LUXURY LIVING WORLDWIDE

THE HOTTEST INTERNATIONAL DESTINATIONS A COLDWELL BANKER REPORT STUNNING UNDER THE SEA NEW TREND GOES DEEP

THE FLAGSHIP PUBLICATION OF West er n

WanderlustBY ALYSON PITARRE HOW THE GUEST BECAME THE NEW LUXURY TRAVEL GETAWAY OF CHOICE.

ove over, glamping, there’s a new “One of the reasons travelers are seeking “it” travel experience in town. out guest like The Ranch at Rock Creek is The guest ranch has become a because of the increasing emphasis on experiential preferred travel experience for the travel,” says Jon Martin, . “Guests affluent. In the last few years, guest come to be immersed in the experience, not just Mranches that combine the spirit of the Old West with the to have a . They connect with the natural pampering of a five-star have grown in popularity wonders of our mountain ranges, the diversity of our among supermodels, celebrities and well-to-do families ecosystem and the authentic Western adventure.” alike who want to experience a frontier fantasyland of Travel experts agree. In addition to a greater sorts. A certain Hollywood actresss has been known interest in , a growing emphasis to escape to Colorado’s Dunton Hot Springs and on multigenerational family travel has been a major Montana’s Triple Creek Ranch for much-needed respite driver in the popularity of luxury guest ranches. on the range; several supermodels have also shared “Kids are busy with activities, both parents their experiences of “roughin’ it” at Montana’s The often work long days, and everyone is connected PHOTOS COURTESY OF DUNTON HOT SPRINGS PHOTOS COURTESY Ranch at Rock Creek on Instagram. to their devices,” explains Caroline Bach Wood, a So why are so many sophisticated travelers Bozeman, Montana-based independent travel advi- opting to swap out their Ferragamo heels for sor with Travel Experts, a Virtuoso Agency. “I find boots to vacation at these fancy-yet-pretension-free my clients crave connection to each other and to destinations? the natural world. They come to me seeking unique

ColdwellBankerLuxury.com | 101 The Ranch at Rock Creek PHOTOS BY MICHAEL CHILCOAT

The Ranch at Rock Creek stream. Twice-daily ranch activities are part of the Only open from June to September, A Bar A Another all-inclusive Relais & Châteaux prop- all-inclusive package. Rodeos are a weekly event Ranch offers the standard summer outdoor activities erty, the Ranch at Rock Creek rests on 10 square during the summer. Each October, the ranch also like fly fishing and hiking, along with tennis, swimming miles outside Philipsburg, Montana. As the only hosts a special Autumn Harvest Weekend, with and golf. After you work up your appetite for the day, Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star property in Montana LeAnn Rimes headlining several local Montana you’ll want to indulge in the chef’s creative menu in and the world’s first five-star luxury ranch, it has be- bands. Affluent travelers have caught on. “We aver- the Double Rainbow Dining Lodge and enjoy wine come a celebrity favorite for blending the adventures aged 90-percent occupancy across all our holidays from the A Bar A’s famous wine cellar — which holds of the frontier with lavish amenities. in 2018,” says Martin. “We also saw a 67-percent one of the largest selections of fine wines in the entire It’s the kind of place where you can enjoy increase in guests from January to May in 2018, as state of Wyoming. Afterward, don’t miss a chance lemon ricotta blueberry pancakes for breakfast, go compared with the prior year.” to socialize with your fellow guests in the Round horseback riding, follow it up with a massage at the Rates from $900/night per person Room, a 1920s historic lodge designed by Thomas award-winning spa, and cap off the evening with a www.theranchatrockcreek.com Molesworth, or take a stroll in the the Western-style special tasting-menu dinner complete with grass- sculpture garden. Luxurious accommodations at the fed beef and wine in the dining lodge. Privacy and Wyoming all-inclusive summer retreat include historic cabins luxury are priorities at the ranch, with accommoda- A Bar A Ranch and lodges designed to fit a variety of family sizes. tions that range from lodge rooms and glamping A Bar A Ranch does “Western elegant” as tents to a historic barn and luxury homes. Some good as any other American guest ranch. Settled Rates from $555/night for adults, cabins even feature outdoor patios, where you can along the banks of the North Platte River, in the heart $450/night for children (aged 6–11), relax to the sounds of nearby Rock Creek in a private of southern Wyoming’s Medicine Bow Mountains, $340/night for children (aged 3–5) cedar soaking tub. the 1922-established property is one of the oldest and no charge for children under 3 The property offers over 20 guided outdoor guest ranches in the country, and at over 100,000 www.abararanch.com activities, including fly fishing on a Blue Ribbon trout acres, it is also one of the largest.

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