Top 7 best Midwest resorts in 2024, from luxury hotels on the Great Lakes coast to classic Old World-style inns
The Midwest's vast forests, sparkling lakes, lush prairies, and scenic meandering rivers create an inviting landscape that nature lovers year-round rush to enjoy. At the best resorts in the Midwest, travelers can find the perfect base from which to immerse themselves in the region's unique charms.
Travel + Leisure readers can help guide you through the search for the perfect vacation destination: in their annual World's Best Awards survey, they've identified the top Midwest hotels in 2024 that make a stay an unforgettable experience.
Survey Winner: Hotel Walloon – Lake Walloon, Michigan
Hotels in Michigan made the biggest impression on survey participants, as the top four spots went to Midwestern resorts on the Great Lakes. And none of the choices could beat the elegant Walloon Hotel on the lake of the same name. Its blue waters have drawn travelers and seekers of serene relaxation for more than a century, but the Walloon Hotel is a relative newcomer. It opened in 2015, introducing the public to amenities designed for the most discerning traveler and a modern design with vintage details that reflect the history of the region. Hotel amenities include an outdoor heated spa, private beach, 24-hour fitness center with Peloton, billiards room, outdoor lakeside fireplace, restaurants, and bars. The hotel organizes an abundance of outdoor activities for guests, from hiking to horseback riding, which can be alternated with exploring nearby museums and visiting wineries and a local chocolate factory.
Deer Path Inn – Lake Forest, IL
Travelers seeking sophisticated pleasures will appreciate the divine cuisine, historic charm, and abundance of entertainment at the luxurious Deer Path Inn in the heart of Lake Forest. This location will satisfy the need for a sophisticated Old World style resort vacation without leaving the Midwest region: meet friends for afternoon tea, stroll through the fragrant gardens, and spend evenings in the cushioned lounge chairs enjoying drinks. The hotel features 3 award-winning restaurants, a 24-hour fitness center, and bicycle rentals. Guests can treat themselves to freshly baked cookies and milk in the lobby each evening, and on Sundays, attend an extravagant buffet brunch. The hotel's rooms and suites are bright and spacious (ranging from 350 to 800 square feet), decorated with elegant furnishings, expensive fabrics, and artwork.
Sundara Inn & Spa – Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
In addition to bronze at the top of the Midwest's best resorts, this 2024 hotel also earned recognition as a top hydrotherapy spa by Women's Health and second place on USA Today's list of best spas. For accommodations, guests can choose from private suites in the woods with outdoor hot tubs and villas with fireplaces, kitchens, and access to all of the spa's amenities. Vacation here centers around relaxation and wellness: spa services include energy and salt therapy, apparatus cosmetology, facials and body treatments, massages, and bath treatments. Guests can spend time relaxing by the indoor and outdoor pools, bars, fitness center, and daily wellness activities such as a pontoon cruise on Lake Deltona, meditations, guided hikes, cooking demonstrations, and more.
Hotel Iroquois – Mackinac Island, Michigan
A cozy and classically refined hotel located right on the water overlooking the historic Round Island Lighthouse. The 45 individually decorated rooms and suites are housed in a historic building. This is one of the Midwest's premier seasonal resorts: for example, in 2024, the hotel is open from May through October. A complimentary continental breakfast is served in the lobby in the mornings, and guests can enjoy a waterfront restaurant serving classic American cuisine. The hotel is surrounded by exquisite Victorian-style gardens with fragrant flowers, representing some of the finest landscaping on the island. Guests can diversify their free time by strolling around Mackinac Island, which is a National Historic Landmark.
Hotel Landing – Wayzata, Minnesota
A 15-minute drive from downtown Minneapolis, the Scandinavian heritage-inspired retreat sits on the shores of Wayzata Bay. Guests are offered upscale accommodations with the luxury of a private residence: chic beds with 400-thread count linens, individual climate control, large showers, etc. The Landing is ranked among the top five resorts in the Midwest not only for its sophisticated chic atmosphere, but also for its exclusive amenities: guests can take advantage of the Scandinavian-style spa, fitness center, Tesla car charging station, Lake Cruiser bicycles, and stay here with their pets.
Island House Hotel – Mackinac Island, Michigan
The iconic hotel on Mackinac Island exudes the charm and elegance of a historic estate, spiced with a hint of nostalgia for simpler times. Once here during your search for the best resorts in the Midwestern United States, you'll find not just lodging for a temporary stopover, but a place where lifelong memories are created. Dining in the garden, lounging in rocking chairs on the veranda, evening walks and dinners by the fire, relaxing in the hot tub and pool, stunning waterfront views and excellent access to the island's restaurants, stores and attractions create the perfect foundation for a vacation. For accommodations, the hotel has a collection of rooms and suites with modern amenities and private bathrooms.
The American Club Resort Hotel – Kohler, Wisconsin
This hotel about 55 miles north of Milwaukee is part of the Destination Kohler Resort. It began its history in 1918 as a dormitory for Kohler employees and broke new ground in 1981, becoming a world-class hotel and one of the Midwest's most luxurious resorts. It features 241 guest rooms and suites with classic wood furnishings and minibars. Guests book vacations here to play golf on award-winning championship courses, enjoy meals at several unique restaurants, relax and rejuvenate at Kohler Waters Spa, one of 85 5-star spas in the world, and unwind at the huge sports complex with pools, tennis courts, and more.