As I’m blazing through canyons in a convertible that feels like a rocket under my feet, the letter “B” that is flanked by silver wings and gleaming from the tan leather steering wheel definitely stands for bucket list. It also stands for Bentley, in this case, the Continental GTC. I’m wondering if there could be a better incentive than this as I grip the wheel, getting goose bumps, carving my way around the red rock landscape.
Turns out, beyond the rush of driving one of the world’s fastest and most luxurious automobiles, there were even more exhilarating discoveries to cross off the “you-only-live-once” list during a recent trip to Gateway Canyons Resort & Spa. This remote, refined retreat, located about an hour by car from Grand Junction, Colo., is set in a valley amid eons-old, towering sandstone formations.
“It’s a spiritual place to relax, but we’re going to test your boundaries,” says Rudy Sharp, vice president and managing director of Gateway Canyons. “Experiences like Pro-Baja Truck riding, helicopter rides and even fly-fishing are going to change your view of yourself and the world. And then there’s the luxury—fine dining, great rooms and a beautiful spa.”
The 74-unit property, a member of Noble House Hotels and Resorts, was created by John Hendricks, founder of the Discovery Channel and Discovery Communications, and designed to focus on discovery and enrichment from an intellectual, spiritual and physical standpoint. A recent expansion included the addition of the Kayenta Conference Center and the adobe-style Palisade Casitas, which were a highlight of our trip, with fire pits, outdoor showers, king-size beds and cozy living rooms, and some even have outdoor Jacuzzis.
Sixty percent of its business is groups—incentives, board meetings, executive retreats—and clients include everyone from Netflix to Google to Nature Conservancy.
“We have pure fun and enjoyment, but then you can get real work done here, so we’re great for think tanks, brainstorming and future planning because of the environment and the mood it puts everyone in,” Sharp says.
The resort has 12,000 square feet of attractive meeting space with plenty of natural light, along with expansive outdoor event options, an integral part of the group experience here. On the first night of our trip, dinner was held alfresco in the Cottonwood Grove, and the cotton was floating through the air like snowflakes, while a gourmet tasting on our last night took place at the Entrada Pavilion overlooking its namesake sandstone formation. The evening spotlighted the talent of the resort’s executive chef, Stephen Belie, with creations such as shrimp with pumpkin seed pesto and watermelon tartar, and rib eye with charred corn puree and bacon and thyme farro.
The resort also has a small theater for Discovery Channel screenings and lectures and a welcoming outdoor pavilion and stage where intimate concerts are often held for groups.
The property’s Driven Experiences program is a magnet for car—and truck—enthusiasts, who can also revel in vintage treasures when meeting at the Gateway Auto Museum. Through the resort’s Adventure Center, planners can arrange helicopter tours, fly-fishing, mountain biking, horseback riding and other pursuits.
Our group ventured out on a scenic morning horseback ride, climbed 2,000 feet into the canyons via an ATV excursion, and soared over the convergence of five canyons aboard a Eurocopter AStar—certainly another thrill-list experience to write home about.
For More Info
Gateway Canyons
855.243.0657
Slideshow
Check out an On the Scene slideshow from the trip highlighting some of the areas explored.
