The Top 25 Hotels and Resorts on Lake Erie

Book a room with a view at these vetted bests, including everything from tents on the beach to luxurious suites. What do they all have in common? Each offers its own take on the ultimate waterfront get-away, whether that means learning to kiteboard in a protected bay, watching a bascule bridge open while sipping a local brew, or simply relaxing by the water in a hot tub, on the beach, or while roasting marshmallows with your little ones.

The Inn at Vincent William
Splurge on a premium balcony suite with breezy views from the private rooftop patio. Plan to stay two nights, the minimum, and leave the kids at home while you enjoy the pool and private beach. This Madison, Ohio, inn offers seven adults-only rooms perfect for a couple’s retreat or girls’ weekend. Nosh and indulge at the on-site restaurant with small plates like Nona’s homemade meatballs, zesty roasted pear and goat cheese salad, or charcuterie board ideal for nibbling while sipping the estate’s award-winning Cab Franc. Itchy feet? Explore more than 30 nearby wineries. Return to your room for a quiet night before waking up to a made-to-order breakfast. $429-$1,098, vincentwilliamwine.com

Hotel Lakeside
Built in 1875 and boasting a wrap-around porch with views of the Lake Erie Islands, Hotel Lakeside oozes Victorian charm. But, while it’s certainly pretty, it’s not what you’d call posh. The real beauty of the hotel is its location in the heart of Lakeside, Ohio, just a few steps from the beach and pier, the resort’s 26 shuffleboard courts, the path along the lake, and the tiny downtown’s half a dozen shops. $69-$299, lakesideohio.com

Hideaway Bay Resort
Book one of 10 beachy villas stilted in the sand with rooftop verandas and sweeping water views. Aptly named, Hideaway Bay Resort is nestled on a protected bay in Silver Creek, New York. Like eco-friendly touches? You’ll find it in the bedding and bath products, as well as in the fresh fare served at Drift Restaurant. Order an artisan handheld before learning to kiteboard with an expert. (The proprietors taught the hybrid surf sport in Hawaii and also were professional stand-up whitewater paddle boarders.) There’s also yoga paddleboarding, kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, fly fishing and ice climbing. Rather go the R&R route? Indulge in a wood-burning spa experience, or explore the area. Location-wise, you can’t beat this sweet spot in the heart of Lake Erie Wine Country and less than an hour from Niagara Falls and Lake Chautauqua. $425-$475, hideawaybayresortny.com

Lungovita
Lungovita means “long life” in Italian — and this glamping sanctuary in Harrow, Ontario, is an ideal way to hit the destress-detox reset button, especially since it’s an adults-only retreat. Sleep in a geodesic dome suitable for four to six guests and wake up ready to kayak or go for a swim. Year-round hot tubs and saunas warm up every moment, while the new patio overlooking the lake is the perfect book-and-a-drink spot. Wind down by the bonfire on the beach. Buy a day pass for $39 CAD or stay for $209-$319 CAD, lungovita.com

Sawmill Creek
Cedar Point delivers the thrills — and the park’s newly acquired and renovated resort property just down the road in Sandusky, Ohio, offers the chills. After a day in the amped up, coaster lover’s mecca, naturally you need to exhale. Sawmill delivers. It officially reopened in summer 2022 after extensive reimagining and construction to the tune of $30 million-ish, top to bottom.

“Each Cedar Point hotel has its own customer and aesthetic,” says general manager Matt Watson. “Sawmill is earth, water and air with a golf course located next to a nature preserve.”

It’s the opposite of Castaway Bay’s tropical theme and energized indoor waterpark that re-opened within weeks of Sawmill. So, there’s something for everyone, including Cedar Point’s on-site Hotel Breakers and Express Hotel.

Get a taste of Great Lakes regional fare from The Miller’s Table at Sawmill Creek, where you’ll trade salmon and scallops for dishes made from only Lake Erie catches. The menu includes Ohio beef and herbs grown on site. Cabana service by the pool? You got it.

“Adults can be kids again at Cedar Point, and then come back to the resort with fireplaces, seating nooks and a cabin-in-the-woods feeling,” Watson says. $259-$379, cedarpoint.com/resorts/sawmill-creek

The Anchor Inn
Play all day on Put-in-Bay — sun, suds, sights — then tuck into a quiet, luxury retreat at this boutique hotel for adults on Ohio’s liveliest island. Check into one of nine available suites or a Wee Anchor two-bedroom cottage. Rooms are curated with a touch of modern whimsy and lake-inspired accents. The intent: to offer just-like-home respite after some island action. Treat yourself by adding on a balcony breakfast tray for two, bedtime milk and cookies or charcuterie board, among other nice-to-haves. $225-$970, anchorinnpib.com

Suncliff Inn on the Lake
Cast away to Venice for a honeymoon experience or tie up in Milan with lake views. These Italian-inspired suites in Derby, New York, pull out all the stops. Dressing room? Check. Charm to spare? You got it. The site features a restaurant, two bar-lounges, a Sunday brunch and a site so pretty that you’ll see couples tying the knot all summer long. Take in live music or tune up your fine arts skills. Lifelong learners and young aspiring artists can participate in a summer residential camp run by its educational foundation. $70-$200, suncliffonthelake.com

Caesars Windsor
Returning to your room after a bad night at the blackjack table isn’t so awful when you look across the river and see the sparkling Detroit skyline. In the morning, watch the freighters roll by, then head outside for a walk along the river. Gambling not your thing? The hotel makes an upscale base for exploring this corner of Ontario, including more than a dozen wineries and Point Pelee National Park. Dinner and a show are always an option, too. Splurge on the $159.95 Australian Wagyu sirloin at Neros Steakhouse if you’ve been lucky and book your room for July 4 to time up with Foreigner’s show at the casino’s concert venue. $152-$269, caesars.com/caesars-windsor

Long Point Eco Adventures
Hike, plunge, sauna, glamp and shack up in a historic Norfolk, Ontario, cabin with four bedrooms and crackling fireplaces, indoor and out. Just bring marshmallows. “It’s fairly rustic,” says Chloe McConnell, general manager at Long Point Eco Adventures, where wooden pods are headquarters for low-key fun and the max-capacity Mabee cabin works for up to 17 guests. (Multi-gen family reunion, anyone?)

Long Point is a mashup of elevated camping (with Wi-Fi) and amenities like linens and towels. The Marshview Patio serves up brunch mimosa-style, along with full lunch and dinner menus. Sips, dips and shareables complement the bar menu’s local craft beers and signature cocktails.

Oh, did we mention the trail across the road leads to Burning Kiln Winery? Check out vacation packages that bundle meals and activities to make the most of activities like guided hikes, mountain biking, kayaking and a zip line. $129-$799 CAD, lpfun.ca

Maumee Bay State Park
With so much to explore at this state park, you’ll definitely want to stay the night — and you’ve got options. Pitch a tent, book a room in the lodge or rent a deluxe family cabin and then head out to hike, bike, canoe, swim, shoot hoops or lounge by the pool. Come in spring or fall, and you can add some of the best birding in the country to that list. $95-$340, ohiodnr.gov

The Dover George
There’s personality plus in each of the four suites within this boutique hotel in Port Dover, Ontario. The sesquicentennial home was converted into high-end accommodations, and the limited occupancy adds a sort of, “If you know, you know,” exclusivity. The proprietors dub Suite 1 as “black and white and fabulous all over” with extras like a dressing room. A deluxe 1,000-square-foot penthouse boasts a cathedral ceiling. Hungry? The hotel has a five-star kitchen where visiting chefs, including both young guns and industry veterans, host culinary pop-up events. If you go and you must stream Netflix, BYO screen. You won’t find TVs or Roku in the rooms. (Exhale.) $375-$550 CAD and up to $1,665 CAD for the whole house, thedovergeorge.ca

Curtiss Hotel
Reserve one of 68 suites in this five-star boutique hotel, housed in a historic downtown Buffalo landmark and chock full of amenities you can’t find just anywhere. Take the Urban Hotsprings, for example. The oversized mineral-infused hot tub offers a relaxing, al fresco, 102-degree soak, sun or snow. Take in the view from Vue Rooftop Lounge and make reservations at Chez Ami for a spin on the state’s only revolving bar. Splurge by ordering an extra for your room like chocolate-covered strawberries or charcuterie. $249-$451, curtisshotel.com

Sheraton Erie Bayfront
After a maritime-modern complete overhaul, this Erie, Pennsylvania, hotel offers the same incredible waterfront views with a brighter, top-shelf vibe. Check in and walk to nearby attractions (explore them all on page 36). Order a house specialty at Two45 Waterfront Grille. Macadamia-crusted grouper or bone-in tomahawk pork chop? Why not both for sharing? $234-$489, marriott.com

Riverbend Hotel and Suites
This new hotel in Ashtabula, Ohio, offers upscale accommodations with cool views of the single-leaf bascule bridge — a historic marvel that opens for watercraft to enter the harbor. Watch it from Lift Bar while sipping on a local brew. Nosh on a variety of flatbreads and definitely indulge in a French-inspired Butter and Crumb pie, made in Charleston, South Carolina. You’ll find all the amenities you need on site: free breakfast, a fitness center and even a pet-friendly policy. $199-$289, wyndhamhotels.com

The Wave
The old Lighthouse Inn hotel in Marblehead with its unhinged front-patio views of Lake Erie — so close you can feel a wave crash against the riprap — is now The Wave, a boutique departure from the institution regulars have known. The aging express-inn vibe was thoughtfully reinvented with contemporary appointments and on-site amenities like pickleball, a fitness studio, cabana-surrounded pool and outdoor yard games for the younger set. Sip on a Marblehead Mule in the bar — or by one of the firepits overlooking the water — and nosh on the restaurant’s Wave grass-fed burger. Most rooms are in the $200s, but triple that for the ultimate view in season. It’s right up the road from the ferry to Kelleys Island. $250-$650, wavemarblehead.com

Hotel Kilbourne
If swanky in Sandusky is what you’re after, this boutique hotel in northwest Ohio checks all the boxes. We love that each of the nine rooms has either a lake or city view and is equipped with an espresso machine. The Oh Taco restaurant and tequila bar on the lobby offers an inviting welcome with its house-made guac. If you want to go hybrid Mexican, try the Dawgitos. Think: a hotdog tucks into a tortilla for a deep-fry bath and then a dip in queso. Mosley’s Rooftop Bar offers all the hand-crafted you can handle and a waterfront atmosphere. $197-$345, hotelkilbourne.com

Oban Inn
Views of the water, lush English gardens and just-a-walk-away shopping and dining at Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Old Town establishments make this Ontario inn a sweet spot for both relaxing and exploring the region’s natural beauty. With 28 rooms, the property also offers dining in the sunroom with Niagara wine. Theater lover? The Shaw theatres are steps away. Looking for action? Walk to the dock for a Whirlpool Jetboat Tour and rush up the Niagara River into the rapids near the falls. $195-$530 CAD, oban.com

The Athenaeum Hotel at Chautauqua
Past-president Bill Clinton stayed here while preparing for debates, and the lectern where he perched is showcased in the hotel lobby in an exhibit celebrating the hotel’s heritage. Other who’s who guests to this Western New York institution include Julie Andrews, Margaret Thatcher, and even Kim Kardashian and Kanye West (before he changed his name to Ye).

“So many interesting people have come through, and it’s just as exciting to see the generations of families that make Chautauqua a tradition,” says Brittany Beckstrom, senior director of Athenaeum Hotel operations. “It’s a privilege to keep the history going.”

Not to worry, the amenities aren’t ancient history. Last year, the hotel underwent a $20-million renovation to make it a year-round destination. But if you want a peek at the past, a hand-operated elevator run by a bellman is on display in the lobby and was fully working until just 10 years ago.

You can’t beat the Athenaeum’s expansive wrap-around porch, all 5,700 square feet of it. On-site dining at Heirloom includes indoor and outdoor seating, and an elegant Sunday brunch.

Planning a trip? Make it a package deal. A la carte, gate passes are $100 per person per day to access all-things-Chautauqua — lectures, performances, recreation. A room bundle for a family of four starts at $550 a night during the high season. Doing the math; booking’s a no-brainer. $179-$550, chq.org

Barcelona Lakeside
It’s the kind of place you go to celebrate a milestone or get out of Dodge with that special someone. If you’re a history buff, you’ll discover centuries of stories at this Westfield, New York, hotel, which is perched on the harbor across the street from the 40-foot-tall Barcelona Lighthouse—the country’s first to burn natural gas. The 1830 home was built for a merchant captain named Tupper.

“He created a series of rooms on the third floor so sailors could get off the ship and take a break,” says Russ Pitts, who operates the B&B with his wife, Lori.

The house was a point of destination for slaves fleeing to Canada during the Civil War. The home’s top floor was a hidden quarters, and a tunnel ran under the road to the lighthouse, where slaves seeking freedom would board ships. The tunnel has since been sealed, but its opening at the lighthouse is covered with only a metal grate, Russ says.

Unlike most really old houses, this one has been continuously occupied since it was built, and the Pittses now welcome guests to five suites with all the modern amenities you’d expect in a hotel today. No peeling back grandma’s drapes to take in water views.

“We hear from guests, ‘We get the best of both worlds,’” Lori says.

Expect elegantly appointed rooms and grounds that back up to a winery with charming outdoor seating — bonfire optional, hammock included. The inn is “literally in the middle of the Lake Erie wine trail,” Russ points out.

Russ goes all out with a breakfast that is scratch-made, plated and served. “Guests request the peach French toast,” he says. Packed lunches with top-shelf sandwiches and all kinds of boards to accompany vino are available. He doesn’t mind if you request a recipe for one of his specialty breads, such as an Italian lemon or Moroccan chocolate. Single-night bookings are available for the Alford Suite, along with all rooms in the off-season. Otherwise, plan to stay two-plus nights. $209-$299, barcelonalakeside.com

The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake
Restore, explore or both at this resort hotel situated away from the Strip’s bustle in a waterfront state park in Ohio’s wine country. Discover many ways to play on site with indoor/outdoor pools, free bikes and winding trails, a zipline, yoga and on-site dining. New to the property: 25 fully furnished, quaint cottages on three acres of lakeside land. Each accommodates up to six guests and includes all the trappings of a cozy-modern getaway. Cue the gas fireplace. While there, hitch a shuttle to winery hop or tour the region’s covered bridges. $270-$463, thelodgeatgeneva.com

The Lonz Mansion
It’s a nod to natural preservation and cultural heritage. The $3.9-million restoration effort to open Lonz Mansion on Ohio’s Middle Bass Island includes a first-floor museum and second-floor rooms for rent to drink in the legacy and views. (The Lonz family is a pioneer in local wine history.) There’s a two-night minimum stay, but your reservation includes all four upstairs rooms and housekeeping. While visiting, take note of the original, lustrous oak floors and expansive wraparound porch with lake views. $800-$1,100, lonz-mbi.com

Kelleys Island Venture Resort
Set your clock to island time and check into this low-key enclave on Ohio’s largest island, where every suite has a private patio, and a three-tiered, on-the-water deck is appointed with the obligatory waterfront Adirondak chairs for unwinding. Grill out on the property — or go to The Village Pump for its renowned Brandy Alexanders and walleye bites. The kids can blow off steam at the playground and adjacent field for games. And of course, there’s the pool. Most suites accommodate four to six guests, while the 1,200-square foot grand Cunningham Suite has three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The minimum stay for all rooms is two nights. $398-$1,278, kiventureresort.com

Lakehouse Inn Retreat
Snag a waterfront suite and sink into an in-room whirlpool while the fireplace crackles, setting the tone for the ultimate unwinding. There are private decks and views for miles in these premier rentals. The Geneva, Ohio, property also offers a few cottage accommodations and traditional rooms with a king or two queens. You really can’t go wrong — and the same goes for spa services and farm-to-table dining at Crosswinds Grille, where you’ll find both gluten-sensitive options as well as artisan cuts from local NaKyrsie meats. $269-$629, three-night minimum on holiday weekends and two-night requirement for weekends, thelakehouseinn.com

Hotel Breakers at Cedar Point
Built in 1905, Hotel Breakers has always had that classic coastal look, but a recent overhaul added a posh, upscale feel that makes skipping the park to spend a day in a lounge chair by the two outdoor pools very tempting. Then there’s the beach where the sand, which is groomed each morning, is so fine it’s rumored to have been imported from California. But even if you spend all day at the park, you can still come back to fire pits and live music. $194-$459, cedarpoint.com/resorts/hotel-breakers

Tower Hotel Niagara Falls
Seeking a luxury stay in Niagara Falls? The Tower Hotel offers uninterrupted views, as well as fine dining at Sky Fallsview Steakhouse. “The building was originally designed as a viewing tower and has been transformed into a hotel,” marketing director Mark Buenafe says. “Its slender design and height with special history and romantic charm make it a favorite for proposals and unforgettable getaways.” $185-$1,300 CAD, fallsviewgroup.com

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