You may think mountain destinations are just for the rough-and-rugged incentive crowd who come toting ski bags. Sure, those folks love a good mountain venue—but so do incentive winners who’d rather soak in a spa than hit the slopes. Here are a few ideas for those who want to provide a true peak experience for their group events, from the Canadian Rockies in Alberta to the Appalachians in Asheville.
For a Western mountain adventure with an urban flair, The Grand America Hotel is both within walking distance of Salt Lake City’s shopping, nightlife and restaurants, and a less-than-40-minute drive from several of Utah’s world-class ski resorts. The Grand America was built in the early-2000s to accommodate global guests visiting Utah for the 2002 Winter Olympics, designed to combine old-world craftsmanship, charm and hospitality with today’s modern conveniences. Its 775 luxurious rooms include 396 suites and 379 premier rooms, all furnished with handmade, French-style furniture and featuring spacious, spa-like bathrooms made from Italian marble. Speaking of spas…the hotel’s 20,000-sf The Grand Spa is Salt Lake City’s only certified Forbes Five Star spa.
The hotel also has 100,000 sf of indoor and outdoor meeting and events spaces in 24 meeting and event venues, including elegant ballrooms featuring soaring ceilings and Murano glass chandeliers, as well as state-of-the-art meeting rooms. Planners also have access to professional, in-house catering and A/V teams.
For an indulgent treat, groups can reserve a spot at The Grand America’s Afternoon Tea, held daily in the Lobby Lounge. In addition to an inviting spread of daily teas and finger sandwiches, guests can partake in scones, pastries and macarons as they listen to relaxing live harp or piano music.
Banff National Park—Canada’s first national park—draws visitors from all over the world to experience the luxury of fresh air, glacial lakes, wildlife sightings and immersing in nature. And, of course, to experience a bit of adventure.
There is no shortage of ultra-luxe accommodations, including the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs—a world-class resort with 739 guest rooms and suites, superbly appointed accommodations and attentive, personalized service. Then there’s the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, which is currently undergoing renovations to create a state-of-the-art eco-friendly Thermal Wellness Facility and improve its guest rooms. The historic five-star resort is nestled amid mountain peaks, the majestic Victoria Glacier and a glistening emerald lake.
While hiking, biking, skiing, golf and other group activities abound, there are plenty of more adventurous options. For example, groups can visit some of Banff’s most iconic viewpoints and attractions in a luxurious Open Top vintage-inspired coach. The tours include rich characters, fascinating stories, gorgeous views and photo opportunities at every turn.
These buses can be used as a method of transferring delegates as well. For example, guests can be picked up from their hotel in Banff and driven up to the Banff Gondola. From there they can take the 8-minute gondola ride up to the top of Sulphur Mountain for spectacular 360-degree views of the national park and partake of some wine and cheese as well thanks to Sky Bistro, which can cater to all group sizes.
For a wintertime treat, groups can take a sleigh ride along the edge of frozen Lake Louise, staying cozy under a warm blanket. For a true Western Canadian experience, take a ride to the Brewster Dance Barn for a night of BBQ and line dancing. Or groups can take the Johnston Canyon Icewalk, led by Discover Banff Tours. The walk takes you through a natural cave to gaze down at the frozen lower falls up close before continuing onto the spectacular upper falls—a glittering tower of ice that rises 30 meters. Another cool, can’t-miss Banff National Park experience is a dog sled tour in Lake Louise with Kingmik or Snowy Owl.
“While all these iconic experiences can be enhanced to include libations, delicious food or snacks, to us, a luxury experience means much more. It’s creating an opportunity for delegates to forge a deep connection with the land and be immersed in nature. This sets Banff and Lake Louise apart from other incentive destinations,” says Mariana Shackleton, Sr. Manager, Business Events, Banff & Lake Louise Tourism.
“We’re seeing that today’s high-end clientele equates ‘luxury’ to experiences that are authentic and unexpected. Asheville presents endless opportunities for groups to connect over discovery and inspiration, through its breathtaking surroundings, rich history and ever-evolving creative scene,” says Connie Holliday, Explore Asheville’s Director of Sales.
From a sprawling resort overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains to art deco high-rises downtown, Asheville’s luxury accommodations offer an inspiring backdrop for a world-class event. For more than a century, the Omni Grove Park Inn has remained one of North Carolina’s most beloved resorts. Its 43,000-sf subterranean spa, which is available for group bookings, boasts eucalyptus steam rooms, therapeutic waterfalls and an oversized, mountain-view hot tub. The resort also features 50 outstanding meeting spaces. More history is in store at Zelda Dearest, a boutique hotel named for Zelda Fitzgerald, who summered in Asheville back in the day. The property, developed under a license with the estate of F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, is available for buyouts and features an outdoor event space with patio, gardens and fire pits.
Another standout accommodation is The Foundry Hotel, located in Asheville’s historic Black business district “The Block.” The building, originally Asheville Foundry & Supply Co., once forged steel for some of the city’s most famous locations, including the Biltmore Estate. Groups can gather in three unique venue spaces, including the event outdoor lawn, ideal for a casual company picnic or cocktail soiree. The 71-room, Prohibition-themed Flat Iron hotel features a rooftop bar and a hidden speakeasy. The historic building boasts more than 7,000 sf of elegant event space.
Then there’s The Radical, a bold new boutique hotel awash in graffiti art in the River Arts District neighborhood. The creative adaptive reuse project breathes new life into a historic factory, and includes a rooftop bar, The Roof (capacity 165), the Golden Hour restaurant (160), as well as a private bar, exclusively available to group room block reservations.
Asheville’s blend of rugged natural beauty and creative scene offer luxury travelers one-of-a-kind experiences that foster connection. Several hotels and venues offer tailored experiences for groups, partnering with local talent to provide an authentic “insider experience” that makes attendees feel like VIPs. From mixology classes at The Foundry Hotel to wild food foraging experiences at the Grove Park Inn to private photo shoots on the Blue Ridge Parkway coordinated by The Grand Bohemian, there’s no shortage of cool activities for groups. Another fun option is available at Citizen Vinyl, a record pressing factory, cafe and recording studio where guests can press their own record. Citizen Vinyl’s downtown main cafe space accommodates 250, and its upstairs recording studio can also be reserved for an intimate gathering of 20.
There’s also plenty of exclusive experiences to be had at the opulent, historic Biltmore Estate, from a 2-hour guided evening tour of Biltmore House and private rooftop reception to Land Rover driving experiences.
Groups also can bond by exploring the great outdoors, including forest bathing and yoga with Namaste In Nature and off-roading through rugged mountain terrain just 20 miles north of Asheville in Barnardsville, courtesy of Adventure Center of Asheville. The Center also provides retreats, incentive trips and meetings, plus tent rentals, decor and amenities for private events up to 150 people.
Holliday sums it up by saying, “In Asheville, luxury experiences aren’t just an indulgence, they’re a draw that promise to elevate meetings and events to new heights.”
“Western Montana is not just a destination; it’s an immersive experience. Its picturesque settings are the backdrop to corporate incentive meetings or leadership retreats that transcend beyond the ordinary, leaving an indelible mark on all who visit with its beautiful landscapes. It really is nature at its finest. Add in the luxury accommodations, personalized service, and meticulous attention to detail at our finest resorts, which make for an unforgettable event and cherished memories,” says Debbie Picard, Director of Sales, Glacier Country Regional Tourism Commission.
One to try is The Resort at Paws Up, located in Greenough, which offers a mix of luxury and unspoiled wilderness on its 37,000 acres featuring 27 luxury homes and 36 glamping tents. Glamping camps come with their own butler, and the world-class chefs make every meal a world-class experience. Guests can choose from once-in-a-lifetime wilderness adventures along 100 miles of trails and 10 miles of the Blackfoot River, including a cattle drive, white-water rafting and fly-fishing. The Green O is a resort-within-a-resort boasting 12 secluded luxury homes nestled in the timbers at Paws Up Ranch, offering a retreat for groups looking for a blend of serenity and adventure. Located at the center of the resort, the Social Haus offers soaring windows open to the outdoors and an elaborate multi-course meal every single night.
An adults-only option can be found at the Triple Creek Ranch, which offers private luxury log cabins in its all-inclusive Relais & Chateaux experience in the magnificent Bitterroot Mountain Range in Darby. Group activities range from frontier skills at the logging camp to a Lewis & Clark trail ride and fly-casting lessons.
If your group is looking for a classic Montana experience with a luxe twist, check out The Ranch at Rock Creek, the world’s first five-star guest ranch. From forest bathing to downhill skiing at the local resort to plein-air painting with the artist in residence, the Ranch at Rock Creek offers a robust outdoor activities program paired with impeccable service. The resort is all-inclusive, but additional ranch services such as private rodeos or group mind and body sessions can be added.
For over 200 years, the 710-room Greenbrier has been welcoming groups of all scopes to its 11,000-acre playground in the Alleghany Mountains of West Virginia for iconic, one-of-a-kind experiences. With over 250,000 sf of meeting and event space, there are endless options to create a new experience every day of your event.
The Greenbrier is full of iconic features twhat will have your guests talking about the event for years to come. Every room is completely different with vibrant Dorothy Draper decor. There are 55 activities on property, including a tour of the Decommissioned Congressional Bunker, which can host a meeting as well. The resort has an in-house team whose goal is to make the planner’s job easy.
The newest addition to The Greenbrier is the Creekside Gardens, an event venue located in the center of the golf course, adjacent to everyone’s favorite Howard’s Creek Lodge. Guests can dine on a curated custom, multi-course meal under a stunning pergola through the center of the culinary team’s garden.
“The Greenbrier has been fortunate enough to have a rich history of hosting events for hundreds of years. [We offer] a vast array of unique meeting and event venues and endless activities,” says Hayden Jones Riesen, Director of National Sales, The Greenbrier.
grandamerica.com/meetings-events; banfflakelouise.com/business-events; exploreasheville.com/meeting-planners; meetings.glaciermt.com; greenbrier.com/gather/meetings