Looking for something a bit different for your next outdoor escape? Whether you’re into mountains and forests, beaches and volcanoes, or prefer an urban landscape, these one-of-a-kind getaways are guaranteed to inspire you.
A Forest Escape in Quebec
There’s something special about telling friends you’ve stayed in the world’s largest log cabin. Calling 300 acres of peaceful woodland on the banks of the Ottawa River home, Fairmont Le Château Montebello is an elegant retreat for a classic Canadian adventure. You can glide across the water by paddleboard or kayak, challenge friends to a game of croquet or volleyball, and dream of Wimbledon glory on the outdoor tennis courts.
A fabulous 18-hole golf course laid out by acclaimed architect Stanley Thompson offers forested fairways and panoramic vistas. Gentle biking and nature trails wind around the hotel grounds, or you can simply relax in the spa and outdoor pool. From the BRP Experience Center, you can speed across the water on a Sea-Doo or hit the road on a Can-Am Spyder or Ryker three-wheeler. Wrap up your day with a sunset cruise aboard a Sea-Doo Switch pontoon boat.
The resort is also a handy base for exploring the Papineau-Labelle wildlife reserve to the north. Dotted with fishing lakes, this vast park is home to white-tailed deer, moose and beavers.
Gorgeous pink-sand beaches, secluded coves and a tempting list of outdoor activities make Bermuda a perennial destination for those seeking the ultimate island getaway. Since first opening its doors in 1885, Hamilton Princess & Beach Club has been the place to stay, an iconic landmark welcoming celebrities from Princess Louise (Queen Victoria’s daughter) to writer Mark Twain. Guests can unwind in exclusive cabanas at the hotel’s private beach club and explore the sheltered cove by kayak or paddleboard.
A scenic drive along the island’s north shore takes you to Walsingham Nature Reserve, also known as Tom Moore’s Jungle. Criss-crossed with nature trails, this lush protected area is famed for its dramatic caves filled with stalactites and stalagmites. Be sure to go for a swim in the Blue Hole, a strikingly colored mangrove pond. If you’re after a more powerful adrenaline rush, the park has several popular cliff-jumping spots, too.
With an abundance of sunshine, Austin is a year-round choice for outdoor enthusiasts. From exhilarating hikes and mountain bike rides in the Barton Creek Greenbelt to swimming in spring-fed natural pools, there’s plenty of adventure waiting for you within the city limits. Fairmont Austin embraces this outdoor lifestyle with the largest pool in Downtown, a glamorous rooftop complex complete with luxe cabanas, creative cocktails and Latin bites.
One of Austin’s unexpected activities is bat watching. Between late March and early fall, the city hosts a colony of migrating Mexican free-tailed bats that make their home beneath the Congress Avenue Bridge. At sunset, hundreds of thousands of bats swoop out from under the bridge, producing a spectacular show above Lady Bird Lake. For an up-close view, book a boat or kayak tour with Capital Cruises.
Whistler for a Mountain Escape
Whistler’s outdoor experiences are epic. This laid-back mountain town may be renowned for world-class skiing in winter, but summer offers its own charms. When the snow melts, hike extraordinary alpine paths, barrel down gnarly mountain bike trails and whiz over the coastal rainforest by zip line. Or tee off on four outstanding golf courses, including Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club, designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. Pay for one round here, and enjoy unlimited play for the rest of the day if you’re a Fairmont guest. Just remember to keep an eye out for sauntering black bears on the greens.
When summer arrives, Whistler’s lakes are abuzz with activity, drawing picnickers, swimmers and a whole host of watercraft. Fairmont Chateau Whistler’s Experience Guides organize guided paddles to favorite spots including the aquamarine glacial fed waters of Green Lake. Pedal between lakefront parks on the paved Valley Trail network and don’t forget to pack a delectable picnic to go from Portobello to enjoy lakeside.
A Revitalizing Escape in Hawai’i
A Tropical Escape on Maui
In a stunning oceanfront setting on the Kohala Coast of Hawaiʻi Island, Fairmont Orchid is the ideal destination for a restorative getaway. Almost everything happens outdoors here. Begin your day with an early-morning seaside yoga session, followed by a low-impact aqua aerobics class in the pool. Throughout the day, you can enjoy relaxing activities such as hula dancing, traditional canoe rides, or snorkeling among colorful reef fish and Hawaiian sea turtles in Pauoa Bay. And with its open-air thatched hales (huts), the Spa Without Walls is an inspirational venue for a rejuvenating massage and Hawaiian māmaki volcanic mud wrap.
Beyond the resort, experience the reenergizing power of nature at sites like Punaluʻu Beach, famed for its black sands and lounging honu (sea turtles). Alternatively, wonder at the awe-inspiring sight of craters and lava tubes in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
For an idyllic getaway, Maui is hard to beat when it comes to dazzling beaches, jungle-clad peaks and bucolic landscapes. Set within lush gardens on the island’s sunny south shore, the reimagined suites and villas of Fairmont Kea Lani put you just steps from three sensational pools and the golden sands of Polo Beach. Greet the day with a traditional E Ala Ē sunrise ceremony, followed by the Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe Experience, where you will paddle through Maui’s turquoise waters while learning about ancient Hawaiian techniques – and don’t be surprised if you spot honu (sea turtles) and other marine life along the way. A weekly highlight is Sunday brunch at Kō Restaurant, a delicious blend of Hawaiian flavors with Asian and Portuguese influences.
For a thrilling start to your day, take a guided sunrise bike tour down Haleakalā, Maui’s dormant volcano. After driving to the top, you’ll catch the sunrise from the 10,000-ft summit and have a chance to check out the crater. Then you’ll zoom down the mountainside with a local expert, taking in 29 switchbacks and unforgettable views along the way. Bikes, helmets, backpacks and rain gear are all provided.
Ready for your next outdoor escape? Book with Fairmont today.