The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe
Photo Courtesy of Rouse Photography
If you’re sitting in an office looking out the window, we hear your groans. Late summer is a perfect time to be out there, soaking up the sun’s rays and exploring the wonders that the world has to offer. Whether you choose to take off for a long weekend, a month or somewhere in between this season, consider these options for that outdoor adventure fix.
For Cyclists: Hotel Domestique
Tucked within the canopies of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this hotel proves a haven for cyclists in search of trails to crush. “I train in the Blue Ridge area because the roads, terrain, weather offer excellent training year-round,” says former Tour de France and Olympic cyclist George Hincapie. “Few cars, incredible scenery, challenging climbs and limitless route options make it ideal for cycling.”The outdoor highlight of the South Carolina property is its Climb Experience, led by Hincapie himself. The package (August 24-28, January 25-29) delivers a guest itinerary complete with luxury accommodations, airport shuttle, elite-level road bikes (if needed), gourmet meals prepared by chef Adam Cooke and organized rides on scenic and challenging routes. If muscle fatigue sets in, never fear. The deal also includes morning yoga sessions and daily massage therapy.
For Gastronomes: The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe
A Lake Tahoe experience in August or September is one you’ll never forget. The fabulous weather and endless outdoor activities assure as much. All of the culinary fun happening around this Four-Star property certainly has a part in a memory-making vacation, too. Beyond the Lake Tahoe Autumn Food & Wine Festival (September 5-7) and Harvest Fest (October 12) highlighting fall, the hotel also proudly presents the Tahoe Long Table Harvest Dinner on September 6. Overseen by executive chef Stanley Miller, the six-course meal of of-the-moment, locally sourced dishes will happen on Four-Star Manzanita‘s terrace, the perfect spot to take in Tahoe in all its natural splendor.
For Fishermen: The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort
The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort, Photo Courtesy of Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc.
Mexico’s Pacific coast is known for blue waters and aquatic life and, thanks to this Punta Mita beauty, experienced and first-time fishermen alike can enjoy the fruits of the sea. With the Green & Blue Weekend package, you are provided with standout accommodations, daily breakfast and discounted spa services. The “green” in the deal comes with waived fees on one of the two signature Jack Nicklaus golf courses, Bahía or Pacifico. As for the “blue,”that is reflected in the big game fishing tour you will go on. Punta Mita has been the site of international fishing competitions for more than 50 years, and on this excursion you’ll have a chance to reel in wahoo, Mahi Mahi and marlin just like the professionals.
For Hikers: Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi
At nearly 12,400 feet high, Honshu Island’s Mount Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan and the country’s newest UNESCO World Heritage Site. The climb to the summit is an achievement for seasoned hikers, but with Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi, the experience can be one had by most anyone with a bit of determination and a good pair of hiking boots. Available only through August 31 this year, an exclusive two-day hike booked through the Tokyo hotel comes with a personal guide, chef and butler who will attend to your every need during the trek. With the promise of world-class service that has grown synonymous with Four Seasons’ properties, you can expect the royal treatment — even at the highest altitudes.
For All Outdoor Enthusiasts: The Broadmoor
At this Five-Star playland, outdoor adventure is paramount. And never is that more apparent than right now, with recently reopened The Ranch at Emerald Valley, a seasonal all-inclusive cabin village, and the August 15 debut of Cloud Camp, a rustic collection of private suites and a main lodge some 3,000 feet above the main hotel in Cheyenne Mountain. Plus, the Colorado Springs just opened its all-levels fly-fishing school. Take daily catch-and-release classes on the docks surrounding a new Adirondack-style lodge. Guides provide all of the equipment. After class, bask in the beautiful scenery near the water on the lodge’s expansive covered decks.
