There are those midsummer days when the air shimmers. The asphalt glows, your shirt sticks to your skin, and the fan does nothing but push warm air around the room. And then there's only one thought left: get into the water. Not a stuffy indoor pool, but a real lake — cool, clear, wide open. A jetty beneath your feet, one leap, and all at once the heat is forgotten. These are exactly the days our Private Selection hotels by the water are made for. We'll take you to the most beautiful hotels with direct lake access — and to a few outdoor pools that are every bit as refreshing.
Hotels with Direct Lake Access
Bad Horn Hotel & Spa – where even the waves like to dock
On Lake Constance, the Bad Horn Hotel & Spa sits so close to the water that in the morning you almost step straight from bed into the lake. The house has its own harbour and direct bathing access — here you slip into the cool waters of Lake Constance when the sun is at its highest. And when evening comes, the lakeside bar beckons with a cool drink and a view across the water to the far shore. Anyone who loves the element of water will find their summer spot here.
bora HotSpaResort – swimming on the shores of Lake Constance in the tri-border region
On the western shore of Lake Constance, in the charming town of Radolfzell, lies the bora HotSpaResort — right in the heart of the tri-border region of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The house sits directly on the lake and offers its own access to the water, complete with a naturist beach for those who like to enjoy their swim entirely unencumbered. A place for carefree summer days, with the lake right at your doorstep.
BEATUS Wellness & SPA Hotel – cooling off against a Bernese mountain backdrop
On Lake Thun, the BEATUS Wellness & SPA Hotel in Merligen combines a lakeside setting with alpine views. On hot days, a plunge into Lake Thun is the finest refreshment, and those who prefer things a little calmer can swim their laps in the outdoor brine pool. Afterwards, the spot is all yours: in the lake lounge, an aperitif in hand, as the sun slowly slips behind the peaks and the water shimmers gold.
Hôtel La Barcarolle – park, private harbour and a Lake Geneva breeze
In the west, the Hôtel La Barcarolle in Prangins welcomes its guests with a sprawling, shady park and its own private harbour right on Lake Geneva. On sultry summer days, the gentle breeze off the water brings a welcome freshness, complemented by an outdoor pool for cooling down. And at the beach bar by the shore, the day draws to a stylish close — with the lake in sight and the sun in your glass.
Parco San Marco Lifestyle Beach Resort – a Mediterranean feel on Lake Lugano
In Ticino, the Parco San Marco Lifestyle Beach Resort sits directly on Lake Lugano. Here, southern warmth meets refreshing water: a private beach area on the shore, plus a beach lounge and a prosecco bar for the hottest hours of the day. Mountains and water in one — and all around, that light Mediterranean summer feeling that makes you forget everyday life in an instant.
Hotels Alexander & Gerbi – a sun terrace on Lake Lucerne
In Weggis, the Hotels Alexander & Gerbi offer wonderful views across Lake Lucerne. The sunny location by the water invites you to linger, and those looking to cool off have the lake right at the doorstep — or can enjoy the view from the panoramic wellness oasis "Vitalis SPA". A place to arrive, breathe deeply and stay.
Beautifully Set Pools and Natural Ponds
Boutique-Hotel REMORINO – Mediterranean refreshment on Lake Maggiore
In Minusio, right near Lake Maggiore, lies the Boutique-Hotel REMORINO — central, charming and peaceful all at once. Nestled in the typical Ticino landscape, the house tempts guests on hot days with its outdoor pool and Mediterranean charm — perfect for slipping away among the palms when the summer sun stands high over the south.
Beausite Park Hotel & Spa – bathing in a natural pond before a mountain panorama
High above the valley, in Wengen at the foot of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, the Beausite Park Hotel & Spa surprises with a natural bathing pond. The cool, clear mountain air and the fresh water amid this setting are an experience in themselves on warm days — refreshment at its purest, with a view of Switzerland's most famous peaks.
When It Has to Be the Sea
Grand Hotel Diana Majestic – Ligurian sun on the Mediterranean
And for those who want to follow summer all the way south, trading the lake for the sea: the Grand Hotel Diana Majestic in Diano Marina brings Ligurian sun, salt water and the sound of the waves right to your doorstep — Mediterranean refreshment just as you'd dream it.
Hôtel L'Estelle en Camargue – an infinity pool between étang and sea
In the midst of the wide-open nature of the Camargue, just a few steps from the beach, lies the Hôtel L'Estelle en Camargue. Here, étang and sea meet, and between them a magnificent infinity pool invites you to dive in — its edge seeming to flow straight into the lagoon. Southern French charm, untouched nature and water as far as the eye can see.
Tips for the Perfect Bathing Holiday
Book early and you'll secure the best rooms with a lake view — in high season they go quickly. Houses with their own harbour or jetty are ideal for heading out on a stand-up paddleboard or boat. And for those who want to combine indulgence with relaxation, half board is the way to go: the regional cuisine of these houses is part of the summer experience.
Whether Lake Constance, Lake Thun, Lake Maggiore or the Mediterranean — when the temperatures climb, there's hardly anything finer than a hotel where cool water is just a step away. Find your favourite spot by the water.
