Reviews

We really had a wonderful time here at the Castle.
I am so thankful to you and God for making this possible.
May God bless you and your family with lots of good health & happiness forever.
We will highly recommend this magical place to our friends so they can have a wonderful time here, as we did.
This place is truly a blessing.
See you soon 😊.

With lots of love,
Satish & Harvinder

Floral Park, New York

John & Yvonne,

Thank you for your gracious hospitality. The beauty & wonder of your castle is only matched by the beauty & wonder of who you are.

Thanks again,
Jackie & Tony Cortese
40th Anniversary

Albany, New York

John & Yvonne,
I know we said this a million times while we were here, but I’m going to say it again – You have the best view ever! We’ve got pictures of beautiful places in NC, Florida, the Bahamas, mountains in VA, West VA, and TN, but you have the most beautiful views of them all! And the castle is just so amazing! The architecture, design, and décor are all just so beautiful. We are still in shock that we were able to spend our 15th wedding anniversary in such a dream location. The most special part of our trip was getting to know the two of you. To learn what wonderful, kind, generous people you are made this one of our best trips ever! We so enjoyed our conversations and learning how you built the castle, as well as your wonderful life together. You’ve put so much love, hard work, and time into making this castle feel like a place of peace and love, and you have definitely succeeded! Thank you for making our trip so special!
God bless you both.

Ricky & Wendy Prillaman
15th Anniversary

Bassett, Virginia

Thank you for having us. You’ve built a homey castle.
It is definitely a unique experience staying in a castle!
We’re only sorry the stay was so short.
Thank you for opening your home.

Sincerely,
Min & Jordan Griffin

Malden, MA

John & Yvonne,

What a magical weekend and a 10-year anniversary we will never forget!
It truly amazes us what you have built and your story.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for sharing your home with us.
I am grateful that our pathways have crossed, and I am in awe of you both.
We wish you all the love and blessings to come, and we would love to hear more about them next time.
Thank you again for letting us live the dream for the weekend!

With Love,
Cady & Derek

Burlington Flats, New York

John & Yvonne,

We thank you kindly for your warmth and gracious hospitality. Within these castle walls, we marked ten years of marriage, and the night felt touched by magic. Your welcome was heartfelt, and your home is a place where memories are easily made. We are forever grateful for sharing this beautiful castle and for your kindness to us on such a special day.

Autumn & Christian

Glenville, NY

Dear John & Yvonne,

Thank you so much for our magical weekend.
It was a pleasure spending our 24th wedding anniversary here with you.
You have a beautiful home with an amazing story.
It was great to spend time in a home built on love.
We look forward to seeing you again.

Love,
Trish & Dan Spenziero

Spotswood, NJ

Dear John & Yvonne,

Thank you for this weekend and for helping with our proposal surprise – couldn’t have done it without your help!
My fiancé will never forget her winter night proposal weekend in a castle. Thanks again for everything, it truly means a lot to me & Dakota.

Best wishes from,
Ryan J. Jordan & Dakota


John & Yvonne (and Major!),

Thank you for a wonderful and magical stay! Your castle is a majestic and cozy place where I was lucky enough to witness my best friends get engaged! Thank you for welcoming us in and telling me the beautiful story of how Highlands Castle came to be!
Major was a wonderful surprise and another great host!

Christina
Oswego, NY

Fulton, NY

John & Yvonne,

Thank you for sharing your amazing home with us this weekend.
This was a special birthday celebration for Gary, one that neither of us will ever forget.
Additionally, the time you took to visit with us helped to make us feel so welcome!
We are both looking forward to visiting again.

Best wishes,
Susan & Gary Merkel

Rochester, NY

We loved our visit here, and John & Yvonne were wonderful! The space was clean, quiet, and truly magical.
The views were second to none, and the castle and other buildings are truly worth experiencing.
We loved learning about the history of this place, and we will certainly be back.

Matthew Brownstein & Faith

Moriah, New York

John & Yvonne,

We cannot thank you enough for sharing your beautiful home & stories with us!
Thank you for providing us with a truly unique & peaceful experience at your castle.
Every detail is impeccable and thoughtful.
We will be back!

Jessica & Mike Ciardulli

Bloomfield, New Jersy

To our most gracious hosts,

Thank you so much for opening your home to us.
It is one of the most magical places I’ve had the joy of experiencing.
And thanks for making our anniversary truly amazing!
Have a great holiday season, and may God bless you always.
We will surely be back!

Vikki & Rei Santana

North Bellmore. NY

John & Yvonne,

This place, your home, is a dream. To stay here for my bachelorette has been nothing short of magical.
This beautiful castle, the breathtaking views, the crisp air, the kind people, and the hand of God in the story of this place.
I feel so blessed to have had such great friends to plan this for me and to experience this weekend here, surrounded by love and laughter.
It feels as if this place was woven out of my dreams, and I hope to return one day with my future husband.
Thank you so, so much for your incredible hospitality. I will carry the memories of this weekend and your story with me always.

Fallon Prinzivalli

Yonkers, NY

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

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,

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)