The Top Lakeside Hotels and Resorts in the US | SmarterTravel (2024)

The ocean often takes center stage when it comes to waterfront vacations, but many people prefer a lakeside excursion to the expanse of the ocean. Lakeside resorts boomed at the turn of the 20th century, and many remain in operation today. Between the resorts of yesteryear and newer ones, there are several to choose from throughout the United States. Whether you are a couple looking for a luxurious weekend getaway or a family looking for the perfect spot for your summer vacation, we have found the best Lakeside Hotels and Resorts in the US.

Luxury Lakeside Resorts

The Lodge at Edgewood Tahoe – Lake Tahoe, Nevada

One of the most luxurious stays on Lake Tahoe, the Lodge at Edgewood Tahoe boasts stunning lakefront views, a private beach, multiple restaurants, and a world-class spa. You can spend your days golfing, swimming, relaxing by the fire pit, or exploring the nearby areas. The rooms range from standard rooms to suites, and the ultra-luxurious, 4100-square-foot villas feature fireplaces, soaking tubs, and private balconies. Activities are endless at the resort, featuring mimosa hours, kid’s beach obstacle courses, movies on the green, and toning and conditioning. Daily activities include Apres Sleep Cart, an evening s’mores bar, lawn games, and sunset mountain yoga.

The Sagamore – Lake George, New York

This grand historic resort offers luxurious accommodations, diverse dining options, and a variety of lake activities, making it the perfect spot for your lakeside vacation. The Sagamore provides a variety of lodging to suit any taste. Choose from classic elegance in the historic, original 1883 building, or opt for a more modern stay in their lodges, houses, condos, or bi-level suites. No matter your preference, all of their accommodations combine modern amenities with the celebration of the hotel’s rich history. The resort boasts 70 acres packed with activities, including a Rec Center for kids and a stunning zero-edge pool overlooking the lake. Guests love to tour Lake George on The Morgan, the resort’s 19th-century replica touring vessel. No need to worry about downtime at this resort! They cater to various interests, offering activities from exhilarating adventures like golf, whitewater rafting, and horseback riding to calming options like yoga and spa treatments. Whether you seek thrills or relaxation, you will find something to suit your mood.

The Point, Saranac Lake, New York

The Point was originally a Rockefeller family retreat built during the Gilded Age’s golden age of Adirondack’s “Great Camps.” Today, it blends rustic charm with unparalleled luxury for guests over twenty-one. This historic property offers unique accommodations spread throughout four log buildings. The eleven guest rooms are all decorated with period furniture and art from the early 19th century Great Camp Era and boast stunning lake views, handcrafted beds, cozy fireplaces, and private outdoor seating. This all-inclusive resort offers guests a pool, numerous complimentary bars, lookout points, and a glass of champagne upon arrival. Your days will be filled with activities, from boating, tennis, waterskiing, swimming, kayaking, a Hackercraft tour of the lake, or even a thrilling seaplane tour for stunning aerial views of the Adirondacks. Wellness is also at the forefront of the resort, with wellness programs focused on nature, including Yoga, nature bathing, foraging, nature art excursions, and guided meditation. You also won’t find a traditional restaurant at the Point; the restaurant is not open to the public and is only for guests. All guests dine together, typically in the Great Hall, although outdoor barbecues, picnics, and in-room dining are available. co*cktails can be enjoyed on a vintage Elco boat ride- no matter how you dine, you can be sure it will be unique.

Grand Hotel Mackinac Island – Lake Huron, Michigan

Established in 1887, the Grand Hotel has been a summer retreat for generations. This national historic landmark seamlessly combines old-world charm with modern enhancements. Each of the 393 guest rooms boasts a distinctive themed decor. Rooms range from standard interior, lake view, one-bedroom suites, and spacious cottages with modern amenities like air conditioning, WiFi, and cable TV. You will not be without activities during your historic stay. You can play golf on the Jewel Golf Course, swim in the serpentine pool, tour the island on a horse-drawn carriage, or simply enjoy the lush gardens with over 150 flower varieties. Dining options are plentiful, with thirteen restaurants and bars, including the elegant main dining room (with dress code) or the more casual Gate House. For a real step back in time, indulge in a traditional afternoon tea.

Lake Austin Spa Resort – Colorado River, Texas

While technically not a lakeside resort, Lake Austin Spa Resort is nestled along the Colorado River and offers a luxurious escape just 30 minutes outside downtown Austin. Wellness is at the forefront of this world-class spot, with the LakeHouse Spa providing a variety of treatments for ultimate pampering while yoga, boating, and hiking options encourage outdoor activity. Rooms boast private porches, soaking tubs, and peaceful serenity. Though pricey, the all-inclusive nature of the resort (meals, beverages, and activities) makes it worth it.

Lake Hotels for Families

Grand View Lodge – Gull Lake, Minnesota

This resort caters to all family interests, making it the perfect spot for your lakeside vacation. Two golf courses, an on-site spa, and two swimming pools with waterslides are just a few of the highlights for the whole family. Their Kids Club allows parents to enjoy adult activities while the kids have fun making supervised memories on their own. With six different lodging areas, Grand View provides the accommodations you need: boutique hotel rooms, cabins, luxury residences, and more. Fill your days with activities, whether enjoying the lake on a pontoon cruise, relaxing with yoga, tubing, or having fun at a corn hole tournament. There are various family-friendly dining options to suit any mood during your stay. You can choose from lakeside dining, buffet breakfasts, pub food, and more from casual to intimate settings. The eight restaurants are conveniently located throughout the resort, so you’re never far from a delicious meal.

Unique Lakeside Stays for Active Travelers

Suttle Lodge – Suttle Lake, Oregon

Suttle Lodge offers a true escape in Deschutes National Forest and is packed with outdoor adventures for visitors. Enjoy boating, fishing, stargazing, hiking, and biking in the summer. The lodge offers a variety of accommodation options to suit your needs. Choose from standard hotel-style rooms in the Lodge, rustic cabins for a more camp-like experience, or lakeside cabins with fully equipped kitchens. Dining options include a bar and restaurant, and cabins come equipped with grills. Rentals for kayaks, paddle boards, and canoes are available for a fee, starting at $35 for an hour to $85 for a full day to enjoy on the lake.

Tordrillo Mountain Lodge – Judd Lake, Alaska

This remote wilderness lodge is perfect for exploring Denali National Park with guided hikes, fishing expeditions, and wildlife viewing. One of the founders is Olympic gold medalist skier Tommy Moe, who “wanted to share his passion for the outdoors in the stunning Alaskan wilderness,” so you know adventure will be abundant during your stay. Adventures begin with a 40-minute float plane ride from Anchorage. They will continue throughout your stay- whether through heli fishing (accessing remote fishing areas by helicopter), a Via Ferrata tour, white water rafting, glacier hiking, canoeing, and more. Choose from the main lodge’s bedrooms, private lakeside cabins, or a spacious four-bedroom private lodge. You will savor gourmet meals featuring fresh Alaskan seafood and other regional specialties. Relax at the on-site spa cabin with massage treatments, a sauna, a gym, and a lakeside hot tub. The nightly rate is steep, starting at over $8,000 a night. Still, luxurious amenities include a free helicopter, yoga, professional massage services, sauna, hot tub, 500-bottle wine cellar, and use of bikes, SUPs, kayaks, canoes, snowshoes, and more.

Top Finger Lakes Hotels and Resorts

The Lake House on Canandaigua – Canandaigua Lake, New York

Recharge at this luxurious escape in the Finger Lakes with a focus on wellness and relaxation. The serene atmosphere with a garden and library offers tranquility, while the surrounding terrain offers hiking and biking trails for those who want to be more active. Pamper yourself at the Willowbrook Spa, indulging in a hot stone massage or other therapeutic treatment. There are two onsite restaurants featuring local cuisine, the seasonal Pool Bar & Grill, and the Library serves coffee and drinks for the ultimate dining experiences during your stay. The 124 rooms range from standard rooms to suites with balconies and lake views, with all rooms including custom-designed furniture, in-room Nespresso machines, priority bikes, WiFi, and more. Enjoy a morning, afternoon or evening cruise on the lake, yoga, wakesurfing, kayaking, paddle boarding, get a tarot card reading, or ask the concierge to book a wine tour of the area. No matter your choice, The Lake House will satisfy every need for your lakeside stay.

The Inns of Aurora – Cayuga Lake, New York

This Lakeside Inn is unique in that it is located within a town, unlike most lakeside resorts that are quite secluded. The Inns are comprised of six distinctive buildings, each with varying options for accommodations including deluxe rooms to premier suites. Guests can embrace the outdoors with access to the lakefront and dock, and borrow paddle boards, kayaks and canoes to explore the water. Bicycles and helmets are also available for those who prefer to explore the surrounding land. You can take a break from it all with a book from their lending library, or get closer to nature with binoculars, telescopes and stargazing kits- all included in your stay. Reach true rejuvenation at their spa, overlooking the lake and offering a variety of treatments, each one practically guaranteed to make you feel better.

East Coast Lakeside Resorts

Basin Harbor – Lake Champlain, Vermont

Basin Harbor is a historic lakeside retreat perfect for families. This all-inclusive resort boasts an 18-hole golf course, a marina, a nightclub, and a beachfront location ideal for relaxing lakeside. Guests can enjoy a beach bar, beach massages, and delicious meals at the on-site restaurants. Kids will love playing in the pool, while adults can enjoy a yoga or pilates class or explore the lake on a kayak or motorboat. Additional amenities include tennis courts, bike rentals, and even RV parking. Choose from 74 cottages for your stay, or if you prefer a traditional hotel room, there are four lodges to choose from: The Main Lodge, The Historic Homestead, Champlain House, and Summit – all with their own unique character.

Lodge at Moosehead Lake – Moosehead Lake, Maine

Nestled among the mountains of Moosehead Lake, this resort offers everything you need for a relaxing getaway. Open seasonally from May to October, this adult-only resort offers stunning lake views, romantic rooms with fireplaces and jetted tubs, and exceptional fine dining. No matter what room you choose, whether in the lodge or the carriage house, you’ll get a multi-course gourmet breakfast, an in-room fireplace, a sleep sound machine, and stunning views. For an extra fee, guests can spot moose on a Moose Safari, go on a seaplane ride, explore by ATV, go whitewater rafting, and even explore the memorial and crash site of a US Air Force B-52C.

Migis Lodge – Lake Sebago, Maine

Nestled on 135 acres of land on Sebago Lake, Migis Lodge offers a secluded retreat for your lakeside adventure. This all-inclusive resort has welcomed guests for over a century and offers main lodge accommodations and cottages ranging from studios to six bedrooms. Your stay includes three delicious meals daily, served in the main dining room, by the lake at Cookout Point, or even on their private island. The activities at Migis are plentiful, from waterskiing, kayaking, sailing, a disc golf course, tennis courts, a bonfire, a wellness center, and kids clubs for the youngest guests.

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.