1. Amangani (Forbes Four-Star)

Amangani, a Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star resort, perches on the edge of a butte outside of one of America's most popular ski resorts. This American outpost of the acclaimed Aman resort group blends Asian simplicity with the beauty of the West. It is located within a trio of natural preservations: Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, and the National Elk Refuge.

With under 40 suites, each complete with fireplaces and deep soaking tubs, Amangani mixes private spaces with welcoming lounges and terraces. Take in the impressive mountain views from the hotel's public spaces or enjoy a picnic lunch prepared for your own private adventure.

The culinary team at The Grill keeps the focus on fresh organic ingredients, while the onsite health center accommodates every whim, from private yoga sessions to soothing spa treatments.

Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park are both just a short distance away, making Amangani the perfect launching pad for alpine excursions. In the winter, the resort averages 400 inches of snow annually, creating a winter playground perfect for skiing, snowshoeing, dog-sledding, and horse-drawn sleigh rides into the nearby National Elk Refuge.

But Amangani also offers amazing summer outings. The hotel runs wildlife safaris to Grand Teton or Yellowstone to spot black bears, elk, and bald eagles, or try your hand at fly-fishing, white-water rafting, or kayaking. With stunning sunset views from the heated outdoor swimming pool, Amangani is truly a place of relaxation and renewal.

2. Amangiri (Forbes Four-Star)

Amangiri, situated in the Four Corners region of the United States where Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona meet, is a remarkable resort that stands out as a destination in its own right. This Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star hotel offers a luxurious and peaceful experience for those seeking natural surroundings in a remote location.

The resort is nestled within a protected valley surrounded by impressive sandstone plateaus and desert landscapes. With 600 acres of land to explore, Amangiri is one of two Aman Resorts located in the US, perfectly positioned at the heart of the Grand Circle, near iconic attractions such as Monument Valley, the Grand Canyon, and various national parks. Though it may take some planning to reach, the breathtaking desert scenery and unique setting make it well worth the effort.

Amangiri's cement buildings are expertly designed to blend in with the surrounding sandstone cliffs, making it an idyllic retreat that fits seamlessly into its raw environment. The main pool draws the eye, but the Aman Spa's Water Pavilion has an open-air heated step pool and lounge for a more restorative escape.

With hundreds of acres of natural beauty on the property and nearby access to attractions such as Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park's hoodoos, and Monument Valley's sandstone buttes, visitors have a wealth of outdoor activities to choose from. These include horseback riding, rock climbing, hot-air balloon rides, helicopter flights, and boating on Lake Powell. You can even explore the sweeping sandstone vistas with an archaeologist or geologist to learn about the natural history of the Southwest region.

To reach the resort, you'll enjoy stunning views along a winding road that descends into the valley. The closest airport is in Page, Arizona, just 25 minutes away by car. Car transfers are available from Phoenix, Flagstaff, and Las Vegas.

Camp Sarika by Amangiri, a self-contained retreat, is located a short drive from the resort. This area features a restaurant, lounge, pool, Jacuzzi, and two spa suites, along with canvas-topped Tented Pavilions.

3. Gateway Canyons Resort (Forbes Recommended)

Gateway Canyons Resort provides a stunning location for a luxury retreat that is sure to inspire. The resort, founded by Discovery Channel founder John Hendricks, is located in the natural red rock gateway to Colorado's Canyonlands, offering a unique vacation experience for the adventurous at heart.

From its humble beginnings as a roadside motel, Gateway Canyons Resort has transformed into a luxurious destination, with spacious rooms featuring outdoor fireplaces and soaking pools, five dining venues, and endless activities to keep you entertained.

This family-friendly resort caters to all generations, as well as large groups looking for state-of-the-art conference facilities, ballrooms, and an outdoor amphitheater. Don't miss the full-service spa, Gateway Canyons Automobile Museum, or the thrilling luxury car and Baja truck driving experiences.

Located in Western Colorado's scenic Unaweep Canyon, the area is home to majestic red rock formations, abundant wildlife, fascinating Native American rock paintings, dinosaur relics, and more. Guided horseback tours of the surrounding countryside are available at the resort's equestrian center, which also features a wood-paneled welcome center with a wood-burning fireplace and lounge area.

The outdoor adventure center offers paddleboard and kayak rentals for use on the nearby Dolores River, as well as guided rafting, fly fishing tours, hikes, and rock climbing. For a truly breathtaking experience, try Gateway Canyons Air Tours and take a helicopter tour of the surrounding canyons, mountain towns such as Telluride and Aspen, or Arches and Canyonlands national parks.

Driving enthusiasts will find their paradise here thanks to the Driven Experiences luxury driving experience, which features a fleet of cars ranging from Bentleys to Porsches that can be rented for a day of cruising the scenic canyonlands. The resort is quieter in winter, making it the perfect time to explore the rugged red rock canyons on horseback, ATV, or foot.

Spring brings bright, warm, sunny days that are perfect for hiking, cruising the nearby canyons by car, and horseback riding. Summer is the high season at Gateway Canyons, attracting families who come for summer retreats featuring white water rafting, rock climbing, Baja truck driving, ATV riding, nature walks, star gazing, and more. In the fall, guests can take part in the area's new wineries' harvest festivities, including wine tastings and tours arranged by the resort's guest services team.

If you prefer to relax, there are outdoor pools and Jacuzzis where you can soak up the Colorado sunshine and a full-service spa offering everything from thirst-quenching facials to Swedish massage, manicures, and pedicures.

4. Hotel Jerome, Auberge Resorts Collection (Forbes Four-Star)

Hotel Jerome, Auberge Resorts Collection is a luxury landmark located in the heart of chic Aspen. The three-story brick structure, built in 1889 during the state's silver boom, was designed to emulate the great European hotels of that era by visionary Jerome B. Wheeler. Hotel Jerome was a pioneer in innovation, with the only elevator in town and one of the first buildings to have full electric lighting west of the Mississippi.

During the 1950s, this hotel became a popular meeting place for writers, artists, and screen stars like Gary Cooper, Lana Turner, Hedy LaMarr, and John Wayne. Today, Hotel Jerome shines brighter than ever with its contemporary-meets-mountain interior design, excellent services, and ski-season luxuries such as fantastic outdoor Jacuzzis. Located at Main Street, it offers beautiful views of Aspen Mountain and close proximity to restaurants, nightlife, and art galleries.

Over the years, the lodge has gone through several renovations to maintain its high standards. The mountain-modern interiors were most recently reimagined in 2012 by celebrated designer Todd-Avery Lenahan. Hotel Jerome boasts some of the largest rooms in Aspen, starting at 525 square feet, and a newly designed pool and dining terrace that provides more room and easy access to the courtyard. The hotel's spa, located in the basement, offers botanically themed treatments and post-ski massages.

With 101 rooms, this hotel is often fully booked for holidays such as Christmas, New Year's, and Fourth of July. To avoid crowds, plan your stay during Aspen's off-season (fall and spring).

The hotel's hallways perpetually dim the lights to create an effect from the mining era in which the property was built. While some may find this charming, those with sight problems may find it problematic.

5. The Resort at Paws Up (Forbes Four-Star)

Discover Montana's big skies and big views, elevated by The Resort at Paws Up's big adventure experiences. This luxury resort and working cattle ranch covers 37,000 acres in the Blackfoot Valley, only 35 miles northeast of Missoula. With over 10 miles of frontage on the Blackfoot River, which inspired the book and movie "A River Runs Through It," Paws Up satisfies as Montana's luxury adventure headquarters. At Paws Up, camping is nothing short of glamorous, with five campsites overlooking the river.

Customization is key at this camp resort, offering guests the option to divide their vacation stay between three nights of glamping by the riverbank and four nights in a vacation home.

Adventure isn't limited to summer months at this Montana ranch; winter visitors can also get their adrenaline pumping by zooming off in a snowmobile, snowshoeing through the forest, or riding through the meadow in a horse-drawn sleigh. Follow it up by relaxing near the fire pit while the camp chef prepares roasted rainbow trout or chili-dusted Black Angus hanger steak. And, when you're ready for dessert, the camp butler will have your s'mores ready.

The resort provides a compact car for guests to explore its expansive grounds, offering activities such as ATV riding, cattle roundups, water skiing at Seely Lake, and 100 miles of trails to explore—truly endless possibilities. With a menu of activities so comprehensive, guests can speak with a personal concierge during a pre-trip call to plan all of their adventures in advance.

In the winter, add skiing into the mix with a stay at Paws Up's slope-side chalet at nearby Whitefish Mountain Resort. Enjoy included meals at Trough for breakfast and lunch or Pomp for dinner.

Families with children can participate in the Kids Corps of Discovery Adventure program, complete with age-appropriate activities designed to provide the time of their lives without screen time. Little Discoverers (ages 4-5) enjoy pony rides and Western treasure hunts, while Adventure Club participants (ages 6-12) race go-karts and jump into the river from rope swings.

The name "Corps of Discovery" may sound familiar; it's the name that explorers Lewis and Clark gave their expedition that crossed the West to the Pacific. And yes, the duo explored this exact spot.

6. Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection (Forbes Four-Star)

Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection is the perfect luxury summer camp for grown-ups, offering acres of lush outdoor space in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Here, you can unleash your inner adventurer with a variety of activities like golf, horseback riding, fly fishing, sporting clays, tennis, hiking, stargazing, and more.

The Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star hotel's guest rooms have a cozy and rustic feel, while cottages, mountain homes, and even unique tree houses are also available to book, all with stunning views of the mountain landscape.

Indulge in local and seasonal dishes at Elements, and complete your evening with a visit to Primland's observatory dome to catch a glimpse of the stars and planets above. The property's location is surrounded by woods and wildlife, offering incredible views.

The hotel also features a fabulous spa and a chlorine-free pool for ultimate relaxation. Families can enjoy the large patio overlooking the mountains and golf course, and kids will love the staff's s'mores fixings brought out at dusk.

To fully enjoy the property, it's best to grocery shop ahead of time for those staying in a private cottage, as it's a six-mile drive from the Lodge to the property's gates. While rare to see bears, whitetail deer are common, so be watchful while driving and hiking, and be aware of other wildlife, such as snakes.

7. The Cloister (Forbes Five-Star)

Located on the private island of Sea Island, The Cloister has been a beloved retreat for families and outdoor enthusiasts since 1928. The Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star property boasts elegant Spanish-revival architecture, stunning Mediterranean details, and top-notch amenities. Designed by renowned architect Addison Mizner, who also built up Palm Beach, the original hotel still features Turkish rugs and wood-beam ceilings in its rooms.

Guests can indulge in a variety of dining experiences, from casual beachside oysters and cocktail offerings to fresh Southern-influenced cuisine in the grand Georgian Room, the state's only Five-Star restaurant. Sports enthusiasts can enjoy championship golf courses, Har-Tru tennis courts, swimming pools, and an oceanfront basketball court, while relaxation seekers can unwind in the garden atrium of the luxurious Spa at Sea Island, with natural stone, trees, and a man-made creek.

Families will have endless options to keep busy with six swimming pools, beachfront activities, water sports, and the excellent Camp Cloister club. For those seeking even more seclusion, The Sea Island Beach Club offers direct access to the resort's stunning sandy beaches. The Lodge at Sea Island Golf Club, The Cloister's sister property, is just a quick drive away and offers access to Sea Island's legendary golf courses.

The best time to visit The Cloister is between April and June for near-perfect weather. Though guests can cool off in six pools, including two exclusively for adults, or take a dip in the ocean, temperatures can be very warm in July and August. While blizzards are unlikely in the coastal Georgia location, temperatures can drop into the 40s at night from December to February.

8. The Lodge at Sea Island Golf Club (Forbes Five-Star)

Sea Island has become a beloved vacation spot for generations of privileged travelers. The Lodge at Sea Island Golf Club, inspired by European sporting estates, is a luxurious getaway that boasts exceptional tennis and equestrian facilities, three championship golf courses, and tastefully decorated accommodations.

The Lodge's guestrooms in the main Lodge are a sight to behold, with hardwood floors, exposed beam ceilings, and private balconies overlooking the rolling fairways of the Plantation Golf Course, St. Simons Sound, or the Atlantic Ocean. Guests seeking extra elbow room can opt for the newly opened oceanfront cottages, which come with adjoining living rooms.

For more dining choices, guests can check out the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Cloister, a sister property located nearby. It also features the Five-Star Sea Island Spa and access to the superb Sea Island Beach Club.

In 2018, the coastal resort completed a $30 million renovation, which includes six sumptuous cottages, an oceanfront pool, and a pool house. Early in 2019, it unveiled a 17,000-square-foot Golf Performance Center. Later that year, it debuted a complete redesign of its popular Plantation Golf Course. Every room at the hotel comes with a butler who is happy to assist with every need, from pressing shirts and shining shoes to making midnight snacks.

With picturesque views from its rooms, veranda, and plush lawn, this Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotel offers unmatched oceanside play alongside the impeccably manicured courses at the Golf Club at Sea Island. Its style reminds us of an old-school country club, with elegant touches such as hardwood floors, dark wood trim, antiques, oriental rugs, and overstuffed chairs.

The Lodge at Sea Island is perfect for romantic getaways with plenty of snuggle-worthy spots, including wood-burning fireplaces, elegant terraces, and a plush back lawn with lounge chairs that overlook the fairway and the ocean beyond. Each evening, guests are serenaded with traditional tunes by a bagpipe player strolling down to the shoreline before sunset.

The resort also knows how to keep tiny travelers entertained for days with activities ranging from tennis and archery lessons to fishing 101 and kid-focused spa treatments. The Sea Strike & Pub, a six-lane bowling alley, and bar, has recently debuted at the Sea Island Beach Club.

Guests are encouraged to dress the part of country club chic as they explore the resort and its surroundings.