Thousand-dollar bottles of champagne? Yawn. Four-poster beds with thousand-thread-count linens? Ho-hum. We’ve tracked down some luxurious settings and experiences that will truly leave a lasting impression on your attendees, from private-island pampering and castle stays to a chilling, cutting-edge spa experience like nothing else in North America.
Sparkling Spa
Recently opened Sparkling Hill, set in the mountains of British Columbia, is one of the most uniquely luxurious lodgings on the entire continent. Owned by the patriarch of the Swarovski family—renowned for the eponymous crystals—the resort has infused more than 3.5 million crystals into its design.
Each of the 149 guest rooms boasts massive floor-to-ceiling windows where guests can take in the lake or mountain vistas from a crystal-studded sitting room, or climb into a soaking tub for two and relax. Water relaxation and rejuvenation flows throughout the property in spectacular ways, including a 30-person “hot pool” with views of Lake Okanogan, the Kneipp Waterway—with alternating hot- and cold-water basins providing physical therapy—and an indoor pool beneath a glittering crystal ceiling providing a starry sky effect. Dive beneath the surface and you’ll hear underwater music.
The 40,000-square-foot spa shows off 48 treatment rooms and over 100 different treatments, but there’s little debate about the most memorable one. Sparkling Hill is home to the first cold sauna in North America, where temperatures drop as low as 166 degrees Fahrenheit. While the experience is undoubtedly worth it for the sheer uniqueness of it alone, the freezing climes actually improve a number of ailments—most noticeably arthritis and joint pain.
Captivating Castle
While true castle stays may be a dime a dozen in the old country, how many can you count in the U.S.? One of the only truly regal ones on our radar can be enjoyed in the Hudson Valley, where the Castle Hotel and SPA towers over Westchester County in one of New York State’s most regal settings.
Built in two phases between 1897 and 1910, the property is 30-odd minutes from Manhattan but a world away from the NYC bustle.
“Growing up in the Hudson Valley, I have always been aware of that imposing castle in Tarrytown atop one of the highest points in Westchester County,” says spokesperson James Mahon. “It was built by more than 100 craftsmen in the style of Norman fortifications on the Scottish border and is reminiscent of the revered Lismore Castle in County Waterford, Ireland. Originally built as a private residence, the Castle Hotel & Spa opened in 1997 and was meticulously transformed into a luxury hotel offering royal service, lush accommodations, celebrated cuisine and spectacular scenery.”
And now the lavish landmark is about to get even ritzier. A fabulous new addition, THANN Sanctuary Spa, will open its doors in May, part of a $10 million upgrade that will also revamp its already impressive 31 guest rooms and suites, 4,000-plus square feet of event space, and public spaces. The heralded Equus restaurant will also benefit from the upgrades. PageBreak
Make Yourselves at Home
While there are countless elegant experiences and settings within the Destination Hotels umbrella, one of the most impressive is definitely the use of a sensational private home only minutes from the Royal Palms Resort and Spa in Phoenix.
Ideal for a spectacular dinner and/or reception, the elegant adobe-style mansion is set on Camelback Mountain amidst the iconic red rocks of the region, with stupendous views of the Valley of the Sun. A spacious, open-air kitchen spills out onto a grand deck ensconced with a triangular infinity pool and Jacuzzi, with a wide, cascading waterfall flowing dramatically below. Inside the handsome house, full surround sound and a home theater add to the event possibilities.
The magnificent 9,500-square-foot home, set on about 1.5 acres, has a prominent patio able to host about 100 guests, with a roof-top porch making room for about 70 more attendees. Inside, space is available for about 50-60 diners.
Panama Privacy
Who needs Necker Island? Richard Branson’s island idyll has nothing on a private resort just opened on a 400-acre isle in Panama’s Gulf of Chiriqui.
“This is the perfect place for a group looking for something they’ve never experienced before and looking to surprise and delight their attendees,” says Emily Kinskey, a spokesperson for The Resort at Isla Palenque, adding that the setting is designed to accommodate small meeting groups in a one-of-a-kind wilderness setting.
“Groups will savor seclusion among the pristine jungle and coastal environments, as well as luxury amenities such as fine dining, spa services, a two-tier infinity waterfall pool and a 2-to-1 staff to guest ratio,” Kinskey says. “Time takes on a whole new meaning here, and our tours and adventures in the jungle and out at sea allow attendees to completely lose themselves in the natural beauty and exhilaration of exploration.”
She adds that a great group way to wrap up the day is a gourmet meal—complete with produce from the on-site organic farm—in the Great Room at its long driftwood table, taking in the nearby islands as the sun sets.
Other options include a wide variety of island tours that include an evening tour complete with night-vision goggles, island-hopping jaunts exploring nearby islets, sport fishing and an elegant spa.
