Mountain Weekly News ~
When you think “road trip through the Rocky Mountains,” you might imagine tent camping, staying in rustic roadside spots, roughing it through the wild. And sure, that’s fun. But there’s something about staying in nice lodging that brings out the majesty in one of the world’s greatest mountain ranges. And these days there are a lot more amazing choices to check out than there were when these cities were mining camps, ranch towns, and immigrant stopovers.
Luckily, we at Mountain Weekly News have scoured America’s backbone to highlight some of the most sought after destinations from Colorado to Utah to Wyoming to Montana. It would be a perfect way to plan your next great Rocky Mountain exploration.
Best Rocky Mountain Lodging
Hotel Boulderado – Boulder, Colorado
There is some great history in what used to be the wild mountain west. Old hotels from a century ago, or maybe even more, fill the great state of Colorado. And plenty of those grand hotels have been fixed up, blending something sumptuous and new with something old and decadent. Enter the Hotel Boulderado in Boulder, CO. It was started in 1906, and in 1908 they had their first New Year’s Eve Ball (echoes of “The Shining,” even if that was a different hotel). The city landmark has grown ever since, restoring its elaborate glass ceiling along the way, sprouting new bars and restaurants, updating here and re-polishing there.
Looking for a romantic evening that shouts out into the heavens? Check out the Stargazer Package. You get 1 night and their star kit. That means you get to take home two keepsake thermoses, blankets, and a digital star chart. You also get suggestions for where to get a good view and certificates for pastries and coffee from Boxcar because stars are always better with something sweet to eat alongside your sweetheart while the coffee warms you up and keeps your engines ready for when you decide to put the stars to bed.
Grand America Hotel – SLC
In Salt Lake, it seems like when you’re talking about luxury hotels, there’s the Grand America and then everybody else. There’s luxury and then there’s LUXURY. I’m talking about spacious rooms decorated like a guest room from that stately old money mansion in your dreams. Cherry wood Richelieu furniture and English wool carpeting are complemented by the Italian marble bathrooms. Despite all the old-world opulence, though, this majestic white pinnacle on a hilltop soaring before the mountains recently completed a big project to considerably drop their energy usage.
Of course, when you’re traveling in luxury, you expect to be pampered and to eat well. The Grand America has you there too. The Grand Spa was given a 5-star rating by Forbes in 2021. The pool is amazing for a little dip but when you get to their spa treatments – I’d suggest the epic CBD Massage myself – you’d be hard-pressed to find anyplace better, anywhere. Then for dinner pop into the Laurel Brasserie for a casual classy European breakfast to a truly indelible, meaty dinner. The Bonne Vie has decadent coffees and pastries while the Gibson lounge’s gastropub treats and fancy drinks make it a perfect for any power meal, or even an excuse to dress up nice and reconnect over a few drinks.
Andrus Hotel – Dillon, MT
Montana has popped back up on everybody’s radar thanks to “Yellowstone,” and for good reason: It’s a magical state, one steeped in legends and pioneering, entrepreneuring iconoclasts. Check out the story of Harry Andrus selling his sheep ranch in 1916 to build a Renaissance-revival-style hotel in the burgeoning city of Dillon Montana. That became the Andrus Boutique Hotel. It had 80 rooms, a billiard parlor, and a Great Dane trained to be a bellhop. Today those old bones and that timeless architecture wraps around a modern, well-renovated boutique hotel. Like, all suites on the 3rd floor rooms boutique, perfect for being impressively hip but old-timer at the same time, especially if you’re actually neither.
The rooftop deck is insane, with ridiculous 360-degree views of the old Montana mountain town. And while some hotels have a bowling alley in the basement, the Andrus has an indoor archery range, with an archery pro to bring out your inner bowmaster. It’s the best base camp for adventures into Montana where you can live out your “Legends of the Falls” Old MT dreams. Then there’s the owners’ guide book, which is just as wild and classic (and classically ironic?) as the clawfoot tubs. Yeah, for a real Montana experience with luxurious boutique feel, there’s no place that hits the mark like the Andrus.
The Cloudveil – Jackson, WY
It’s tough to be the top hotel in Jackson, Wyoming, these days. But the Cloudveil does just that, somehow seamlessly blending mountain rugged with new-build luxury, right on the historic Town Square. From the wood-carved trophy skulls in the spacious lobby to rooms that drip luxury on a, like, London-Paris-New York-L.A. level, there’s nobody who pulls off real, modern mountain luxury like the Cloudveil.
Add in a pool and hot tub staring at the square (try hanging out in the hot tub when there’s a band playing at one of the many Town Square fests and you’ll be transported to Valhalla) and a rooftop deck with the best views in Jackson and you’ve already blown away the competition. Then there’s the restaurant, The Bistro, the reiteration of one of the town’s beloved haunts, with food and a vibe so good and authentic it attracts more locals than hotel guests. Though I’m just good with drinking in-room Nespresso sitting in bed watching TV playing above the roaring in-room fireplace.
Roam Beyond Travel – Glacier, WA
You like camping but the partner isn’t really into roughing it; you want to be minimalist but don’t want to sacrifice comfort and cleanliness; you dream of living in a tricked-out camper near a beautiful corner of the country; you want a new experience in nice lodging. Any of those sound like you? Then check out Roam Beyond Travel’s amazing glamp-esque corner of heaven.
Just outside Glacier, on the Flathead, with Whitefish amenities and a good communal vibe. It’s the kind of place you don’t want to leave. With your own slick wooden camper, your heated bedding, and all the adventures, you can blend rugged adventure with luxury – but not overwhelmingly so. It’s so epic to hop on your bike and cruise up the road, possibly to the sun (probably the nicest national park road anywhere in then Lower 48). They curate your experience for you and your people to a level where somehow ruggedness and comfort go dutch on your weekend. The Roam is a perfect place to end your adventure up America’s great range, and a must-stop destination if you wish to explore one of America’s greatest national parks.
Check out the video from our trip to Roam Beyond below.
Best Rocky Mountain Vacations
Togwotee Mountain Lodge – Moran, WY
What: UTV Adventure less than an hour from Jackson Hole
These first two are perfect for the local looking to get out of town but just far enough to feel “away” – whether you’re a year-round local or a second-home owner who made it to your mountain paradise before lockdowns. Also, if you like to play with vehicles with roaring engines. But they both also function as destinations in and of themselves.
Togwotee is located near the top of a winding mountain pass. Togwotee Mountain Lodge is a winter snowmobile mecca, and in the summer you trade those snowmachines for side-by-sides (UTVs) and take the whole family on an epic journey around the continental divide.
Snake River Sporting Club – Hoback, WY
What: Rent a house, play golf, fish, hike, shoot guns, stare at the Tetons
We promise, this will be the last Jackson Hole local spot. But we had to include it because it’s in our back yard, and it’s a place not to be missed for anybody either looking to get that high-end all-in package or a local trying to get a staycation that hits everything. An 18-hole golf course; 6 miles of Snake River access and stocked trout ponds for the kiddies as well as an in-club fly shop (and an Orvis Fly Fishing School); a skeet range; horseback riding (and hiking) trails.
And they have tennis, archery, racquetball, running, even hippie golf (the kind with a frisbee). And if you do all of this and are bored, there’s the Tetons like literally right there. And arguably the finest rooms in Jackson Hole. Because don’t you owe yourself the most luxurious place to indulge in every great experience you love?
Rainbow Ranch Lodge – Big Sky, MT
What: Absolute relaxation just outside Boze-Angeles
Bozeman is a truly cosmopolitan city, full of amazing eateries, fun bars, and book stores; but maybe you want to go somewhere to have a few days just chilling in luxury with your special somebody. That’s where Rainbow Ranch Lodge comes in. It’s touted as a wedding destination because it’s romantic, beautiful, with one of the finest restaurants in the area and even a chill little pool for a dip.
Plus borders the Gallatin, one of the country’s finest and most storied fishing river. “River runs through it” country.
Henry Fork’s Lodge, ID
What: America’s Dry Fly Paradise
When the spring melt blows out all the lower rivers, the Henry’s Fork is the first spot that every angler flocks to. Nestled in the Caribou Targhee, this place is just down river from Island Park and about 45 minutes from the West Entrance to Yellowstone, and therby close to the forks of the Madison as well.
If you didn’t catch the salmon fly hatch at the beginning of the summer, that’s OK; the dry fly fishing at the Henry’s Fork is bomber all summer, and the river is just scenic and mellow enough for a perfect family float. Henry’s Lodge is pretty barebones, but in the best possible way.
Daniels Summit Lodge, UT
What: ATV Adventure less than 45 minutes from Park City
Heber City is a corner of the paradise surrounding Park City, and just beyond Heber City is Daniel’s Pass, road winding from canyon to summit to fishing paradise Strawberry Reservoir. But the pass itself is a source of adventure. Rent an ATV and rip roar up backcountry roads and cross rivers up into high alpine air on your way to Daniel’s Summit Lodge.
A high-end rustic high alpine resort offering options ranging from in-lodge, cabin, and big mountain home, it’s moto fun for all whether you’re looking for a weeklong R&R&A or just an overnight from the wild times at Park City.
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The post A Guide to Your Next Rocky Mountain Road Trip appeared first on Mountain Weekly News by Ryan Ariano.