By Patricia Kaowthumrong
While there’s nothing wrong with being a city slicker, taking a break from the grind of a fastpaced metropolis can do wonders for your mind, body and spirit. Plus, getaways to the country no longer involve old-fashioned accommodations and dull panoramas. Instead, soul-soothing views, endless activities, entertainment options, and plush amenities await at verdant destinations like vineyard-peppered Napa Valley or southwestern Ireland’s emerald hills.
Read about three hotels from the 2015 THOR Hotel Program that are redefining country living and accentuating the breathtaking natural landscapes they inhabit.
River Terrace Inn
Napa, CA
Bucolic beauty and blue skies serve as a backdrop for Napa Valley’s famed wineries and award-winning restaurants. While the region is known for its affluent travel base, the fact that 95 percent of the area’s wineries are family-owned and operated helps Napa Valley maintain a small-town, approachable charm with friendly folks and peaceful landscapes.
Spacious accommodations inspired by the sophistication of the surrounding wine country and a doting staff make the River Terrace Inn the perfect home base for a vineyard-hopping getaway. Gain winery recommendations from the staff, and rent a complimentary bike from the hotel to spend the afternoon tasting wines and exploring nearby trails. Wineries located within 5 miles of River Terrace Inn include Artesa Vineyards & Winery, Domaine Carneros and Trefethen Family Vineyards.
Just minutes from wineries, downtown Napa and Oxbow Public Market, the River Terrace Inn is a charming hideaway surrounded by opportunities to take in the area’s beauty. Room balconies afford gorgeous glimpses of the Napa River and the Oxbow Park Reserve, a riverside hidden gem featuring nature trails and a lovely picnic area — right across the street! Meanwhile, the Petrified Forest’s 3-millionyear- old red woods and the Old Faithful Geyser of California are less than 45 minutes away.
End the day watching the sunset from a patio table at the River Terrace Inn’s Terrace Café, where you can enjoy locally-farmed delights like seafood cioppino and spicy tuna tacos. Live music fills the hotel on Friday and Saturday evenings; be sure to check the hotel’s events calendar for more details.
Don’t Miss: The daily Evening Wine Hour. Mingle with guests from around the world, chat with wine educators and enjoy a complimentary glass of wine.
Atholl Palace Hotel
Pitlochry, United Kingdom
Snuggled at the heart of the rocky Scottish Highlands in Perthshire, the city of Pitlochry is a haven for hikers, history aficionados and those seeking serene pastoral vistas. From easy rambles through lush meadows to challenging uphill ascents, Pitlochry has nearly 41 miles of hiking trails. Also just 75 minutes from Edinburgh, iconic attractions like Edinburgh Castle, National Museum of Scotland and Arthur’s Seat are just a quick jaunt away.
The Atoll Palace Hotel, housed in an impressive Victorian-era masterpiece overlooking Pitlochry, is surrounded by immaculately manicured gardens. Be sure to visit the museum on the garden level when you arrive to get a feel for the hotel’s rich history, which dates back to the 1870’s.
Admire unparalleled outlooks of Ben Vrackie, one of the area’s most famous mountains, or the sprawling Tummel Valley from the hotel’s elegantly furnished rooms. Then, conquer the splendid landscapes on the town’s impressive system of hiking and walking trails — or hit the convenient routes that weave through gardens and wooded areas on the grounds of the Atoll Palace Hotel.
Golf lovers enjoy the hotel’s putting grounds and nine-hole Pitch ‘n’ Putt, the perfect warm up before hitting one of Perthshire’s acclaimed courses. For those who prefer pampering over putting, the Lavender Spa salutes the Atholl Palace Hotel’s origins as a Victorian hydropathic hotel by using ingredients like spring water from Ben Vrackie and Phytomer skincare products made from marine extracts.
At the Verandah Restaurant, chefs combine local produce with the best Scotland fish and game to facilitate unforgettable dining experiences. Enjoy afternoon tea amid views of the Tummel Valley or savor a glass of fine malt whiskey next to a log fire at the Stag’s Head Bar.
Don’t Miss: A stroll through the estate’s gardens. Walking trails take guests through a variety of habitats within 40 acres of greenery, where you can spot wildlife like roe deer, squirrels and many species of birds.
The Europe Hotel & Resort
Killarney, Ireland
Killarney is located in southwestern Ireland at the doorstep of Killarney National Park, home to more than 25,500 acres of diverse woodlands and the largest covering of native forest remaining in Ireland. Aweinspiring sights of waterfalls, sapphire lakes and unspoiled, moss-carpeted forests have beckoned travelers to the area from near and far for more than 250 years.
The Europe Hotel & Resort rakes in praise for its vivid views of the Lakes of Killarney, the Purple Mountains and the adjacent Killarney Golf & Fishing Club. Rooms are plush with lovely, modern décor. Another fantastic panorama can be found at The Panorama Restaurant, where you can savor Irish and international cuisine. Try a platter of Irish cheeses or a selection from the restaurant’s Butcher’s Best section, which features fresh Irish game from local farms.
Whether you’re looking to navigate the postcard-worthy grounds of Killarney National Park or wet your whistle in a local pub, the staff at The Europe Hotel & Resort will be happy to point you in the right direction. For a one-of-a-kind spa experience, make an appointment at the ESPA at The Europe, where ancient therapies and modern treatments are accentuated by calming scenes of the shores of Lough Leane, the largest of the Lakes of Killarney.
Guests at The Europe Hotel & Resort enjoy complimentary indoor tennis and horseback riding on site and preferred tee times and discounts at Killarney Golf & Fishing Club. Anglers can try their hand at hooking wild salmon from the hotel’s private pier; fishing equipment is provided for a small fee, and your catch will be prepared in the kitchen for your dining pleasure at no extra cost.
Don’t Miss: Relaxing in the hotel’s Thermal Suite, where you can lounge in a salt-water pool, lifestyle showers, ice fountain, sauna and steam room.
Whether you’re craving a vino-centered vacation, a chance to ramble through the Scottish Highlands or beautiful vistas of the Irish woodlands, let these hotel’s from the 2015 THOR Hotel Program welcome you to their rustically beautiful destinations.