Luxury Hotels Near 8 U.S. National Parks

As the great unleashing of 2021 begins, sending pandemic trapped travelers back out into the world, many are heading to Europe’s reopened borders, but others are staying in the U.S and heading to the national parks around the country, a trend that began last year but is reaching record breaking numbers this year. The attractions are obvious: wide open spaces, spectacular nature, a panoply of outdoor activities especially for family trips. Given the proximity to the parks of hotels that would be destinations in themselves as well, travelers don’t need to sacrifice comfort or luxury amenities to spend that time in nature. And they might need that extra pampering after dodging crowds entering or in the parks. (The official advice is to go on weekdays or after peak season.)

Chateau du Sureau near Yosemite National Park. This Relais & Chateaux member is 16 miles from the entrance to the 1200 square mile park in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains.  Due to COVID regulations, visitors must have reservations to enter the park which the resort can arrange along with activities such as boat rentals for canoeing, fishing or just floating along on Bass Lake, fly fishing with a guide on the Merced River, trail rides on horseback and off road adventures. After a day out, guests can decompress in the 10 room retreat on nine acres designed with ornate European furnishings to resemble an inn in the French countryside. For more privacy, the separate 2000 square foot two bedroom Villa du Sureau is located behind a gated entry. Classic European dining is available at the hotel’s Elderberry House Restaurant and treatments to relax muscles after an active day such as Hiker’s Repose are on offer at the Spa du Sureau.  

Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain near Great Smoky Mountains National Park This 800 square mile park evenly divided between Tennessee and North Carolina is a UNESCO designated heritage site for the wealth of its biodiversity, a showplace of forested mountains, waterfalls and hiking trails. Within 14 miles are two sibling properties regarded as among the best in the country. Blackberry Farm, the original property and another Relais & Chateaux member, is a grand resort on 4200 acres with sophisticated, refined décor and a mecca for gourmets with an esteemed culinary program and restaurant. Two miles away, Blackberry Mountain opened in 2018 on 5200 acres of Great Smoky Mountains terrain continuing the culinary focus and adding a range of outdoor adventures and wellness disciplines.

Amangani near Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. This Aman resort in Jackson Hole, Wyoming is only 9 miles from the gateway to Grand Teton National Park known for its alpine peaks, clear lakes and the Snake River for rafting and fly fishing.  Yellowstone and its 3500 square miles of canyons, forests and famous geysers spread between Wyoming, Montana and Idaho is a longer drive-60 miles-but closer than the upscale ranches in Montana. Typical of Amans, the design is sleek, the surroundings serene, the wellness quotient extensive and the views impressive.

Amangiri near Zion National Park Amangani’s sister property in Utah, 95 miles from the chiseled red sandstone cliffs of Zion National Park, inhabits 600 acres of the desert landscape of the Colorado Plateau. Those striking formations are visible from the contemporary suites of the main lodge or its tented pavilion offshoot Camp Sarika. Both carry on the Aman tradition of sense of place in dining with Southwest specialties in the restaurants and the holistic Navajo healing traditions in the 25,000 square foot spa.

L’Auberge de Sedona near Grand Canyon National Park There are views of the red rocks surrounding Sedona, Arizona and the burbling sounds of Oak Creek alongside the cottages at this tranquil resort. 115 miles away are the even more dramatic views of this iconic 18 mile wide expanse of layered rock canyons millions of years old; the hotel concierge advises on how best to experience it on a day trip and where to stop along the way. Back at the resort, apart from cottages and lodge rooms that mix contemporary lines and traditional furnishings, L’Auberge offers sophisticated dining on the banks of the creek and transformative services using ingredients from the desert in the spa nestled in the forest.

The Inn at Little Washington near Shenandoah National Park This national park in Virginia provides 200,000 acres of waterfalls, woods and wildlife. 18 miles away, The Inn at Little Washington, a member of Relais & Chateaux, has long been known as a gastronomic haven under the leadership of chef/owner Patrick O’Connell. The décor is not for minimalists: it’s lush and traditional in both separate cottages surrounding the main inn and in main inn suites named for famous chefs from Julia Child to Daniel Boulud and the recently redesigned Suite #6 designed to resemble the Ritz Paris. Before heading to the park, guests can relax in the gardens with views of the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains or stroll the colonial village of Washington surveyed by and named after George.

Under Canvas Acadia near Acadia National Park This glamping company’s first Northeast location opened in May in Surry, Maine, 20 miles from the park’s 47,000 acres of mountains, hiking trails through fir and spruce forests and rugged coastline. The park is on view from the encampment which sits on 100 acres bordering Union River Bay and is comprised of 63 luxury tents on elevated decks, all with ensuite bathrooms and wood stoves for chilly Maine nights. The tents can sleep from two to seven guests and the camp also contains a 24 hour reception desk with attendants who can organize other adventures and a cafe utilizing local ingredients for breakfasts, lunches and dinners.