There’s something special about group getaways. Maybe you need carved-out time to see friends you haven’t seen since college, or perhaps work has been piling up and you need an excuse to escape.
Below, I’ve outlined some of my favorite hotels for guy getaways. Grab your buddies, reach out and get planning. Whether a slopeside adventure, a golf vacation, a dude ranch or a city sojourn, these destinations create the perfect settings for some much-needed time with the guys.
Ski and après
It’s not too late for a ski getaway. (I can also help you get Epic and Ikon passes.) The key is choosing the right hotel with the right connections and the right amenities.
The Hythe, a Luxury Collection Resort, Vail
The Hythe is an ideal spot for a guys’ ski getaway. The hotel epitomizes an alpine-chic aesthetic: dark wood, cozy fireplaces and mountain views. Authenticity is big here, and it comes through with the hotel’s dedication to everything local. The hotel has partnered with Colorado’s 10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirit Company, for instance, to supply their lobby bar with a selection of fine whiskeys — perfect after a day on the slopes. When you’re not backcountry skiing or heliskiing with an Olympic athlete, consider indoor rock climbing, private snowmobile rides, private yoga sessions and mountain foraging. Don’t miss the Hythe’s signature cheese-sharing ritual, modeled after a Swiss Alpine tradition.
- Fora’s Marriott STARS partner perks include $100 hotel credit, a welcome amenity, daily breakfast, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Pendry Park City
You’ll find this ski-in/out hotel in Canyons Village. The vibe is modernist and sleek, with lots of metal, wood and leather, plus towering windows and perfect lighting (natural sunlight by day, moody vibes by night).
The hotel’s partnership with Compass Sports makes on-site ski rentals a breeze. Enlist one of their expert adventure guides for a truly tailored experience. Take advantage of routes for cross-country skiing, backcountry skiing, heliskiing, snowbiking and snowshoeing. If you’re really feeling up for it, also try your hand at the nearby terrain park. After an active day, après at Après Pendy, where oysters, chili, warm pretzels, frites and cocktails await. End the day at Kita, the Pendry’s handsome Japanese steakhouse.
- Fora’s Perks include $100 hotel credit, daily breakfast, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Golf with the guys
Golfers, rejoice. The two resorts below have you covered, course-wise, but they have so much more to offer.
The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Just 21 miles south of Charleston, you’ll find the grand Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, on the Carolina coast. The resort is a study in Southern hospitality and sophistication. It’s regal without feeling pretensions, and evokes a seaside mansion: lots of brick, walnut floors, tall ceilings, antiques. The resort even transplanted 400 trees to create even more of that Southern feel.
Of course, no stay here would be complete without a round (or several) at one of the five championship golf courses, especially its famed Ocean Course. You’ll immediately fall in love with the Paspalum greens and beautiful views. To really go all out, rent one of the exclusive cottages, which come with a slate of special privileges like unlimited driving range use and high-touch service for all things golf-related.
- Fora’s Perks include $100 hotel credit, a welcome amenity, daily breakfast, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo
The Andaz’s renowned Arnold Palmer Ocean Course is a private 18-holer. Make sure to check out the whole round: Prime ocean views await from holes 14 onward. Mix things up with tennis or pickleball, or take advantage of the free kayaks and paddleboards. There’s even an aerial adventure course.
Refuel with Costa Rican cuisine, sushi, shareable Latin American and Caribbean food or market-driven fare (with plenty of plant-based options). The on-site Coffee & Vinyls café is an effortlessly cool coffee bar where you can spin vinyls of your choosing. Then retreat to your breezy accommodations with floor-to-ceiling windows and, in many cases, private plunge pools overlooking the jungle.
- Fora’s Hyatt Privé partner perks include $100 hotel credit, a welcome amenity, daily breakfast, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Go to a dude ranch
Dude ranches are in, and they’re perfect for a guys’ getaway. Activities are plentiful, the food is amazing, and the natural settings are vast, serene and beautiful. Here are a couple of favorites.
The Resort at Paws Up
Paws Up has a little bit of everything. Foodies especially will be happy here — the culinary program is unmatched, and the exceptionally kind culinary team has collectively earned an impressive amount of James Beard Award nominations. All the food is locally and sustainably sourced (and many ingredients are foraged in the ranch’s 37,000-acre backyard). Paws Up has also partnered with the Western Montana Growers Cooperative, a collection of over 50 regional farms. Savor wild salmon, elk tartar, fine wines, cocktails, s’mores and perhaps the best dessert you’ll ever experience — courtesy of the veritable sweet genius chef Krystal Swenson. In between meals, go horseback riding, try archery, hop in a canoe or mountain bike, visit a ghost town, go flyfishing, hike, play paintball…Boredom is impossible here.
- Fora’s Perks include $300 activity credit, a welcome amenity, complimentary round-trip airport transfers, daily breakfast, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Brush Creek Ranch
The massive Brush Creek Ranch sits on 30,000 acres in Saratoga, Wyoming. It comprises three distinct properties. There’s The Lodge & Spa, with 44 rooms, suites and cabins. The adults-only Magee Homestead is an exclusive enclave of a mere nine cabins. And French Creek consists of four one-bedroom cabins and a yurt.
All stays are all-inclusive (including alcohol), and cover activities ranging from snowga (snow + yoga) and ice fishing to archery and mountain biking. The food is amazing, largely thanks to the on-site bakery, greenhouse, wine cellar and Wagyu beef operation. And whatever you do, do not miss one of their legendary cookies.
- Fora Reserve perks include $150 hotel credit per person and an upgrade whenever possible.
Hit the town
For an urban escape, you can’t go wrong with Mexico City or Dubai. In both destinations, expect a variety of museums, amazing shopping, gastronomic bliss and distinct culture that make exploring these places all the more intriguing.
The Ritz-Carlton, Mexico City
The centrally located Ritz-Carlton sits above Mexico City’s historic Chapultepec Park, on the city’s Paseo de la Reforma. It’s a modern, vibrant space filled with clean wooden accents, blues and grays. There’s a strong sense of place here, exemplified by thoughtful details like Aztec traditions and ingredients used in the spa and locally sourced ingredients used in the delectable Mexico cuisine on site. Explore local attractions like the Blue House Museum, Frida Kahlo’s former residence, and the famed Museo de Historia Natural, where Mexico’s expansive history is exhibited in masterful focus. After a day of exploring, head to the 38th floor for cocktails, music and views at Carlotta Reforma Bar.
- Fora’s Marriott STARS partner perks include $100 hotel credit, a welcome amenity, daily breakfast, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
One&Only Royal Mirage Dubai
In true Dubai fashion, the One&Only Royal Mirage is as luxe as you’d expect: gem tones, marble, private balconies, crystal. The hotel is surrounded by 65 lush acres of gardens dotted with fountains and intricate Arabic architecture. The hotel is privy to all the best restaurants, beach clubs, shopping and wellness facilities the city has to offer. On site, take advantage of its private stretch of beach, including the brand-new Drift Beach Club.
Watersports here include water jetpacking, flyboarding, kneeboarding, beach volleyball and more. Wellness and sports are dialed in with personal trainers, a well-equipped gym, padel, tennis and basketball. Begin the evening at one of numerous lounges primed for fragrant mezze platters, coffee or afternoon tea. Later, choose from elevated Moroccan fare at Tagine or sleek Asian cuisine at the beachfront Eauzone.
- Fora Reserve perks include a complimentary dinner for two, daily breakfast, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Email: italia.dutton@fora.travel
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