Imagine you’re in the woods surrounded by acres of grasslands on one side and forested mountains on the other, the sound of a river only steps away and the occasional bunny or deer running by. You’ve just returned from your all-day adventure or spa treatment and your driver drops you off at your tent. Your tent has a bathroom with hot running water and heated floors, AC or heat on demand (depending on the season), a luxuriously soft king bed, heated blankets and towels, a butler on stand by, concierge staff just waiting for your messages, and a chef ready to cook your dinner. That’s what it’s like when you stay at The Resort at Paws Up in one of their camps. You aren’t just camping, you are most certainly glamping — the best camping experience you could have.

Your adventures could be skeet shooting, ATV riding, rappelling down a cliff, whitewater rafting, hot air ballooning, a horse drawn carriage ride, go-karting or paint balling; they have it all at the resort. You almost never have to leave the 37,000 acre ranch if you don’t want to. The only exception would be if your excursion swept you away to enhance your Montana experience, like seeing Glacier National Park from a helicopter. If you don’t see an activity listed or an amenity in your tent, just ask and Paws Up will provide you with an exceptional solution.

Smelling of delightfully scented soaps and full from the most deliciously cooked meal, you sit by the campfire enjoying laughs and wine. You wait just a few minutes for your s’mores to be cooked to perfection, your butler there to help with any troubles or wants you may have. You think you might be dreaming, but you haven’t even gone to bed yet. It’s the perfect holiday. You’ll never think of camping the same way. Paws Up is the experience of a lifetime (or one that you’ll want to repeat every year, and bring your friends with you so they too can sit by the campfire and take in all the beauty that Montana and Paws Up has to offer).

If camping really isn’t your thing there are houses for rent with your own private car to get around the property. If you have kids, no worries — Paws Up has activities just for them and provides day care too. Every detail has been thought of for the most comfortable stay possible.

 
Asheville, rich in history and fun experiences, is a bustling foodie city with so many new places opening all the time. For those looking for a more peaceful oasis just outside the city centre, Biltmore Village offers an entrance to a more luxurious escape.

From arrival at the Biltmore gate the customer service astounds. You receive a custom certificate with your name on it and directions to the inn. The road to the inn winds through fields, trees, lakes and bamboo, transporting you to another land. It’s as if you are in a fairy tale and you are the star.

When we approached the inn the staff were eager to assist us with our bags and get us checked in as soon as possible with all that extra Vanderbilt care. The lobby and dining room are quite grand. The view is even better. The time of day and the changing seasons make it a great view whenever you go. Besides the other people staying at the inn, the hotel is very private from the rest of the world. There are miles of grounds (8,000 acres) you can explore on foot, by bike or car.

The inn is nestled near a small village, Antler Hill, that consists of restaurants, a petting zoo, a winery and shopping. As if all this is not enough, you can also tour America’s largest private residence, the Biltmore Estate. A tour of the winery and complimentary wine tasting included with Biltmore Estate admission, which I highly recommend.

If I lived closer I would definitely buy an annual pass to the grounds. I would enjoy seeing the sunflowers bloom, the corn growing and the leaves changing. I saw just a moment of time in the late summer season and I know it would be amazing year-round.

 
Designed with the Millennial customer in mind, this boutique hotel sacrifices ultra-luxury amenities for a more social and connected atmosphere. The entire property has free wi-fi, and the rooms have multiple plug options for travelers with various devices. Fun at this hotel starts in the lobby, where guests can enjoy a free pool table, open lounging, a 24-hour grab-and-go café, a unique bar that hides booze behind panels that spin around, a scrolling news ticker, and a relaxing fireplace. The lounge atmosphere continues into an outdoor space perfect for parties. The lobby also offers touch-screen kiosks that display local information and can access email, so guests are always in the know about area happenings.

The rooms themselves have comfortable platform beds and large windows, high ceilings, and urban-inspired modernist décor. The bathrooms are sleek and modern, with walk-in showers, oversized showerheads, and luxury spa bath amenities. Every room has a mini fridge and coffee and tea station. The gym and pool are a little small, but have what it takes to get the job done. Families with kids and with pets receive special gifts for their smaller companions.

Location is king at Aloft. The hotel is the only one in the area connected to MB Financial Park, a major entertainment district. Plus, O’Hare airport is nearby and the hotel offers a free shuttle, so it’s ideal for travelers overnighting on a layover. A short drive away, guests can find the convention center, a designer mall, and a sports arena and theater.

 
We stepped into the hotel lobby and we instantly felt luxurious! The air con hit our faces and we were pleased to escape the Nevada sun. If you are particularly looking for luxury in Vegas, then this is your place. We only had three words repeatedly gasped during our stay here: Amazing. Stunning. Classy.

The customer service we received, from everyone from the waiters to the concierge, was top of the league with no detail too small. The Aria Resort and Casino is one of many hotels on the Vegas strip but what really sets the Aria aside from the others is its affordable pricing for the quality you receive.

We entered our room on the 52nd floor and the size was exceptional. Sean loved the state of the art technology throughout the room that allowed you to control every aspect, ranging from lighting to the TV to opening the curtains. Overall, we were impressed with the high class facilities.

Which brings me to the next fantastic aspect of the Aria, and that was the view that we were privileged to witness throughout our stay. We had stunning views of Vegas that were frankly quite mesmerising. Be sure to ask for a room high up if possible, the view of Vegas lit up is one not to be missed!

The Aria boasts 16 unique restaurants so we had a hard time choosing where to go! (We recommend you sample the epic pancakes at Jean Philippe Patisserie). We tried all three of their distinctive pools that vary in entertainment factor (one pool had top DJs playing all day).  At night, we checked out the Cirque du Soleil show ‘Zarkana’ which was a phenomenal performance, ending the night in the busy but relaxed casino.

The location is perfect for wandering along the strip and they have prompt services for hiring cars and ordering a taxi should you wish to roam Vegas aimlessly (which we did!).

The Aria had everything we were looking for. We ate, swam, shopped, sunbathed, gambled, and relaxed to our hearts’ desire. If you need anything extra, literally all you have to do is ask.

The hotel recently received the Forbes 5 star award for 2015.  In our humble opinion, it’s not hard to see why.