It’s exclusive company. Only the world’s top 500 hotels are admitted. This year, a five-year-old Lake George hotel is among them.

Expedia, the third largest travel site in the word, has announced that the Wingate by Windham Lake George hotel has been placed on its 2011 Expedia Insiders select list.

According to Expedia, the list is based on more than 500,000 surveys collected by Expedia from customers who have booked rooms through the site.

“The list provides travelers with a powerful tool to find the perfect hotel, using the experience of other travelers. At a time when there are so many hotels to choose from, this award is a guiding factor in guests choosing a destination accompanied by a hotel,” the company said.

The Wingate by Windham Lake George was ranked 93rd among the 500 hotels that made the list.

“We are pleased that a hotel in Lake George, New York can rank 93 out of the 500 hotels chosen from more than 130,000 hotels from as far away as France, Italy, London, California, to Washington DC,” said Tressa Corlew, the hotel’s General Manager.

“To be in the company of some of the finest hotels in the world is truly a compliment to the hotel and our staff,” she said.

“No other hotel in the larger Capital District was selected for the list of the top 500 top hotels, let alone the top 100,” said hotel owner Vinnie Spitzer. “I believe our customer service, our attitude, our quality shows through, and that’s what people responded to.

We feel really good about it, especially since this is only our fifth season.”

The 96-room hotel opened in June, 2007.

“We’re delighted to be open in time to welcome summer travelers to Lake George,” said Jason Sherry,

Planned by Saratoga-based Phinney Design Group, a consulting firm with a reputation for creating “green buildings,” the four-storey hotel features a reflective white roof to keep the building cool. The exterior also uses a locally quarried stone facade, and has a highly efficient indoor heating and cooling system.

Operated by Adirondack Lodging LLC, the facility includes a number of distinctive features, among them, an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, 24-hour access to a business center with free usage of fax, printing and copying equipment, and wireless phones in every guest room.

“We also have flexible meeting and function space for events ranging in size from 10 to 100 and offer a state-of-the-art board room with permanent seating for 12,” said Corlew, a graduate of Lake George High School who has been with the hotel since 2007.

In addition, guests receive a free breakfast buffet, complimentary high-speed Internet service, a whirlpool, exercise facilities, and free accommodations for children 18 and under accompanied by an adult.

Corlew credited the hotel’s staff with helping it earn its place on the Expedia Insiders Select List.

“It takes a group of dedicated employees to exceed our guest’s expectations. The dedication of the Wingate staff to consistently work as a team certainly proves that the way a team plays as a whole determines its success,” she said.

The recognition from Expedia should also help raise Lake George’s profile, she said.

“This award to the Wingate places Lake George in the company of some of the finest destination spots in the world. It provides one more opportunity for the Lake George region to shine. We feel that this recognition benefits the whole region and we hope that we can generate more tourist visits to Lake George,” said Corlew.