10 Lakeside Hotels

It’s in the summertime that the land-locked people of the world flock to the coasts, in search of a little aquatic comfort. But the indie-minded traveler might protest that the sea’s a bit too big. Why not try a nice lake? They’re like oceans, only smaller, and hence more exclusive. Boutique oceans.

TITILAKA
Lake Titicaca, Peru

The great Lake Titicaca, considered by the Incas to be the sacred birthplace of human civilization, is one of the largest, deepest, and highest bodies of water on the globe. Backpackers have long made the pilgrimage to the water’s edge; this, by contrast, is a high-end luxury boutique hotel that’s set to bring a whole new audience to these shores.

LAKE PLACID LODGE
Lake Placid, New York

The only hotel on Lake Placid, the Lodge is in the heart of the Adirondacks, three million acres of nearly untouched forests, lakes, and mountains. While there’s a menu of activities for every season, they make it perfectly clear that it’s fine to do not much of anything at all.

CORRENTOSO LAKE & RIVER HOTEL
Neuquen, Argentina

Argentina’s lake region is often compared to Switzerland, which explains the sleek European feel of this hotel. Once a basic fly-fishing cabin, it now boasts private decks with lake views, an herbal hammam, and two outstanding restaurants. If the water in Lake Correntoso proves a bit too chilly, the infinity pool is not a bad Plan B.

LAKE OKAREKA LODGE
Rotorua, New Zealand

At this retreat in the Rotorua region of New Zealand’s North Island, harmony with nature is elevated to an art form. The lodge stocks rainbow trout in the lake for the outdoorsy types and provides a floatplane for those who’d rather experience the landscape in flight.

TAJ LAKE PALACE
Rajasthan, India

You may know this secluded lake hotel as the Bond girl’s lair in Octopussy. It is was originally built centuries earlier by an Indian prince as a summer retreat, and has been beautifully preserved; the romance is still very much alive.

GILPIN LODGE COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL
Cumbria, England

The family-run Gilpin Lodge in England’s Lake District is like coming home — if only your home had a spa and a world-class restaurant. Each of the rooms has a water view and a private deck, which means Windmere Lake truly is yours for the taking.

BLANKET BAY
Lake Wakatipu, New Zealand

With the Humboldt mountain range on one side, and the shores of Lake Wakatipu on the other, Blanket Bay is blessed with one of the most extraordinary locations of any of New Zealand’s lodge hotels. The lodge itself is stunning — it’s almost shocking that it contains only eight rooms, so grand is its scale.

CASTADIVA RESORT
Lake Como, Italy

Looking for star treatment? The “diva” in CastaDiva refers to the opera star, Giuditta Pasta, who once lived there, but it also refers to the way the staff and surroundings conspire to make all guests, maschio and femmina, feel special. The property takes full advantage of its prime Lake Como location. Rooms and public spaces offer spectacular views of the area and a new floating pool extends into the water.

SEEHOTEL ÜBERFAHRT
Rottach-Egern, Germany

The Tegernsee in Upper Bavaria is a stunning year-round destination for hikers, bikers, skiers and beer worshippers. The Seehotel Überfahrt caters especially to wellness-oriented guests. The complex features multiple pools, a private beach, gym, and an international array of saunas, from Finnish to Japanese. For serious workout buffs, nutritionists and personal trainers abound.

THE LALU
Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan

Dating back to 1901, the Lalu has long been a popular destination, owing to its breathtaking surroundings, and was once the temporary home of statesman Chiang Kai-Shek. The hotel was extensively redesigned in 1998, modernized by the Australian architect Kerry Hill, and is a bold design statement, matching the dramatic beauty of the lake itself.

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