Blue Harbor Resort

The Blue Harbor Resort appears regal -- its white exterior has Victorian flair, with a red roof and rounded towers and balconies at the entrance. Scenic, sprawling grounds have well-maintained lawns with Adirondack chairs facing the waterfront, and pathways that wrap around the lake. In the warmer months, guests gather lakeside to sail boats, paddle kayaks, ride bikes, fish, roast s’mores on a fire pit, and lounge on a large terrace. Three floors of windows and white balconies create an airy feeling in the spacious lobby, which was renovated in 2012, and features a chandelier that hangs from a sky mural. Furnishings, however don't wow -- they're modest and on par with other mid-range hotels. An old-fashioned house phone sits atop the reception desk, and puzzles and games are available on request. Clientele is overwhelmingly families -- free passes to the 54,000-square-foot Breaker Bay water park are included in room rates. But the 18 meeting rooms and event spaces also draw business travelers, and the Blue Harbor is a popular wedding venue. 

The Blue Harbor is on a private driveway in Harbor Center, near restaurants and shops, with direct access to a Lake Michigan beach. A boardwalk behind the hotel runs along the Sheboygan River, with restaurants and the Harbor Pointe Miniature Golf along it. Across the river is the Sheboygan Bicycle Company, and more shopping and dining choices. Free kayak rentals are available, and guests can rent boats, fishing gear, and paddle boards. Sheboygan Falls is 15 minutes away by car. Shuttle transportation and golf packages are available to The Bull golf course, which can be reached in a 15-minute drive. It’s a 30-minute drive to Elkhart Lake. Milwaukee and Green Bay are about an hour away by car, while Madison is two hours away, and Chicago is about two-and-a-half hour car trip. Sheboygan County Memorial Airport is a 16-minute drive from the hotel.

Suites and villas, with blue-and-cream color schemes, have balconies or patios that overlook the grounds, Sheboygan River, or Lake Michigan. Some of the furnishings, however, are old-fashioned need updating. This resort offers a wide range of suites and villas that suit groups or families. Boathouse and Aquarium suites include children's rooms with sea-themed designs and flat-screen TVs above bunk beds. Family Suites have fireplaces and sofa beds in the living rooms. Suites come with wet bars in living rooms, and King Suites have four-poster beds and Loft Fireplace Suites with vaulted ceilings and fireplaces. Two-bedroom Captain Suites and a four-bedroom Presidential Suite, which overlooks Lake Michigan, are also available. Bathrooms include gold fixtures, and most have shower/tub combos. Some suites and villas have whirlpool tubs. Privately owned two-floor villas offer two and four bedrooms with kitchens, washer/dryer combos, fireplaces, and lakeside settings. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, microwaves, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, hairdryers, irons, free Wi-Fi, and safes. 

The sandy shores of the Lake Michigan are at the back of the property, and the Breaker Bay’s Sheboygan water park -- a standout feature -- has colorful tube and body slides, a themed splash pad, hot tubs, and a surf simulator. Rocky Bottom Snack Bar serves cocktails and snacks in the water park, and there's another snack bar by the lagoon-shaped pool, which has lounge chairs and private cabanas. On the large grounds are bocce ball and mini-golf courses. Weddings and business retreats are often held at this scenic lakeside property, which has 13 meetings rooms, a business center, a terrace, and a ballroom for banquets of 50 to 100 people. A full-service spa offers a Vichy shower, and a hair and nail salon. There’s also a small gym with a few cardio machines and free weights.Latitude 43, which serves seafood, is off-site, but it's owned by the hotel. On-site dining is casual in the stylish and sea-themed Beacon Restaurant with lake views and in the On the Rocks Bar & Grill, which has beers on tap. Starbucks coffee is served in the Shoreline Cafe, and the lobby market sells snacks. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.