I go to Lake Chelan a lot. The lake pulls me in. Blue, bright, and a little wild. I’ve slept in five spots around town and up in Manson. If you're just starting the hunt for a room, the local tourism board keeps an up-to-date roster of places to crash (see the hotel and motel list here). Some were sweet. Some were, well, fine. Here’s the thing: the view can be perfect, but the room still matters.
If you want the blow-by-blow version of every stay, I put together a fuller write-up in my honest Chelan hotel report on Fortune Hotel.
Quick note before we start: summer is busy and pricey. Winter is quiet and cheap. Smoke can roll in late August. I bring eye drops and a light jacket anyway.
When I’m scouting for rates before a trip, I usually skim Fortune Hotel for any surprise deals that land under the usual Chelan prices.
Campbell’s Resort: classic, busy, and right on the beach
I stayed at Campbell’s twice. Once for a fall wedding. Once in July, because I wanted to hear the water at night. I booked a lakeside room on a top floor. The balcony faced the swim area, and I could see kids jump off the dock. It felt like a postcard. It also felt loud.
What I liked:
- The beach chairs. I grabbed one at sunrise and watched a paddle boarder glide by. Magic.
- On-site food. I had a salmon salad and a very cold lemonade. Easy and good.
- You can walk anywhere in town. I got coffee, then strolled the Riverwalk loop. Ten minutes, no stress.
What bugged me:
- Noise. Weddings and weekend groups go late. I heard cheers at 11 pm. Fun, but not when you’re tired.
- Parking gets tight after dinner. I had to circle once or twice.
- Summer prices hurt. My room was clean, but the rate was steep. I still winced.
- Wi-Fi felt weak on the balcony. I gave up and read a book. Not the worst outcome.
Would I stay again? Yep. I’d ask for a top floor, away from the lawn. I’d bring earplugs and a smile.
The easy sand-under-your-feet setup here actually reminded me of my weekend at a beach hotel in Jupiter—another spot where the shoreline makes up for a few quirks.
GrandView On The Lake: condo feel, big views, small quirks
This was my girls’ weekend pick. We booked a one-bedroom suite with a full kitchen. The balcony looked over the marina, where boats bobbed like apples in a bowl. We cooked breakfast, then swam.
That relaxed, roll-out-of-bed lakeside energy instantly took me back to my stay at a small hotel on Lake Garda, right down to the morning coffee sipped over calm water.
What I liked:
- The kitchen saved cash. Scrambled eggs, toast, and fruit. Simple and cozy.
- The pool and hot tub were clean. Towels ran out once, but staff refilled fast.
- Location. Five minutes to coffee, ten to the park.
What bugged me:
- The sofa bed sagged. My friend laughed and said it hugged her like a tired raccoon.
- The A/C clacked at night. Not loud, but steady. I used a white noise app.
- The garage is tight. My mid-size SUV fit, but I took it slow.
Tip: ask for a higher floor. The view opens up, and you get less pool noise.
Lakeside Lodge and Suites: easy for kids, easy on stress
I brought my niece and nephew here in June. We chose a king suite with a sofa bed. It sits across from Lakeside Park, so you can carry towels and snacks and just go. For a quick primer on the town itself, I like the concise overview on the lodge’s own site (read about Chelan here).
What I liked:
- Big room, easy layout. The kids spread toys everywhere, and no one tripped.
- Free breakfast had waffles. The kids cheered. I liked the coffee.
- Two pools, one inside and one outside. When it rained, we still swam.
- Staff was kind. They handed out extra towels with a smile.
What bugged me:
- The decor felt dated. Earth tones, heavy curtains. Clean, but not cute.
- Street noise in the afternoon. It calmed at night.
- Breakfast got crowded at 8:30. We went earlier on day two.
If you’ve got kids, this place is simple and strong. Not fancy. Just smooth.
Midtowner Motel: budget win, no lake view
This was my off-season work trip pick. December, Tuesday night, light snow. I wanted clean, cheap, and quiet. I got all three.
What I liked:
- Drive-up room. I hauled a tote of samples for a morning meeting. Ten steps from car to door.
- Good water pressure. Fast shower, hot and steady.
- Price. Under most places by a lot, especially in winter.
- Microwave and fridge. I ate leftover pizza and watched late-night basketball.
What bugged me:
- No view. It’s a motel on the main road. That’s the deal.
- A/C unit was older. It worked, but it hummed. I turned it off to sleep.
- The walk to the lake took about 15 minutes.
For a short stay, I’d book it again without a second thought.
Wapato Point Resort (Manson): space to roam, family vibe
Okay, this one’s up the road in Manson, about 10 minutes from Chelan. I stayed in a two-bedroom unit with my brother’s family. Think grassy lawns, a quiet cove, and kids on scooters.
What I liked:
- Room to spread out. We had a kitchen, a big table, and a patio.
- The beach cove is great for little swimmers. Calm water. Sandy edges.
- Courts for pickleball and tennis. We played until the sun got soft.
- Stroll to a tasting room after dinner. Easy and sweet.
What bugged me:
- Some units feel dated. Ours had a squeaky slider and a pokey couch.
- Check-in on Friday was slow. Lots of families at once.
- There’s a light checkout chore list. Not hard, but pack extra time.
If you’ve got a crew, this place is a win. If you want nightlife, stay closer to town. Solo travelers, meanwhile, who are curious about meeting new people while they’re in wine country may want to test-drive a no-strings dating app—the kind designed for quick connections. I tested one of the more popular picks and put all my notes into this HUD app review which walks through sign-up steps, real-world match quality, and whether the paid tier is worth splurging on before your trip. On the flip side, if your itinerary includes a swing through the Seattle-area suburbs and you'd rather browse no-swipe classifieds, take a peek at Backpage Renton, a constantly updated board of local ads that helps you set up a casual coffee or after-dark meetup in minutes.
So, who should stay where?
- Couples: Campbell’s lakefront room. Bring earplugs and a cozy sweater. Take a sunset walk.
- Friends who cook: GrandView one-bedroom suite. Grocery run, balcony dinner, chatter.
- Families: Lakeside Lodge and Suites. Pool, breakfast, park. Easy rhythm.
- Budget or work: Midtowner Motel. Clean, quick, done.
- Big groups: Wapato Point in Manson. Spread out, grill, let kids run.
Little tips that helped me
- Call the front desk and ask for top floor, away from elevators. It’s worth the minute.
- Bring water shoes. The lake floor has pebbles, and they love your toes.
- Book shoulder season, like May or October. Lower price, calmer days.
- If smoke’s a risk, bring eyedrops and check the air report in the morning.
- Pack a small fan. It helps with sleep and random hallway noise.
What I’d skip next time
I won’t leave parking until late at Campbell’s on summer weekends. It’s a mess. I also won’t rely on a sofa bed without asking about a topper. My back says thanks.
Final word by the water
Chelan is special. The lake shines. The air smells like apples and sunscreen and pine. None of these hotels is perfect. But each one fits a mood.
If I want full lake life and can handle a little noise, I pick Campbell’s. If I want space and a kitchen, I go GrandView. With kids, I keep it simple at Lakeside Lodge. On work trips, I slide into the Midtowner. And when the whole family comes along, we spread out at Wapato Point.
You know what? That mix works. I still pack my sandals. I still watch the sky go pink.