Summer is all about waterside getaways, and these five accommodations will get you splashing around and enjoying the summer to the fullest. Boat off the coast of Maine, paddleboard on the reservoirs of upstate New York, kayak on the bays of Rhode Island, relax on an island river in South Carolina, or escape the crowds of European capitals to the lakeside castles of the Austrian mountains.
Catskill, New York
Located in White Lake, New York, about a two-hour drive from Manhattan, this luxury resort offers over 100 acres along the Toronto Reservoir, or you can paddle board, canoe, kayak, and swim in the reservoir. Chatwal Lodge is also located on the nearly 2,500-acre Chapin Estate, where you can fly fish in the private trout stream.
On land, you'll feel like you're back at summer camp with archery, birdhouse decorating, a baking class or yoga. Or visit the recreation center for shuffleboard, duckpin bowling, ping pong, billiards and board games. In the evening, enjoy stargazing and s'mores around the bonfire.
This year, the property added three lodgings, so-called treehouses, that are elevated about 15 feet above the ground and surrounded by oak and maple trees, to its 11 existing suites and free-standing stone cottages. Each treehouse, which can sleep up to four people, has a king-size bed on the first floor, a loft with a Murphy bed, a living room with a wet bar, a covered balcony and a deck with a fire pit.
Part of the Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand, Chatwal Lodge is reminiscent of the 19th century Adirondack Great Camps, with many rooms offering water views. All rooms have private outdoor space. Seasonal farm-to-table meals can be enjoyed on a private terrace or patio, in-room, or at the lodge's Rustic Grill. Lodge rates start at $900 per night and include all meals (alcohol not included) and select activities. Treehouse rates start at $2,300 per night in the summer.
Johns Island, South Carolina
Starting August 1, guests who check into this new luxury hotel along the Kiawah River with 72 rooms and suites will receive 20 There are miles of waterfront and nature trails perfect for hiking and biking, and plenty of water activities including kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing classes, clam harvesting workshops and “water safaris.” At the river's mouth, you might spot roseate spoonbills, great blue herons and sea turtles. When you're not exploring the river, visit the spa, which offers treatments such as nectar facials, made with aster and other honeys from local apiaries.
Despite being surrounded by nature, downtown Charleston's lively bars and restaurants are only a 40-minute drive away. There are plenty of dining options right outside your room. For lunch or cocktails, try The Cove, a 1950s beach club-style restaurant set by the riverside pool. Order snacks like wood-fired oysters, cocktails and whiskeys at the Willett Room Bar, or dine on seafood and Southern coastal cuisine with river views at Lynette Restaurant.
Named after a shorebird, Dunlin features charming cottage-style rooms that blend in with the sunny Lowcountry surroundings with rattan, linens and a white-and-mint-green palette by interior designer Amanda Lindros. Guests can sip iced tea on the porch and watch the river. Opt for a suite for more space, including a sitting room and a bathtub with water views. Rates start at $749 per night.
Salzburg Castle, Austria
This 15th-century castle on Lake Füschl in the Austrian Alps will reopen on July 1 after a 2022 closure and complete renovation. Once a hunting lodge and summer residence for the Archbishop of Salzburg, the building is now part of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts and offers 98 rooms, including suites and freestanding lakeside chalets, as well as a place to dine on regional cuisine, focusing on local lake fish, cheeses, and wood-fired bread. The spa includes a heated outdoor infinity pool, an indoor pool, and a fitness center. Of course, the main attraction is the vast turquoise lake, where guests can take part in activities like fishing tours and maybe even savor fresh, smoked seafood served on a newspaper by the water.
While the tranquility of the lake and the property's walks may feel far removed from city life, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Salzburg and its historic centre is only a 30-minute drive away. If you'd like to explore a little further afield, the picturesque lakeside village of Hallstatt, part of the breathtaking Hallstatt-Dachstein/Salzkammergut Alpine region, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is about an hour's drive from the resort.
Wherever you choose to stay, you'll end your days in elegant rooms, where muted colors blend in with the natural surroundings. Most rooms offer full or partial lake views, and some, like the lakeside chalets, have their own private outdoor space. Summer rates start at 800 euros per night, or about $870.
Ogunquit, Maine
On Maine's south shore near the Atlantic Ocean, Dunes cottages are dotted across 12 acres of lawns surrounded by flowers and picket fences. After renovations, the property is now open with 21 whitewashed cottages with green shutters. Ranging from one- to three-bedrooms, all have their own private porch or patio and fireplace.
Start your morning with coffee, baked goods, and the newspaper delivered right to your door. Then enjoy fresh seafood at Ogunquit Lobster Pound, a 5-minute walk away. Ogunquit's charming restaurants, bars, shops, and sandy beaches are also within walking distance, or you can hop on one of the hotel's complimentary bikes and ride into town. The hotel also offers a rowboat to take you across the river to popular Ogunquit Beach.
At The Dunes, owned by Atlantic Hospitality, whose properties in Maine include the Claremont and Lincoln Hotels, you can fish off the new pier, paddle board or kayak, or take a waterfront yoga class. Take a dip in the heated pool with ocean views or spend the afternoon playing lawn games. Rates start at $950 per night for one-bedroom cottages.
Newport, Rhode Island
Newly renovated at a cost of $50 million, this resort is built on the site of a former torpedo factory and offers 257 rooms and suites, a marina with 22 moorings, and inflatable paddle boards and kayaks for fun on the water. A new seasonal water taxi will transport guests from the marina to the shops and restaurants of downtown Newport.
Or stay at the resort and indulge in seafood: Restaurant 1639 serves New England classics like clam chowder and lobster on the outdoor deck or indoors with harbor views. The Pineapple Club, which features a pool, cabanas and restaurant, offers a new menu of lobster rolls, salads and flatbreads. Adults can unwind in the new adults-only bar. Seating area. Head to Torpedo Bar & Lounge for more ocean-themed dishes like blue crab toast and tarragon lobster, or enjoy something sweet at the Bakery, a new spot for grab-and-go coffee and baked goods.
Formerly known as Gurney's Newport Resort and Marina, this resort is now owned by Pebblebrook Hotel Trust. Most of the rooms have ocean views, and many have balconies or patios. They are furnished with new furniture and decorated in soothing earth tones. Take a dip in the outdoor saltwater pool, or, if the weather's bad, in the heated indoor pool. Enjoy a massage or body treatment at the spa, work out in the fitness center, or ride one of the complimentary bicycles to feel the ocean breeze. Rates start at $459 per night and vary depending on the season.