For those of you who may need a change of scenery this Fall/Winter, here’s my suggestions for lesser-known but outstanding resorts and hotels in several areas of the country, all offering privacy in an uncrowded setting, with exclusive perks for my clients. In no particular order, these top luxury resorts in the USA are all fantastic!

CALDERA HOUSE: Teton Village, WY

Make yourself at home at Caldera House (pictured above). Located in the heart of Teton Village with Jackson Hole’s peaks as backdrop, this boutique retreat features just eight two- and four-bedroom suites with their own chef’s kitchen and dining room – although you’ll likely fill up on Italian comfort food at Old Yellowstone Garage. The terrace’s infinity-edge pool and hot tub call after a day on the slopes; spa therapists use cutting-edge technology to keep skin nourished in the alpine air. Crafted experiences range from heli-hiking in Grand Teton National Park to horse whispering at a nearby ranch.

*Hotel guests enjoy access to the member’s lounge and patio of Jackson Hole’s exclusive Alpine Club. Curl up by a fireplace with an Irish coffee and share peak adventures during a lively après-ski conversation.

Virtuoso Amenities

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Complimentary Breakfast daily for two guests per bedroom
• Complimentary round trip private airport transfers
• $100 USD Food & Beverage credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-FI

PRIMLAND: Meadows of Dan, VA

Southern comfort comes with a shot of refinement at Primland. Here, it is all about the simple pleasures: spotting white-tailed deer on a woodland trail, fishing for trout in a babbling brook, riding horses through fields of wildflowers, climbing trees to get that much closer to nature. A massive, eco-conscious resort in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Primland never forgets its connection to the land nor its commitment to luxury, with its 51 rustically elegant suites, cottages, and storybook tree houses. There is also an 18-hole golf course, an organic spa inspired by Native American rituals, and Orvis-endorsed wingshooting.

*Take advantage of some of the East Coast’s best stargazing from the resort’s Observatory Dome; with its powerful telescope and prime mountaintop setting, you can see millions of stars.

Virtuoso Amenities

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily full Breakfast for two guests per bedroom
• $100 USD Resort/Hotel credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
• Custom Welcome Amenity and Turn Down
• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

MAYFLOWER INN & SPA: Washington, CT

Located in one of New England’s most idyllic towns, Mayflower Inn & Spa, Auberge Resorts Collection is as well known for its mother-and-daughter-designed spa as for its 30 individually designed guest rooms, each a lavish retreat. Guests enjoy Frette linens, Tabriz rugs, feathertop mattresses, four-poster canopy beds, and, of course, modern conveniences such as Wi-Fi. Active types will want to explore the inn’s 58 acres of century-old rhododendron and specimen trees, while others may be content to settle in at the destination spa, where mind-, body-, and spirit-targeted therapies await to melt away the stresses of urban life.

*Experience total relaxation in the Garden Room at Mayflower Inn & Spa, Auberge Resorts Collection, overlooking the serene Blue Heron Pond.

Virtuoso Amenities

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Continental breakfast daily for two guests per bedroom
• $100 USD Resort/hotel credit, to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

WEQUASSETT Resort & Golf Club: Chatham, MA

The Wequassett Resort and Golf Club, Cape Cod’s only Forbes Five Star resort, draws visitors from the world over to its New England setting overlooking Pleasant Bay and the Atlantic. Wequassett’s pristine white buildings and tidy clapboard cottages are nestled on sea-facing bluffs and 27 acres of gardens, marshes, and woodlands. Guest rooms – many with water views – are decorated in elegant country style; dining across five venues is polished and posh. The neighboring exclusive Cape Cod National Golf Club allows play for resort guests. Tennis, water sports, and a children’s club round out the many available activities.

Virtuoso Amenities

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Buffet breakfast daily for two guests per bedroom in restaurant
• $100 USD Resort/Hotel credit, to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
• Chocolates upon arrival for 1st time guests, Food & Beverage amenity for repeat guests
• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

THE LODGE AT WOODLOCH: Hawley, PA

The Lodge at Woodloch is an award-winning, all-inclusive destination spa resort in Pennsylvania’s lake region, 95 miles from New York City. Your rate includes three crafted gourmet meals daily, MindBody classes, and outdoor adventures. Enjoy superb pools with Hydromassage WaterWalls, indoor/outdoor whirlpools, steam rooms, saunas, and a state-of-the-art CardioWeight studio. You’ll also discover inspiring ways to overcome challenges and achieve contentment, thanks to stimulating speakers/workshops, creative arts, and gourmet cooking demonstrations.

*Don’t miss The Deep Forest Ritual, inspired by the detoxifying benefits of local flora, includes exfoliation with a dandelion and coffee black mud and a therapeutic birchwood, evergreen, and citrus massage to ease tension.

Virtuoso Amenities

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily Full breakfast served in restaurant, included in rates
• $100 Spa Services credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
• Lodge at Woodoch Signature Amenity
• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

LAKE AUSTIN SPA RESORT: Austin, TX

A lakeside retreat of 40 casually elegant guest rooms offering a wealth of included activities and world-class spa facilities, Lake Austin Spa Resort was voted the Top Destination Spa in the U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler. Rooms are designed to inspire and rejuvenate while embracing the rustic charm of the Texas Hill Country. Spend an afternoon reveling in relaxation at the spa, exploring the lake by kayak, or practicing yoga on a paddleboard. Whether you’re participating in a chef-led cooking class or indulging in one of the three meals included in your overnight stay, you will find satisfaction is best served by the water.

*Try one of the unique, water-inspired wellness activities, such as floating meditation or an aquatic massage.

Virtuoso Amenities

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily full breakfast for two guests per bedroom, served in restaurant
• $100 USD Spa Services credit per person, to be utilized during stay (not combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
• Early check-in/late check-out (subject to availability)
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

CAMP SARIKA by AMANGIRI: Canyon Point at Lake Powell, UT

Amangiri (which means “peaceful mountain”) Resort is set in Utah’s stunning canyon country and incorporates the beauty of the Four Corners desert into its design. The central pavilion, built around a dramatic swimming pool, houses the living room, gallery, library, and dining room/cellar. Amangiri’s 34 suites and 1 private four-bedroom home offer modern, airy living, dining, and sleeping areas with white-stone floors that echo the area’s natural stone.

A short hike or drive from Amangiri, amid an unearthly 600-acre landscape of towering mesas, slot canyons and rust-coloured sands, the tented retreat of Camp Sarika promises an intimate, back-to-the-wild experience in the desert heart of Utah. The camp’s cluster of 10 canvas-topped pavilions, each with a private plunge pool, centres on a shared lounge, restaurant and pool area – an enclave of meditative seclusion in one of the most geologically dramatic places on Earth.

With five national parks and the Navajo Nation Reservation in its immediate proximity Camp Sarika is a unique entry point into the wilds of the Old West, with guided desert and mountain hikes on its own trail system, a programme of slot canyon expeditions and a bespoke Sarika via ferrata route. At night, the campfire blazes into life, and residents gather for storytelling sessions beneath the vast star-shimmering sky.

The cozy, back-to-nature atmosphere of Camp Sarika is ideal for guests of all ages, and the camp is equipped for families of every size, with two-bedroom tented Pavilions available and extra beds provided as needed. Every Pavilion has a private firepit for spending time together at dusk, toasting s’mores on the flames, and telescopes for evening stargazing sessions.

*A must-do activity: climbing the Studhorse Via Ferrata (Iron Road). No previous experience is necessary, and the views are out of this world!

Virtuoso Amenities

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Full breakfast daily for two guests per bedroom
• Spa credit of $125 per person, once, for up to 2 guests, applicable to spa treatments scheduled between 9am-3pm
• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

BRUSH CREEK RANCH: Saratoga, WY

Go wild in style at The Brush Creek Luxury Ranch Collection. Beyond its front gates lie 30,000 unspoiled acres, where you can reclaim a sense of independence while riding trails, driving cattle, fly-fishing, or hiking 12,000-foot Medicine Bow Peak. The adventures at this all-inclusive, authentic working cattle ranch are nearly endless. Accommodations include 42 luxurious, timbered rooms, with open-hearth fireplaces and plush amenities. Families can spread out in restored 19th-century log cabins with decks, full kitchens, and expansive views, or stay in the upscale Magee Homestead, exclusively for adults ages 21 and older.

*The 20,000-square-foot greenhouse produces 100,000 pounds of fresh produce annually, ensuring true farm-to-table fare.

Virtuoso Amenities

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Full breakfast, served in Trailhead Lodge Great Room Dining Hall (included in rates)
• $150.00 per person (up to 2 paying adults per room) towards ANY premium activity of his/her choice (No cash value/ non transferable )
• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

SAN YSIDRO RANCH: Santa Barbara, CA

At San Ysidro Ranch, it’s easy to hide away in one of 41 individually decorated cottages and suites, thoughtfully sited along the resort’s hillside paths, neighboring the pleasant creek. Each offers a king-size bed, fireplace, patio, outdoor hot tub, and rainhead shower, while the newest boast private plunge pools. It’s little wonder that John and Jackie Kennedy honeymooned here – to this day, the resort is legendary for its discreet personal service and stunning natural environment. The Stonehouse offers remarkable regional cuisine, with herbs and vegetables harvested from the on-site garden.

*The Stonehouse’s wine cellar, rich in local selections, is extra impressive, as it has won Wine Spectator’s Grand Award!

Virtuoso Amenities

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Continental breakfast daily in the Stonehouse, for two guests per bedroom
• $100 USD Food & Beverage credit, to be utilized during stay (not combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

THE RESORT AT PELICAN HILL: Newport Beach, CA

By the Pacific Ocean in Southern California’s chic Newport Coast, The Resort at Pelican Hill is an Italian-inspired, five-star, AAA Five Diamond destination offering unparalleled service and luxury. Accommodations include 128 multibedroom villas with magnificent coastal views, gourmet kitchens, dedicated staff, and exclusive clubhouse access, as well as 204 bungalow guest rooms and suites, all featuring fireplaces and private terraces. The resort is home to a Forbes Five Star spa, two 18-hole championship golf courses designed by Tom Fazio, the 136-foot Coliseum Pool, an adult pool, five restaurants, and Camp Pelican for kids.

A must-try is the traditional risotto served tableside in a giant half wheel of Parmigiano-Reggiano weighing around 45 pounds and imported directly from Italy.

Virtuoso Amenities

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• $50 daily breakfast credit for Bungalow guests-$100 daily breakfast credit for Villa guests (excludes tax & gratuity)
• A $100 USD Golf or Spa Services credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid toward retail, no cash value if not redeemed in full, does not include taxes or gratuities)
• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

Like what you see?

Contact me to reserve any of these fine properties!

Or you can check dates and rates yourself right through this link:

https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/luxurytraveladventures/luxury-hotels

The post 10 Luxury Resorts in the U.S. You’ve Never Heard Of appeared first on Luxury Travel Adventures.

That’s what happens when you go to Africa on safari….even non-photographers like me take zillions of pictures because you simply can’t believe what you are seeing.

I traveled with Micato Safaris, a high-end safari company that has been in business over 50 years and has won many, many awards.  I generally don’t sing the praises of any supplier when I blog because I like to stay objective and not every company is “one-size-fits-all-clients” anyway.    Having said that, the attention and care that Micato extends to anyone who travels with them is incredible.  They do a fantastic job of preparing you for your trip as well as building up anticipation and getting clients excited pre-trip.

How?  I kept receiving boxes of goodies from them a few weeks before departure, starting with an ‘Out of Africa” DVD with popcorn, followed by a Predator Photo book, a “travelers trove” of necessary items like a Maglite flashlight, field journal, passport/document wallet, and the best was a Marmot rolling duffle!  Designed to Micato specs, it will fit all that you need AND  meet bush  plane weight and size restrictions.  I so appreciate their attention to detail!

These thoughtful gifts continue throughout your trip:  a handmade wooden box with a necklace inside,  silver elephant bottle opener, an African tunic, a Masai beaded neck piece,  a beautiful picture frame with a picture of you already inside.  There are Micato “concierges” at every stop to take care of anything you might need.   This starts right when you land in Nairobi, and a Micato person is there to greet yo and take you through the Diplomat lane at Passport Control, and then to a waiting vehicle with cold towels and water.    Forgot your camera at the last camp?  No problem.  Stuffed too much  in your luggage and cant meet the weight requirement?  No problem, they have a storage bag for you and will keep your overflow until you need to fly back home.   I felt so taken care of, if there were any issues I knew someone would take care of it seamlessly.    Totally stress-free.  It’s what we like to call “high-touch”.  And Micato is the gold-standard of high-touch.  Of course, that comes with a cost, but I am a big believer in ‘you get what you pay for’, and do they deliver.

We spent the first day in Nairobi, meeting the American Ambassador to Kenya before continuing on to the Giraffe Rehabilitation Center just outside Nairobi, and then on to Karen Blixen’s house with its view of the Ngong Hills.  I loved this, especially after watching the movie again.  It has many of her original furnishings, including now-politically incorrect animal rugs with lion and cheetah heads, and Denys Finch Hatton’s travel trunk and the infamous Gramaphone and classical records he brought her.   And of course, her German cuckoo clock!

From Nairobi we flew to the Laikipia Plateay area and stayed at Lewa Tented Camp in the Lewa Conservancy, a vast expanse of 65,000 acres that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is an award-winning catalyst and model for community conservation, and features on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Green List of successful protected areas.

Lewa is known for protecting and sustaining the critically endangered Black Rhino and also the Grevy zebra, of which there are only about 2,300 left in the world.  Lewa has the largest Grevy population anywhere.  It was nice to see several pregnant Grevy zebras while we were there, as well as a young black rhino who was hand- fed by rangers because he was orphaned by his blind mother.

The game viewing was fabulous, even on the drive from the airstrip to the camp–we saw the Big Five (except no leopard) on the way to the camp!  Our guide Tom was a super-knowledgeable and personable guide who could also mix a great gin and tonic. The camp itself is small, only 12 tents, and while they have what you need, they are a solid 4-star accommodation, not 5-star luxury.  To use a hair dryer, you have to go up to the main lodge and use their dryer in one particular outlet.  First World problems.

The food was ok, but the bartender was ON and he made the best Dawa cocktails of the trip!

The game viewing was excellent, we saw lots of rhinos with babies and lots of zebra, including the Grevy’s zebras.    We also had a fab breakfast in the bush and a walking safari (with an armed ranger) afterwards……and sundowners one evening on a night t so clear we could see Jupiter and its moons with only binoculars, no telescope necessary.

Here are some pictures from LEWA:

The post My Recent Trip to Kenya with Micato Safaris: Part 1 appeared first on Luxury Travel Adventures.