay, ME area which looks interesting which I think I will check out.

Cranwell is not lodgy at all; it is pretentious in my view and formal in a weird way. And mucho $$.
The lodge idiom is not really New England. I would go for one of the seaside hotels mentioned above.

Here's a link to lodges (and more) in the Adirondacks region in New York.

http://www.adirondack.net/business/big-moose-inn-2614/

Perhaps the Trapp Family Lodge?

http://www.trappfamily.com/