Luxury Travel Advisor - July 2008 - (Page 21)

Nestled near some of the United States’ most breathtaking mountain backdrops, these ranch retreats promise ample adventure—from skiing to scouting wildlife—all year long. BY LOIS FRIEDLAND Your black-card clients who want privacy and luxury will enjoy Teton Ridge Ranch (www. tetonridge.com), in Tetonia, ID, whose 10,000-square-foot lodge is surrounded by 4,400 acres of land owned by multibillionaire Paul Allen. The ranch’s decor defines the term “rustic elegance.” The knotty-pine log-cabin lodge has a Great Room, where guests gather by the fire for drinks and hors d’oeuvres, plus five guest rooms, each with oversized chairs set before a wood-burning, cast-iron stove that’s backed by a moss-rock wall, original western oil paintings and a vaulted ceiling. Bathrooms have two sinks; a deep, jetted tub; steam shower; and separate toilet. Every guest room has picture windows framing a meadow, forests and the razor-sharp Teton Mountain range. All the rooms are spacious, but request Paintbrush, which is at the end of the hall and is one of the largest rooms. Families might prefer Aspen Lodge, a two-bedroom home in an isolated setting a few minutes from the lodge. The per-day fee includes meals (gourmet dinners, which may feature bison or elk, are paired with wines), a wine/beer bar and all activities at the ranch. Guests can choose horseback riding, hiking, fishing, mountain biking and shooting in the summer. In the winter, the hiking trails become groomed cross-country ski and snowshoe trails, some leading to trails in the adjacent Teton National Park. Grand Targhee Resort is a 45-minute drive, and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is about an hour away. At breakfast, guides and wranglers (depending upon the season) meet with guests to arrange the day’s activities. Guided trips to Yellowstone National Park, whitewater rafting, hot-air balloon rides, guided river fishing and cat skiing can all be arranged from the ranch. To book rooms and activities for VIP clients, contact either of the general managers, Jan Betts or Jan Beard (info@tetonridge.com; 208-456-2650 or 800-926-3579). The ranch shuttles guests landing in Jackson, WY, or Idaho Springs, ID. Private planes can land in nearby Driggs, ID. Spring Creek Ranch (www. springcreekranch.com), which sprawls along the side of a butte between the town of Jackson and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Wyoming, imparts a completely ADVISOR INSIGHT: John Clifford, president of International Travel Management, sends many of his ranch-bound clients to the Home Ranch in Colorado, or the Big EZ near Big Sky Resort in Wyoming. “My clients love the three, unique, western-stylized lodges: The Main Lodge, The Guest Inn and the oneof-a-kind 1,800-square-foot Lone Star Suite.” says Clifford. “In one location, clients can enjoy whitewater rafting, skiing, hiking in Beehive Basin, horseback riding, fishing, golf and tennis, and retreat to their posh, home atmosphere at nightfall. Dining is top-notch.” Home Ranch offers the understated luxury of the Relais & Châteaux group, combining rustic, old-style and pampering, according to Clifford. His clients prefer the individual cabins, each with their own deck, hot tub and private pond. He suggests Columbine for guests with the urge to splurge. Clifford recommends that travel consultants look beyond traditional sources to find the most luxurious ranches near ski country. Both Small Luxury Hotels of the World (www.slh. com) and Relais & Châteaux (www.relaischateaux.com) have properties in ski country. He suggests watching “lists,” such as Conde Nast’s Hot List and Travel+Leisure’s new “It List” for new properties. Check out online reviews such as Trip Advisor (www.tripadvisor.com) and Hotel Chatter (www.hotel chatter.com) for real-life consumer reviews. Though travel consultants should always take these with a grain of salt, a succession of bad reviews is often valid and cause for caution. SPRING CREEK RANCH welcomes guests with a cozy lobby that embodies the Teton atmosphere (opposite). THE TETON MOUNTAIN RANGE serves as a most dramatic backdrop for Spring Creek Ranch guest quarters (this photo). www.luxuryta.com July 2008 | LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR 21 http://www.tetonridge.com http://www.tetonridge.com http://www.springcreekranch.com http://www.springcreekranch.com http://www.slh.com http://www.slh.com http://www.relaischateaux.com http://www.tripadvisor.com http://www.hotelchatter.com http://www.hotelchatter.com http://www.luxuryta.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Luxury Travel Advisor - July 2008

Luxury Travel Advisor - July 2008 Contents Publisher's Letter Editor's Letter California Coast Tuscan Villas Ranch Vacations Gansevoort South Rancho Las Cruces Reserva Conchal Spas of the Maldives St. Lucia A Gentleman's Touch The Pulse Just Back Sightings Source List

Luxury Travel Advisor - July 2008

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