Hugging the shores of Lake Champlain in Vermont, you will find a family resort that feels unchanged for generations, except for its modern amenities. It is a place where families gather, year-after-year. It is also a place where friendships are made and romance blossoms. That very special place is the Basin Harbor Resort & Boat Club in Vergennes, Vermont.
I had a chance to visit for a mother-daughter getaway in June to write a Basin Harbor Club review. Although our little family unit of two felt small compared to the many family reunions and multi-generational trips at the Resort during our stay, it was immediately clear how well the Basin Harbor caters to families.
I’d already heard amazing things about their kid’s club, but we also saw packs of teens strolling the property and the lawns are dotted with games from horseshoes to a giant Connect 4 and chessboard. There were even plenty of dogs about, noting Basin Harbor’s pet-friendly policy.
If you are looking for a family vacation by the lake with plenty of activities for all ages, great food, and a classic, laid back vibe, it is time to check out Basin Harbor.
Basin Harbor Review
Note: We were guests of the Basin Harbor Resort & Boat Club for purposes of this review, all opinions are my own.
The Basin Harbor is a full-service resort, with lakeside cottages for families and guest rooms in four lodges throughout the property. You will find multiple restaurants, a full-range of activities, and a fabulous Kids Camp that will keep the whole family busy and happy. Before you decide whether or not the Basin Harbor is right for you, let’s dig into the accommodations, location, amenities, and dining at the Basin Harbor.
Lake Champlain Cottages
Although the Basin Harbor is one of the Historic Hotels of America, its 45 guest rooms and 74 cottages have been updated to reflect a clean, nautical feel. The decor utilizes earth tones and artifacts from the resort’s 131-year history.
No two cottages at Basin Harbor are alike, as they were each built according to the wishes of original guests. Some cottages overlook the lake, while others are tucked into the woods or near the golf course or gardens. There are a range of studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom cottages to choose from that are ideal for groups or families of all sizes.
We stayed in the lakefront Greenledge, two-bedroom cottage, which offers amazing lake views from the living room and master bedroom. Because of its perch on the edge of the cliff, there wasn’t any outdoor space with much of a view, but each cottage is different. Although keep in mind that the cottages are not the sort where you can just walk out and jump in the lake, but no worries, you have the harbor front for that!
I loved the decor of the cottage, with a blend of comfortable brown leather couches, comfy beds and nautical elements like oars and old-fashioned water skis adorning the walls. There was also a mini kitchen with a sink and small fridge, but no cooktop.
Each bedroom had its own bathroom with two sinks, making it easy to negotiate the family bathroom time. The master bedroom offered a king bed, large closet, and dresser. The second bedroom featured twin beds and its own en-suite bathroom.
Lakefront Activities
Sadly, we didn’t spy Champ, the mysterious lake creature that is said to resemble the Loch Ness monster and live in Lake Champlain. I guess that is no surprise because, outside of whether or not you believe in mythical creatures, Lake Champlain is the sixth largest lake in the United States so she has plenty of room to hide.
The lake is 12 miles wide at its widest and can get up to 400 feet deep. However, where the Basin Harbor is located, you can plainly see the Palisade cliffs of New York and the distant Adirondack Mountains across the lake.
Basin Harbor offers many ways to get out on the lake, from the complimentary pedal boats, paddleboards, kiddie boats, fishing poles, and water toys you can borrow to the kayaks, canoes, and pontoon boats that you can rent. If you plan ahead, you can also hire a motorboat for some water skiing or tubing.
The harbor front also offers a swimming area, with chairs that line the dock and rocks on shore, and two large water trampolines. When we visited in late June, the water was still a little too chilly for us to brave but there were many who didn’t let the cold stop them.
Basin Harbor also offers narrated lake cruises on the EScape tour boat, which is a wonderful way to explore the lake and learn more about the ecology and history. We went out on one of these 1-2 hour cruises during our stay, which taught us about the history of the lake and its natural surroundings. We even spied a couple of bald eagles!
The captain and crew will also tell you all about the rich history of the area, including the many naval battles that occurred nearby.
Pool and Activities
In addition to the lake, Basin Harbor has a heated (yay!) swimming pool, with towels and bar service, and hot tubs. It isn’t that large but when we visited the resort wasn’t very crowded and we were able to get lounge chairs without a problem. We even returned one evening for the “Dive in movie night” to watch Moana from a lounge chair.
Every night the resort offers some form of family-friendly entertainment from outdoor movies to bingo nights and bonfires. They always post a weekly calendar of activities so you can plan your time. Just make a note that not all activities are included and choose accordingly.
Other activities at the Basin Harbor include pickle ball, golf, rental bikes, volleyball, basketball, soccer, croquet, badminton, a gaga pit, giant chess, hiking, a 24/7 fitness center, and history talks. You definitely won’t get bored at Basin Harbor!
Kids Camp is also a favorite among the youngsters, and has been a place where lifelong friendships are formed. The focus is on wholesome summer fun with activities are are customized for age-specific groups, ranging from swimming to crafts to games.
Dining at Basin Harbor
There are many dining options at the Basin Harbor, from fine dining at Ardelia’s to sushi on the Lodge Lawn and pizza from Hattie’s Pie near the pool. Kids will love picking up lobster rolls at the Full Belly Food Truck at the waterfront. The Basin Harbor also offers a range of meal plans to relieve the stress over who orders what when.
Breakfast at Ardelia’s in the main dining room is quite the affair with everything from homemade jams to omelet stations and everything in between. In the evenings, Ardelia’s transforms to fine dining where, even though jackets aren’t still required, the tendency would still be to dress for dinner.
It is almost hard to believe you could possibly be hungry for the rest of the day, but when lunch rolls around, it is time to head to the Red Mill Restaurant.
The Red Mill, which operates out of a renovated saw mill and backs up on a small airstrip, serves both lunch and dinner with a mix of burgers/sandwiches and full entrees. If kids get too antsy waiting for their food, there is always the playground out back and the horseshoe pit beside.
None of the food disappointed but one of the most enjoyable meals was the Thursday night Shore Dinner out on the North Dock. Featuring live music right on the banks of Lake Champlain, this is a perfect way to kick off or capstone your summer. The feast includes chowder, mussels, salad, cheddar bay biscuits (so good), beef, fish, and one big ole pre-cracked lobster! Just make sure you make reservations in advance and take an earlier seating so you don’t miss out on the dessert buffet.
Even though Basin Harbor is so great for large family groups, it was also a special place for a mother-daughter getaway. I find that when traveling with kids, the best connections are made in the simplest of places. Even though there was so much to do, it doesn’t distract from the beauty of nature and the old-fashioned fun. We look forward to returning again when we have even more people to share it with.
Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Publisher of We3Travel. A former marketing executive and travel advisor, Tamara is an award-winning travel writer and recognized expert in family travel. Tamara is a member of SATW and the Adventure Travel Trade Association, and serves on the Board of the Family Travel Association. She is also the publisher of YourTimetoFly.com and the co-host of the Vacation Mavens travel podcast.
