Silver Bay YMCA - Conference and Family Retreat Center

Richard DiPaola

2024-03

Short staff, beds were not made .I stayed in the winter . I don't believe there is ac in the summer. Parking is a mystery. I think there more set up for busses. I did not have time for there breakfast so no comment there. Price point was good. What staff that was there were friendly.

christina wagner

2024-04

I have now gone to two retreats here. The food is horrible and borderline dangerous. I have been served raw chicken twice now. If you are paying for the food be aware this has happened multiple times and you have been warned. Also lots of bugs in the rooms and unwashed veggies on salad bar because they include the stickers with the veggies. I wish I had taken a picture of the chicken cause it is clearly a health code violation.

Laurice Grae

2024-04

What a beautiful place! The nature and the thoughtful curation of the facilities make this a perfect group get away or conference setting. The staff are super friendly and accommodating.

K Frost

2023-11

I was here for a 3 day conference hosted by a non profit for members. The rooms in the inn were clean but on the smaller size but sufficient. The food was good, served cafeteria style, with a well stocked salad bar at lunch and dinner (oatmeal bar at breakfast). We met in several of the other buildings for breakout sessions. The view of Lake George is great! Lots of hiking trails.

Dark H.

2023-11

I would not recommend working at Silver Bay unless you want the experience of state minimum wage and work amount of 3 people. Most job offers in the area pay more for starting than pay offered by Silver Bay. If you want the experience of Silver Bay that other generations within your family have had then I'd recommend but only if you are looking for the experience.As a guest I recommend coming during the summer season when they have multiple activities and events that all ages can partake in. Whether that be archery, swimming, boat house, or even Happy and Half hour. They have the most staff and many events that families can partake in.As a guest the quiet seasons to visit have been in the past fall and spring but unlike other years these seasons have been considered the off season. This year has been hit or miss as Silver Bay is trying to expand their horizons for profit. Depending on when you book your stay it has a range of no one (40+) to around to over (350+) guests.

Gregory Baker

2023-08

Most amazing community I have ever been a part of. Gorgeous access to a gorgeous lake. People are all friendly, guests and staff alike. Prices have become more reasonable in recent summers. If you are choosing a destination for your family, there is no place better.

Stanley Miller

2023-10

My daughter's family spent a few days here on a retreat. I visited for one afternoon. What a great place, beautiful facilities, excellent staff, offering just about any activity. Located overlooking Lake George.

Michal Lepore

2023-07

Had the most amazing weekend photographing the most deserving couple for their wedding. The staff were beyond attentive and the food was some of the best I've ever had. So thankful the couple chose Bright Shot Studios to document their special day. The sunrise was a huge highlight for me and so worth waking up early for.

Deb

2023-07

Staff were outstanding, rooms simple and beautiful with amazing views. I absolutely love the environmentally conscious lighting, and where appropriate, the biodegradable plates and utensils.You must visit the gift shop and walk around the grounds. Everything is beautifully kept!

Lena Warren

2023-08

I love Silver Bay. It's beautiful, the campus is well maintained, considering it's age, and there is so much to do. Do be prepared for inconveniences along the way (like the Inn is prone to running out of hot water, but I hear they're working on it), but the staff is super sweet and helpful and are quick to try to make things better. One thing I'm particularly pleased about is their effort at serving vegan options for every meal and listing allergens for everything they serve.

Eldridge Lipschitz

2023-05

I've been to the conference and retreat center on two occasions. Once was for a wedding and the food was very good (didn't stay in a room that time). The other time was during a recent stay for a retreat, where I was able to experience the rooms and food in a different way. The rooms rating depends on the building you are staying in. The Bay View rooms were average. The food in the cafeteria was also average, but plentiful.The setting though... that's where this place shines. Excellent facilities in an absolutely beautiful location! Lots of activities available, with all sorts of equipment from archery to kayaking to volleyball and so much more! Everything—such as the lawns, docks, buildings and equipment—was well maintained.And most importantly, the staff were excellent! Friendly and helpful.Walkability: Very hilly; not great for those with mobility challenges.

Rachel D

2023-09

I love Silver Bay. We've gone a couple summers now. I probably won't be able to go back again due to it being so expensive now. The price of one week here is as much as plane tickets to Europe for a family of four. I still love it though. From sailing, the employees and the craft house. I just wish I could afford it in the future.

Mary Holmes

2023-09

No longer affordable.I have been going to Silver Bay on and off for nearly 20 years.This summer we had an absolutely beautiful week in the Hemlock rooms. They are rustic and basic but perfect for people with young kids that are just looking to relax on the lake without frills.Went to book for next year and learned they will no longer rent out the Hemlock or Overlook rooms because they weren’t “making any money.” Yes hemlock is bare bones but if you can’t make money on it you shouldn’t be running a property on Lake George!This year we stayed as a family of four for $1600 and for next year we were quoted $3800. All because they no longer will offer the old rooms.I spoke with Peter Doliber and he swore it was all for economic reasons and that he wanted families to be more comfortable. I think he doesn’t realize families staying in hemlock spend plenty of money elsewhere on campus. From booking camps and boat trips to $40 a night in ice cream, $200 in crafts and $300 in sweatshirts or whatever. Not profitable? Outrageous.I won’t be more comfortable in a carpeted hotel room where I won’t have the views from the Hemlock porch or a place to hang my kids beach towels over and railing. I won’t be more comfortable dragging kids beach toys into an interior hotel room up stairs or an elevator while sipping wet from the beach.I won’t be $2200 more comfortable!!!It’s such a shame. I’m so let down. I had planned to bring my girls here every summer for the experience of slightly roughing it. For the experience of hiking up to their minimal room after a long day outside.Silver Bay is a beautiful spot and all of the emps and regulars are truly wonderful. But in all honesty it’s clear they no longer want young families there unless they are “of a certain” economic capacity and can’t handle a few spiders or a sharp uphill hike to a bunk room.

Bob Schulz

2023-07

Don't believe the lies. They hide all they're prices. They lie to you over the phone. They make exaggerated claims of being full. Or extremely limited space. So please call. Non profit@@@@ lies they charge over 1,000$ a week or is it 3,400? They will sweet talk you. Lies all lies go there in person I do not deny the scenery is beautiful. However everything else is trash out dated. Parts of the Inn are dilapidated. Don't say you weren't warned. Remember you're paying thousands 😶‍🌫️. If Silverbay wants me to remove my review. Than be honest post you're prices like everyone else ."😶‍🌫️" "P.S. THIS PLACE IS EXPLICITLY FOR PROFIT."

Michelle Geipel

2023-10

I love it here! Lake George is beautiful and silver bay is in the best part of the lake. Lots to do, nice people and good food!

Jody Jackson

2022-05

Such an amazing vacation here! First off, it’s beautiful and they keep the grounds well maintained. We took full advantage of the activities they were offering during this time of the year and did archery, basketball, shuffle board, and more. They have a map of all the surrounding hikes and provided us with bag lunches to eat out while we were hiking. I also must mention the staff. They were the kindest and most friendly, serving our food and helping us out. I cannot say enough good things about this place. Family friend and community focused. I highly recommend this place!

Julia Dunne

2023-05

Beautiful location and grounds but the rooms need updating. If you aren't picky about sleeping and are just in it for the lake and activities than this is a good spot for you. However, the rooms are quite warm in the summer and the beds are incredibly old. The food at dinner was ok... nothing special.

Matthew Jo

2023-05

This is an absolutely beautiful place to stay and retreat from the busyness of every day life. The lake and mountains provide great scenery for anything you would want to do, and there are plenty of fun activities. One of the highlights is how friendly and kind the employees are. I would highly recommend both staying here and/or working at the YMCA for a summer.

Linda Dutsch

2023-05

Our family could easily spend May to October here, probably winter too! We love silver bay! What better place for a family to relax and play together. The setting is gorgeous, lots of activities for everyone from Book Club to Paddle Boarding, Kayaking, Archery Tennis, Hiking, not to mention the Craft Centre. And the food is cooked by someone else - and it's delicious!

Cena Block

2023-05

This is a beautiful step back in time to when life was simpler and less frantic. Our week long stay include access to all games, great food at the dining hall, access to kyacking, canoeing, and sailing, beach, fitness, yoga, weight room, rock wall, and plenty of hiking trails to explore. Inns have no ac, so prepare to shower often. We love it here. Great place for family gatherings!

Sandra Reed

2023-12

Beautiful views, gorgeous rooms. Awesome Quilting retreat there.

star boatwright

2023-11

What a beautiful place to have relaxation and peace of mind. My experience was great with Woman of Pearls.

Mia Coluccio

2023-05

It was really a beautiful place but just being your own food… they use non organic dairy and instead of actual eggs it’s powder.The staff are terrible harassing teens and videotaping them while trying to have fun on the beach and sitting on a lifeguard chair which apparently against the rules but there’s no signs and then they kicked them off the beach…YMCA get better staff instead of low life losers stalking little kids making them so upset to the point of crying.

Charlotte Rumovicz

2022-05

Very beautiful, nice trails. I would go again. Although beds were uncomfortable and the boats were not available which really bummed us out. The wifi was terrible as well. But it was a wonderful place for a wedding or family reunion.

Gerard Burt

2024-01

I would recommend working here and staying here as a guest as well . There is no place like it.

Mary Fairweather

2023-05

Best gathering space for families who like to craft ... glass, metal, sewing, paint. With plenty of opportunities to swim, paddle board, kayak Lake George. The family also did archery and outdoor games . Hiking trails are all around. We were not far from Ticonderoga with availability of groceries and fuel. Best week with 21 family members of all ages!

Martin Wegmann

2023-05

Amazing location offering lots of activities on and off site. My room with lake view was really nice. Staff at the reception was super kind and helpful.Would recommend!

Ashley Rubacha

2020-05

It would be a full five stars if not for the food. While I found the food lacking, the campus and facilities were utterly stunning (I stayed in the Boyd Center). The accommodations and views around the property were so scenic and lovely, and the conference room my team had their meeting in was excellent. Would love to go back in the summer or fall.

Julie Christie

2022-05

It's a beautiful and serene place to visit when you want to get away from the hustles and bustles of life. Relax and observe all the beautiful tapestries and wildlife God has created! And the sounds of the lake is better than any meditation tape you can find! Check it out for yourself. You won't regret it!

Zulma Pagan

2021-05

Beautiful breathtaking views. Staff is e exceptional, friendly and thoughtful. Food at the lodge was very good. Property is extremely well maintained and beautiful. Full day's worth of activities available. Enjoy your trip