Get Away from It All at These Hotels Nestled in Nature

The Sunset Travel Awards celebrate the best in travel in the West. These 14 hotels are the 2026 winners of the Where to Stay: Nearby Nature category. Check out the complete list of winners here. For our definitive and searchable travel directory to help you plan your next trip in the West, click here.

The Wildbirch Hotel

Courtesy of The Wildbirch Hotel

Anchorage’s first upscale boutique hotel in 20 years was well worth the wait. Denali details and local art frame every room. Now the official Iditarod headquarters, it’s a gateway to downtown dining and Alaska’s boundless nature.

Lightwell Hotel & Spa

Courtesy of Lightwell Hotel & Spa

This restored 1904 landmark is Hood River’s first full-service hotel in over a century and now anchors downtown as the town’s unofficial living room. A spa with basalt-backed soaking pool, the town’s only rooftop bar overlooking the Columbia River Gorge, and a historic piano once belonging to Hood River’s first female hotelier remind guests that this building has found its purpose again.

Ofland Escalante

Courtesy of Ofland Escalante

Along Utah’s Scenic Highway 12, Ofland Escalante is glamping done right: mod cabins and Airstreams offering 360 degrees of red-rock views, a drive-in movie theater, pool, hot tub, and spa-quality bathhouses with private outdoor showers. Sure, you come for the nature, but at this property you hardly need to head out to the parks.

Americana Motor Hotel

Courtesy of Americana Motor Hotel

In our fast-paced, tech-connected world, nostalgia travel is having its moment. This mid-century gem in Flagstaff has been revamped with all the modern amenities in mind, while still keeping it retro.

Salish Lodge & Spa

Courtesy of Salish Lodge & Spa

Salish Lodge & Spa, perched above the majestic Snoqualmie Falls, offers a quintessential Pacific Northwest retreat with its breathtaking views. Guests enjoy rooms with fireplaces and soaking tubs, rejuvenating spa treatments, and lush hiking trails, making it an ideal destination for those seeking relaxation and regional authenticity.

AutoCamp Sequoia

Courtesy of AutoCamp Sequoia

AutoCamp’s new Sequoia property takes the brand to a new level, combining the romance of glamping with thoughtful design and proximity to the National Park. The Airstream-style accommodations and curated programming offer you a true forest escape without ever having to “rough it.”

Sunriver Resort

Courtesy of Sunriver Resort

Located in the Cascade foothills, minutes from Mt. Bachelor and Bend, Oregon, Sunriver Resort is a 3,300-acre wilderness retreat celebrating the Pacific Northwest’s diverse natural splendor. Since 1968, guests have reconnected with nature while enjoying world-class resort amenities and mountain-inspired accommodations in “Tree City USA.” Wander 40+ miles of paved trails, observe osprey nesting along riverbanks, or stargaze at Oregon’s first International Dark Sky Place. Thoughtful preservation of wetlands, forests, and wildlife habitats creates a breathtaking backdrop for adventure—kayaking the Deschutes, snowshoeing through meadows, or playing four award-winning golf courses framed by towering pines and Cascade peaks. Savor locally inspired cuisine at 11 dining venues, gather around outdoor firepits, and partake in seasonal traditions from magical sleigh rides to moonlit yoga. Accommodations range from River Lodge and Lodge Village guest rooms to vacation homes with all the comforts of home, including the exclusive residences of Caldera Springs and Crosswater.

Red Cliffs Lodge Zion, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel

Courtesy of Red Cliffs Lodge Zion, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel

Located in the heart of Springdale, Utah, less than a mile from the Zion National Park entrance, Red Cliffs Lodge Zion, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel, is a boutique hotel crafted for the adventure traveler seeking exploration and relaxation. Renovated in fall 2024, the 132-key lodge blends the natural beauty of its surroundings with modern comfort, welcoming visitors to an indoor-outdoor lifestyle with stylish rooms and suites, plus guest amenities like fire pits and a welcoming outdoor pool area and hot tub, all framed by the dramatic red-rock landscape. A social gathering spot for locals and visitors, Red Cliffs Lodge Zion’s signature restaurant Scout Bar & Grill embodies the spirit of adventure, beckoning guests on a culinary journey inspired by gatherings around the campfire.

Riverhouse Lodge

Courtesy of Riverhouse Lodge

Riverhouse Lodge is a scenic, riverfront resort located along the Deschutes River in Bend, Oregon. Known for its relaxed Pacific Northwest atmosphere, it offers comfortable rooms, many with river views or private fire pits, alongside amenities like indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness center, and walking trails. The lodge features on-site dining Currents Restaurant & Lounge with locally inspired cuisine, and is a popular venue for weddings, conferences, and events due to its spacious meeting facilities. Its location provides easy access to downtown Bend, outdoor recreation like hiking and skiing, and nearby golf courses, making it a versatile choice for both leisure travelers and business guests seeking a peaceful yet convenient stay.

Bishop’s Lodge, Auberge Collection

Courtesy of Bishop’s Lodge, Auberge Collection

A legendary landmark reimagined, Bishop’s Lodge, Auberge Collection is a luxurious retreat steeped in heritage in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Set on 317 secluded acres bordering Santa Fe National Forest, and just minutes from downtown, the 98-key resort invites guests to connect with nature through organic adobe architecture that evokes authentic New Mexican charm. The historic retreat offers a wide range of outdoor experiences, including guided hiking, fly fishing on private streams, equine trail rides, archery, birding walks, and mountain biking, providing guests with a deeply immersive connection to the land. SkyFire, led by Executive Chef Manuel Fernandez, introduces a reimagined dinner experience rooted in Southwestern tradition. Guests can also enjoy the property’s wellness sanctuary, Streamdance Spa, which draws on ancient rituals and the healing power of Mother Nature to rejuvenate body and spirit. 

Treebones Resort

Courtesy of Treebones Resort

High above the rugged cliffs of Big Sur, Treebones Resort is a pioneering coastal sanctuary that’s defined luxury glamping since its inception in 2004. Founded by the Handy family with a vision to “perch lightly” on the landscape, the resort balances sustainability with an iconic architectural spirit. Guests can connect with Big Sur’s wild beauty through a stay in the collection of solar-powered yurts, standalone glamping tents, and one-of-a-kind artistic dwellings like the handwoven Nest and custom Treehouse. The culinary program is a major draw: signature restaurant Wild Coast offers an 18-course coastal omakase, with only eight seats available, creating an intimate dining experience. The Lodge serves a four-course garden-to-table menu cooked over a rustic wood fire. This family-centered ethos extends to a live-on-property team that infuses every stay with warmth and sincerity, creating a rare space to unplug and reconnect amid the raw majesty of the Pacific. 

Sky Rock Sedona

Courtesy of Sky Rock Sedona

Perfectly positioned between earth and sky, Sky Rock Sedona celebrates the natural beauty, culture, and coveted energy of Sedona with its artful, sophisticated design and soulful spirit. Redefining the boutique experience following a 2024 reimagination, this modern, 109-room sanctuary offers an unconventional connection to the desert, serving as both an adventurous basecamp and intuitive retreat for the soul. Perched atop a premier vantage point, Sky Rock offers sweeping 360-degree views of Sedona’s iconic Red Rocks. Each guest room serves as a peaceful refuge, blending contemporary comfort with Southwestern inspiration. The hotel’s social heart invites guests to gather for playful cocktails at Bar WooWoo, explore intuitive wonders at The Psychic Shop, and align energetic intentions through shared daily yoga and meditation. Whether hiking nearby trails, embarking on off-road adventures, or unwinding during the hotel’s signature Moonrise Ceremony, Sky Rock Sedona seamlessly connects guests to the natural beauty and energy of the destination.

Enchantment

Courtesy of Enchantment

Nestled amidst the red-rock walls of Boynton Canyon, Enchantment is a 70-acre resort offering a luxury escape with 218 casitas and suites complete with fireplaces, vaulted ceilings, and spacious patios that bring the canyon directly to guests’ front door. A bike-in, bike-out resort, Enchantment pairs its Trail House with unparalleled access to nearly 400 miles of mountain biking and hiking trails along Sedona’s soaring sandstone cliffs and pinyon-juniper forests, plus excursions including rock climbing and day trips to the Grand Canyon. Guests also enjoy access to the destination spa, Mii amo, along with tennis and pickleball courts, two outdoor pools, and a robust lineup of activities—from pottery and watercolor classes at the Artist Cottage to stargazing and Camp Coyote kids club. The resort also highlights regional cuisine across three dining concepts, with advanced reservations available for Hummingbird at Mii amo.

Index Cabins

Courtesy of Index Cabins

Index Cabins is a unique short-term rental experience featuring seven thoughtfully designed cabins from creator and owner Nick Pietsch. Located in Index, Washington, the gated six-acre riverfront property blends modern comfort with an elevated, nature-immersive design for a refined escape rooted in both style and setting. The property offers a range of distinct stays, from the Treeframe Cabin suspended 13 feet above the forest floor, to the Persis Cabin with its scenic riverfront outdoor shower. Surrounded by sweeping mountain views and close access to expansive hiking and outdoor recreation, guests will find no shortage of ways to explore and unwind.