Move over, overcrowded beach breaks — this summer is all about catching the breeze and embracing the great outdoors on a lake vacation. From the opulence of the Taj Lake Palace floating on Udaipur’s shimmering waters to the vast, untamed beauty of North America’s wilderness lakes, these dazzling destinations promise both serenity and adventure. Glide through the glassy waters of Switzerland’s alpine lakes, or venture to Chile, where rugged landscapes meet mirrored surfaces under snow-dusted peaks. Whether you’re seeking adrenaline-fueled watersports or a slow, wine-sipping retreat with MICHELIN Guide-level dining, there’s a lakeside getaway to match your mood. Here are the most breathtaking lake holidays around the world — and the MICHELIN Guide-approved hotels worth checking into while you're there.
The Nita Lake Lodge starts with a prestigious location in the Creekside area of the Western Canadian resort town of Whistler. © Nita Lake Lodge
1. For Mountain-Town Serenity: Nita Lake, Whistler, Canada
While Whistler may be best known for its Olympic-worthy ski slopes and buzzing winter scene, summer reveals a quieter side — think glassy lakes, alpine meadows and slow mornings with mountain air. Just minutes from Whistler Village and a scenic drive from Vancouver, Nita Lake is a peaceful pocket made for nature lovers. Tucked along its shores is Nita Lake Lodge, a MICHELIN Key-awarded retreat where understated luxury meets wilderness charm. Spacious suites come with basalt stone fireplaces, deep soaking tubs and balconies boasting lake or forest views. Days can be spent paddleboarding or kayaking on the water, hiking the nearby trails or unwinding at the lakeside spa with a seaweed wrap or eucalyptus steam. The lodge’s restaurants spotlight British Columbia’s seasonal bounty — like wild salmon, foraged mushrooms and crisp Okanagan wines — served in settings as inviting as the views. It’s Whistler at its most restorative.
A room with a view of Lake Llanquihue in Chile at AWA Hotel. © AWA Hotel
2. For Volcanic Vistas: Lake Llanquihue, Chile
As far-flung lakeside summer holidays go, you’d be hard-pressed to find scenery more spectacular than the Chilean Lake District — all winding rivers, lakes and fjords, ripe for horseback, kayaking and hiking adventures. In one of its loveliest parts, not far from Puerto Varas, the dramatic conical Osorno volcano, nicknamed the Mount Fuji of South America, is reflected in ultramarine Lake Llanquihue. Cutting a striking dash bankside, within a 2-million-square-foot private estate next to the Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, stands the AWA Hotel. The 25-room boutique hotel packs design wow with Brutalist-inspired concrete and glass architecture, and bedrooms with wood-burning stoves and floor-to-ceiling windows that put lake views front and center. It’s also Chile’s first certified B-Corp hotel, and places sustainability at the heart of operations, with fresh produce from the organic garden used at AWA Restaurant.
Auberge du Père Bise on Annecy Lake in France. © Auberge du Père Bise
3. For Full-Force Alpine Wow: Lake Annecy, Talloires, France
Turquoise waters formed by glacier melt some 18,000 years ago, backdropped by the craggy Haute-Savoie Mountain ranges, few landscapes are as inviting as Lake Annecy’s. Getaways here are all about immersion in nature, be that gliding across the lake by pedal-boat, taking a cooling dip or picnicking barefoot at the shore. Make for the lake’s eastern side and stay at L’Auberge du Père Bise. Helmed by Chef Jean Sulpice and wife Magali, the shoreline stunner — with bedrooms in mossy green and dappled blue palettes, a botanical garden, and spa — is the stuff of gastro-legend, having garnered its first MICHELIN Star in 1931. Today, at his eponymous Two-MICHELIN-Star restaurant, which also holds a Green Star for its conscious values, Sulpice brings the area’s wildflower-filled forests and herb-covered slopes to life in dishes such as suckling lamb with spruce, and saffron cream chocolate mousse. Nearby, explore Annecy town’s medieval architecture and hike — fueled by locally made Reblochon cheese — in the Tournette mountain.
The pontoon deck at Hotel Eden Roc on Lake Maggiore in Switzerland. © Hotel Eden Roc
4. For a Balmy Break: Lake Maggiore, Switzerland
Affectionately known as "Switzerland’s sun terrace," the Ticino region is a summer getaway winner. At the heart of this Italian-speaking Swiss region is the azure, 82-square-mile Lake Maggiore, surrounded by jagged alpine peaks and former fishing villages where palm-lined promenades rub up against houses painted in sunset shades. Hotfoot it to the base of Monte Verità, where the luxe Hotel Eden Roc sits at Lake Maggiore’s shore. As well as offering waterskiing, wakeboarding, and swish boat charters, the hotel’s looking box fresh, sporting a new, contemporary style for 2025. All holiday moods are covered here; find serenity during a sunrise kayak, hike the Maggia and Verzasca trails with the outdoor butler, or dine at Two-MICHELIN-Star La Brezza restaurant. Another highlight? The Brissago islands, which rise out of Lake Maggiore, and have lush botanical gardens.
The restaurant at Edgewood Tahoe offers front-row views of the lake in Stateline, USA. . © Edgewood Tahoe
5. For All-Season Adventure: Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada, USA
One of North America’s most storied lakes, Lake Tahoe straddles the border of California and Nevada, shimmering at 6,200 feet in the Sierra Nevada mountains. In summer, its crystal-clear waters call for paddleboarding, kayaking, and lazy days on secluded coves framed by pine forests. Come winter, the surrounding slopes become a snow-draped playground for skiers and snowboarders, with world-class resorts like Palisades Tahoe and Heavenly just a stone’s throw away. For a stay that pairs rustic grandeur with serious luxury, check into Edgewood Tahoe in Stateline, Nevada. Set right on the lake’s edge, this MICHELIN Key-awarded lodge marries stone-and-timber architecture with contemporary comfort: Think floor-to-ceiling windows, gas fireplaces and soaking tubs with mountain views. There’s a private beach, lakeside firepits for après-ski cocktails, a championship golf course that transforms into a snowy wonderland in winter, and a shuttle ready to whisk guests straight to the slopes. Wrap up your day with an herbal poultice massage at the spa or linger over dinner with a view at Edgewood Restaurant, where the tasting menu changes with the season.
A guest room with lake views at Park Hotel Vitznau, a Two-MICHELIN-Key spot in Lucerne, Switzerland. © Park Hotel Vitznau
6. For Architectural Swoon: Lake Lucerne, Switzerland
Despite being surrounded by famed Swiss "destination" peaks, including Mount Rigi and Mount Pilatus, glittering Lake Lucerne packs its own appeal. Traditional paddlewheel steamers pootle across the lake’s fjord-like landscape, bringing days-gone-by glamour to its inlets and bays, stand-up paddleboarders glide over the surface, while scuba divers explore the depths beneath. Park Hotel Vitznau, built in Belle Époque style at Vitznau’s shore, makes for an architecturally striking base. As well as a spa offering La Prairie treatments, its three restaurants include Two-MICHELIN-Star Focus ATELIER, which is as legendary for Chef Patrick Mahler’s multicourse menus as its 35,000-bottle wine cellar. Another strong pick is Hotel Vitznauerhof, an opulent, gingerbread- house Art Nouveau chalet with boutique bedrooms and, throughout summer, it features culinary pop-ups led by renowned chefs such as Flo Neubauer at its waterside Restaurant Sens. As for explorations, a trip on the Pilatus Railway, the world’s steepest cogwheel railway which climbs to the top of Mount Pilatus, delivers unrivalled panoramas.
Two-Key Grand Hotel Tremezzo's floating lake pool on Lake Como in Italy. © Grand Hotel Tremezzo
7. For Timeless Glamour: Lake Como, Italy
Few lakes are as iconic as northern Italy’s Lake Como, a Y-shaped body of pristine water at the foothills of the Rhaetian Alps. Cosmopolitan and cool, it’s fringed by historic houses transformed into galleries, such as Villa Carlotta, where masterpieces by Canova are displayed. It’s also an easy boat hop to visit the piazzas and colorful facades of lakeside villages Bellagio and Varenna. Art Nouveau palazzo Grand Hotel Tremezzo, the first hotel to set up on Lake Como’s shores, remains one of its finest. Enveloped in private parkland with its own pool that floats on the lake’s waters, and five top-notch restaurants, it nails the dolce vita lifestyle. Equally refined, in Blevio, is relative newcomer Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como. Housed in a cluster of historic buildings — including 19th-century Villa Roccabruna, the once-upon-a-time residence of opera singer Giuditta Pasta — this waterside property has earthy-toned bedrooms with marble bathrooms, a spa for Qi-balancing treatments, and lakefront dining at Italian Japanese fusion spot L˜ARIA.
The infinity edge pool of the One-MICHELIN-Key Hôtel Royal in Evian-les-Bains on Lake Geneva in France. © Hotel Royal
8. For Restorative Waters: Lake Geneva, France
Sandwiched between Lake Geneva and the alpine foothills, offering a double whammy of lakes-and-mountains scenery, is another Haute-Savoie hotspot, Evian-les-Bains. The historic French spa town has been drawing high society to take its mineral-rich waters — which filter through the Alps for 15 years before rising — since the Belle Époque, and today it’s just as appealing. At the fringe of crystal-clear Lake Geneva, the Hôtel Royal is home to MICHELIN-Starred Les Fresques restaurant — where Chef Patrice Vander spotlights lake fish, Savoyard meats and homegrown veggies — and the evian®SPA, renowned for its rejuvenating thermal wellness treatments. Summertime is particularly special, as it’s when Lake Geneva’s banks come alive with alfresco movie screenings and live music, and in 2025, the Art Nouveau icon Buvette Cachat will reopen with its dome and stained-glass windows fully restored.
The Suttle Lodge & Boathouse in the morning mists of Oregon. © The Suttle Lodge & Boathouse
9. For Nostalgic Nature Lovers: Suttle Lake, Oregon, USA
Tucked within Oregon’s Deschutes National Forest, Suttle Lake is a Pacific Northwest gem where alpine woods meet still, reflective waters. Mornings arrive misty and quiet, while afternoons bring warm sunlight perfect for hiking, swimming or simply sitting dockside with a book in hand. This is the kind of place that whispers you back to the simplicity of childhood summers. At The Suttle Lodge & Boathouse, the vibe is grown-up summer camp — think knotty pine interiors, wood-burning stoves, and a main lodge that feels both rugged and refined. Guests roam the forest trails, paddle across the lake by canoe or kayak and gather at picnic tables for seasonal, chef-driven meals crafted by Portland culinary talent. Evenings invite fireside chats over craft cocktails or local beer, while morning lattes are best sipped from the boathouse porch. It’s unpretentious luxury for those who want to swap screen time for stargazing.
Althoff Seehotel Überfahrt hotel in Bavaria has rooms with balconies that look out onto Lake Tegernsee. © Jannis Hagels
10. For Active Pursuits: Lake Tegernsee, Bavaria, Germany
For those after a lakeside escape that feels wrapped in greenery, pick Upper Bavaria’s Tegernsee Valley, under an hour from Munich. Not only is Lake Tegernsee surrounded by grassy meadows, woodland stretches and forested hills, it’s also renowned for the clarity of its water (really, it’s so clean you can drink it), and thriving windsurfing scene, thanks to the warm southerly Foehn winds. In a savvy move, all bedrooms at Althoff Seehotel Überfahrt (Three MICHELIN Keys) have balconies to maximize scenery appreciation, and at Restaurant Überfahrt, Chef Cornelia Fischer magics up nature-inspired dining journeys that whisk taste buds "into the ocean" and "through the garden" via tasty plates rich in local produce. While adrenaline-pumping water sports are a feature of Lake Tegernsee, it shines at a slower pace too. Try a leisurely stroll along the shore or take a trot across the Weißach floodplains by horse-drawn carriage.
The Taj Lake Palace floats on the calm surface of Lake Pichola and was built in 1740 as a summer retreat, taking advantage of the cooling lake breezes. © Taj Lake Palace
11. For Restful Romance: Lake Pichola, Rajasthan, India
Dotted with seven large freshwater lakes, man-made from the 14th century onwards to help secure its water supply, the city of Udaipur in southern Rajasthan is a lake lover’s dream. Taking top billing is Lake Pichola, which sits in a bowl-shaped basin cradled by the weathered Aravalli hills. Seeing gilded skies at sundown mirrored in its waters is soul-stirring stuff. For a serene stay, bed down at Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur. A palace-turned-heritage-hotel, which appears to float in the middle of Lake Pichola, it has head-turning cupolas, ornamental turrets and domes, all made in Rajnagar marble. The former summer retreat of Udaipur’s royalty now has bedrooms bursting with coral and teal color pops, intricately carved wooden lattice work and teak furniture. Take to the waters by candlelight on a 150-year-old Gangaur barge, hop to 17th-century Jagmandir Island Palace, also on a lake, and feast on Rajasthani specialties like bowls of crimson laal maas and honeycomb-like ghewar, or opt for R&R with a detoxifying massage using tulsi, lime and ginger oils in the J Wellness Circle spa.
The Rosewood Schloss Fuschl sits on Lake Fuschl, Austria. © Rosewood Schloss Fuschl
12. For Fairytale Feels: Lake Fuschl, Austria
Emerald? Sapphire? While it’s hard to pin down the color of Lake Fuschl’s waters, it’s easy to see the draw of the jewel-hued lake which sits at the base of the Austrian Alps, just east of Salzburg in the Salzkammergut region. The setting’s so ethereal you half expect to glimpse Rapunzel letting down her hair by the shore, or Snow White skipping stones. Lean into the fairytale good looks with a stay at 15th-century castle Rosewood Hotel Schloss Fuschl, awarded Three MICHELIN Keys, long renowned as a fine lakeside retreat. The former abode of the Archbishops of Salzburg has been a swish hotel since the 1950s, when it featured in the cult Sissi film trilogy — and thanks to a recent revamp, it's looking better than ever. Historic grandeur looms large in restored marble staircases and walls hung with Old Masters, while six eateries — including Schloss Restaurant renowned for its blunzn gyoza with sauerkraut and beurre blanc — as well as a whopping Asaya spa and lakeside infinity pool add contemporary pizzazz. Must dos include expert-led forest foraging or fishing trips, and a visit to Ruming Mill for traditional bread-baking demos.
The Lake House on Canandaigua offers lots of outdoor activities as well as a lakeside spa with sauna barrels. © The Lake House on Canandaigua
13. For Wine-Soaked Weekends: Finger Lakes, New York, USA
Carved by glaciers and famed for their pure, swimmable waters, the 11 Finger Lakes in upstate New York offer a laid-back alternative to coastal escapes. Come fall, winding drives from New York City or Toronto transform into foliage-filled journeys, punctuated by charming farm stands and over 100 local wineries pouring world-class rieslings. One of the most beloved of the lakes is Canandaigua, a long, narrow stretch flanked by wooded hills and storybook small towns. Right on its northern shore sits The Lake House on Canandaigua, a family-owned stunner that blends rustic elegance with modern comfort. Guests unwind in airy rooms with lake-facing balconies, sip wine beside crackling firepits, and spend mornings kayaking from the hotel’s dock. There's also a full-service spa, a library lounge perfect for cozying up, and seasonal menus celebrating the region’s produce — think heirloom tomatoes, just-picked corn and local cheese. It’s lakeside Americana with a quietly luxurious twist.
The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise with its backdrop of the snow-capped Rockies, overlooking the steep majesty of the glacial lake. © The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
14. For Cinematic Alpine Escapes: Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada
Set within the soaring peaks of Banff National Park, Lake Louise is pure visual poetry — a glacier-fed lake that glows an otherworldly turquoise in summer and transforms into a frozen wonderland come winter. This jewel of the Canadian Rockies invites year-round adventure: Canoe across mirrored waters beneath jagged peaks or lace up your skates for a surreal glide past snow-dusted evergreens. At the heart of it all is the iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, a historic grand hotel that’s been welcoming guests since 1890. Perched right on the lakeshore, this MICHELIN Key-awarded chateau is as much a part of the scenery as the lake itself. Inside, elegance reigns: Ornate interiors, plush rooms with mountain or glacier views, and dining rooms that pair Alberta beef with panoramic vistas. There’s also a lakeside spa, afternoon tea with flair and guided mountain excursions that begin at the hotel’s doorstep. It’s the kind of place where nature and nobility go hand in hand.
Gilpin Hotel & Lake House (Two MICHELIN Keys) is a family-owned country house hotel in England's Lake District, close to Windermere, the grandest of the lakes. © Gilpin Hotel & Lake House
15. For English Countryside Chic: Gilpin Hotel & Lake House, Windermere, UK
As you enter England’s renowned Lake District — a couple of hours' drive north of Manchester — all your stresses and strains fade away. A famously serene part of the country, the region has long been known as an archetypal long-weekend getaway for Brits. Just 10 minutes from the biggest of its lakes, Windermere, you’ll find Gilpin Hotel & Lake House. The latter part (the Lake House) is a secluded six-room hideaway surrounded by a lush 100-acre estate, a natural shield from the Lakes’ famous summer crowds. In the main hotel, settle in for a MICHELIN-Star meal at SOURCE at Gilpin Hotel where prime local produce is often infused with Japanese flavors from sake to miso. For a more informal dining experience, opt for the Indian-inspired Gilpin Spice.Words by MICHELIN Guide writer Michael He, MICHELIN Guide contributor Ianthe Butt, and MICHELIN Guide UK Editor Andrew Young.
Hero Image: Grand Hotel Tremezzo on the banks of Lake Como, Italy, is one of the most dazzling stays for a lake vacation. © Grand Hotel Tremezzo
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