COUGAR RIDGE LODGE

When it comes to escaping the everyday- journeying into the other-worldly landscapes of Utah takes some beating. Cougar Ridge is a ranch retreat set among red sandstone cliffs- sitting pretty as a very luxurious gateway to adventure. At the heart of the property- the Lodge is the perfect place to host a crowd- with four spacious suites- hot tubs- a vast kitchen made for entertaining and a myriad of diversions from pool tables to a bowling alley. A few luxury casitas offer equally lavish accommodation on a slightly less grand scale for couples or smaller groups. Roomy showers- woodburning stoves and jaw-dropping views come as standard. In lieu of a restaurant staff will deliver BBQ-ready packages to your door- so all you have to do is light the grill and crack a cold beer. Or if that sounds too much like hard work a private chef can conjure up frontier-worthy fare while you relax on the deck. Outside the ranch the sandstone bridges- red rock canyons- and movie-set scenery of Capitol Reef National park are yours for the exploring. Saddle-up and take to the trails on horseback- or range even further on a guided tour by Jeep. To up the fun-factor even more- staff can arrange rodeos featuring local cowboys- cook-outs by the firepit- and wine-tasting in the resort s own cellar. Or wrap up warm for a Night Sky Party in nearby Cathedral Valley- named for its castle-like monoliths - for superlative star-gazing and Milky-Way-spotting. Cougar Ridge is a Small Luxury Hotels of the World property.