Fair Hills Resort, Minnesota
This affordable old-fashioned summer camp, built in 1906 on Minnesota's Pelican Lake, earns rave reviews from families who return year after year, generation after generation. The no-frills resort is decidedly unpretentious — and that's exactly what devotees love about it. Guests stay in rustic lake cabins and come together for a wide array of activities, from fishing and scavenger hunts to swimming, tennis, and golf.
Castle Hot Springs, Arizona
At the Sonoran Desert retreat that is Castle Hot Springs, you can expect the ultimate in relaxation thanks to the resort's three luxurious soaking pools. You'll also find an on-site farm and greenhouse, and a wealth of activities for guests ages 16 and older including yoga, meditation, farm tours, and guided nature hikes. Dine at the resort's in-house restaurant, Harvest, or sip on a farm-fresh craft cocktail at Bar 1896. "The grounds are unreal — the three-tiered hot spring pools are some of the hottest in the world.
Skytop Lodge, Pennsylvania
Sprawled across 5,500 acres, this historic mountain resort has been luring guests high into the Poconos since 1928. Book a room in the grand stone lodge or at the inn that opens right onto the championship golf course. As for all-inclusive plans, Skytop Lodge offers a Modified American Plan for the whole family, which includes breakfast and dinner at the lodge's eateries.
Twin Farms, Vermont
Twin Farms is an all-inclusive resort set on the former estate of Sinclair Lewis and his wife, journalist Dorothy Thompson. Surrounded by woodlands and wildflower meadows, the 300-acre resort has 10 suites featuring American folk art and wood-burning fireplaces — and 10 private freestanding cottages. The cottages are individually decorated and include stone terraces, 18th-century limestone floors, and living rooms with fireside hot tubs. Activities include a wide range of outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and downhill skiing on private trails.
Blackberry Farm, Tennessee
Blackberry Farm is picturesque with ribbons of white fences, a pond stocked with fish, and houses constructed from Tennessee fieldstone. Set on 4,200 acres in the Great Smoky Mountains, Blackberry's 68 rooms are spread throughout the main house, one-bedroom cottages, and six guesthouses. The all-inclusive package includes lodging, snacks, and three meals a day. A plethora of activities are also available to be added on to your stay.
Grand Hotel, Michigan
This colonnaded 19th-century summer resort, complete with lawn games and after-dinner dancing, is majestically set on a bluff on Mackinac Island overlooking Lake Huron. Every couple of years, the legendary 1887 Grand Hotel unveils an addition, such as the Gate House restaurant, where gentlemen can finally dine sans coat and tie. Each room is unique, creating a custom experience for every guest who walks through the door.
