The Most Luxurious Nature Getaways in the US

Dining at Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur, California, is served with sensational ocean views
Dining at Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur, California, is served with sensational ocean views | © Richard Broadwell / Alamy Stock Photo
Alexia Wulff

Swapping city life for more natural surroundings doesn’t have to involve sleeping under canvas. Boutique hotels are springing up in some of the most beautiful and remote regions of the US. So forget hefty camping gear and menial lodgings, here are the best hotels in America offering luxurious nature getaways.

1. Red Mountain Resort, Ivins, Utah

Resort, Spa Hotel, Hotel

Luxurious seating around a firepit facing red stone mountains in the distance across the desert.
Courtesy of Red Mountain Resort / Expedia
Red Mountain Resort beckons all adventure enthusiasts. From here, you can discover Snow Canyon State Park, Zion National Park or Bryce Canyon National Park, with activities such as cycling, hiking, golfing, kayaking, rock climbing and horseback riding. Afterward, head back to the relaxing resort grounds, which are backed by a landscape of red-tinged rocks, cliffs and the steep canyons of southern Utah. If you prefer to catch some R&R at one of the best resorts in the USA, Red Mountain Resort has plenty of offerings, including indoor and outdoor pools, a spa and salon, yoga, fitness classes and wellness programs.

2. Amangiri, Canyon Point, Utah

Resort

Amangiri is where desert serenity meets luxury. Each suite is accompanied by an outdoor lounge with a fireplace and views of the dramatic landscape; some rooms even have a rooftop terrace or private pool. The spa, which spans a remarkable 25,000sqft (2,323sqm), offers wellness treatments in the midst of the outdoors, where the plateaus, dunes and remote canyons of southern Utah abound. If you’re interested in exploring the wild terrain this luxury hotel in the USA can cater to your every whim, activities such as horseback riding, guided tours, kayaking, fossil adventures, hot-air ballooning and climbing are available. For the most relaxing of hideaways, Amangiri is it.

3. Sorrel River Ranch Resort and Spa, Moab, Utah

Resort, Spa Hotel

Casual dining areas are arranged on a riverside deck facing a towering red stone mountain.
Courtesy of Sorrel River Ranch Resort and Spa / Expedia
Tucked away along the Colorado River, this 240-acre (97ha) ranch is designed for a luxurious escape. Outdoor adventurers will enjoy experiencing the wealth of natural beauty in Moab – Arches and Canyonland national parks are nearby; explore them by horseback riding, skydiving, hot-air ballooning, ziplining, hiking, mountain biking and rafting. But if you prefer something more relaxing then this is one of the best places to stay in the USA, spa services, poolside sunbathing and on-site stables are also available. The resort also offers activities such as astronomy nights, lawn games and evening campfires. And with some of the best farm-to-table cuisine in Moab, Sorrel River Ranch is a winner.

5. Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, California

Resort, Inn, Hotel, Treehouse

Post Ranch Inn hugs a cliffside overlooking the Pacific in Big Sur, California, USA.
© Dave G. Houser / Alamy Stock Photo
Located 1,200ft (366m) above sea level in Big Sur, Post Ranch Inn is a cliffside resort offering Pacific Ocean views. There are 39 rooms and suites, each situated along the ridge with views of the ocean or mountains. Each room at this luxury hotel in America features a fireplace, an indoor spa tub, a private deck and a stereo. However, there are no TVs here; this space is for maximizing relaxation. The resort offers yoga and meditation classes, nature hikes, spa treatments, stargazing, heated infinity pools and a renowned restaurant, Sierra Mar. For a unique experience, book a Tree House for stilt-elevated rooms that stand 9ft (3m) above the ground.

6. Blantyre, Lenox, Massachusetts

Resort, Cottages

The exterior of this heritage building hotel is covered in ivy and moss as seen from its expansive lawn.
Courtesy of Blantyre
A turn-of-the-century gem, Blantyre is brimming with character and history. The Manor House, which features luxurious suites and rooms, is furnished with an old-world, quaint feel. The grounds also include a pool and spa, a restored 19th-century carriage house, and a potting shed serving as the spa center, as well as private cottages should you want more solitude. This castle-like resort is open year-round, with summer and winter activities, such as golf, tennis, hiking, cross-country skiing, ice skating and snowshoeing. And for food lovers, the farm-to-table restaurant at Blantyre will be a highlight of the trip.

Looking for more luxury US getaways? Head to our report on the most luxurious US stays that are offering private flights – bookable on Culture Trip.

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