Reviews

We keep having to pinch ourselves because our experience & joy staying here has been magical.

My husband John & I were here to celebrate our 49th Wedding Anniversary, and our friends Mary & Guy were with us to celebrate Mary’s birthday. An Anniversary & Birthday Celebration, and a weekend to remember forever!

We are now 70 years old, and we'll be “Queens” forever, with photos to prove it!

Thank you, John & Yvonne, for giving us this Royal experience.
We will never forget John’s History Lesson of the Highlands.

Wishing you Joy & Happiness Forever,
-Kathy & John Fiorot
.

Wind Gap, PA

John & Yvonne,

Words can’t express the beauty and magic of this place.
Celebrating my 70th birthday will be the most memorable one yet!

My husband and I can’t thank you enough for your wonderful hospitality!
Peaceful, magical, wonderful experience!

It was truly a joy and a blessing to meet you.
Thank you again,
Mary & Guy Findon

Wind Gap, PA

John & Yvonne,

Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful home with us! We believe the Lord brought us here for a reason.
We will always remember the most perfect spot for us to get engaged. We will be making our way back again!

- The future Mr. & Mrs. McKeown

“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives”. Psalms 37:23

Derrick McKeown & Briana Wozniak

Buffalo, NY

John & Yvonne (& Major!),

Thank you for helping make my 30th birthday so exceptionally special.
It was such a gift to stay at your amazing castle.

This place is truly magical, and driving through the gates is like entering another realm.
The views are to die for, and the love & care put into this dream are palpable.

We really loved getting a tour & learning the tale of the Castle!
Thank you again for letting us play D&D in the Great Hall.
That was unforgettable.

I’d like to be back here as soon as possible.
May our paths converge sooner rather than later!

Fin & Matt, Natalie & Tom, David
Burlington, VT

Chatham, MA

We are so lucky to have stayed in this beautiful castle for our honeymoon.
It will be in our memories forever. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Love,
Natalie & Ryan Edwards

Brooklyn NY

Dear John & Yvonne,

Well, you’ve done it again!
Thank you for opening your beautiful castle to us for our 1st Anniversary.

We felt so welcome & comfortable in your home. Your hospitality is above & beyond!
Thank you for suggesting local activities and restaurants and for making sure we had everything we needed.

The views and the weather could not have been better.
We’ll cherish our time here until we meet again!

Thank you!
Elizabeth & Michael Sebold

Bernardsville, NY

To John and Yvonne,

Although we may not be here physically, our hearts will always be with you and Highlands Castle. Through his grace, he's brought us together to share our stories and express his gift of life to those around us. As Lexus and I turn the page and start our new chapter, we will always remember your gift that you shared with us, that is Highlands Castle.

With love,
Benjamin Williams and Lexus

Brookfield, Wisconsin

There are so many positive things to say about the castle, the entire property, the views, and the neighborhood, but our favorite thing about our stay was meeting our hosts, John & Yvonne.

Tired of the city chaos, we traded skyscrapers for mountain views and sirens for birdsongs and escaped to Highlands Castle in Bolton Landing for Labor Day Weekend.

By the weekend's end, hearts were full, spirits restored, and memories sealed.

We are eternally grateful for the hospitality of John & Yvonne. Thank you! We can’t wait to come back!

Love,
Bianca Gararino & Michael

New York, NY

John & Yvonne,

Grateful... Forever, I will be grateful for the memories I made here with my daughter.
To watch her light up and share in her excitement – these are what parents live for.

Peaceful... A much-needed restful night in a dream.

Inspiring... I love that this place is an inspiration that grew out of a promise.

Thank you so much for opening your home to us and others and sharing in your vision and the most beautiful view of Lake George!

With appreciation,
Mendy Mattingly

San Diego, CA

Dear John and Yvonne,

This road trip has been filled with such adventure, history, and beautiful scenery, but nothing beats the beautiful home you have here.

All my life, castles have been something you experience through a fairytale, or, if one is lucky, the informative tours of European castles fallen into disrepair and ruin. But you have brought a fairytale to life and made dreams come true with the gift of a night in your suite.

I always love it when people appreciate my work, but never have I thought I could be so good as to inspire people such as yourselves. I deeply appreciate the opportunity of a lifetime, and plan to paint this dream as soon as I am settled into college and able. Thank you so much for opening your home to the world, and thank you for opening your door to me, a young artist.

I am utterly in love with this place,
Maddie Kae Beal

San Diego, California

It was a pleasure meeting John and Yvonne, and I will cherish the conversations we shared during our stay.

Through extraordinarily different lives, we’ve somehow ended up here. This landmark is a symbol of unification through beauty. In a world that has become so plain and repetitive, we have a place to digress and truly absorb our surroundings. I am grateful, and my family has created generational memories here.

Thank you,
Drew Moyer

The Moyer Family - Drew, Brittany, Nola, Avery, David & Rosa

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

I dreamed of being in a place like this, a castle with special details, incredible energy, and where dreams come true. Your castle deeply touched my heart.

We’ll be back,
Tatiana & Randolph Peters
Observe – Learn - Grow – Love

Miami, Florida

Dear John & Yvonne,

Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful home with us here in Lake George. We all have had a wonderful experience with the incredible view of the mountains. You truly created a fantastic place here, and we all felt so calm and serene thanks to you!

We all hope to see you soon!

Sincerely,
The Lorenzo Family & Friends
Tom, Holly, Thomas, Anthony, Malea, and Liz

Matawan, New Jersey

Dear John & Yvonne,

Thank you for letting us stay in your beautiful castle.
Our kids felt like Kings & Queens, so thank you again!
We had a relaxing & peaceful time, and it was just what we needed.
We will be back!

The Blundell family
Cristen, Jamie, London & Chase
XO

John & Yvonne,

Thank you for your hospitality. We enjoyed our stay and our time at the Castle Gatehouse. During our visit, we experienced the 'Revolution Rail' in North Creek and had a great time. We also went on a sunset dinner cruise aboard the Saint Sacrament. The views on the upper deck were lovely. Your town was perfect for walking around, outdoor dining, and shopping.

Thank you again,
The Burnham Family

from Naples Florida

John & Yvonne,

Great time for our D&D adventure!
The vibe and your hospitality were greatly appreciated.

Phong Nguyen, Chris O’Mara, Dan Brottman, Brian Reed, Scott Berkuta

Columbia, Missouri and New Jersey

This was more than just another place to stay, it was a great experience.

We stayed in the Castle Cottage and it was better than described. It was a perfect place to spend time relaxing. The view from the terrace is breathtaking. The beds are comfortable. The kitchen provided everything we needed. The entire unit was very clean. John and Yvonne were warm and gracious hosts. I just can’t say enough good about it all.

We stayed for a 'couple's' trip. It was a great experience! The grounds and view are beautiful. The Castle Cottage had everything we needed for a comfortable stay. The beds and pillows were great. John and Yvonne were warm and gracious hosts.

Rooms: 5/5
Service: 5/5
Location: 5/5

Nearby Activities:
Bolton Landing is a quaint little town on Lake George with great dining and shopping options.

Hghlights:
Great view, Romantic, Quiet

John & Yvonne - Your beautiful castle cottage was the perfect place to spend a few days relaxing. We appreciate your warm hospitality during our stay. Your spot here is amazing, and we loved having our coffee on the terrace. It was great getting to know you, and we'll try to make it back - sooner than later!

Warmly,
Amy & Joe Shada

Houston, TX

Dear John & Yvonne,

Wow! Firstly, we can’t believe you get to live in this magical place!
Secondly, thank you so much for sharing it and accommodating us!
This has been a special place to wake up to and return to on our honeymoon. We will cherish it forever!

Sincerely,
Rachel & Guy Efrat

New York City

Dear John & Yvonne,

Thank you for hosting us for the last three days. This truly is a special place, filled with wonderful memories, as highlighted by all the guests' comments. It’s now part of our memories! We hope our paths will cross again very soon. Bless you both until we meet again.

Best,
The Mort Family
Andy, Mystraly, Theo & Ben

Tujunga, California

Dear John & Yvonne,

From the moment we arrived, we knew this experience would be unforgettable. Seeing our names printed on the welcome sign was our first hint.

As we depart, we cannot thank you enough for all you’ve done. You went above and beyond to welcome us, befriend us, and help us without expectation. Thank you for your sincere kindness.

We, along with our respective families, will certainly return, and we look forward to seeing you then!

With gratitude,
Elisabeth Murray
Roberto, Charlie, and Christina

Northern New Jersey & New York City

John & Yvonne,

We are so excited to stay at your majestic and beautiful castle. Thank you so much for the truly magical experience of staying at your gorgeous Renaissance castle. Every detail, from the architecture to the peaceful surroundings, made this stay feel like stepping into a fairytale storybook. We deeply appreciate your hospitality, warmth, the coffee mugs, and the 4th of July fireworks. It was a privilege to enjoy such a unique and enchanting place. This is a stay we will never forget and look forward to coming back soon.

Shannon & Aidan Andre
John & Valentino Rivoli

New York, NY

Dear John & Yvonne,
I will forever be grateful to you for opening up your castle doors to us and giving us the most unforgettable birthday, vacation, and proposal I could ever dream of. Since our first phone call, I knew that proposing to the love of my life at your castle was the best decision. Your hospitality, kindness, and wisdom truly made this the best stay of our lives. Thank you for letting us experience the magic of Lake George and all it has to offer. We wish you and your family all the best and hope the castle continues to provide happiness and blessings to others for decades to come. Your legacy will be forever remembered.
Until we meet again,
Osman

Dear Yvonne & John,
Thank you for helping my soulmate, Ozzy, surprise and propose to me in your magical castle. Good things do not come to me often, yet here I am, living out a fairy tale. You've both been so kind to him, and that is all I want in this world. Your marriage is also so beautiful and inspirational. We will definitely be back.
Best,
Ramisa

Osman Haq & Ramisa

Dix Hills, NY

John & Yvonne,

Beautiful, beautiful! It's so wonderful that you two shared the beauty of your home with the world. This is a very special stay for us. Thank you!

Sealida (Neresa DiBiasi's cousin)

A very charming castle. Quiet. Fresh air. The decoration, furniture, sculptures, and paintings in the castle are also very tasteful. What is particularly touching is the sincerity and enthusiasm of the hostess, Yvonne. I also want to mention the dog in John's house, which is equally kind and cute. Everyone who has been here has had a comfortable experience and good memories.

P.S. Tsui

John & Yvonne,

Thank you so much for sharing your special piece of the planet. It was peaceful, enchanting, and inviting. We loved our time here, and we hope to revisit!

Nancy Frazer & Wayne Busch

Burnsville, MN

Dear John & Yvonne,

Conor & I had the most unforgettable stay! Thank you both for truly providing the castle for our fairy tale moment. Your home is built with so much love and affection. It's filled with your family's love, as well as the happiness from all the previous guests over the years!

We will always have Highlands Castle & Lake George forever in our hearts as our engagement story!

Love,
Anna & Conor

Brooklyn, NY

John & Yvonne,

Thank you so much for helping our family celebrate Gabriel's graduation! We all had an amazing time and look forward to returning again someday. The kids will miss Bella & Major!

The Ward Greear Family
Matthew, Melissa, Gabriel, Samara, Rose, and Eve

Fallston, MD

John & Yvonne,

Thank you for taking us in last minute! Your home is beyond beautiful, the craftsmanship is stunning, and the story behind its creation was inspiring.

Wishing you good health & happiness!
Angela & Brent Dupras

P.S. I LOVED my play time with Bella & Major. Thank you!

Saratoga, NY

John & Yvonne,

Thank you for opening up your beautiful and charming home to us. The story behind the castle is very special, and we hope to come back again sometime! If you are ever in Canandaigua, look us up. Thank you for the special mugs!

Best,
Bryan & Julie Henry

Canandaigua, NY

My boyfriend, now fiancé!, brought me here to propose! I could not be happier or more grateful for John & Yvonne's beautiful home and their help creating this special day. We also adore the 2 German Shepherds that are an addition to this castle!

Ben Vough & Geonna

Flanders, NJ

John & Yvonne,

DJ and I came up here for our last getaway before becoming new parents. We cannot thank you enough for your hospitality and care during this crazy snow. This is one of the most beautiful places I have ever stayed and I'm so grateful to have experienced it.

Staying here was a big surprise to me, and so was DJ proposing on the terrace, making this the most magical weekend of my life!

Thank you for everything!

Best,
Katie & DJ O'Malley

Easton, MA

John & Yvonne,

Thank you for sharing your gorgeous home with us. We loved learning all the details you shared. We hope to see you again this summer!

Damian & Rachel Kwasniak

Sussex, NJ

We had an incredible time! You both were beyond welcoming and warm.

Plattsburg, NY

John & Yvonne,

We had an incredible time! You both were beyond welcoming and warm, and Bella & Major were the best welcoming crew! You all played a beautiful part in our magical stay, and we can't thank you enough.

Forever thankful,
Kyle & Lauren Peterson

Plattsburgh, NY

Staying in the castle was the most magical experience and made our dreams come true, and I thank you for that and for your hospitality. We had the most wonderful time here. Thank you for everything!

Erin Benware, Will, Cassidy, Kieran

John & Yvonne,

What a beautiful property you have. Eighteen of us renting the castles for the Mystery Murder/Birthday Party was fabulous! We came from as far away as California, Virginia, N. Carolina, and New York. I plan on telling all my friends about this place!

The Northrup, Holdsworth, Boots, and Matzan families

from California, North Carolina, New York, and Virginia