I remember thinking I could have went to Japan in the time it took door to door from NYC.
My wife and I have been to both Blackberry Farm (3x) and Mountain (1x) and highly recommend both. The food is better at the Farm, but more activities are available at the Mountain. The wine list at the Farm is significantly stronger. The Mountain’s arts classes are really enjoyable. I would give the Mountain the nod on rooms, amenities and views. The Mountain is generally more family friendly and there will be more kids there than would be at the Farm.
Favorite activities: pottery class (Mountain only), sporting clays (either property), wake surfing (either property), and fly fishing (either property).
They used to waive minimum night stays to allow a couple of days at each property, so you may want to check on that. A few nights at each property would be a perfect week. If looking to stay more than 3 nights, join the Friends program and your 4th night will be 1/2 price.
Edited to add that I visited the Mountain in late June and the weather was pretty perfect. Highs in the low 80s, into the 40s-50s overnight. It was a very nice break from Houston. It will be warmer at the Farm, but way better than Houston weather in June.
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You may want to look at Twin Farms in Vermont. Top notch, haven’t been there myself but highly recommended from some folks who go everywhere.
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I had a co-worker who worked for years at Twin Farms as the sommelier. All of his comments about the resort were very positive.
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Thanks to everyone for the wonderful thoughts and suggestions. Twin Farms would be on the very short list, but it may be a bit of a pain to get to for this trip. I want to get there at some point. Amangiri is also intriguing, but the rooms start at more than $4,000/night. I am generally pretty price-insensitive for resorts, but that’s … a lot, particularly when there are other good options.
Right now, in addition to BB Farm/Mountain or Jackson WY (either FS or Aman), we are also considering Napa (where we’ve never been) or returning to Cabo (probably staying in the Montage, which we love). Here are other notes on our thought process, just to try to pay it forward.
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With respect to Napa, I’m overwhelmed with hotel options. I’ve gotten strong recommendations for the Bardessono. Also interested in Meadowood, Montage, Auberge de Soleil, and others. I’d welcome thoughts!
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We love Cabo for a trip like this and have enjoyed many trips to Montage and O&O. Montage Cabo is probably my gold standard right now for service and rooms. But it’s hot in June and we are leaning against going somewhere that principally involves sitting by the pool/drinking/eating.
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I’m super intrigued by the O&O Mandarina, which looks stunning. But we won’t go on this trip because I think June will be very humid and buggy (I’ve heard reports of major bug problems). I’m going to try to get to Mandarina during a shoulder season.
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Last year, Little Nell was perfect for this. Telluride would also be perfect, but we are going there anyway later in the summer with kids. That’s why Jackson WY and, to a lesser extent, Montage Big Sky and Banff are under consideration.
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I proposed the idea of going big in Vegas but my wife was NOT into that. Not at all.
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I love the other domestic Montage properties–most of all Laguna but also Deer Valley–but they are regular destinations for my work retreats so I’m not as enthused about taking a vacation there.
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A glamping destination like Paw’s Up would be great and I may try to convince my wife it’s a good idea.
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Post Ranch Inn is a great idea. Very, very pricey.
Bardessono looks nice. Never stayed there, but have walked around the property and into their restaurant (we typically stay at Maison Fleurie, across the street, but it’s not a resort). An advantage is that it’s right in the center of Yountville, so easy access to restaurants there. But, for me, it’s not a particularly attractive location, flatlands, no particular views other than the surroundings hills. I’d he much more inclined toward Auberge, which is up in the hills, more isolated, with excellent views.
Have only stayed at Meadowood once, 10th anniversary, many years ago lol. It’s beautiful there, though I don’t know how it’s recovered from the fires that burned through and destroyed some significant parts.
Theres a brand new Four Seasons farther north in Calistoga to consider. And Solage across the street from there. Plus a new-ish Montage on the north side of Healdsburg to look at.
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Checkout Stanly Ranch in Napa - it is a new Auberge property.
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One and Only Mandarina is indeed very buggy and swampy. We stayed there the third week of June 2021. Very cool property with the tree houses and the cliffside location. I can’t recall if it’s open yet, but soon there will be a Rosewood in the same development so I’d advise waiting until both are open to be able to check out each one and have additional dining options.
Montage Big Sky is basically a clone of Deer Valley so while we loved DV, if you’ve been there before, going to Big Sky could feel less special.
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If you want something completely different where you can ride ATVs or drive exotic cars, hike, ride horses or sit in your private pool right outside your door…
In far western Colorado. A bit north of Telluride. A bit east of Moab. Access to both towns, but once you are there, you won’t leave.
Also in that same vein, a secret western Colorado hideout for celebs. Stunning property. Uber expensive, but one of a kind.
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The Old Edwards Inn in Highlands NC is great and 2 hours from Atlanta.
Also The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs is old school but has an abundance of great activities nearby -rafting ,hiking ,golfing etc
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Ah the Broadmoor , really gorgeous grounds and rooms. The service is impeccable though I prefer the Fairmont Whistler’s slightly more casual style. I’d happily do a week at the Fairmont Princess in Scottsdale and just live in their spa.
Welcome aboard Kurt.
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Ojai Valley Inn — maybe not the absolutely luxury of some of the other ones mentioned, but love their spa, their pools and the golf course. Food is wonderful. Just a great old school resort.