8 lakefront hotels that’ll transport you to sleepaway camp

Make this the year you reclaim summer vacation with a stay at one of these eight lakefront hotels. From Lake Michigan to Lake Champlain, they'll transport you back to sleepaway camp with everything from swimming to fly fishing to late nights around the campfire. But instead of bunk beds and communal bathrooms, you'll enjoy spacious rooms equipped with fireplaces, deep-soaking tubs, private balconies and more.

When you're settled in, head outdoors for some fun in the sun. Rent a water bike and take a ride on Lake Canandaigua in New York, play a round of mini golf on Lake Tahoe in Nevada or go wildlife spotting on Moosehead Lake in Maine. As your stay comes to a close, you (and your inner child) will be rushing to plan a return trip.

Chase Travel is the first stop for your next adventure. Earn and redeem Ultimate Rewards points with your eligible Chase card when booking a trip through chasetravel.com. Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers who book a hotel stay through The Edit by Chase Travel will earn 3 points per dollar and receive special benefits, including daily breakfast for two, a property credit worth $100, plus early check-in, late checkout and a room upgrade, when available.

 

The Lake House Canandaigua (Canandaigua Lake, New York)
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It may be called "The Lake House," but this design-forward property is leagues above your average summer home. The airy lobby is done up with green velvet chairs and a Calder-esque chandelier, and elegant rooms include hard-carved furniture, rainfall showers and luxurious bed linens. Outdoors, a heated lakeside pool lined with plush daybeds is the perfect place to while away an afternoon. For something more active, go paddleboarding, sailing or cruising around Lake Canandaigua. There's also a lovely spa with two outdoor barrel saunas. Come evening, head to the tavern for seasonal fare cooked over a wood-fired hearth.

 

Edgewood Tahoe Resort (Lake Tahoe, Nevada)
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If your ideal summer getaway involves tee time, head straight to Tahoe's only lakefront golf resort. Edgewood really shines during the warmer months, when, along with great golfing, it offers outdoor movies, stargazing sessions and an evening s'mores bar. Guests should also find time for kayaking on Lake Tahoe, lounging by the heated pool or pampering at the spa before retiring to their rooms, which come with fireplaces and balconies that look out to the lake. For more space, choose one of the villa suites with a full kitchen, private patio, Jacuzzi and fire pit.

 

Lake Pointe Inn (Deep Creek Lake, Maryland)

Located on pristine Deep Creek Lake, this cozy bed-and-breakfast is perfect for a romantic getaway. Arts and Crafts–style interiors showcase lots of natural wood and handcrafted furniture, and every room comes with a gas fireplace for cool evenings on the water. (Some also have spa tubs, steam showers and private balconies.) In true B&B style, breakfast is included in your stay and comprises three delicious courses. Once you're fueled up, go canoeing or kayaking, jump on a daily pontoon cruise or simply take in the lake views from the wrap-around  front porch and outdoor fire pits.

 

Broadmoor (Cheyenne Lake, Colorado)

With 20 restaurants, three swimming pools, a movie theater and a bowling alley, The Broadmoor feels more like a campus than a hotel. You could spend a week here without even scratching the surface, playing the two golf courses, pampering in the spa or horseback riding through the Cheyenne Mountain foothills. For a real summer camp feel, try adventures like zip lining, waterfall hikes and fly fishing lessons. Back at the resort, Victorian-inspired rooms offer a contrast to the rustic vibes, with crystal chandeliers, crest-patterned bedsheets and overstuffed armchairs.

 

Inn at Bay Harbor, Autograph Collection (Lake Michigan, Michigan)

For a luxurious weekend on the lake, you can't do better than the Inn at Bay Harbor. Located on sparkling Little Traverse Bay, the resort offers gourmet dining, a full-service spa and 45 holes of championship golf. Rooms are equally plush, with amenities ranging from lake-view balconies and fireplaces to whirlpools and even full kitchens. Spend your days relaxing in a striped cabana on the lakeshore, swimming in the waterfront pool or exploring Bay Harbor on one of the hotel's e-bikes. Come sunset, enjoy dinner at Vintage Chophouse, where you'll find classic steakhouse  fare and a 145-bottle wine list.

 

Lodge at Moosehead Lake (Moosehead Lake, Maine)

Set on the largest mountain lake in the eastern United States, the Lodge at Moosehead Lake offers custom excursions in the Maine Highlands. The "Land, Lake and Air" experience includes a historic steamboat cruise, a seaplane ride and a guided hike in the Northwoods, while "Call of the Wild" combines moose spotting, canoeing, fishing and dinner cooked over an open fire. If you'd rather stay put at the lodge, there's plenty to do there, too, like dining at the award-winning  restaurant or cozying up by the fireplace in your room.

 

Basin Harbor Resort & Boat Club (Lake Champlain, Vermont)

You'll find 74 cottages spread across the 700 acres of the Basin Harbor Resort. No two are the same, as many were built to the specifications of individual guests, who drew up their own plans back in the 1920s and 30s. For a more traditional hotel experience, the resort also has four lodges. Whichever you choose, you won't be spending much time there anyway, with everything from biking and canoeing to fishing, hiking and wakeboarding on the agenda. Guests can also look forward to an art studio, pickleball and tennis courts, a solar-powered heated pool and a golf club.

 

Woodmark Hotel and Still Spa (Lake Washington, Washington)

Experience the Pacific Northwest's unmatched beauty at The Woodmark, where many of the well-appointed rooms feature private balconies or floor-to-ceiling windows with views of Lake Washington and the Olympic Mountains. For the ultimate getaway, book the Woodmark Suite, which comes with a fireplace, wet bar, formal dining room and full entertainment area. Then fill your schedule with kayaking on the lake, biking on the Kirkland waterfront and watching the sunset on a seaplane tour. Also available are cruises on the hotel's custom Chris-Craft boat, massages at the on-site spa and international dining at four different restaurants.

 

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