There are people who love lakes, and people who love spas – and often they’re the same people. Lakes naturally have the spirit-soothing properties that spas cultivate through beautiful design, calming music and the healing power of touch.
Spas on lakes are relatively hard to find, compared to spas by the ocean, but there are a few.
This Texas destination spa is one of the best in the country, with great food and classes, a friendly atmosphere, and a lavish Lakehouse Spa. It’s set right on a long, skinny (and cold) lake created by damming the Colorado River. Enjoy waterskiing, paddleboat workouts, kayaking, yoga on the boat dock, and pontoon boat birdwatching tours.
This historic 19th century mountain house in the midst of a wilderness is just 90 miles from New York City. A magical fairy castle set on a tiny mountaintop lake, Mohonk has a $13 million Victorian-style spa that looks like it's been here forever, complete with wicker porch furniture and plenty of fireplaces. Lake activities include swimming, canoeing, and kayaking, but most people hit the trails, too – 85 miles of hiking from the doorstep.
This 128 room white clapboard resort is tucked away on seven acres overlooking Mirror Lake in the Adirondacks' Lake Placid. The spa has a clubby atmosphere that's comfortable for men, with marble and mahogany, and cozy fireplaces. Take the 2.7 mile walk around the lake anytime. In summer enjoy swimming, kayaking, paddle-boating, canoeing and fishing, with complimentary boats at its private beach. In winter, take a dog sled ride across the frozen lake, or go ice skating in the inn's private beach. Shopping in Lake Placid is good year-round.
Spa Moulay at Loews Las Vegas Resort, Spa & Casino
Just half-hour from the Strip, this is a pleasantly low-key hotel on the same lake where Celine Dion and other celebrities have homes. Inspired by Morocco, the 9,000 square foot Spa Moulay is n Aveda Concept Spa and Salon that offers a variety of salon services, skin care, massages and body therapies. Enjoy a poolside massage in cabanas. Activities include children's camp, two swimmming pools and golf.
This 1960s-era resort on Lake Geneva in Fontana, Wisconsin, one of Chicago’s favorite summer vacation spots, has been restored to its former glory with a $40 million facelift. The 35,000 square foot spa is still a little dated, but that can be a good thing. It has a real Swiss shower --16 head-to-toe shower nozzles, all shooting a wall of warm water from four corners. With 26 miles of shoreline, this lake offers waterskiing, parasailing, motor and pontoon boat rentals, sailing, dinner cruises and terrific boat tours past historic homes.
Spa Shiki at The Lodge of Four Seasons
This 1960s-era resort on 2,500 acres is set on Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks, one of the Midwest’s top destinations for boating and bass fishing. Spa Shiki is an Asian-themed 15,000 square foot spa with a combination of Eastern and Western treatments. Lake activities include motor and pontoon boat rentals, parasailing, scenic cruises and fishing guides.
