Gideon Putnam Resort Hotel History / Gideon Putnam

Gideon Putnam Resort & Spa


The Estate Room From the first small Gideon Putnam hotel rose the village of Saratoga Springs, Saratoga Spa State Park and the Gideon Putnam Resort. Learn how our remarkable history has shaped who we are and what we do.

Our hotel bears the name of the very founder of Saratoga Springs — Gideon Putnam. A visionary who settled near High Rock Spring in 1795, he saw the area's potential and purchased land near Congress Spring to build Putnam's Tavern and Boarding House. Gideon soon enlarged the guesthouse to accommodate demand for access to the area springs and went on to lay out his plans for a village – calling it Saratoga Springs. The name comes from the Iroquois word "Sarachtogoe," which means “place of swift water.” In tribute to the profound and lasting effect of his early efforts, the state funded the project in the 1930's to build the Saratoga Spa State Park including the Gideon Putnam Resort.


Internationally acclaimed artist, James Reynolds, created the murals in the dining room, depicting scenes from Saratoga society and the Adirondacks.  Dorothy Tuckerman Draper, one of the most successful interior designers of the 1930s and 40s and the designer of West Virginia’s Greenbrier Resort, was commissioned to decorate the interior of the hotel.  The bright vivid colors of her designs were intended to relax and invigorate visitors in keeping with the overall mission of the Spa, the healing of bodies and spirits.

Today, Gideon Putnam Resort proves as enduring as our namesake, celebrating our 7th decade of continuous operation.

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"My husband and I were married at the Gideon Putnam in an outdoor ceremony. The grounds were impeccable and the attentiveness of staff; unbeatable. We and our guests were thrilled with the setting, service, and classiness of this resort. Thank you so much for helping to fulfill all our dreams for a perfect wedding!”

– Elizabeth

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