A waterfront vacation doesn't have to mean a trip to the beach. River locales offer many of the same draws as oceans and lakes -- and we'd argue even more in some cases. Flowing past some of America's best cities, around mountain ranges, and through desserts, rivers are the optimal alternative vacation spots for boating, fishing, hiking, and more.
The 403-room Westin Savannah is an upper-middle-range resort located on an island across the river from Savannah’s Historic District. The main draws here are the PGA golf course and the high-end spa.
The Savannah River also offers plenty of opportunities to explore the region’s beautiful natural surroundings. Riverboat cruises, like those in NOLA, are quite popular, as are canoe and kayak excursions. Some ambitious travelers even make a whole trip out of it, paddling the river’s length in pursuit of otters, snapping turtles, alligators, and even dolphins and manatees in the lower sections of the river.
This upscale resort is a sprawling property on the Santa Ana Pueblo reservation 15 miles north of Albuquerque. Its gorgeous natural setting under vivid blue skies offers panoramic views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Trails lead directly to the Rio Grande and the resort features numerous activities, as well as a golf course, restaurants, and several pools.
Top-notch features at this luxe Westin include the celebrated Spa Anjali, a gorgeous heated outdoor lap pool, delicious restaurant options, and a state-of-the-art fitness center. Throughout the property, guests can take in stunning views of the mountains and Eagle River.
This tributary of the Colorado River flows past some of the state’s best ski resorts, helping make the area popular year-round. In addition to hiking the various mountain trails, visitors to the area can go kayaking and whitewater rafting down the river. Or they can try their hand at fly fishing and try to snag themselves a trout for dinner.
Waterstone Resort and Marina offers guests an indulgent, care-free retreat on the water. Set in a quiet Boca Raton neighborhood on the Intracoastal, the boutique resort delivers water views from every angle. No one is left out; every single one of the 121 guest rooms offers a slice of the action, with a private balcony overlooking either Lake Boca or the Atlantic Ocean. Wherever you are on the property, from dining to working out, the glimmering water remains the centerpiece.
Read more here.
The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village is a towering, expansive 19-story waterfront resort tucked away deep in a residential neighborhood in Cape Coral, a quiet non-descript outlier just north of Fort Myers Beach. Originally slated as a condominium, the guest rooms range from normal to enormous, from 445 sq ft to well over 3,000, a terrific benefit for families, friends traveling together.
The resort is located directly on the Tarpon Point Marina, featuring hundreds of private boat slips, plus kayak and standup paddleboarding rentals. The property features 253 all-waterview guest suites, a fitness center, 25,000 sq ft of meeting space,multiple swimming pools, and two restaurants – The Nauti Mermaid Dockside Bar & Grille serving casual bar fare (read: fried), and Marker 92, offering both indoor and terrace dining which serves mostly steaks and seafood. Running along the marina is Marina Village shops, comprised mostly of art galleries and clothing stores, and the forgettable Pinchers seafood restaurant.
Read our review here.
The Plantation on Crystal River is a prime spot for adventure and relaxation on the water. During the winter months, hundreds of manatees make the warm springs of Kings Bay their temporary home, giving tourists the rare opportunity to legally swim and interact with the gentle giants. The waterfront resort makes this enchanting experience convenient and easy for travelers.
The Plantation's Adventure Center offers daily, guided tours to snorkel with the manatees that leave right from the resort's boat dock.
Read our review here.
1. The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa
The 403-room Westin Savannah is an upper-middle-range resort located on an island across the river from Savannah’s Historic District. The main draws here are the PGA golf course and the high-end spa.
The Savannah River also offers plenty of opportunities to explore the region’s beautiful natural surroundings. Riverboat cruises, like those in NOLA, are quite popular, as are canoe and kayak excursions. Some ambitious travelers even make a whole trip out of it, paddling the river’s length in pursuit of otters, snapping turtles, alligators, and even dolphins and manatees in the lower sections of the river.
2. Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa
This upscale resort is a sprawling property on the Santa Ana Pueblo reservation 15 miles north of Albuquerque. Its gorgeous natural setting under vivid blue skies offers panoramic views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Trails lead directly to the Rio Grande and the resort features numerous activities, as well as a golf course, restaurants, and several pools.
3. Westin Riverfront Resort and Spa at Beaver Creek Mountain
Top-notch features at this luxe Westin include the celebrated Spa Anjali, a gorgeous heated outdoor lap pool, delicious restaurant options, and a state-of-the-art fitness center. Throughout the property, guests can take in stunning views of the mountains and Eagle River.
This tributary of the Colorado River flows past some of the state’s best ski resorts, helping make the area popular year-round. In addition to hiking the various mountain trails, visitors to the area can go kayaking and whitewater rafting down the river. Or they can try their hand at fly fishing and try to snag themselves a trout for dinner.
4. Waterstone Resort, Boca Raton
Waterstone Resort and Marina offers guests an indulgent, care-free retreat on the water. Set in a quiet Boca Raton neighborhood on the Intracoastal, the boutique resort delivers water views from every angle. No one is left out; every single one of the 121 guest rooms offers a slice of the action, with a private balcony overlooking either Lake Boca or the Atlantic Ocean. Wherever you are on the property, from dining to working out, the glimmering water remains the centerpiece.
Read more here.
5. Westin Cape Coral
The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village is a towering, expansive 19-story waterfront resort tucked away deep in a residential neighborhood in Cape Coral, a quiet non-descript outlier just north of Fort Myers Beach. Originally slated as a condominium, the guest rooms range from normal to enormous, from 445 sq ft to well over 3,000, a terrific benefit for families, friends traveling together.
The resort is located directly on the Tarpon Point Marina, featuring hundreds of private boat slips, plus kayak and standup paddleboarding rentals. The property features 253 all-waterview guest suites, a fitness center, 25,000 sq ft of meeting space,multiple swimming pools, and two restaurants – The Nauti Mermaid Dockside Bar & Grille serving casual bar fare (read: fried), and Marker 92, offering both indoor and terrace dining which serves mostly steaks and seafood. Running along the marina is Marina Village shops, comprised mostly of art galleries and clothing stores, and the forgettable Pinchers seafood restaurant.
Read our review here.
6. Plantation on Crystal River
The Plantation on Crystal River is a prime spot for adventure and relaxation on the water. During the winter months, hundreds of manatees make the warm springs of Kings Bay their temporary home, giving tourists the rare opportunity to legally swim and interact with the gentle giants. The waterfront resort makes this enchanting experience convenient and easy for travelers.
The Plantation's Adventure Center offers daily, guided tours to snorkel with the manatees that leave right from the resort's boat dock.
Read our review here.