If your next getaway calls for nothing but the best, these five resorts in the USA set the new standard. Think private oceanfront villas, alpine chalets with direct ski access and desert spas. Every detail—from design to service—is meticulously crafted to delight.
In fact, these resorts pair breathtaking locations with world-class amenities. Stays feel as extraordinary as the destinations themselves. Personalized service, curated experiences and settings that highlight their surroundings cater to every luxury traveler.
Whether your perfect indulgence is coastal adventure, alpine serenity or spa-focused restoration, these resorts make it easy to find your ultimate splurge.
Beach, Mountain or Spa? Five Best Resorts in the USA for Every Escape
From sun-soaked shores to snow-capped peaks and serene deserts, these five best resorts in the USA showcase luxury at its finest.
Hawaii
Set on the dramatic Kona-Kohala Coast of the Big Island, Four Seasons Resort Hualālai feels both rooted in Hawai‘i’s natural beauty and elevated to the highest tier of luxury. The resort’s low-slung bungalows sit on ancient lava flows, seamlessly connecting black rock to the turquoise Pacific. Rooms and villas are refined yet relaxed, with private pools, open-air lanais and thoughtful touches that make you forget the outside world.
Moreover, the standout experience is King’s Pond, a 1.8-million-gallon swimmable aquarium. Guests can snorkel alongside hundreds of tropical fish and Kainalu, the resident eagle ray. Beyond that, experiences include a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, knife-forging with a local craftsman and exploring island traditions such as lei-making, ukulele or hula.
Eight pools and a Hawaiian healing spa offer plenty of ways to unwind. Finally, dining lets the flavors and scents of Hawaii unfold across your taste buds, connecting every meal to the island’s bounty.
California Coast
High atop the rugged cliffs of Big Sur, you’ll find Post Ranch Inn. Rooms are tucked into the natural landscape: cliff-houses with sweeping Pacific views, stilted tree houses, grass-roofed Ocean Houses, airy Mountain Houses and the striking “Butterfly” villa. Each space feels intentionally designed so that your first and last moments are with sky, sea, forest and horizon.
There are no TVs or alarm clocks here. The idea is to let the natural rhythms—sunrises, star shows, ocean light—set the pace. Private decks, fireplaces, indoor or outdoor soaking tubs, radiant-heated floors—touches that make the accommodations feel luxurious yet lived-in.
What’s more, Post Ranch Inn stands out for its cliff-top setting. Heated infinity pools, guided nature walks, meditation, yoga, stargazing, garden tours and a spa enhance the stay.
On the sustainability side, you can expect everything from greywater systems and solar panels to native landscaping and low-impact architecture. Seasonal local cuisine and a curated wine list complete the experience.
Mountain & Meadow Magic
Slopeside in Deer Valley, just minutes from Park City proper, Montage Deer Valley is the kind of mountain resort that makes you forget there’s a real world beyond the snow-capped peaks.
With full ski-in/ski-out access, you step right from your door to one of America’s most celebrated ski mountains. Accommodations include refined rooms, suites and private residences that frame sweeping mountain views and invite you to unwind in style.
During winter, skiing, snowshoe treks and tubing on a private hill fill the days (sometimes even alongside Olympians). By contrast, summer brings hiking, biking, fly fishing, horseback rides and curated adventures by Compass Sports.
Spa Montage, Utah’s largest luxury spa, anchors the restful experience with pools, steam rooms and mountain-connected wellness spaces. Dining is equally engaging: from a steakhouse to sushi to a gastropub with a bowling alley.
Desert Dreams & Southwestern Soul
Tucked into the rugged Sonoran Desert northwest of Phoenix is Castle Hot Springs. It’s remote—there’s a 7.2-mile 4-wheel-drive road to get there—and once you arrive, everything is about slowing down.
Natural hot springs and mineral-rich geothermal pools are reserved for overnight guests. Sky View Cabins and Spring Bungalows include private soaking tubs. The Historic Cottage accommodates families or groups, while smaller cabins offer romantic retreats.
Every stay also includes farm-to-table meals, guided desert hikes, e-biking, archery, yoga and immersive hot springs-based spa treatments like Watsu (water + shiatsu massage).
For those seeking more adrenaline, there’s a Via Ferrata course clinging to canyon walls, paddleboard yoga in thermal pools and plenty of desert trails to explore. Quiet, secluded and deeply restorative, this is the kind of resort that rejuvenates body and imagination.
East Coast Elegance & New England Magic
Salamander Resort & Spa feels like a grand countryside escape just an hour from D.C. From the moment you pull into the porte-cochère, you’re welcomed into a world of equestrian style.
The stables and riding trails shape the property’s character. Guests can schedule gentle trail rides or jump lessons. Meanwhile, the expansive spa offers deep respite with body treatments, thermal rooms and serene lounges that make it easy to unwind into the rhythm of the land.
Salamander surprises with treetop zip lines, wellness classes, cycling and signature dining. Ride horses in the morning, relax by the fire in the evening while you sip local wines. You’ll feel part of a genteel, living estate.
Ocean House distills New England elegance on the bluffs of Watch Hill, Rhode Island. Guest rooms, suites and cottages reflect the oceanfront setting with turn-of-the-century aesthetics, custom woodwork and early New England-inspired art.
Daily life is about savoring the coast with morning yoga on the terrace, private beach moments, yachting, bespoke culinary experiences and maybe even an afternoon of cloistered wine education in their Center for Wine & Culinary Arts. As the sun sets, enjoy tea or cocktails on the veranda, watching the Atlantic shift in color.
Snapshot Summary
Five luxury destinations showcase the best resorts in the USA across breathtaking landscapes. Four Seasons Hualālai on Hawaii’s Big Island features a snorkel-ready aquarium and cultural experiences. Post Ranch Inn perches on Big Sur cliffs with eco-conscious tree houses. Montage Deer Valley delivers ski-in/ski-out access and Utah’s largest luxury spa. Castle Hot Springs offers secluded desert wellness with private geothermal pools. Salamander Resort provides equestrian adventures near D.C., while Ocean House captures Victorian coastal elegance.
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