American Dude Ranch Resorts: Recent Experiences?
Aug 15, 2015, 11:39 am
#1
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 3,317
American Dude Ranch Resorts: Recent Experiences?
As far as dude ranches go, any recent experiences?
For obvious reasons, the first ones that come to mind are Paws Up, Ranch at Rock Creek, Brush Creek Ranch, etc.
Basically: Montana, Montana, Montana.
Ranch at Rock Creek is the best of the bunch, no?
If you've been to another ranch experience, where was it (and more importantly: how was it?!)
TIA
For obvious reasons, the first ones that come to mind are Paws Up, Ranch at Rock Creek, Brush Creek Ranch, etc.
Basically: Montana, Montana, Montana.
Ranch at Rock Creek is the best of the bunch, no?
If you've been to another ranch experience, where was it (and more importantly: how was it?!)
TIA
Aug 15, 2015, 8:41 pm
#3
Moderator: Delta SkyMiles, Luxury Hotels, TravelBuzz! and Italy
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 26,543
http://www.alisal.com/santa-barbara-resort/
A friend of mine is currently staying there with her large extended family. This is an annual event for them.
Not my cup of tea, but they do seem to have a loyal following. I'm not a fan of hayrides. Easy drive from Los Angeles.
A friend of mine is currently staying there with her large extended family. This is an annual event for them.
Not my cup of tea, but they do seem to have a loyal following. I'm not a fan of hayrides. Easy drive from Los Angeles.
Aug 17, 2015, 1:40 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: Skymiles Plat/1MM, United Prem, Marriott Silver, HH Gold
Posts: 326
I've been to Paws Up and Triple Creek Ranch (not far from Missoula). Really enjoyed both and would recommend both if you're into the Montana ranch activities - riding, hiking, fly fishing, skiing, etc.
May 20, 2016, 8:35 pm
#7
Join Date: May 2016
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Programs: Virtuoso, FS Preferred Partner, Belmond Bellini Club, Stars, Ritz Carlton, Rosewood, A & K, Starwood
Posts: 14
For someone considering a dude ranch, they should consider Canada. The Dollar is so strong, it is really a great deal.
Clayoquot Wilderness Retreat is an absolutely once in a lifetime experience. I visited there last year. It is really hard to believe what a special place it is. You fly there by seaplane from Vancouver. It is a Relais & Chateaux property, so the meals are incredible. They have a sommelier on staff. You stay in a tent that has an en suite bath. Turn down service is provided with candles and a fire.
Daily activities are customized for each guest. Choices range from exploring the waters in a zodiac in search of whales, sea lions and bears to riding a horse through the temperate rainforest.
My description can't do it justice. Visit www.wildretreat.com.
Clayoquot Wilderness Retreat is an absolutely once in a lifetime experience. I visited there last year. It is really hard to believe what a special place it is. You fly there by seaplane from Vancouver. It is a Relais & Chateaux property, so the meals are incredible. They have a sommelier on staff. You stay in a tent that has an en suite bath. Turn down service is provided with candles and a fire.
Daily activities are customized for each guest. Choices range from exploring the waters in a zodiac in search of whales, sea lions and bears to riding a horse through the temperate rainforest.
My description can't do it justice. Visit www.wildretreat.com.
May 21, 2016, 7:16 am
#8
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 3,317
For someone considering a dude ranch, they should consider Canada. The Dollar is so strong, it is really a great deal.
Clayoquot Wilderness Retreat is an absolutely once in a lifetime experience. I visited there last year. It is really hard to believe what a special place it is. You fly there by seaplane from Vancouver. It is a Relais & Chateaux property, so the meals are incredible. They have a sommelier on staff. You stay in a tent that has an en suite bath. Turn down service is provided with candles and a fire.
Daily activities are customized for each guest. Choices range from exploring the waters in a zodiac in search of whales, sea lions and bears to riding a horse through the temperate rainforest.
My description can't do it justice. Visit www.wildretreat.com.
Clayoquot Wilderness Retreat is an absolutely once in a lifetime experience. I visited there last year. It is really hard to believe what a special place it is. You fly there by seaplane from Vancouver. It is a Relais & Chateaux property, so the meals are incredible. They have a sommelier on staff. You stay in a tent that has an en suite bath. Turn down service is provided with candles and a fire.
Daily activities are customized for each guest. Choices range from exploring the waters in a zodiac in search of whales, sea lions and bears to riding a horse through the temperate rainforest.
My description can't do it justice. Visit www.wildretreat.com.
The latter properties are typical ranch experiences, and even then it's a bit of a stretch to call them 'true' dude ranches.
Clayoquot is incredible, but just not sure it would fit in this category of properties?
May 24, 2016, 11:37 am
#9
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,413
The people I know who have gone to dude ranches tend to go to the same one every year, often exactly the same weeks. To me, this is very off-putting, although I know it happens also as the typical case at some resorts.
May 24, 2016, 11:47 am
#10
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Palo Alto, CA, USA
Posts: 3,222
For someone considering a dude ranch, they should consider Canada. The Dollar is so strong, it is really a great deal.
Clayoquot Wilderness Retreat is an absolutely once in a lifetime experience. I visited there last year. It is really hard to believe what a special place it is. You fly there by seaplane from Vancouver. It is a Relais & Chateaux property, so the meals are incredible. They have a sommelier on staff. You stay in a tent that has an en suite bath. Turn down service is provided with candles and a fire.
Daily activities are customized for each guest. Choices range from exploring the waters in a zodiac in search of whales, sea lions and bears to riding a horse through the temperate rainforest.
My description can't do it justice. Visit www.wildretreat.com.
Clayoquot Wilderness Retreat is an absolutely once in a lifetime experience. I visited there last year. It is really hard to believe what a special place it is. You fly there by seaplane from Vancouver. It is a Relais & Chateaux property, so the meals are incredible. They have a sommelier on staff. You stay in a tent that has an en suite bath. Turn down service is provided with candles and a fire.
Daily activities are customized for each guest. Choices range from exploring the waters in a zodiac in search of whales, sea lions and bears to riding a horse through the temperate rainforest.
My description can't do it justice. Visit www.wildretreat.com.
Jun 5, 2016, 12:25 pm
#11
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 3,317
Will post feedback later, but for those who are interested about Brush Creek Ranch, here are my pictures.
PS, this was voted the #1 resort in the entire USA by Conde Nast last year.
PS, this was voted the #1 resort in the entire USA by Conde Nast last year.
Aug 2, 2016, 4:05 am
#12
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 861
We loved Brush Creek and that is saying a lot, as the ranch concept is not a natural fit for our travel style. Decent accommodations, absolutely lovely staff members and the opportunity to try a wide range of activities, led by supremely patient guides. It looks like it
would also be fun for families, as there is a kids program and there were several multi-generational groups in residence. We enjoyed the food and felt that they tried hard to mix it up. The only small nit is that, as is the case with all resorts hiring summer help, that
the level of training and engagement varied. We plan to return with more friends/family in tow.
would also be fun for families, as there is a kids program and there were several multi-generational groups in residence. We enjoyed the food and felt that they tried hard to mix it up. The only small nit is that, as is the case with all resorts hiring summer help, that
the level of training and engagement varied. We plan to return with more friends/family in tow.
Aug 2, 2016, 10:10 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,108
For someone considering a dude ranch, they should consider Canada. The Dollar is so strong, it is really a great deal.
Clayoquot Wilderness Retreat is an absolutely once in a lifetime experience. I visited there last year. It is really hard to believe what a special place it is. You fly there by seaplane from Vancouver. It is a Relais & Chateaux property, so the meals are incredible. They have a sommelier on staff. You stay in a tent that has an en suite bath. Turn down service is provided with candles and a fire.
Daily activities are customized for each guest. Choices range from exploring the waters in a zodiac in search of whales, sea lions and bears to riding a horse through the temperate rainforest.
My description can't do it justice. Visit www.wildretreat.com.
Clayoquot Wilderness Retreat is an absolutely once in a lifetime experience. I visited there last year. It is really hard to believe what a special place it is. You fly there by seaplane from Vancouver. It is a Relais & Chateaux property, so the meals are incredible. They have a sommelier on staff. You stay in a tent that has an en suite bath. Turn down service is provided with candles and a fire.
Daily activities are customized for each guest. Choices range from exploring the waters in a zodiac in search of whales, sea lions and bears to riding a horse through the temperate rainforest.
My description can't do it justice. Visit www.wildretreat.com.
Aug 2, 2016, 11:21 pm
#14
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,108
We loved Brush Creek and that is saying a lot, as the ranch concept is not a natural fit for our travel style. Decent accommodations, absolutely lovely staff members and the opportunity to try a wide range of activities, led by supremely patient guides. It looks like it
would also be fun for families, as there is a kids program and there were several multi-generational groups in residence. We enjoyed the food and felt that they tried hard to mix it up. The only small nit is that, as is the case with all resorts hiring summer help, that
the level of training and engagement varied. We plan to return with more friends/family in tow.
would also be fun for families, as there is a kids program and there were several multi-generational groups in residence. We enjoyed the food and felt that they tried hard to mix it up. The only small nit is that, as is the case with all resorts hiring summer help, that
the level of training and engagement varied. We plan to return with more friends/family in tow.
Aug 3, 2016, 6:25 am
#15
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 861
Magee Homestead is an adults only, smaller property maybe 5 miles (?) from
the center of Brush Creek. Meals are taken there but guests are shuttled
to Brush Creek for activities. It might be perfect for a group but, as a couple,
we didn't want to be so far removed from the center of things. I believe that
this is a more private and perhaps more luxurious experience. There is also a pool at Magee, which is not the case at the Brush Creek area.
We did not see French Creek, as it is/was new, so I can't help with that.
http://www.brushcreekranch.com/lodgi...portsmans-club