These hidden-gem luxury resorts are among America’s best-kept secrets

Most people know the big brand names in luxury resorts: Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons, St. Regis, and Waldorf-Astoria. You can’t go wrong choosing a property from any of those brands, of course. But sometimes finding a hidden gem with a real sense of place among its surroundings can make for an even more special sort of luxury vacation. 

In the United States, the most notable one-of-a-kind luxury hotels may not be household names like the more internationally recognizable resort brands, but they deliver where it matters most: Think ultra-comfortable accommodations with sweeping scenic views, spas for soaking away your worries, and activities that range from stargazing sessions to wine tastings. These luxury resorts are some of the best-kept secrets in the US that you might not know about yet—but you definitely should.

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Cliff House Maine

Cape Neddick, Maine

The first thing you’ll notice upon your approach to Cliff House Maine is the resort’s namesake cliffs. Following along a winding country road that’s all peak New England charm—think sharp turns, bright foliage, and cozy-yet-stately homes—you get occasional previews of the steady waves and rocky coast, then an all-at-once gasp-worthy view upon arrival. A little over a decade after a major multimillion-dollar transformation in 2015, today the historic 1872 property is one of the premier luxury resorts in the Northeast. And it unquestionably has some of the most spectacular views. 

LuxuryVacationist’s editorial director Josh Roberts found plenty to do both at the resort and along the coast during his recent stay. Cliff House is situated between the coastal towns of Ogunquit and York, so there’s never any shortage of charming shops, restaurants, beaches, and lighthouses to explore if you leave the property. But if you decide to spend your entire day and night on site, you’ll find both indoor and outdoor pools, a sizable hot tub, fine dining (and more of those incredible cliff views) at Tiller restaurant, quick bites at Nubb’s Lobster Shack, a driving range, fitness center, and a full day spa with an assortment of treatments. 

Splurge on a room or suite in the Ledges, the resort’s northernmost wing, which sits right above the water. Taking in the sunrise or sunset on your private balcony will put you in mind of a cruise at sea, with nothing but the wild Atlantic Ocean as far as the eye can see. You’ll wake up and fall asleep to the crashing of waves against the coast, a truly one-of-a-kind luxury you won’t find at many other resorts. 

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Cloudland at McLemore Resort

Rising Fawn, Georgia

Just 30 minutes from Chattanooga, this newer property that’s part of Hilton’s Curio Collection perches atop Lookout Mountain, the southernmost extension of the Appalachian Plateau. The luxury resort offers a refined mountain getaway, with sophisticated rooms and suites that enjoy views of Cloudland Canyon. Dining experiences at Cloudland also take full advantage of the scenic setting, with thoughtfully designed spaces and cuisine inspired by the area’s Scottish heritage.

Stretch out on a lounge chair at the cliff-edge infinity pool, or book some time at Selah Spa, which offers an array of face and body treatments plus immersive thermotherapy experiences with saunas, steam, and cold deluge showers. You’ll also have access to three golf courses at McLemore, including The Highlands, which sits 2,300 feet above sea level.

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The Meadows on Rock Creek

Philipsburg, Montana

You can truly escape from day-to-day life at The Meadows on Rock Creek, where Wi-Fi and cell service are limited to the property’s cabins and lodge. The working cattle ranch spreads across 2,000 acres and almost two private miles of Rock Creek, a designated Blue Ribbon fishery and one of the most pristine rivers in Montana. Fly-fishing, not surprisingly, is the ranch’s signature activity, but other options include guided horseback riding, archery, and hiking.

The intimate guest ranch accommodates up to 32 guests in 10 newly constructed one- and two-bedroom cabins, with covered front porches for taking in the views of the Northern Rocky Mountains. All-inclusive stays include three ranch-inspired meals per day, beer and wine, and a mix of guided and self-guided activities. End a full day of activity around the fire pit after a meal at the ranch’s Hideaway Lodge.

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ADERO Scottsdale Resort

Scottsdale, Arizona

Set about 2,200 feet above the Sonoran Desert and offering expansive views of the Four Peaks and McDowell Mountains, ADERO Scottsdale Resort truly connects you to its natural surroundings. An on-site trailhead lets you set off on hikes right from the resort, and two heated pools await for cooling off afterward. Other amenities include a 5,000-square-foot wellness studio with a daily schedule of classes, a spa, and lighted tennis and pickleball courts.

As the only Autograph Collection Hotel in a certified International Dark Sky Community, the resort embraces the evening hours with telescopes at the ready and guided stargazing tours. Book a Dark Sky Corner Suite or Celestial Suite and you can gaze at the night sky from your wraparound balcony.

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Calamigos Ranch Resort & Spa

Malibu, California

You’ll experience a different side of Malibu at Calamigos Ranch Resort & Spa, which encompasses 400 acres of Malibu wine country in the Santa Monica Mountains. Guests stay in estate rooms, cottage suites, or private bungalows, all with private patios or terraces for relaxing outdoors.

Days here can include guided hikes, yoga, pickleball, or a swim in one of the three pools. Wellness offerings include a 24-hour fitness center and an on-site spa with a menu of signature treatments as well as cold plunges, a sauna, and red light therapy. Start your morning with fresh-pressed juice from Gentry Market, and enjoy a cocktail at golden hour at The House Bar before dining on dishes like Oro King Salmon Crudo and Cowboy Ribeye at The Ranch Club Restaurant.

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Bolt Farm Treehouse

Whitwell, Tennessee

Get away from it all at Bolt Farm Treehouse, an adults-only luxury resort for couples on a private mountaintop about 45 minutes from Chattanooga. You’ll stay in a private treehouse, dome, or mirror cabin, each with its own hot tub, record player, and pizza oven. For a special experience, book the one-of-a-kind Floating Mirror Cabin, which is suspended between two boulders and wrapped in mirrored glass for both total privacy and total immersion in nature.

Time here is all about slowing down and connecting with each other. Every stay includes a $150 spa credit at the property’s Wellness Haven, which features a cold plunge, hot spring pools, a steam room, and a mirrored octagonal sauna. A menu of spa treatments includes the Signature Couple’s Experience designed to leave couples feeling refreshed and reconnected.

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Alila Napa Valley

St. Helena, California

Alila Napa Valley takes a lot of the stress out of a Northern California wine getaway. When you stay at this adult-focused luxury boutique property, you’re literally overlooking Beringer Vineyards and within walking distance of a slew of other wineries and tasting rooms. The hotel also offers complimentary shuttle service within a four-mile radius and can help coordinate winery visits and other activities outside that zone.

Many of the rooms and suites feature private balconies or terraces with vineyard and mountain views. The on-site spa offers treatments incorporating local botanicals as well as hydrotherapy experiences and indoor and outdoor relaxation spaces. Enhance your stay with one of the hotel’s curated experiences, which include private vineyard tours, chef-led culinary tastings, hands-on wine blending sessions, and wellness rituals.

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Half-Mile Farm

Highlands, North Carolina

A welcome glass of sparkling wine greets you upon check-in at Half-Mile Farm, an adults-only getaway a short drive from the mountain town of Highlands. Mornings begin with a complimentary chef-made farm-to-fork breakfast, with each day’s menu written on the chalkboard. Then the day is yours to explore the property’s 14 acres, whether that’s strolling the new walking trail, canoeing on Apple Lake, or biking lakeside trails.

Fresh-baked cookies and afternoon social hour help tide you over until dinner at the J. Henry Farmhouse Tavern, which serves casual bites, cocktails, and craft beers with lake views. The spa offers massages, body treatments, and therapies like reiki, and a fire pit provides a relaxing evening gathering spot. Some of the guest rooms, suites, and cabins also have their own in-room fireplaces to cozy up around.

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The Allison Inn & Spa

Newberg, Oregon

A LEED Gold-certified resort, The Allison Inn & Spa sits on 35 acres in Oregon’s Willamette Valley wine country. Walking trails invite you to take in vineyard, mountain, and valley views, and an open-air art gallery features works by local artists. The multi-course tasting menus at JORY Restaurant spotlight local cuisine, including produce from the resort’s own garden and greenhouse, with an 800-label wine list to complement the dishes. 

The resort’s spa also draws inspiration from its surroundings, incorporating garden-grown botanicals and Oregon minerals in its treatments. Two eucalyptus-infused steam rooms, two stone-heated red cedar saunas, a vanishing-edge indoor pool, and therapies like yoga and float meditation add to the wellness offerings.

These luxury resorts are some of the best-kept secrets in the US originally appeared on LuxuryVacationist.com. 

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: These hidden-gem luxury resorts are among America’s best-kept secrets