RETREAT FROM THE HEAT (AND WELCOME SUMMER IN THE MOUNTAINS OR ON THE BEACH) WITH A WEEKEND AWAY AT ONE OF THESE NINE LUXURY GETAWAYS, ALL FOUND CLOSE TO HOME IN THE WESTERN U.S.
FOUR SEASONS RESORT JACKSON HOLE
One of only five mountain resorts in America with a Forbes Travel five-star rating, the Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole is located just a mile from the entrance of Grand Teton National Park, summer’s hottest destination for mountaineering, hiking, backcountry camping and fishing, linked to nearby Yellowstone National Park by the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway. The AAA Five-Diamond ski in-out resort boasts its own ski concierge as well as a dedicated team of naturalists who lead adventures ranging from wildlife safaris, fly fishing and stargazing daily. This marks the first summer guests can enjoy the resort’s new Sweetwater Gondola, which launched in late 2016. During the summer months, the resort features the Picnic in the Park package, which starts at $659 per night and includes complimentary use of a Mercedes-Benz SUV (on a first-come, first-served basis), a seven-day Grand Teton National Park Pass, a customized Four Seasons picnic basket for two, a Gaper Guide audio tour and daily breakfast for two in Westbank Grill. FOURSEASONS.COM/JACKSONHOLE.
GRAB DRINKS! Don’t miss a stop at The Handle Bar, a collaboration with celebrity chef Michael Mina, for a beer in a boot (yes, really!) or its nightly whiskey ceremony, which features local Wyoming whiskey.
AUBERGE DU SOLEIL
As if its prime location in the heart of Napa wine country, Michelin-starred restaurant and five-star rating by Forbes Travel wasn’t enough, this past May Auberge du Soleil unveiled an awe-inspiring renovation of its property, featuring new guest rooms and suites designed by acclaimed San Francisco interior designer Suzanne Tucker, an Architectural Digest 100 designer. The ongoing project continues the contemporary-chic transformation of the Auberge and introduces dramatic features that maximize the hotel’s panoramic hilltop views and create an atmosphere of unparalleled romance. The new suites, some offering as much as 1,300 square feet of indoor-outdoor space, feature fireplaces in bedrooms and living spaces and spalike bathrooms. Some of the new suites and rooms offer sculptural standalone tubs in outdoor private bath gardens. The grounds have also received a fresh, contemporary makeover. Profuse flowering shrubs have been replaced with a simple, elegant plant palette resulting in open valley views and intimate new spaces have been created throughout the property, perfect for lingering among the vines and ancient olive trees. Summer rates start at $675. AUBERGEDUSOLEIL.COM.
POOL PARTY! If looking for a little something special when visiting, book the weekend of August 12 when the resort’s 3rd Annual Pool Party will take place (on August 13), perfect for taking in the valley views from the poolside venue, tasting seasonally inspired dishes and relaxing to the best of summer music mix spun acclaimed DJ’s, seasonally inspired dishes and a party like Napa has never seen before.
MONARCH BEACH RESORT
Nestled along the coast in Dana Point, one of the most significant landmarks of Orange County, the Monarch Beach Resort formally debuted in 2014. Formerly the St. Regis, the resort underwent a $40 million renovation during the transition. With the renovation came the opening of Miraval Life in Balance Spa at the resort, which boasts more than 70 treatment options and 24 treatment rooms, as well as five ocean-view restaurants, including Chef Michael Mina’s Stonehill Tavern; Mediterranean restaurant AVEO Table + Bar; bar 33°North; small-bite and health-food option restaurant, Part & Parcel Market; indoor-outdoor dining near the golf course at the renovated Club 19; and Mexi-Cali poolside cantina, Sombra. In addition, the Monarch debuted a full pool complex just steps from the ocean with an infinity-edge Ocean Pool, private cabanas, mini-bars, lounges and a fire pit. MONARCHBEACHRESORT.COM.
VACAY PERKS! This season, guests can learn to surf with the resort’s very own Surf Hosts, cuddle up next to a personal fire pit while watching the sunset and see the fireworks from the Garden Lawn on 4th of July. Golfers can also take full advantage of the Robert Trent Jones-designed Monarch Beach Golf Links, one of the select few oceanfront golf courses in California. Commanding sweeping views to the sea, this par-70 championship course offers an unending variety of play. Rates start at $599.
POST RANCH INN
High atop the cliffs of Big Sur and 1,200 feet above the Pacific Ocean sits Post Ranch Inn, a sanctuary for the soul. Located along California’s Highway One, known as one of the world’s most scenic drives, Post Ranch is set amongst majestic state parks, beaches and waterfalls. Recognized as one of the top luxury resorts in the country and the only hotel in Big Sur able to offer such an expansive view, Post Ranch is built with all-natural architecture embracing the coast’s dramatic beauty and is the only resort in Big Sur to offer ocean views. The property’s 39 guest rooms are built to blend into their natural surroundings and perfectly combine rustic elegance, comfort and privacy with panoramic ocean or mountain views. Summer amenities include an array of activities, like complimentary morning yoga classes for guests, culinary tours through the property’s on-site organic vegetable garden, dining at Grand Award-winning Sierra Mar restaurant, star-gazing with an amateur astronomer, shopping at the Mercantile, fine art at the new organic Post Gallery, and lavish spa treatments in-room or at the award-winning Post Ranch Spa. Rates start at $925. POSTRANCHINN.COM.
CELEBRATE! 2017 marks the resort's 25th anniversary!
SOLAGE, AN AUBERGE RESORT
In the 1860’s, the Napa-area region of Calistoga became a popular destination for upwardly mobile San Francisco residents looking to escape the cool summer weather and to enjoy the famous geothermal mineral waters in the area. Solage continues this tradition–but ups the “wow” factor exponentially. Walking distance to downtown Calistoga, this modern resort features 83 guest studios and six one-bedroom suites framed by the soft ridges of nearby mountains and an unforgettable award-winning spa, known for its homage to historical Calistoga via its geothermal-water Bathhouse and signature Mudslide Napa Valley spa treatment. Its signature restaurant, Solbar, which is renowned for its inventive California soul food recipes, indoor-outdoor spirited atmosphere and expansive wine portfolio, just earned its eighth consecutive one-star rating from the Michelin Guide San Francisco: Bay Area & Wine Country Restaurants. (The rating guide is internationally recognized as one of the most universally respected culinary authorities of fine dining.) SOLAGE.AUBERGERESORTS.COM.
DON'T MISS IT! This summer, the resort will play host to a roster of events from pool parties and Harvest parties to a special 4th of July Oyster and Champagne Happy Hour. Weekly activities range from Fried Chicken Tuesday to live jazz nights and DJ’s spinning tunes every Friday. Rates start at $425.
CALISTOGA RANCH
As exclusive as it is eco-friendly, Calistoga Ranch overlooks historic Lake Lommel and features just 50 lush guest lodges and 22 exquisite owner lodges, ranging from 600 to 3,000 square feet and many boasting outdoor shower gardens where guests can (privately) shower under the stars. Like Auberge, Calistoga Ranch has made some recent innovations on property as well–the most impressive is a newly re-imagined Adult Pool Experience that debuted among the resort’s bucolic cabernet vineyard, flowering trees and lush lawns, inviting guests to luxuriate in California outdoor living at its best. From a morning dip in the pool’s calm waters, to market lights strung among oaks and olive trees that illuminate evening gatherings around stone fireplaces, this serene pool oasis is Napa Valley’s newest Instagram-worthy spot with #LifeGoals tagged all over it. The enhanced new pool setting also features trellises that mark the arrival experience, beautiful stone borders and a jetted soaking tub. CALISTOGARANCH.COM.
THINK PINK! Throughout the summer, guests can take advantage of Calistoga Ranch’s Pink at the Pool offer, which includes two nights in a one-bedroom lodge, daily breakfast for two, sparkling rosé and bubbly, an ultra-late check-out time of4 p.m. and even–get this–pink ice pops by the pool. Rates from $695 to $1,240.
THE RANCH AT ROCK CREEK
Situated on 6,600 acres of rugged Montana ranchland and wilderness in Western Montana’s Gold Country, The Ranch at Rock Creek features rustic, yet elegant accommodations, including bespoke lodge rooms, historic barn suites, private log homes and luxury canvas cabins that deliver the definitive Montana “glamping” experience. As part of its all-inclusive designation, this historic homestead-turned-guest ranch on the banks of Blue Ribbon-designated Rock Creek provides twice-daily outdoor adventures, including fly fishing, horseback riding, archery, hiking, mountain biking, wildlife viewing and shooting ranges. The property features an award-winning spa and extensive yoga and outdoor wellness program, as well as a 5,300-sq.-ft. event barn—the venue for seasonal celebrations, live musical performances, weddings and barn dances. It’s also a surprising find for foodies, featuring farm-to-table cuisine by award-winning chef, Josh Drage, who sources his menu primarily from Montana and regional purveyors. For those looking for a little nightlife, the resort’s SilverDollar Saloon is equal parts cowboy saloon and luxe club, providing artisan cocktails, local craft beer,billiards, a bowling alley, a private movie theater and more. RANCHATROCKCREEK.COM.
RODEO FUN! Every week during the summer, The Ranch hosts a ranch rodeo where guests cheer on theirfavorite wranglers and local rodeo athletes and ranchers. Summer rates start at $1,300 perperson, per night with a five-night minimum.
THE RESORT AT PELICAN HILL
Set on more than 500 acres in Newport Beach, The Resort at Pelican Hill features 128 villas ranging from two to four bedrooms as well as 204 bungalows with private terraces. A five-star, five-diamond destination, guests come from across the globe to experience the resort’s iconic “Coliseum Pool,” one of the largest circular pools in the world with tiered decks and luxurious cabanas, as well as the Pelican Hill Golf Club, featuring 36 dramatic holes designed by Tom Fazio, nearly all with ocean panoramas. Pelican Hill also boasts six restaurants and cafes–each with al fresco dining options–as well as its five-star spa retreat, which includes 22 treatment rooms, separate men’s and women’s relaxation lounges and Acqua Colonnades with Roman-style deep-soaking tubs, saunas and steam rooms, a fitness center, a movement studio, a salon, a spa boutique, a spa suite and an extensive spa cuisine menu. The Spa offers more than 25 complimentary weekly wellness classes and daily guided beach walks. PELICANHILL.COM.
KIDS TOO! This summer, families can take advantage of Camp Pelican, where both children’s brains and bodies will stay active while school’s out, as well as a Children’s Resort Etiquette class (June 25) and summer junior and teen golf camps. Rates for bungalows start at $495 per night and villas start at $795 per night.
HOTEL BEL-AIR
Nestled on 12 acres of landscaped gardens, Hotel Bel-Air has long been known as the go-to in luxuryfor the world’s most celebrated personalities. Just minutes from Beverly Hills and Los Angeles’ most popular attractions, Hotel Bel-Air is regarded as one of the most beautiful hotels in the world. Each of the resort’sspacious and contemporary guest rooms features the finest décor and a range of innovative technology, from impressive Bang & Olufsen televisions to beautiful desks with integrated media hubs and iPads in every room. The property features 45 suites to choose from, including one-of-a-kind signature suites that offer grand residential-style living with large garden patios and fireplaces. Guests are given a little something extra each summer, and this year is no different. Expect frozen banana pops and fruit smoothies by the pool daily, compliments of the hotel, as well as an intimate al fresco dining experience beside Swan Lake on the hotel’s enchanting grounds, thanks toWolfgang Puck gourmet picnic baskets starting at just $60. DORCHESTERCOLLECTION.COM.
TREAT YOURSELF! Indulge in a special suite experience offer, starting at $1,035 per night, that includes a spacious suite withprivate garden terrace, a $110 daily breakfast credit for two, $200 in additional dining credits, and $100 spa credit.