You’re driving through those winding Appalachian hills, the ones that make your ears pop and your GPS lose its mind, and suddenly the trees part. There it is. Lakeview Golf Resort and Spa West Virginia sits perched over Cheat Lake like a grand old dame of the mountains. Honestly, if you grew up in the Tri-State area—meaning Pennsylvania, Maryland, or West Virginia—you probably have a core memory here. Maybe it was a wedding where the champagne flowed a bit too fast, or perhaps a golf trip where you lost more balls than you found.
It’s a place with history. Real history.
Since 1954, Lakeview has been the go-to for Morgantown locals and travelers looking to escape the humidity of D.C. or the grit of Pittsburgh. It’s not one of those hyper-modern, sterile glass towers you find in Vegas. No. It’s got that classic, sprawling resort feel. Some people call it "dated," but others call it "comfortable." It depends on what you're looking for. If you want a marble-everything boutique hotel, this isn't it. If you want 500 acres of fresh air, two championship golf courses, and a spa that actually knows how to get the knots out of your shoulders, you’re in the right spot.
The Golf Situation: Lakeview vs. Mountainview
Let’s get into the weeds. Literally.
Lakeview Golf Resort and Spa West Virginia is famous for its two distinct courses. They are not the same. At all.
The Lakeview Course is the legend. It was designed by James Harrison and has hosted greats like Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. In fact, Nicklaus and Palmer played an exhibition match here in 1954. Legend has it they both struggled with the greens. It’s a par-72 course that is basically a masterclass in "don't hit it there." The par-5 7th hole is a monster. It’s 564 yards of downhill anxiety, ending with a green that overlooks Cheat Lake. It’s beautiful. It’s also a scorecard killer.
Then you have Mountainview.
Mountainview is the younger sibling, opened in 1985. Designed by Bryan Ault, it’s tucked into the woods. If Lakeview is about the views and the prestige, Mountainview is about the precision. It’s tighter. The fairways are narrower. You’ll find yourself hitting through "chutes" of trees. It’s the kind of course where you leave the driver in the bag on several holes unless you’re feeling particularly brave (or stupid).
Golfers often argue about which is better. It usually comes down to whether you prefer being punished by the wind on the lake or the trees on the mountain.
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The Spa and "The Vibe"
After four hours of chasing a white ball through the Appalachian brush, your back is going to hurt. This is where the "Spa" part of Lakeview Golf Resort and Spa West Virginia comes in.
It’s called Spa Roma.
It isn't just a tiny room with a massage table and a scented candle. It’s a full-service facility. They do the standard stuff—Swedish massages, deep tissue, facials—but they also handle hair and nails. It’s a big draw for bridal parties. You’ll often see groups of women in white robes wandering around with mimosas, looking significantly more relaxed than the guys coming off the 18th green.
The resort itself has a fitness center that is surprisingly massive. It’s 40,000 square feet. It’s got basketball courts, a pool, and cardio equipment. Most hotel "gyms" are just a treadmill in a basement. This is a legitimate athletic club.
What People Get Wrong About the Rooms
People expect the Ritz-Carlton. Look, Lakeview is a classic resort. The rooms are spacious—much larger than your average Marriott—but they have a bit of a throwback feel. You’ll find traditional furniture and perhaps some decor that feels a bit 1990s.
Is it clean? Yes.
Is it luxury? It’s "mountain luxury."
There are 187 guest rooms and suites. If you’re traveling with a family, the condos are the way to go. They give you a kitchen and a bit more breathing room. Nothing ruins a vacation faster than four people sharing one bathroom in a standard double-queen room.
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Eating and Drinking at 1 Lakeview Drive
You’re going to get hungry. Morgantown has great food, but if you don’t want to drive 15 minutes back toward West Virginia University, you’re eating on-site.
Fusion Restaurant and Bar is the main hub. The menu is... diverse. You can get a solid steak, some pasta, or just a burger. The breakfast buffet is the classic "I’m on vacation" spread. Eggs, bacon, potatoes, the works. It’s reliable.
Then there’s the Legends Sports Bar & Grille.
This is where the post-round post-mortems happen. It’s filled with sports memorabilia and the kind of high-energy atmosphere you’d expect when a Mountaineers game is on the TV. If you’re there on a Saturday during football season, expect it to be loud. Gold and blue everywhere. "Country Roads" will be sung. Multiple times.
The Logistics: Getting There and Staying There
Morgantown is an easy drive from most of the Mid-Atlantic.
- From Pittsburgh: About 75 miles. Straight down I-79.
- From Washington D.C.: Roughly 3 hours. It’s a scenic drive through Maryland and into the WV panhandle.
- From Columbus: About 3 and a half hours.
The resort is located just off I-68. It’s easy to find, but once you’re on the property, it feels isolated in a good way. You’re right next to Coopers Rock State Forest, which is a must-visit. If you don't hike the Raven's Rock trail while you're here, you're missing out on the best view in the state. Period.
The Elephant in the Room: Maintenance and Evolution
Being honest, the resort has seen its ups and downs. Running a 500-acre property in the humid, snowy, unpredictable climate of West Virginia is a nightmare for maintenance. Over the years, ownership changes and the general wear and tear of being a popular wedding destination have led to some "rough around the edges" spots.
But there’s a charm to it.
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It feels like a place that has seen things. It’s not a sterile chain. The staff often consists of locals who have worked there for twenty years and know exactly which table in the bar has the best view of the sunset.
Why Business Travelers Actually Like It
It’s not just for golfers. Lakeview has over 30,000 square feet of meeting space.
If you’ve ever sat through a corporate retreat in a windowless ballroom in a suburban office park, you’ll appreciate Lakeview. Being able to walk out of a meeting about "quarterly KPIs" and look at a lake makes the whole experience significantly less soul-crushing. They host a lot of state association meetings and university events because it can handle a crowd without feeling like a crowded airport terminal.
Beyond the Resort: What's Nearby?
Don't spend 100% of your time on the property. That’s a rookie mistake.
- Cheat Lake: Rent a boat. There are several marinas nearby. The lake is stunning, especially in the fall when the leaves are changing.
- Morgantown Proper: Visit High Street. It’s a college town, so it’s vibrant. Check out Iron Horse Tavern for a great beer list or Black Bear Burritos for something uniquely West Virginian.
- The West Virginia Botanic Garden: It’s built on a former reservoir site and it’s hauntingly beautiful.
The Reality Check
Lakeview Golf Resort and Spa West Virginia is a destination for people who love the outdoors, appreciate a good par 3, and don't mind a little bit of "character" in their accommodations.
If you want a sleek, modern, tech-integrated smart hotel where you control the blinds with an iPad, you might be disappointed. But if you want a place where the air smells like pine needles, the golf is challenging enough to make you want to throw your clubs in the lake, and the spa is actually capable of erasing a week of work stress, then it works.
It’s a survivor. In an era where many old-school resorts are being bought up and turned into condos or private clubs, Lakeview remains open to the public. It’s a slice of West Virginia history that still lets you tee off where the legends did.
Actionable Tips for Your Trip
- Book the Lakeview Course early. Morning tee times fill up fast, especially on weekends when the WVU alumni are in town.
- Check the WVU Football schedule. If there’s a home game, the resort will be packed, and prices will spike. If you aren't there for the game, pick a different weekend.
- Ask for a lake-view room. It seems obvious, but some rooms face the parking lot or the interior. The lake view is worth the extra few bucks.
- Pack for layers. Even in the summer, the mountain air can get chilly at night. In the fall, it’s unpredictable. One hour it’s 70 degrees, the next it’s 45.
- Hit Coopers Rock at sunset. It’s a 10-minute drive from the resort. The overlook faces west. You won't regret it.
The resort represents a specific kind of American travel—the classic mountain getaway. It isn't trying to be a 5-star skyscraper in Dubai. It's trying to be a 500-acre playground in the woods. As long as you go in with that mindset, you’ll have a great time. Just watch out for that 7th hole. It’s a doozy.