Luxury Getaways for Couples and Families
When it’s time to get away from the daily grind, to celebrate with a getaway with your spouse or make memories with your family, something special is in order. Whether it’s a summer vacation or a winter break, it’s never too early to consider your luxury escape. Here’s a roundup of places that offer a distinctive holiday away from home:
Triple Creek Ranch – Darby, Montana
http://www.triplecreekranch.com
Beneath the legendary Montana skies, surrounded by over four million acres of Montana’s National Forest Service land teeming with wildlife, Triple Creek Ranch affords an award-winning, deluxe mountain hideaway that revels in the romance of the West.
A prestigious Relais & Chateaux member, their 25 mountain retreats of one, two, and three bedroom cabins, as well as private ranch homes, provide luxury accommodations and amenities. Opening this May is a new two-bedroom luxury ranch home, Riverside, just steps from the West Fork of the Bitterroot River with its premium, legendary Montana fly-fishing. Another one-bedroom luxury ranch home, the Osprey, was built last year, also near the river.
Guest experiences and activities in the Montana Rockies are unique and exclusive with choices including dog sledding with Iditarod winners, Signature Vintner Weekends, summer cattle drives and distinguished American artist- led art workshops. There’s also sapphire panning, team penning, trap shooting, Nordic and Alpine skiing, photo safaris, golf and Blue Ribbon trout stream fishing. It’s also one of the few places you can experience equestrian skijoring (skiers pulled by horse).
You’ll eat well as all meals, including snacks and packed lunches, are included with much of the cuisine crafted from the ranch’s own gardens and orchards. Executive Chef Jacob Leatherman and his team have cooked at the James Beard House in recognition of their expertise. He prides himself on creating a new, different menu for every gourmet dinner.
A serene mountain hideaway, Triple Creek Ranch welcomes guests ages 16 and older and observes annual closings from December 1st to 18th and through the month of March.
Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, Michigan
Stunningly beautiful, the Grand Hotel was the location of the movie Somewhere in Time, starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. Open for more than a century, the Grand Hotel is a designated National Historic Landmark. It’s earned its moniker as "America’s Summer Place" with the hotel’s original architecture and charm tastefully preserved, including the world’s largest front porch. Set in the stellar beauty of Michigan’s, Mackinac Island, it harkens a Victorian time with no cars allowed on the island, with horse and carriage and bicycle being the favored modes of transportation.
It’s a destination for couple’s romantic getaways as well as family vacations having been recognized as one of the 10 kid friendliest resorts by Travel + Leisure. There’s something for everyone, especially kids, who will enjoy complimentary children’s programs, lawn games, swimming in the Esther Williams Swimming Pool, seasonal outdoor movies in the Tea Garden and free golf for ages 17 and younger along with half off for accompanying adults on The Jewel. There’s also the opportunity to explore the historic, natural beauty of Mackinac Island State Park, honored by National Geographic as one of the ten finest in America.
All accommodations have been tastefully decorated by celebrated New York designer Carleton Varney. There are individual luxury rooms and suites each with their own special character and style. The grandest lodging of all is the four-bedroom Masco Cottage. Connected by private walkway to the hotel it provides an intimate, spacious setting for families with all the amenities of the luxury resort.
There are special events and packages throughout the year, but none so sweet as the island’s annual Lilac Festival in mid-June. This year marks the second annual Dorothy Draper School of Decorating weekend in May, lead by Varney. Participants will explore the art of creating beautiful bold interiors during two design and artistic sessions and learn about the Dorothy Draper style. The package includes accommodations in one of 390 uniquely decorated guest rooms designed by Varney, a full breakfast, a five-course dinner daily, and evening receptions.
Full breakfast and five-course dinner are included daily in most guest room rates. Guests 11 years old and younger stay and eat free. There’s also discounts on ferry boats and free admission to the Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum.
The Grand Hotel season for 2016 is May 6 to November 1.
Grande Colonial, La Jolla, California
Goldilocks wouldn’t be in a quandary here, not too big, not too little, just right – perfect, actually. With 93 rooms nestled among towering palm trees on the breathtaking bluffs of Southern California’s legendarily beautiful coastal village, La Jolla, the Grande Colonial has been delivering their prestigious, signature brand of hospitality for over 100 years. The European-style hotel with its turn of the century glamour that hosted so many of the golden era Hollywood types into the 1950’s is fully modernized thanks to a $500,000 renovation. Long acclaimed, it boasts dozens of honors including being a AAA Four Diamond Award Winner since 2008 and was recently recognized with a 2015 Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Award.
Choose between ocean and village-view guest rooms or one and two bedroom suites with refined and sophisticated décor. Some suites even have kitchens and fireplaces.
The refined and elegant hotel has an impeccable standard of service to win you over, starting with the vintage private car service. Then there’s the iced champagne and roses when you arrive. It just gets better with concierge service that can arrange the gamut from babysitting to hot air ballooning, deep sea fishing, in-room massages, kayaking, snorkeling, whale-watching tours or a round of golf at the Torrey Pines. They also provide complimentary day passes to La Jolla Sports Club.
The Grande Colonial is within minutes from local attractions including the San Diego Museum of Contemporary Art and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography as well as acclaimed tourist destinations a half hour away including SeaWorld, the San Diego Zoo, Lego Land and Balboa Park.
While La Jolla boasts many fine dining options, you won’t even have to leave the hotel to enjoy one of the best, provided by the award-winning onsite restaurant, Nine-Ten. Led by award-winning chef, Jason Knibb, and pastry chef, Rachel King, the dining experience is the perfect combination of sophistication and casual elegance. Their evolving California Cuisine showcases the best of local farms and purveyors as well as the abundant fresh seafood.
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