It may not sound like an amenity, but hotels—the ones with breathtaking settings, beautiful deserts, or lush forests as backdrops—are offering on-property hikes among their luxe services. Some offer add-on perks like an adorable resident Labrador Retriever (or llama) as a hiking companion or a knowledgeable guide to discuss the flora and fauna en route. Post-hike, there is plenty to do at each of hotel to round out your stay, like a spa treatment to soothe tired muscles or a farm-to-table meal that draws from the region where you just hiked. Here are some of the best luxury hotel hikes to get you into the great outdoors.
Amangiri
Canyon Point, Utah
Eight well-marked trails on the 600-acre grounds of the 34-room Amangiri (25 minutes from Page, Arizona, and 15 minutes from Lake Powell) cater to a range of hikers—from beginner to advanced. A resort-specific hiking guide (available from the concierge) helps get you started. Post-hike, treat your sore muscles to loving care at the resort’s 25,000-square-foot spa which features Navajo-inspired treatments in five treatment rooms, a flotation room (down a stone pathway, folding in color-therapy techniques, and flotation therapy) and a yoga pavilion. Rates from $1,050 per night.
High Hampton Inn & Country Club
Cashiers, North Carolina
Situated between Rock Mountain and Chimney Top mountains, and tucked into the Blue Ridge Mountains, High Hampton Inn & Country Club also features the 34-acre Hampton Lake and is a prime location for hiking. Both mountains are not difficult to summit (about a 1,000-foot climb). From the top of Chimney Top are stunning views of the region (pictured above), and climbing Rock Mountain gives you a bird’s-eye view of the entire property (about 1,400 acres). There are eight clearly marked trails to choose from, including one around Hampton Lake, or you can opt to go out on a guided group hike. What makes this resort special, though, is that you can go out on a two- or four-hour hike with a llama (Thursday and Friday only). Then, after your hike, book a massage at the spa where you can opt for a custom, shiatsu, or Swedish massage. Rates from $245 per night.
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The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch
Avon, Colorado
Nestled in the Vail Valley, The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch boasts endless luxury even outside of ski season. But what many people don’t know about is the best year-round perk: resident dog Bachelor, a Yellow Labrador Retriever, can join you on a hike so long as you book it ahead of time. (There are two other resident dogs—Bachelor, the Saint Bernard; and Miner, an English Cream Golden Retriever.) The 180-room resort also offers guided hikes through the surrounding White River National Forest. Spago by Wolfgang Puck provides five-star dining after a hike. Add a pampering twist with “Mountain Spa Mornings,” a signature experience offered by The Bachelor Gulch Spa that begins with a 90-minute morning hike and is followed by outdoor yoga and a 60-minute massage serviced outdoors. Rates from $299 per night.
JW Marriott Camelback Inn Scottsdale Resort & Spa
Mountain-hiking in Scottsdale and Phoenix is often associated with Camelback Mountain. However, Mummy Mountain is a fresh alternative for seasoned travelers to the region. From JW Marriott Camelback Inn Scottsdale Resort & Spa you can access a 1.75-mile trail up Mummy Mountain—the hotel is at the base of the mountain—and be back in your room in no time. In addition to Camelback and Mummy mountains, which are both within a five-minute drive, there are spa treatments and activities in the fitness center tailored to hikers, like a 30-minute “assisted stretching” session and Para-Joba Body Moisturizer, which soothes sore muscles with jojoba oil. BLT Steak from celebrity chef Laurent Tourondel serves high-class cuts of meat like American Wagyu and Japanese Kobe, a well-deserved indulgence after a day of hiking. Rates from $139 per night.
The Westin La Cantera Hill Country Resort
There’s a reason the area surrounding San Antonio is referred to as Texas Hill Country, and by staying at The Westin La Cantera Resort you can see why from just about every window in the 508-room resort. The mile-long Nature Trail on-site is an easy hike for every skill level. If you like, you can request a guide to come along to interpret flora and fauna, as well as birds and animals. Otherwise, a brochure is available from the concierge. Castle Health Club & Spa provides several signature treatments inspired by the region, such as Texas Wine Makers’ Massage, utilizing grape-seed oils as a nod to the state’s growing wine-production, including nearby Texas Hill Country wineries. Rates from $379 per night
Travaasa Hana
On the Eastern coast of Maui, Travaasa Hana is a three-mile walk from Hamoa Beach, on a route that takes you past beautiful ranches. Travaasa is a unique collection of hotels offering highly customized stays. Room rates provide unlimited access to scheduled activities in five different “pathways” from yoga to lei making, and even ukelele lessons and coconut husking, as well as fitness, and health. Look for the Coastal Walk & Stretch and Waipauma Plant & History Walk on the schedule during your stay. Back at the hotel after your hike or walk, The Spa at Travaasa Hana awaits with treatments designed to get your body back to normal after a day at the beach, including a detoxifying foot treatment (organic olive-stone exfoliation, followed by applications of myrtle, cypress, hyssop, and juniper). Rates from $175 per night
Photo credits: High Hampton Inn courtesy of Eduardo Moreira/High Hampton Inn; Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch courtesy of Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch; Camelback Inn Hikers courtesy of JW Marriott Camelback Inn Scottsdale Resort & Spa; Travaasa Hana courtesy of Travaasa Hana