Reviews

Our family typically vacations at the ocean, but we decided to visit the area so close to where we live. Turns out it was a great idea! Bolton Landing is pretty central to several places that we wanted to check out, so we made it our home away from home for a few wonderful days. We were able to visit Ticonderoga, Lake George village, Saratoga Springs, and so many other places of interest easily from our home base. The scenery is absolutely beautiful, and from many places in town you can look up the hill and see John & Yvonne’s castle nestled among the trees. We had great meals, found nice shopping, and had plenty of places to walk and explore the town. Highlands Castle really is straight out of a fairy tale. The rooms are decorated beautifully, the views are stunning and the peace and quiet was wonderful. John & Yvonne are very attentive and welcoming, they couldn’t have been better hosts. This stay was absolutely amazing.

Trish Blouin
Google review

Torrington, CT

John & Yvonne,

I would like to extend our sincere appreciation for the magical retreat we found at Highlands Castle.
You should be immensely proud of all you have accomplished here. There is nowhere like it.
The unique beauty and personal touch to every detail are hard not to notice and appreciate.
Your hospitality was memorable, and I am so glad to have learned the rich and humble tale of Highlands Castle.
We hope to return!

The Murrays
Tim, Shannon, Eamon, Aislinn, Cadence & Katiemae

Long Island, NY

What a beautiful escape! Everything was just perfect… the views, the lodging, and the hosts.
Thank you for sharing your slice of heaven with us, John & Yvonne.

The Blouins
Trish, Bill & Nick

Torrington, Connecticut

'The Castle Gatehouse' of Highlands Castle

My family loved our visit to the Highlands Castle! The owners John and Yvonne gave us a tour of their castle and the history behind it which made it even more special. There are several choices of castles to stay in and we chose the gatehouse which is a very private castle nestled in the woods. We woke up in the morning and saw a deer eating right outside of our window. The castle is meticulously decorated to make you feel like you are really in a castle. There are several nooks and crannies and overlooks. My daughter said she felt like Rapunzel living in a tower. The location is wonderful nestled on top of a mountain yet close to the bustling downtown and the Sagamore resort. The view of the lake and the mountains is amazing. We enjoyed having cocktails and watching the fireworks display on the 4th of July. I can't say enough about our amazing visit to Highlands Castle and our wonderful hosts John and Yvonne.

The Gauta Family

Naples, Florida

John and Yvonne,

Thank you again for another amazing vacation at The Castle.
Our fourth visit was just as amazing as our first three.
The girls still love our annual visit to your breathtaking home.
Your one-of-a-kind experience is the highlight of our East Coast vacation.

See you next year!
The Della Penna Family
Nick, Julie, Soaren and Olivia

Las Vegas, Nevada

Dear John & Yvonne,

It was a pleasure meeting you. Thank you for your warm welcome and gracious hospitality.
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay; the breathtaking views of Lake George, the peaceful surroundings, and the impressive Fourth of July fireworks made it truly memorable! Thank you as well for your thoughtful keepsake mugs. We will remember our stay here fondly.

With much love and gratitude,
The Bhatta Family

Summit, New Jersey

Dear John & Yvonne,

Thank you so much for hosting our family at your castle. It will be such an amazing memory spending the 250th Anniversary of the USA with you!

Thanks again,
Joe & Sue Gauta
Spencer, Samantha, Stephen, Meghan

Naples, Florida

If you ever went to Disney World and paid to eat at the castle you owe it to yourself and your love to spend a couple of nights here. Unlike the Disney Castle there is not a single piece here that is mass produced or that caters to the masses. This GORGEOUS CASTLE is a moment in time! Unlike Disney It's NOT going to last forever. This is not a corporation, or a chain. This is a BEAUTIFUL hand built (with love and purpose) BREATHTAKING Castle that greets you with open arms from the moment you arrive with the most beautiful wonderful people you will ever meet, John and Yvonne. Unlike most pictures here where the focus is on how beautiful the castle is as a whole I took these pictures to show the love and detail in every space at Highlands Castle. Obviously there are thousands of things more to see and experience here. But I just wanted to focus on a few to give you an Idea of the difference in detail when comparing Highlands Castle to any other. When you look at these pictures I took, you will realize that pretty much everything is handmade, or unique. Down to the towels. The incredible hardwood floors the amazing hand built wooden doors, hinges, railings, one of a kind ornaments and all things found in every single inch of this Castle are screaming love and purpose. When is the last time you took a bath in a hand built copper bathtub? Or washed your hands in a hand built copper sink with water that flowed from a lion's mouth? Not to mention every evening view from the Highlands Castle was breathtaking. It had the most beautiful view of Lake George and surrounding mountains. My wife and I celebrated our 24th anniversary here and we're definitely coming back. You owe it to yourself to feel like a King and Queen. You won't be disappointed.

Google review written by
Claudio & Michelle Laraia

Mohegan Lake, NY

Dear John & Yvonne,

It was so nice staying in the castle. It is truly a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
Having this magnificent experience atop the mountain and seeing the lake every day was so lovely!
It reminded me of my childhood in the mountains and shows many of the glories of God’s creation.
We all loved the castle, the details (on everything, especially the wood carvings), and your story.
It was a delight spending time with you all! We truly appreciate everything you did for us and your kindness.

We hope to come back again!

Love,
Jenna, Jayla & Jahzara Wiles

New Jersey

Dear John & Yvonne,

From the moment we arrived, I was filled with excitement. I could feel the big smile on my face, waiting for my husband to get out of the car.
Your home is beautiful & enchanting. We see your hard work & attention to detail. We so much appreciate you sharing your amazing home with us.
We loved our time here at your castle & very much enjoyed our time spent with both of you & Major. Your warmth makes the experience complete.

Michelle & Claudio Laraia

Mohegan Lake, NY

John is an incredible, down-to-earth person who has a true passion and lifetime commitment to making his dreams come true.

The property is immaculate, and no detail was without proper thought or purpose. It was absolutely stunning.
It truly was like stepping into another time, where passion, taste, and elegance shone, and where passion met creativity.
We booked the walking tour, and it’s an absolute must when staying in the Lake George area - especially for couples.

His wife, Yvonne, was lovely as well, and I couldn’t have been happier with the experience.
We will definitely be returning to stay a night or two in this special little corner of paradise.
Thank you, John and Yvonne, for a wonderful experience.

Robert Brett

Piermont, NY

John & Yvonne,

Thanks so much for a wonderful 10 Year Anniversary stay in your wonderful home. We’re not far away and look forward to coming back.

Happy Father’s Day,
Roy & Amy Hadden

Waitsfield, Vermont

John & Yvonne,

Thank you for sharing your home and castle with Jevon & me.
It was a weekend full of adventure and amazing memories.
Don’t change anything.

Until next time, be well,
Jodi Sellie & Jevon Garrett

Schenectady, NY; Troy, NY

John - I wanted to thank you again for yesterday's Site Visit.
This was Eric's second Father's Day without his dad after losing him unexpectedly in October of 2024.
So last year and this year, I've tried to plan something a little extra special for him to make the day memorable.
Your time and kindness are so appreciated... it truly turned out to be the perfect kind of day.

Thank you and we hope to see you again, 🤍
Stefanie, Eric, Tanner, and Grason Ackernecht

Canajoharie, NY

John & Yvonne,

What an absolute pleasure it was to stay at your beautiful castle!
This place will remain special in our hearts forever.

We got engaged with the most amazing view and ended our perfect night watching the stars, meeting Major, and seeing the New York Knicks win the NBA finals!!!
Talk about a perfect weekend!

Thank you again for everything you did to help make it happen.

XOXO. We’ll see you again…
Kevin Bodell & Sandra

Brooklyn, New York

My husband and I stayed here to enjoy & renew our 20th Wedding Anniversary! The owners were delightful & down to earth.
They showed us the entire property & it was beautiful (just like the view of Lake George, the beautiful mountains, and tiny islands).
Our preacher went along with us during the tour; he stayed on the top terrace & enjoyed the weather & scenery.
When we went back to get him for dinner, he hadn’t moved. He told us that he could spend the rest of his life there!

I’m glad that I chose this wonderful place for such a wonderful occasion!

John & Yvonne,
Thanks for all the phone conversations and for helping us plan this significant 20th Anniversary vow renewal.
Your hospitality is second to none!

All the Best,
Travis & Henrietta Locklear

Lumberton, North Carolina

Dear John & Yvonne,

Thank you so much for making our Golden Wedding Anniversary special by sharing your beautiful home with us!
Staying in the Castle Cottage was a dream come true and exceeded our expectations.
Lake George is a beautiful area and offered us a variety of experiences from rail biking to sailing on the Mohican and visiting Ticonderoga. We enjoyed our visit with you at the main castle and, of course, loved meeting Major.
The Castle Cottage has felt so much like home over the past few days, thanks to your hospitality.
Warm wishes to you and Major. We will miss all of you.

Eric and Jeri Van Leer

New Hartford, CT

Dear John and Yvonne,

Wow, wow, wow! This actual castle is more magnificent in person than in any of the pictures we saw before we arrived.
The views of Lake George from virtually every corner are incredible and difficult to walk away from, almost as much as the amazing details throughout the castle.
We could have spent our entire time examining each “museum” piece and absorbing the obvious meaning behind them all.
We hardly saw John and Yvonne, and then only when they made sure we had everything we needed.
They are wonderful, welcoming, and genuine people.
They made us feel like the castle was ours, and certainly like royalty.
Our Lake George experience could not have been more special, thanks to staying at Highlands Castle.

The Tepedino’s
Michael, Yiselle, Christopher, and Alexander

New York

A castle created.
A promise kept.
A labour of love.
A destiny designed.
A legacy born.
Now moments are shared
Memories are made
Families and friends gather
And cherish the castle.
A place for celebrations, for relaxation, for reflection…
The castle is a fortress; she holds all of the love, all of the laughter, and all of the dreams of those who have stayed within her walls.
The castle is blessed, and so are the caretakers, for they have shared their home generously with all who have sojourned to the Highlands.

Many Blessings,
Heather & Adam Katz

Fall River, Massachusetts

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