The 10 Best Lakeside Hotels for a Summer Escape
2025-04-19 · 5 min read
Lakeside hotels offer something that beach resorts and mountain lodges can't — a stillness that comes from being surrounded by fresh water, mountain reflections, and mornings so quiet you can hear a fish jump from your balcony. These ten properties sit on the shores of the world's most beautiful lakes.
The Fontenay on Lake Zurich, Switzerland opened in 2018 and immediately became one of Europe's best new luxury hotels. The curved contemporary design by architect Tilla Theus integrates into the lakeshore landscape, and every room faces the water. The 2,500-square-meter spa includes indoor and outdoor pools that blend into the lake view.
Park Hotel Vitznau on Lake Lucerne occupies a restored 19th-century building with direct lake access and mountain views in every direction. The property includes a health club, wine cellar tours through 35,000 bottles, and a private yacht for lake excursions. The setting — midway between Lucerne and the Rigi mountain railway — puts you at the center of Switzerland's most scenic area.
Lefay Resort and Spa on Lake Garda, Italy perches on the hillside above Gargnano with an infinity pool that appears to merge with the lake below. The wellness program draws on Traditional Chinese Medicine and Italian thermal traditions. The Michelin-recognized restaurant uses ingredients from the resort's organic garden and olive groves.
Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort on a remote inlet in British Columbia combines lake stillness with Pacific Northwest wilderness. Accessible only by floatplane, the resort offers kayaking, heli-fishing, whale watching, and bear viewing within a setting of old-growth forest and glacial water. The maximum capacity of 18 guests ensures absolute privacy.
Hoshinoya Fuji on Lake Kawaguchi, Japan occupies a hillside in the forest below Mount Fuji. The glamping-meets-luxury concept features individual cabins with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the iconic mountain. Activities include outdoor cooking workshops, forest meditation, and canoeing on the lake at dawn when Fuji's reflection is sharpest.
