As summer creeps closer, with boats back on the water, outdoor dining returning, and rivers recently stocked with fish, lakes and river destinations feel especially appealing ahead of peak season.
With that in mind, read on for a curated list of standout hotels and resorts across the U.S. and abroad that reflect the appeal of lake, river, and water-adjacent travel this time of year. From luxurious Italian escapes to outdoor glamping retreats, these properties offer a fresh alternative to the beach for travelers looking for a scenic, summer-like getaway without the full coastal rush.
International:
Grand Hotel Fasano | Lake Garda, Italy
Grand Hotel Fasano, set on the idyllic shores of Lake Garda, blends 19th-century character with modern luxury in one of the destination’s most picturesque settings. With direct lake access and a thoughtful lineup of on-the-water experiences, the hotel makes it easy for guests to enjoy both adventure and quieter, more exclusive moments. Guests can spend the day water skiing, windsurfing, or paddleboarding, or choose from a series of signature excursions on the lake. Highlights include a sunset sail aboard a historic ship, complete with a private chef preparing a bespoke dinner, as well as private tours on the iconic Riva Aquariva and Riva Aquarama motorboats. For a more romantic experience, a historic sailing excursion offers a slower, more nostalgic way to take in the destination.
The lakefront setting also shapes the hotel’s wellness offerings. Morning yoga and Pilates on the pier are a great way to start the day, and after time on the water, guests can unwind at the AQVA Spa and Wellness Centre. The spa includes indoor and outdoor pools connected by a quiet tunnel, along with hydromassage, a sauna, Turkish baths, and an indoor spa garden with lake views. Guests can also enjoy the property’s dining scene, including Michelin-starred Il Fagiano and expertly crafted cocktails at Rama’s Lounge Bar, where mixologist Rama Redzepi’s new menu, ‘The Seven Wonders of Lake Garda” draws inspiration from different parts of the lake.
Sonas Collection | Isle of Skye, Scotland
Set against the wild beauty of Scotland’s west coast, the Sonas Collection offers a series of intimate stays woven between the Isle of Skye’s dramatic shoreline and Oban’s storied harbor. Each property is deeply connected to surrounding lochs and other bodies of water.
On the southern edge of Skye, Toravaig feels like a true home from home, where cream teas are served on the terrace overlooking the Sound of Sleat and evenings are spent fireside after a visit to the neighboring Torabhaig Distillery. Nearby, Duisdale – once a Victorian mansion – shares the same stretch of coastline, offering sweeping views across the Sound toward the rugged Knoydart peninsula and providing a secluded base for both gathering and exploring. Further north, Skeabost sits along the tranquil shores of Loch Snizort, where the island’s natural beauty is ever-present from salmon fishing along the river to days spent discovering Portree just a short drive away. Across the water on the mainland, Knipoch looks out over Loch Feochan near Oban, pairing peaceful lochside views with easy access to Scotland’s “seafood capital” and the gateway to the Hebridean isles.
Together, the Sonas Collection invites guests to experience Scotland through a slower, more personal lens, anchored by warm Highland hospitality and a deep connection to the waterways that define this corner of the country.
Octant Douro | Douro River, Portugal
Perched along the Douro River in Castelo de Paiva, Octant Douro offers guests an array of experiences on the water – from its restored Rabelo boat, reflecting the region’s winemaking heritage, to exploring the river independently by kayak or paddleboard. Summer in the Douro extends naturally outdoors, with hiking trails nearby and open-air dining that makes the most of the setting. At the Michelin-starred Raiva Restaurant, guests can cozy up with an impressive selection of over 250 Port wines from the region.Octant Douro’s House Collection brings a residential, villa-style escape. The collection features 20 standalone retreats designed with space and comfort in mind. Guests can choose from four split-level, two-bedroom accommodations with generous living and dining areas, fully equipped kitchens, and three with private plunge pools – perfect for both play and relaxation. An additional 16 one-bedroom options, including four with plunge pools, offer cozy yet stylish spaces with balconies, garden views, and inviting outdoor areas. Within their private outdoor settings, guests can host barbecues, enjoy guided wine tastings, or take part in yoga sessions, reinforcing a more private, slow-paced stay connected to the Douro.
Domestic:
Sundance Mountain Resort | Provo, UT
Sundance Mountain Resort, founded by Robert Redford in 1969, is a beloved year-round escape in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains at the base of Mount Timpanogos, where outdoor adventure meets art, culture, and a deep-rooted commitment to sustainability. Just five minutes away, the pristine Provo River flows as a Blue Ribbon fishery, renowned for its German brown trout and breathtaking mountain scenery, and widely considered one of America’s premier fly-fishing destinations. Sundance offers a range of fly-fishing experiences, including guided tours, a beginner clinic for those new to the sport, and group tours for 6 to 20 guests, ideal for families and friends seeking some fun on the water. The Provo River float tour also provides a unique guided experience from a raft, drifting through scenic stretches of the river, while additional offerings like fly-tying clinics and an on-site fly shop help guests gear up for the water.
NEW: The newly opened Inn at Sundance offers the ideal basecamp for fly fishing, with 63 thoughtfully designed rooms in the heart of the Resort Village. North Fork Creek flows between the building’s two wings, making the water an immersive part of the guest experience and beautifully bringing to life the phrase (and iconic Redford movie) “a river runs through it.”
Huttopia, The French, family-owned “prêt-à-camper” (ready-to-camp) brand has eight glamping sites across North America, each set in nature-forward locations that prioritize an immersive outdoor experience. Destinations like Huttopia Lake George – Adirondacks and Huttopia White Mountains stand out for their easy access to lakes and time spent along the water.
- Huttopia White Mountains (New Hampshire): Guests have direct access to Iona Lake, with a private beach that makes it easy to spend the day by the water. Canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards are available to rent, with fishing also being a big draw here, with plenty of opportunities to catch largemouth bass, perch, and more. For those looking to stay even closer to the water, select accommodations sit right along the lake, with easy access just steps from your door!
- Huttopia Lake George – Adirondacks (New York): Just minutes from the site, the village of Lake George offers an easy mix of local shops, restaurants, and classic lake-town charm. It also serves as a gateway to the lake itself, a 52-kilometer-long stretch of clear, glacial water that’s perfect for swimming, boating, fishing, water sports or simply spending the day out on the water.
- Huttopia Southern Maine: Set on more than 40 wooded acres just a few miles from Kennebunkport and Wells, this site offers a peaceful forest retreat with easy access to some of coastal Maine’s most charming seaside towns. Guests can enjoy a private beach on-site for canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing, while nearby beaches, harbors, and freshwater ponds make it easy to spend the day exploring the area’s classic coastal scenery and outdoor activities.
Each location features wood-stove-heated tents and cabins with comfortable beds, full bathrooms, and thoughtful touches that balance modern convenience with the charm of camping. All within a short drive of major metro areas, these sites make for an easy, road trip-ready getaway.
Paws Up Montana | Greenough, MT
Paws Up Montana is a 37,000 acre ranch nestled alongside the Blackfoot River, offering Montana’s best wilderness, activities and hospitality. With more ranch activities than any other ranch resort in Montana, wide open spaces, pristine wilderness, and 10 miles of river to explore, Paws Up offers an unbeatable retreat into the natural world. From May to mid-October, guests have the option to stay in one of Paws Up’s six glamping camps, taking in the early summer calm on balconies overlooking the roaring river. Listen to the sounds of babbling brooks below while fellow guests kayak and float by in canoes, and enjoy sights of native wildlife sneaking in a drink. For some skill-focused excitement, opt for a fly fishing experience in the “golden triangle” of Western trout fly-fishing in the Bitterroot, Blackfoot, Clearwater and Missouri rivers. And if you’d like to retreat into a moment of calm within the heart of the wild, experience a guided scenic river float through some of the most iconic landscapes in Montana, try the ancient Japanese practice of forest bathing, indulge in a relaxing river rock massage, or enjoy open fire cooking by the riverside from multiple James Beard–nominated chefs.
Sea Island | Sea Island, GA
Located on the southeastern coast of Georgia, Sea Island has plenty of water-based activities for guests to enjoy. Nestled within the marshes, Sea Island offers boating experiences such as scenic or sunset yacht cruises that wind through the rivers and marshlands, offering a leisurely way to take in the surroundings. Fishing is another key activity, with guided inshore and creek excursions targeting species like redfish, trout, and flounder. For a more active but still tranquil experience, kayaking and paddleboarding allow visitors to move quietly through calm waters while observing the natural landscape up close. Many of these activities also incorporate a strong nature focus, with opportunities for wildlife viewing and guided eco-tours that highlight the region’s coastal ecosystem. After busy days of exploring, guests can check out River Bar at Sea Island, which offers Southern cuisine with a French twist.
The Pines at Woodloch | Hawley, PA
The Pines is the heart of the Woodloch experience – a warm, nostalgic family resort where connection, tradition, and joy come together. Rooted in generations of togetherness, it’s a place defined by laughter, shared moments, and a deep sense of belonging. The Pines celebrates classic family experiences, featuring days filled with play ranging from go karts to scavenger hunts and evenings surrounded by the campfire or enjoying a show. Lake Teedyuskung has been an essential part of Woodloch Pines since the resort’s doors opened back in 1958. The lake has about three miles of shoreline and has a maximum depth of about 30 feet. The water is clean as can be; it is fed through multiple springs. The lake is rich in both beauty and history.
Castle Hill Inn | Newport, RI
Though not set along a river or lake, Castle Hill Inn is one of New England’s most iconic waterside summer escapes, set across 40 waterfront acres along Ocean Drive with panoramic views of Narragansett Bay. With its beloved Beach Houses and Cottages once again welcoming overnight guests fresh off its recent reopening, the property enters the season with a renewed sense of purpose and charm. Guests can expect the same hallmarks that have long defined a stay here: breezy coastal elegance, a celebrated culinary program and front-row seats to Newport’s famed sunsets over the water.
Currently serving as the inn’s central hub, The Chalet continues to offer a full guest experience, including a gourmet breakfast buffet, afternoon tea, evening light bites, cocktails and room service. Guests also have access to the inn’s spa services, as well as private car transfers to downtown Newport restaurants, making it easy to enjoy both the shoreline serenity of the property and the energy of town.
The iconic inn plans to debut the fully restored ground floor of the Agassiz Mansion – including its kitchen, dining, and bar spaces – by Memorial Day weekend. The team also looks forward to welcoming guests back to its signature dining venues, including The Lawn Terrace and Aurelia at Castle Hill (which earned the coveted Forbes Five-Star distinction this February), where dining is elevated by sweeping waterfront vistas.
