Over the past decade, Executive Chef Ben Jones has cooked up creative culinary experiences for remote, high-end mountain properties.
Sage Lodge, located 30 miles north of Yellowstone National Park in Pray, Montana, is the latest resort to tap into chef Ben Jones’ talents, bringing him on board in October 2021 to oversee two restaurants, create memorable culinary experiences, and elevate catering services for meetings and events.
Outdoor fun in the mountains unites groups in a spectactular fashion.
More now than ever, planners are seeking ways to get groups outside, and wellness trends in the industry are pushing meetings from being staid to energetic. As coworkers and colleagues come together after months in home offices, gathering in the mountains is both visually appealing and full of adventure. Get your groups to mix, mingle, and try something new together with these outdoor activities.
Paddle, Hike, and Soak
Go back in time with barbecue dinners out on the range.
Buffalo Bill Center of the West - Cody, Wyoming
Gather around the table, sample delicious local cuisine, and marvel at the astonishing scenery of the U.S. Mountain West.
Molly Smith and Kristen Snavely have been named co-general managers of Triple Creek Ranch, an all-inclusive luxury ranch resort in Montana’s Bitterroot Valley. Smith is returning to Triple Creek Ranch after a brief hiatus. Previously serving as general manager for four years after working her way up from pastry chef, she has since perfected her skills at The Inn at Hastings Park in Massachusetts, another Relais & Châteaux property.
Global hospitality company Benchmark Pyramid has assumed management of Riverhouse on the Deschutes in Bend. With the Deschutes River as its backdrop, the 221-room hotel features Oregon’s largest convention center east of the Cascades and accommodates up to 1,600 guests. The property was awarded Silver LEED status by the U.S. Green Building Council. Guests can taste foods from the Pacific Northwest at CURRENTS, the hotel’s signature restaurant, and enjoy sustainably driven wellness treatments at Drift Spa.
The six-story Senna House, a Curio Collection by Hilton, opened in December and features 169 guest rooms, 4,200 square feet of meeting and event space, the rooftop Sonora Swim Club, and views of the mountain surroundings and Old Town Scottsdale. Senna House is the first hotel to open in Scottsdale’s Entertainment District since 2008. hilton.com
Located in Peoria west of Lake Pleasant, Quintero Golf Club has introduced new luxury condominiums conveniently located near the pool, jacuzzi, and barbecue entertainment area. Groups that plan an event at the club and want to stay overnight or have a hospitality suite can book the lower-level Terrace Casitas with two spacious primary suites, two full bathrooms, and private patios. The second-level Executive Loft provides more ample space with two primary suites, two-and-a-half baths, a fully equipped kitchen, and a private balcony. Quintero Golf Club has been recognized as the No.
Tucked along the banks of Oak Creek Canyon in Sedona, Amara Resort and Spa recently wrapped up a multimillion-dollar renovation that upgraded all 100 guest rooms, public spaces, Amara Spa, SaltRock Southwest Kitchen, and 5,000 square feet of meeting and event space. The aim was to create a tree-lodge aesthetic that plays off the surrounding red rocks and brings the outdoors in through the five elements of nature: earth, wood, metal, fire, and water.
What happens when several prominent Santa Fe residents come together to revive a historic railroad? In this case, it’s something special in the form of Sky Railway, which launched in December and was born from the ashes of the Santa Fe Southern, which stopped running in 2012.
