Your information to Trailborn Inns & Resorts

As vacationers more and more search for memorable stays — and infrequently wish to get nearer to nature — many resort rewards applications are incorporating extra outdoorsy lodging. This contains the unbiased Trailborn Inns & 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 reside close by, I made a decision to carry my mother alongside for some mother-daughter bonding time — and I’d return in a heartbeat.

This is what I realized from my keep, and why it’s possible you’ll wish to contemplate reserving a Trailborn property on your subsequent energetic journey or restful retreat (or each).

Associated: Marriott is leaning into the nice open air with new resort assortment and reserving platform

A boutique base camp

Trailborn Inns & Resorts is an unbiased 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 essentially the most extraordinary out of doors locations on this planet.”

Moreover Highlands, these areas 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 photographs 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 points of interest or a handy public transportation system. Quite, anticipate miles of mountain 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 slightly 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 appeal of the encompassing 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 accessible free of charge day use. The end result: I felt like a child on a household street journey, minus the station wagon and musty sleeping bag.

Trailborn Highlands has an inexpensive price ticket to match its down-to-earth vitality. 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 price range 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 varied mountain climbing trails and some minutes’ stroll from the lovable city of Highlands (or you may avail your self of one of many property’s complimentary cruiser bikes).

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A calming retreat

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

The resort’s beautiful indoor seating space was filled with photograph 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 fireplace pit, with s’mores kits accessible 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 reside 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 mountain climbing all day, an hour of rest within the misty mountain air was effectively well worth the added value ($50 per hour for as much as two friends or $75 per hour for as much as 4 friends).

For me, Trailborn Highlands was a great place to attach with each the nice open air and my journey companion. Nonetheless, a number of the gathering areas and actions will not be superb for big teams. And for those who’re searching for extra conventional facilities like a pool, spa, health middle or full breakfast, you may be disenchanted.

A cultural connection

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

Trailborn’s hotel-curated actions are designed to showcase the native tradition, so you will discover totally different choices at every property. Only a few examples: A Grand Canyon helicopter flyover at Trailborn Grand Canyon ($2,793 for as much as seven friends), an aspen and elk images tour at Trailborn Rocky Mountains ($128 per individual) and an oyster roast at Trailborn Surf and Sound ($65 per individual).

Try every resort’s Experiences web page to see what’s accessible, and go to the Area Information web page for mountain 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 strive one of many curated experiences — we have been too busy placing miles on our mountain climbing boots and buying and consuming our approach by way of Highlands. However with so many choices, I do not assume it could be exhausting to fill our time on an extended keep.

Nonetheless, for those who’re a metropolis slicker who prefers museum hopping and superb eating over tramping by way of wilderness, it’s possible you’ll run out of issues to do after a few days.

What Marriott Bonvoy advantages can I get at Trailborn?

Since Trailborn Inns & Resorts joined Marriott Bonvoy earlier this 12 months, you may earn and burn Marriott factors on a keep at considered one 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 straight by way of Marriott or Trailborn channels — so long as you add your Bonvoy quantity to your reserving. You can even redeem Bonvoy factors and free night time certificates for an award keep by way of your Marriott account.

Trailborn properties provide a number of the regular Bonvoy advantages, together with complimentary Wi-Fi for Bonvoy members, Marriott’s Final Reservation Assure, and welcome items for Gold Elite and Platinum Elite members. Nonetheless, some advantages — together with discounted member charges, assured lounge entry, Nightly Improve Awards, On the spot Redemption Awards and 48-hour assured availability — are usually not accessible at Trailborn properties.

So, for those who’re a top-tier elite member, it’s possible you’ll want to remain at a Marriott property the place you may get extra out of your standing.

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Tips on how to get outdoors on factors

Primary 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 approach, you will get effectively beneath our October 2025 valuation of 0.7 cents per Marriott level.

Consequently, this will not be one of the simplest ways to maximise your factors. Plus, some room varieties, like these with fireplaces and balconies, are not accessible to e-book with factors. If money charges are cheap, it’s possible you’ll be higher off reserving a paid stick with among the best Marriott bank cards and incomes factors towards a future redemption.

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

Equally, World of Hyatt added glamping model Underneath Canvas final 12 months, and Hilton Honors added AutoCamp’s assortment of Airstream trailers and different outdoorsy lodging. With so many decisions, it is simpler than ever to earn and burn factors on a nature retreat.

Backside line

Trailborn Highlands offered 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 great place for an outdoorsy household reunion — so long as your loved ones is not too massive.

When you love the nice open air, you would be equally at residence right here on a soothing solo retreat, romantic weekend or end-of-summer household getaway.