If you’re a meeting planner looking for it all under one roof, destination resorts may prove to be the perfect one-stop shops.
Typically, meeting planners feel the pressure of picking the right destination on one shoulder and the right host property on the other. But in some cases, the property is the destination, offering the whole meetings package onsite, down to the local experiences attendees are looking for.
Here are three destination resorts that serve as one big events campus, and some of their authentic destination experiences for groups who want to make the most of it all.
Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa
With 405 acres along the banks of the Lower Colorado River to explore, Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa is a destination in its own near Austin’s Hill Country, offering groups a selection of true, Texas-style activities.
The AAA Four Diamond resort features 490 ranch-style guest rooms and suites and more than 300,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space. The recently opened Riverbend Barn has more than 6,000 square feet of space for up to 450 guests, vaulted ceilings, exposed beams and expansive windows framing the scenic landscape.
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When meetings end and groups have a chance to see what all 405 acres of Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa has to offer, some immersive destination activities include:
- Learn to Lasso: Rooted in the practical tradition of cattle herding, lassoing has long been used in Texas ranching and continues today through rodeo and competitive roping. Guests receive guided instruction from professional, competitive ropers and practice on model steers designed to replicate the movement of Texas longhorns. The 60-90-minute activity is available year-round for groups of 12 or more and is priced at $650 and up, or $45 per person.
- Float the Colorado: Paddle downstream on the Colorado River in a raft that accommodates up to 12 guests. The route passes through the Lost Pines area, with opportunities to see native plants and local wildlife along the way. This 90-120-minute activity is best enjoyed between March and October and is priced at $65 per person.
- Renegade Horseback Riding: The Renegade Trail Ride is a guided horseback ride through the Hill Country landscape surrounding Hyatt Regency Lost Pines, offering a way to experience the Central Texas setting from horseback. Available year-round for groups of 12, this activity lasts for one hour and costs $125 per person.
- Renegade Tomahawk & Archery: This tomahawk-throwing experience introduces guests to a traditional skill rooted in Central Texas’ frontier with guided instruction and time for individual practice. Located a short walk from the lobby, the 60-minute activity reflects the Lost Pines region’s outdoor heritage and offers a hands-on way to engage with the destination year-round. Groups of 16 or more guests can book the experience, and prices vary.
Paws Up Montana
In Greenough, Montana, roughly 30 miles from downtown Missoula, 37,000 acres make up the luxury ranch and resort Paws Up Montana.
The property has a total of 76 cabin-style accommodations, including 28 luxury homes, 36 tents across six camps and 12 houses at Green O, the adults-only section of the resort.
At Paws Up Montana, meeting space is rather “nontraditional” and totals to nearly 60,000 square feet, surrounded by thousands of acres for outdoor meetings. The resort also offers more Western adventures and activities than any other ranch resort in Montana, providing a menu of options for groups big or small.
Highlights include:
- Blackfoot River Float: Offered in the summer, this gentle, scenic journey winds through iconic Montana landscapes, under banks and sandstone cliffs, for a three-hour float with frequent wildlife sightings that often include bald eagles and deer.
- Horseback Riding: Offered year-round, groups can choose from 1-Hour Trail Rides, 2-Hour Trail Rides and 3-Hour Advanced Rides, enjoying scenic views of the forests, meadows and Blackfoot River.
- Dogsledding: In the winter, groups can opt for a one-hour dogsled tour in which they socialize with the dogs before being hooked up and taken on a ride through Montana’s wilderness. Those with a bit more energy can opt for the two-hour Iditarod experience, where attendees participate in the dogsled tour and have the opportunity to learn how to drive a sled themselves.
- Cross-Country Skiing: For this winter activity, Paws Up guides outfit attendees with the best equipment and lead them through conifers freshly dusted in white powder for a two-hour experience surrounded by the snow-blanketed Montana wilderness.
- Chuck Wagon Dinner: In the summer, larger groups can gather along the banks of the Blackfoot River for an Old West-inspired chuck wagon dinner. This unique communal dining experience offers a true taste of the American West with elevated campfire cooking, live music and a game of horseshoes.
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To provide the safest and most personalized experience for guests, activity maximums typically range from four to 12 people. Paws Up Montana is happy to discuss flexing on certain maximums where possible.
JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa
Set on the shore of the Caribbean, JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa is a beachfront escape featuring 450 rooms, each with a private balcony and boasting stunning ocean views.
The property offers more than 40,000 square feet of versatile indoor and outdoor event space, including a grand garden capable of hosting more than 2,500 guests. The resort also stands out for its unique “hidden treasure” venues: distinctive spaces that encourage networking in unexpected settings, thus redefining the meeting experience and in-person connection.
The resort’s 35,000-square-foot Sens-Yah Spa occupies three floors with towering floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the azure waters of the Caribbean.
Immersive destination experiences include:
- Mexican Hidden Secret La 16: Hidden speakeasys are all the rage, and the JW Cancun is no exception. Its La 16 Speakeasy: A Hidden Mexican Experience reveals a secret world of mezcal craft cocktailing in a curated setting designed in loving detail to reflect the local tequila culture.
- JW Garden Group Experience: Groups of up to 30 can immerse themselves in the local flora to hand-pick fresh herbs to craft their own signature cocktail or mocktail under the tutelage of the resort’s chefs and bartenders. This experience often precedes dine-arounds or other F&B programs at one or all of the property’s five dining venues.
