It’s not too late to enjoy a lakeside retreat. Whether you’re looking to travel near or far, in many places those warm days of summer linger through late September and sometimes well into October or even later. These stunning lakeside resorts are so impressive, they’re sure to make you want to book ASAP before summer makes its final goodbye.
The Manor on Golden Pond, New Hampshire
Set within the Lakes Region of central New Hampshire, Golden Pond served as the backdrop for the popular film “On Golden Pond,” and while a variety of lodging options can be found nearby, The Manor on Golden Pond is truly one of the best. Just like the movie showcased, this area is the ideal spot for quiet reflection and little has changed since it was released three decades ago. The quintessential New England scene for enjoying fishing or paddling out in a kayak or canoe while listening to the call of the loon. The manor is known for its romantic and tranquil ambiance, framed by sentinel pines and the White Mountain foothills. It also hosts a spa with a wealth of treatments aimed to relax and restore, like the “Maple Moments” mud wrap infused with New Hampshire maple syrup.
Hotel Isla Suasi, Lake Titicaca
Hotel Isla Suasi is all about solitude. Here you’ll have access to a private beach and dock on the only private island in Lake Titicaca, South America’s largest lake. There are no motor vehicles or TV, but you will have lavish amenities at your disposal. Kayaking, canoeing and hiking to the top of the island where you can take in glorious sunset views or admire the star-filled night sky are all popular here. You may also want to visit the floating islands of the Uros people, a cluster of 60 islands, where you can spend time with the local families whose ancestors have inhabited the islands for decades. Learn how they live, educate their children, share food, cook and maintain the condition of the islands.
Azur Lodge - Queenstown, New Zealand
The Azur Lodge sits on one of New Zealand’s, and the world’s, most beautiful lakes: Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown. It has a laid-back feel like a backpackers’ inn, while providing dramatically luxurious surroundings. Perched on a hillside, guests enjoy impressive views of one of the country’s most scenic areas while being just two miles outside of town in the heart of New Zealand’s adventure capital. Just some of the thrilling activities that await include whitewater rafting, jet boating, skydiving, bungee jumping and zip lining, as well as more gentle pursuits like golfing and scenic hikes. All of the lodge’s villas include bathrooms with rainforest showers and double spa baths, as well as huge windows that help bring the magnificence of the outdoors in.
The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee - Greensboro, Georgia
Located just 75 miles from Atlanta in Greensboro, Lake Oconee is famous for providing some of the region’s very best fishing, boating and other water sports like wakeboarding and kayaking. Bordered by the Oconee National Forest, guests at the Ritz-Carlton Reynolds enjoy especially picturesque views in an upscale lakeside retreat. The resort community features 117 holes of golf right onsite, as well as hiking trails, full-service marinas and numerous waterfront amenities. You’ll have an array of luxury accommodations to choose from, including cottages, condos and inn rooms.
Emerald Lake Lodge - Yoho National Park, British Columbia, Canada
Emerald Lake Lodge in beautiful British Columbia is located in Yoho National Park, aptly named for a Cree expression of “awe and wonder.” It boasts soaring rock walls, gorgeous waterfalls, vast glaciers and multiple dramatic, rocky mountain peaks. It’s a hikers’ dream, with treks of all types, from short strolls around the lake and to Wapta Falls as well as hikes where half-a-billion-year-old fossils can be discovered in the Burgess Shale fossil beds and epic multi-day adventures on the high-elevation Iceline Trail. Accommodation is in 24 cabin-style buildings that are tucked among one of the most breathtaking wilderness settings in the world. – there are no TVs, no Internet, and no cell phone reception, which means, this is the place to totally forget about all your cares and truly get back to nature. Choose a lake view room and you’ll have a private balcony overlooking the lake.
Jenny Lake Lodge - Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
It’s hard to beat Jenny Lake Lodge when it comes to lakeside resorts. Located at Jenny Lake, one of the highlights of Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, it’s a popular place not only for its awe-inspiring views, but fishing and boating, hiking and abundant wildlife. From here, you’ll have convenient access to the Jenny Lake Boat which will bring you to the base of Cascade Canyon and a trail to Hidden Falls. The lodge itself is a luxury eco-resort made up of private cabins, and is renowned for its gourmet fare that includes seasonal five-course dinners with dishes like hickory-smoked trout.
Lutsen Resort - Lutsen, Minnesota
Located on Lake Superior, a lake so vast it could hold all of the water from all of the other Great Lakes offers a wealth of recreational activities, including fishing for multiple species throughout the year, like small mouth bass, trout, salmon, northern pike, smelt, walleye and many others. Lutsen Resort is ideal for a romantic getaway or a family retreat, set along the North Shore in Minnesota. It offers lots of ways to immerse yourself in the scenery, from guided sea-kayak tours and hikes to fly fishing classes. Relaxation options are just as plentiful and include lounging on an Adirondack chair on the beach, gazing out at the water, star gazing and massage.
Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa - Lake Placid, New York
Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa makes for an ideal lakeside Adirondack Mountain getaway, including Mirror Lake views from every window. This historic property comes with plenty of charms, featuring cozy, lodge-like rooms, some with fireplaces, jetted tubs and balconies, along with outstanding hospitality – guests are welcomed with homemade cookies at check-in. There are two pools, one indoor and one outdoor, a large hot tub, and a small beach area and dock for swimming in the lake. If you don’t want to get wet, the Adirondack chairs invite you to simply sit back and soak up the views.
Wallowa Lake Lodge - Joseph, Oregon
Tucked along the doorstep of Eagle Cap just, the largest wilderness area in Oregon, just a mile south of the town of Joseph in the northeast region of the state, Wallowa Lake is surrounded on three sides by soaring 9,000-foot-tall snow-capped mountains. At Wallowa Lake Lodge, guests can take advantage of the lake’s marina with a variety of watercraft rentals, including kayaks, canoes, paddle boats, paddleboards, rowboats, motor boats and pontoons, as well as fish or swim in the crystal clear waters. The surrounding region is fantastic for horseback riding, biking and wildlife viewing among the stunning scenery. The restored 1923 lodge enjoys a tranquil atmosphere with no phones or TVs, though it does offer tasty steak dinners and a very peaceful night’s rest.
