No-Salt Solutions: Lake Resort Vacations Across North America

While the hoards crowd U.S. beaches this summer, why not escape to more tranquil waterfronts and swap the waves and salt for the cool waters of a local lake resort.

Americans have historically had a love affair with their lakes, and, ever since mixed public bathing was socially acceptable, people have chosen to spend their summers in the mountains, away from the intense heat. Lake resorts have come a long way from the rustic retreats of yesteryear, especially if the image you are conjuring up your mind right now is the early 60's Catskills a la Dirty Dancing. Today they are often luxurious five-star properties with fine cuisine, spa services and all the amenities of an indulgent vacation.

While the price of gas has declined somewhat, it's still high enough to consider staying closer to home. Almost every state in the U.S. has at least one major lake resort, and, whether you are a group of friends, a family with small kids, a couple or even single, there is a lake and accommodations to suit all needs and budgets.

The state of Missouri doesn't usually spring to mind when you are thinking about a vacation but the Lake of the Ozarks region is a sensational area for a summer retreat. This 92-mile man-made, 58,000-acre reservoir has over 1,375 miles of scenic shorelines. From Bagnell Dam to the Truman Dam, there are several state parks, 14 golf courses (plus seven miniature golf courses), Go-Kart tracks, family water parks, spas, marinas, more than 40 waterfront restaurants, brand name factory outlets and dozens of antique shops. Located some 75 miles from Springfield and 170 miles from St Louis, the Resort at Port Arrowhead (tel. 800/532-3575; www.lakeoftheozarksgetaway.com) is currently offering several summer specials, including:

• Stay anytime throughout June to receive breakfast for two and a complimentary $20 fuel card to help with your travel expenses. Midweek rates start from$129 per night, with a rate of $139 for Friday and Saturday nights. (This offer does not apply for convention attendees.)
• The "Sleep 'N Slide" package gives you two Big Surf Water Park all-day surfer passes (a $45 value) plus complimentary continental breakfast for two adults and kids 12 and under eat free with any family stay at the resort. This offer expires December 23, 2005.
• The "Shop Until You Drop" package allow you to save up to 25% off published room rates plus each person will also receive a complimentary beverage, savings up to 25% when dining in the Resort's Portside Restaurant and a VIP coupon book for hundreds of dollars of savings at the Osage Beach Premium Outlets.
• The "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" package includes two nights in a Leisure King or Double room, a private half hour in-room massage with rejuvenating oils, a movie from their On-Command in-room movies to unwind, margaritas at the Portside Lounge, a scenic cruise aboard the Tropic Island Cruise Line, sinful bedtime snacks (gourmet brownies and chocolate covered strawberries), daily breakfast, savings coupons from the Osage Village Outlet Mall and a Lake of the Ozarks Family Attractions Card. This package is priced from $194 per person based on double occupancy. Room taxes and gratuities not included.

Located only 25 miles from downtown Austin, on the edge of historic Texas Hill County, Lake Austin forms part of the Highland Lakes chain and is an oasis of boating, fishing and water sports. The luxurious Lakehouse at Lake Austin Spa Resort (tel. 800/847-5637; www.lakeaustin.com) features special summer savings.

• Book a "Spa Refresher" or "Ultimate Spa Pampering Package" of three or four nights in premier accommodation with all spa cuisine meals included and you'll receive one additional night free, a savings of up to $640.
• Book a stay of five nights or more and receive two additional nights free.
• Purchase a two-night package in premier accommodation this Fourth of July weekend and receive one additional night free. Enjoy a relaxing weekend on the lake, with delicious spa cuisine, a lineup of daily fitness classes for rates starting from $1,090 per person based on double occupancy (valid for stays from June 30 to July 4, 2005).
• When you book a "Refresher Package" of three nights or more in a private premier room, your partner stays for just $285 a night. Plus, your partner can choose one complimentary round of golf, a VitaMAN scrub, two hours of personal fitness instruction, a Lakehouse River Rock Massage or even a fly-fishing lesson.

Christine Lake (tel. 866/477-9334; www.christinalake.com), in British Columbia's pristine Kootenay Lake District is just over the Canadian/US border from Washington State. The lake is famous for its clean, clear water, sandy lakeside beaches and stunning beauty. The surrounding mountains offer an abundance of uncrowded hiking and bike trails, as well as warm rivers for kayaking, canoeing and fishing and the spectacular Cascade Gorge. Accommodation ranges from campsites and small rental cottages to lakefront Bed and Breakfasts and resorts. Head about 50 miles north near the town of Nakusp, and you will come across the Upper Arrow Lake and the magnificent Halcyon Hot Springs (tel. 888/689-4699; www.halcyon-hotsprings.com). This touch of Europe in North America features different temperature pools set amongst the most stunning lake and mountain scenery with beneficial hot mineral waters featuring a unique combination of sodium, lithium, magnesium, calcium and strontium. The following special packages are worth considering:

• The "Halcyon Meal Package" is priced at $303 for two people until June 30, 2005 or $323 for two in July and August. It includes two-nights accommodation in a cottage, two breakfasts and dinner entrees for two a la carte plus all pool passes.
• The "Halcyon Spa Package" is priced at $479 for two people until June 30, 2005 or $511 for two in July and August. It includes two-nights accommodation in a cottage, two breakfasts, dinner entrees for two a la carte, one-hour of relaxing massage treatment at the Spa, all pool passes and Halcyon Bath Salts.
• The "Halcyon Adventure Package" is $383 for two until June 30 and includes two-nights accommodation in a cottage, two breakfasts and dinner entrees for two a la carte and two 90-minute horseback rides or two one-hour All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) rides.
• The "Total Halcyon Package" is $ 767 for two and includes three- nights accommodation in a cottage, three breakfasts, dinner entrees for two a la carte, an ATV valley tour, a Sunny Ridge horseback tour and a half-day canoe or mountain bike rental.

Upgrade any of these packages to a Chalet or Loft Cottage for an additional $80. Tax is additional.

If all that fresh air is too healthy for you, combine your lake vacation with pleasures of the vine in the Finger Lakes District, New York (www.fingerlakes.org and www.fingerlakeswinecountry.com). With over 80 wineries in the area, waterfalls, historic towns and glacial lakes, this is truly a beautiful part of the country to visit this summer. Stay at historic bed and breakfast properties or choose from dozens of vacation rental homes situated around Cayuga, Keuka, Seneca, Lamoka, Waneta, Cayuta and Canandaigua Lakes.

QualityTransportation Service (tel. 877/424-7004; www.qualitytran.com) runs a number of winery, boating and attractions tours throughout the Finger Lakes district.

• Their six-hour "Sonnenberg Gardens, Bristol Springs, Naples Valley Wine Trail Tour" includes visits to vineyards with tastings, transportation and lunch for two people for $195.
• The eight-hour "Amish Store, Water Falls, Glass and Western Art Tour" includes visits the Watkins Glen State Park with its nineteen waterfalls, the Corning Museum of Glass and the Rockwell Museum of Western Art, transportation and lunch for two people for $250, or add overnight accommodation at the Radisson Hotel Corning for and additional $95.
• The six-hour "Skaneatles: Gateway to the Finger Lakes Tour" visits historic downtown Skaneatles and tours the crystal clear lake on a lunch and sightseeing cruise. The tour, including transportation and lunch is priced at $195 for two people or add overnight accommodation at the Sherwood Inn Bed and Breakfast for $175 more.

For unsurpassed scenic beauty, a visit to Lake Coeur d'Alene (tel. 877/782-9232; www.coeurdalene.org) in Idaho is a must. Situated on Interstate 90, National Geographic Magazine refers to the Coeur as "one of the five most scenic alpine lakes in the world". You can paddle, sail or motor along the pine-lined shores of the lake in small boats, rented houseboats, or opt for day or dinner cruise on a paddle steamer. Although there are many Bed and Breakfasts around the lake as well as motels, RV parks and campgrounds, the Coeur d'Alene Resort (tel. 800/688-5253; www.cdaresort.com) is the pick of the area's upmarket accommodations.

• Their "Relax and Renew Spa Package" includes overnight lodging in a spacious well-appointed guestroom and a $75 credit for use at the European Spa and Salon.
• The "Rekindle the Spark Dining Package" includes overnight accommodation and a $75 dining credit at your choice of three onsite restaurants or three other dining locations with complimentary shuttle transportation.
• The "Silverwood Theme Park Package" includes overnight accommodation in your choice of room categories and two adult park passes to the regions largest amusement and water park. Each of these packages starts from $189.

The town of Coeur D'Alene is so compact that you can walk everywhere with fine dining and a barrage of antique and crafts stores within a twenty-block radius. For the young (and young at heart) there are the Wild Waters water slides, the Silverwood Theme Park less than half an hour north and a local steam train ride which circles the area. The old mining towns of Kellogg or Wallace offer special historic attractions and that "ghost town" feeling.

If you're still not sure where to go, there are a few informative websites that can help get you started. Gordon's Guide (www.gordonsguide.com/lake-resorts/#companies) features detailed information about fourteen individual lake resorts located throughout the US, Canada and Central America. On the Resorts and Lodges website (www.resortsandlodges.com/resort-type/lake-resorts/usa) you can search lake resorts by state.

Where's your favorite fresh water lake? Start a list to share with fellow travelers on our Beach & Water Sports Message Boards today.