Adventure Travel: North America

Clayoquot Wilderness Resort Cookhouse and Ivanhoe Waterfront Lounge_Photo by Bryan Stockton.jpeg

Awe-inspiring scenery, majestic wildlife, and rich adventures under big blue skies paired with top cuisine make for memories of a lifetime. Adventure in the wide-open country awaits you. At Bentley Travel Design, we take the art of travel and adventure seriously. We are a small, full service luxury boutique travel agency focused on giving our clients VIP service and rich experiences. Our clients receive VIP amenities exclusive to our relationships with our preferred properties and partners.

Whether you want to relax in the thermal waters of Colorado at Dunton Hot Springs, discover your inner cowboy or cowgirl at The Ranch at Rock Creek in Montana, or take your whole family to the spacious and fun-filled Montage Palmetto Bluff, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite luxury getaway spots in North America and we can’t wait to share them with you.

canada
clayoquot wilderness

Experience “luxury gone wild” at Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, a Relais & Châteaux all-inclusive eco-safari resort destination. This beauty is located near Tofino on the wild west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Accessible only by seaplane, helicopter or boat and situated in a UNESCO-designated protected Biosphere Reserve, guests enjoy a truly remarkable wilderness retreat amidst one of the last remaining ancient temperate rainforests in the world.

Adventurers hoping to restore their nature deficits in luxury will love remote and refined Clayoquot Wilderness Resort — one of the world’s finest eco-destinations. Fashioned after the great camps of the golden age of travel, Clayoquot features 25 white-canvas prospector guest tents, promising every comfort, including wood stoves and en-suite bathrooms with heated floors, private outdoor showers, antique furnishings and opulent linens.

Guests enjoy artfully prepared coastal gourmet cuisine, restorative spa and wellness experiences as well as an impressive menu of marine and land-based adventures including whale and bear watching, horseback riding, fishing, kayaking, archery, hiking yoga and heli-adventure on 600 acres. Clayoquot is perfect for mulit-generational trips and is truly an escape to the heart of the wild, in the lap of luxury.

utah
amangiri

At the heart of the Grand Circle region and within easy reach of some of North America’s most magnificent protected areas, lies Amangiri. This Aman property is an otherworldly desert retreat situated on 600 pristine acres in Canyon Point, Utah with sweeping views of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. This all-season resort, with its signature Aman Spa and secluded Camp Sarika, is surrounded by the iconic attractions of the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, and the Bryce and Zion National Parks. The region has been home for centuries to the native Navajo tribe and presents the raw landscape for which the American Southwest is famed.

Amangiri is as much a gateway to adrenaline-fueled outdoor adventure as it is to the rich cultural heritage of the Navajo.

Tucked into a protected valley, the resort’s Central Pavilion is approached via a winding road through starkly beautiful desert scenery. Built around the main swimming pool, which embraces a dramatic stone escarpment, the Central Pavilion houses a living room, library and gallery, as well as an elegant restaurant.

Set apart from Amangiri’s Central Pavilion, the Desert Lounge serves as an open-air relaxation area for sunsets and stargazing, while the 2322 square-meter Aman Spa features hydrotherapy and flotation pavilions, a watsu pool, finishing salon, yoga studio, gym, and tranquil indoor and outdoor treatment suites. Whether you choose Camp Sarika or one of the 34 suites, you are guaranteed breathtaking views and experiences.

south carolina
montage palmetto bluff

Escape to the Lowcountry of South Carolina between Hilton Head Island and Savannah. Here lies a stunning 20,000 acre resort known as Montage Palmetto Bluff. This luxurious Southern-inspired award-winning vacation town features a nature preserve, marina, plenty of walking trails, two vibrant villages, and a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course.

The 200 guest accommodations are all designed with historical South Carolina architectural details. Homes and rooms are furnished with luxurious bathrooms and stunning views of the surrounding nature preserve.

A trip to Montage Palmetto Bluff means countless chances to get out and explore nature. Whether you’re looking for family-oriented adventures or a romantic getaway, this community offers something for everyone. The unique setting is an outdoorsman’s paradise and offers endless, life-enriching encounters with nature. Whether it’s lazy mornings of beachcombing and kayaking or crabbing, shrimping and fishing expeditions led by savvy local guides – Palmetto Bluff’s experiences are endless. Feeling romantic? Enjoy a sunset cruise on Grace, the resort’s 60’ antique motor yacht.

Along with all the water experiences, guests can bike along 15 miles of trails or ride horseback at the 173-acre Longfield Stables. Golfers will be ecstatic to practice their swing at the acclaimed golf course that welcomes the wide variety of natural elements. After a full day, relax in the world-class Spa Montage. Montage Palmetto Bluff is the perfect place for friends and families to gather for unforgettable memories.

utah
the lodge at blue sky

Listen to the flow of spring-fed Alexander Creek. Hear the footfall of special rescue horses over hard-packed trails. Spot a herd of wild elk grazing on the horizon. Just 35 minutes from Salt Lake City airport, but a world away, this 3,500-acre private ranch in the Wasatch Mountain Range is where you will leave the cares of the modern world behind and reconnect with nature.

The Lodge at Blue Sky is a contemporary luxury resort near Park City, Utah. Blue Sky is the ultimate outdoor playground offering guests transformational Western-inspired experiences year-round. The 46 accommodations in Sky House, Earth House and Creek House are designed to mirror the unique aspects of the environment on which they are situated.

During your stay, you are invited to slow down and forge meaningful connections with the land, animals, and people. From horseback riding on trails to fly fishing on miles of private waters, the unique pleasures of this posh mountain retreat delight the senses. In winter, skiers and snowboarders can board one of the luxury transfers with a hot drink and head to the exclusive Blue Sky Ski Lounge, located at the base of Park City Mountain Resort, just 25 minutes from the Lodge.

After a nature-filled day, indulge at the iconic Auberge Spa and dine at Blue Sky, where you’ll find dishes that feature organic, locally sourced ingredients, many of which are grown and harvested on-site. Not to be missed is the High West Distillery, which produces world-class whiskey and offers guests the opportunity to taste and learn the finer points of grain to glass. From guided nature adventures to the James Beard award-winning executive chef dining

experiences, you’ll feel right at home with the relaxed Western lifestyle and Blue Sky family.

colorado
dunton hot springs

Dunton Hot Springs, a Relais & Chateaux property, is a small and exclusive resort nestled deep in the San Juan Mountains of the Colorado Rockies. Located just outside Telluride, Dunton Hot Springs breathes new life into a 19th-century ghost town. The 13 rustic log cabins are all unique and surprisingly luxe, with heated slate floors and handpicked antiques.

Guests can elevate their experience by rejuvenating in the natural thermal hot springs. The healing properties of the bicarbonate water improves circulation, increases energy levels and restores skin cells. With five different springs ranging from milder to steamier temperatures, guests can choose to unwind in a restored 19th century bathhouse, outside under the open sky, or in their very own cabin. Relax by night and explore by day is the vibe of this exclusive town. Dunton Hot Springs offers a wide range of year-round outdoor activities, including horseback riding in the high Rockies, mountaineering in the San Juan’s, private fly-fishing on the Dolores river, art and photography instruction, and a variety of activities in the winter including snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and heli-skiing.

With your all-inclusive stay, dine around the Saloon’s long table with delicious farm-to-table meals paired with wine from the resort’s vineyard. If you’re looking for an authentic Western luxury adventure, Dunton Hot Springs is the perfect escape and the ultimate experience for corporate retreats, family reunions, and weddings.

montana
the ranch at rock creek

Montana is home to the Wild West and open skies, where cowboys and their traditions thrive. If you’re yearning to unleash your inner cowboy and experience a glimpse of life on the wild frontier, The Ranch at Rock Creek, a Relais & Chateaux property, is ready to welcome you. Located in the heart of Montana, this all-inclusive ranch experience is the world’s only Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star guest ranch and the United States’ only founding member of National Geographic Society’s Unique Lodges of the World. Nestled in one of Montana’s most pristine Valleys, this special place offers year-round adventure experiences on 6600 acres. With just 29 accommodations, The Ranch at Rock Creek offers exclusive luxury amenities with an authentic Western feel. Whether you choose the converted Historic Barn, the Granite Lodge Suites, or the Canvas Cabins for glamping, you can be sure you’re experiencing Western living in the modern era.

During your stay, you won’t be short on things to do. Offering a robust catalogue of all-inclusive activities for the whole family, The Ranch at Rock Creek believes that the best souvenir is a great story. Along with traditional ranch activities, shooting sports, sapphire mining, and photography workshops are just a few of the adventures waiting for you. If a thrilling adventure isn’t calling your name, a day in their Granite Spa may be just what you need.

Raise your glass to farm and ranch-to-table cuisine with an expertly paired local draught or regional wine. As a Relais & Châteaux, the dining experience reflects the fine art of living. Each evening guests gather for Happy Hour before delighting in novel cuisine that aims to elevate Montana’s legendary western past into a curated cultural experience. Executive Chef Drage’s ranch menus and dining experiences mirror Montana’s seasonal bounty. Preparation is equal parts mountain tradition and modern palate, often employing a wood fire grill, a Dutch oven or the full array of a state-of-the- art kitchen. The tailor-made experiences and exceptional service at The Ranch at Rock Creek are sure to satisfy your desire for luxury adventure travel and leave you with memories you’ll never forget.

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Taos: The Thin Spot

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The Way it is, The Way it Always Was, Granada