Your information to Trailborn Resorts & Resorts

As vacationers more and more search for memorable stays — and infrequently need to get nearer to nature — many resort rewards applications are incorporating extra outdoorsy lodging. This consists of the impartial Trailborn Resorts & Resorts journey lodge model, now a part of Marriott Bonvoy.

I not too long ago had an opportunity to spend two nights at Trailborn Highlands, situated within the small mountain city of Highlands, North Carolina, roughly a three-hour drive from each Atlanta and Charlotte. Since my dad and mom dwell close by, I made a decision to carry my mother alongside for some mother-daughter bonding time — and I might return in a heartbeat.

Here is what I realized from my keep, and why chances are you’ll need to contemplate reserving a Trailborn property to your subsequent lively journey or restful retreat (or each).

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A boutique base camp

Trailborn Resorts & Resorts is an impartial model that not too long ago signed a strategic settlement with Marriott Bonvoy. In line with the model’s web site, “Each Trailborn is a seamlessly curated jumping-off level to probably the most extraordinary out of doors locations on the planet.”

Moreover Highlands, these places are:

• Estes Park, the gateway city to Colorado’s Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park
• Wrightsville Seashore on the North Carolina seaside
• Williams, Arizona, close to Grand Canyon Nationwide Park’s South Rim
• Mendocino, a coastal city in northern California (coming quickly)
• Jackson Gap, a mountain city in Wyoming (coming quickly)

If the phrase “journey lodge” conjures pictures of bare-bones cabins in the course of nowhere, assume once more. Every Trailborn property is a one-of-a-kind boutique resort in a (comparatively) central location.

On this case, “central” does not imply you will discover big-name sights or a handy public transportation system. Moderately, anticipate miles of climbing trails, different out of doors actions and charming small cities to discover.

When my mother and I reached the tip of our meandering drive from Asheville, North Carolina (Google Maps predicted an hour and 40 minutes, however the curvy mountain roads took us a little bit longer), we discovered an unassuming 63-room, two-story constructing tucked behind a stand of timber on the outskirts of Highlands. Stuffed with earth tones, pure supplies and midcentury-modern furnishings, the property’s inside echoed the pure magnificence and backcountry attraction of the encircling Blue Ridge Mountains.

The lodging felt fashionable and stylish, but low-key. Our room was small however thoughtfully designed to the smallest element, from the ornamental quilts and air conditioner cowl to the linen spa robes and cooler bag out there totally free day use. The consequence: I felt like a child on a household street journey, minus the station wagon and musty sleeping bag.

Trailborn Highlands has an reasonably priced price ticket to match its down-to-earth power. Our queen balcony room, which included two queen beds and a personal balcony, begins at $158 per night time this fall. Nonetheless, you will additionally have to finances for a rental automobile.

The resort’s location was simply distant sufficient to really feel like a slice of paradise whereas nonetheless providing loads of issues to do. It is inside a 20-minute drive of assorted climbing trails and some minutes’ stroll from the lovable city of Highlands (or you possibly can avail your self of one of many property’s complimentary cruiser bikes).

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A soothing retreat

Trailborn Highlands additionally offers gathering areas to assist visitors unwind with their companions — or meet new buddies — after a day of journey.

The resort’s beautiful indoor seating space was full of picture books and vintage-style board video games, in addition to complimentary tea, espresso and pastries at breakfast. The out of doors space provided picnic tables, cornhole and a hearth pit, with s’mores kits out there for buy on the small on-site grab-and-go market.

Sadly, we did not go to on a Thursday, when Trailborn Highlands hosts weekly dwell music and drinks. We did get an opportunity to take a look at the indifferent Highlands Supper Membership, a country log cabin serving Southern consolation meals.

We additionally made time to go to the out of doors Nordic spa, which features a wood-fired sauna, chilly bathe and personal fireplace pit. After climbing all day, an hour of leisure within the misty mountain air was nicely well worth the added price ($50 per hour for as much as two visitors or $75 per hour for as much as 4 visitors).

For me, Trailborn Highlands was a super place to attach with each the good outside and my journey companion. Nonetheless, among the gathering areas and actions might not be perfect for big teams. And if you happen to’re on the lookout for extra conventional facilities like a pool, spa, health middle or full breakfast, you is perhaps upset.

A cultural connection

Moreover the facilities I discussed above, Trailborn Highlands provides curated experiences. Many of those are nature-focused, corresponding to fly fishing (from $300), mountaineering (from $295) and forest bathing with an authorized forest remedy information ($50 per particular person). However there are just a few less-outdoorsy choices, corresponding to a wood-burning reducing board workshop ($75 per particular person) and dinner and a present in Highlands ($200).

Trailborn’s hotel-curated actions are designed to showcase the native tradition, so you will discover completely different choices at every property. Just some examples: A Grand Canyon helicopter flyover at Trailborn Grand Canyon ($2,793 for as much as seven visitors), an aspen and elk pictures tour at Trailborn Rocky Mountains ($128 per particular person) and an oyster roast at Trailborn Surf and Sound ($65 per particular person).

Try every resort’s Experiences web page to see what’s out there, and go to the Area Information web page for climbing trails, eating spots and different suggestions within the space.

On my two-day journey with my mother, we did not get an opportunity to attempt one of many curated experiences — we have been too busy placing miles on our climbing boots and procuring and consuming our manner by Highlands. However with so many choices, I do not assume it might be onerous to fill our time on an extended keep.

Nonetheless, if you happen to’re a metropolis slicker who prefers museum hopping and tremendous eating over tramping by wilderness, chances are you’ll run out of issues to do after a few days.

What Marriott Bonvoy advantages can I get at Trailborn?

Since Trailborn Resorts & Resorts joined Marriott Bonvoy earlier this yr, you possibly can earn and burn Marriott factors on a keep at one in every of these adventurous properties.

Bonvoy members can earn 10 base factors per greenback spent, in addition to elite night time credit towards Marriott standing, when reserving instantly by Marriott or Trailborn channels — so long as you add your Bonvoy quantity to your reserving. It’s also possible to redeem Bonvoy factors and free night time certificates for an award keep by your Marriott account.

Trailborn properties provide among the standard Bonvoy advantages, together with complimentary Wi-Fi for Bonvoy members, Marriott’s Final Reservation Assure, and welcome presents for Gold Elite and Platinum Elite members. Nonetheless, some advantages — together with discounted member charges, assured lounge entry, Nightly Improve Awards, Immediate Redemption Awards and 48-hour assured availability — aren’t out there at Trailborn properties.

So, if you happen to’re a top-tier elite member, chances are you’ll favor to remain at a Marriott property the place you will get extra out of your standing.

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Tips on how to get outdoors on factors

Fundamental rooms at Trailborn Highlands begin at $140 or 41,000 Marriott factors per night time this fall, although charges can go as excessive as $400 or 75,000 factors on weekends subsequent Might. Both manner, you will get nicely beneath our October 2025 valuation of 0.7 cents per Marriott level.

In consequence, this might not be one of the simplest ways to maximise your factors. Plus, some room sorts, like these with fireplaces and balconies, are not out there to e book with factors. If money charges are affordable, chances are you’ll be higher off reserving a paid stick with among the finest Marriott bank cards and incomes factors towards a future redemption.

Trailborn is not the one factors resort model taking visitors outdoors. Marriott Bonvoy additionally not too long ago built-in Postcard Cabins, a group of over 1,200 absolutely outfitted tiny cabins, all nestled within the nice outside however inside a two-hour drive of main cities.

Equally, World of Hyatt added glamping model Beneath Canvas final yr, and Hilton Honors added AutoCamp’s assortment of Airstream trailers and different outdoorsy lodging. With so many selections, it is simpler than ever to earn and burn factors on a nature retreat.

Backside line

Trailborn Highlands supplied loads of actions for me and my mother, each on-site and off, with a slower tempo and extra informal environment than you’d discover at a metropolis resort or spa resort. Between that and the nostalgic vibe, it appeared a super place for an outdoorsy household reunion — so long as your loved ones is not too huge.

For those who love the good outside, you would be equally at dwelling right here on a calming solo retreat, romantic weekend or end-of-summer household getaway.