From hotels exuding a Very Ralph aesthetic to those offering American West-style experiences like horseback riding, hotels and resorts are embracing the Wild West
With the popularity of the TV series Yellowstone, Pharrell Williams’s rodeo-themed men’s collection for Louis Vuitton and the announcement of Beyonce’s release date for her upcoming country-themed album, ‘Act II’, there’s no doubt the western-style aesthetic is having a moment. In the world of hotels and resorts, too, properties are popping up showcasing a decidedly Wild West aesthetic. Here is our pick of the crop.
Caldera House
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
USA
A boutique hotel cradled between the mountainscapes of Jackson Hole in Teton Village, Wyoming, Caldera House is a modern chalet adorned with cowhide throws, plaid draperies and Pendleton bedding. Caldera House comprises four four-bedroom and four two-bedroom suites designed by award-winning studios Commune Design and CLB Architects. Each suite boasts a living space, dining area and fully equipped chef’s kitchen with panoramic mountainscape views.
The residences showcase a lively eclecticism to the America West aesthetic, and furniture was sourced locally when possible and paired with carefully curated high-end Italian pieces. At Caldera House, there are two dining venues: Corsa is a nod to authentic trattorias in the Italian Alps, with a blushing interior that was designed to echo the entire hotel, featuring bespoke leather armchairs, monochrome crazy pave flooring and a tiled mosaic of the Jackson Hole Mountain range. Shin Shin is a Japanese dining venue that melds Scandinavian style with Japanese minimalism, serving organic wines, sushi staples and a selection of umami sakes.
CLB architects paired leather details with equestrian accents in the on-site gathering spaces, where guests and visitors can host private events, in the Member’s Lounge and in-suite. Open year-round, adventures at Caldera House are tailored to the season and are not limited to dog sledding, snow trekking, whitewater rafting and fly fishing.
Mollie
Aspen, Colorado
USA
Mollie is a boutique hotel in the heart of the ski capital, Aspen, Colorado, and evokes residential comfort through the subtle lens of Japanese and Scandinavian design. Mollie opened its doors in December 2023 and is the latest addition to the chic Colorado ski town. The modern hotel was designed due to a creative collaboration between Post Company and internationally acclaimed CCY Architects. The hotel comprises 68 guest rooms, an onsite restaurant and bar, a lobby cafe and a rooftop terrace with a plunge pool. The semi-public spaces have been curated for social gatherings, while guest rooms evoke a residential experience.
The intimate guest rooms maximise natural light and are decorated with boucle furniture, plaid throws and customer timber joinery. The site and local craftsmanship are integral to the design of Mollie; materials such as white oak, terracotta and sand-casted brass have been used to echo the landscape’s rough-hewn mountain range, while a hand-dyed tapestry inspired by the works of Anni Albers and Agnes Martin is proudly positioned in the lobby to welcome guests. The reception is adorned with Marenco replica armchairs and expansive windows, boasting framed views of the surrounding nature and bringing abundant light into the hotel.
The dining venues highlight the meticulous craftsmanship of timber joinery with feature lighting and Western-style accents and serve signature cocktails and hearty meals to prepare guests for a full day on the slopes. Just a stone’s throw from Aspen Mountain and a ski lift to the calmer terrain of Snowmass and Buttermilk, Mollie is a hotspot for skiing and snowboard enthusiasts. Visiting Kemo Sabe to customise a cowboy hat is a must for guests looking to do a little retail therapy.
Hotel Jerome
Aspen, Colorado
USA
If Ralph Lauren himself were a hotel, he would be Hotel Jerome in Aspen. The social hub for Aspen since its opening in 1889, Hotel Jerome has seen cowboys ride through its doors, 10th Mountain Division soldiers come together for a pint and was recognised as a hot spot for Hunter S. Thompson during his run for sheriff. The hotel’s illustrious guest list, timeless elegance, and distinctly American aesthetic epitomises the American Dream.
Part of the Directed by the Auberge Resort Collection, Hotel Jerome boasts 93 generously sized guest rooms that range from 50 to 117 metres. The living spaces feature mounted deer heads, cowhide chairs, and floor-to-ceiling windows that frame Aspen’s Mountainscape views. The dining venues showcase an Old West vibe, adorned with Pendleton rugs, bespoke artworks and antiquities that serve craft beers, vintage-inspired cocktails and American favourites, such as burgers and fries.
With World-class powder at the doorstep, experiences at Hotel Jerome include a snowmobile to Maroon Bells, a Horse-drawn carriage tour, snowshoeing through Aspen’s scenic backyard and the iconic “Après” season at Hotel Jerome.
Bowie House
Texas, USA
Bowie House in Texas is another urban cowboy retreat to add to your list. An Auberge Resort, where cowboys and cattle once roamed, amalgamates the classic Western personality of Texas with a modern flare. Bowie House highlights the buzzing equestrian scene through its communal spaces, dining venues and social activities abound onsite. The luxury hotel boasts 109 guest rooms with a contemporary approach to Western aesthetics and familiar Texas touches, including bar carts, free-standing bathtubs and a fireplace.
The dining venues are inspired by Ranch culture and the agricultural bounty of the West, showcasing stiff whiskey cocktails and a perfectly cooked, dry-aged rib eye. The Bowie House’s semi-public spaces boast a library in the Mulberry room and an Art-Deco-infused members lounge, and the Billet Room invites guests and visitors alike to rival in a few rounds of cowboy bingo and nibble on complimentary beef jerky.
However, the one-of-a-kind experiences at Bowie House mark this luxury hotel as a cowboy urban retreat for guests. These include a songwriting session; a dancing lesson in the basics of two-step and line; an evening of stories from the saddle with rodeo hall of fame professionals; a workshop highlighting the craftsmanship behind the Texas wild rag with chain stitch embroiderer Fowl & Maker, and the opportunity to tour the stadium of the Dallas Cowboys.
Cuixmala
Mexico
Positioned along five kilometres of pristine Mexican coastline, Cuixmala is a modern illustration of an eco-resort in a sub-tropical setting. Originally the private retreat for Sir James Goldsmith and his family, the resort is now open to discerning travellers from around the world. Interwoven with the natural landscape, the terracotta dwellings emerge from a sea of green, acting as beacons guiding guests through the property. Cuixmala occupies a nature reserve of more than 30,000 acres. The resort comprises 43 guest rooms spread across three different accommodation types, with Casa Cuixmala, the suites of the original house, and the Villas highlighting panoramic views while maximising privacy. The Casitas range from one-bedroom to three-bedroom dwellings and are dispersed over the coconut plantation.
Cuixmala strongly emphasises recreational activities, including the Cuixmala horse ranch, which is arguably the best way to experience the property. Guests can traverse the coconut plantation on horseback through a herd of zebra and eland antelope to ride along the beach. Guests can also visit an animal sanctuary, Exoticos, at the foot of the resort, participate in a turtle-releasing ceremony 45 minutes after sunset or trip to the crystal-clear waters of Playa Caleta Blanca.
There are two dining venues at Cuixmala: La Loma Restaurant and Casa Gomez. Both venues showcase a menu prepared with the freshest ingredients sourced daily from the farms.
Sunranch
Byron Bay, New South Wales
Australia
Julie Ashwood and Jamie Blakey said “yeehaw” when designing the 70s-inspired estate, Sunranch. Located in the Byron Bay Hinterland, the mid-century boutique hotel is dotted with gathering spaces ideal for small group getaways and corporate events.
When conceptualising the estate, the designer looked to the 70s-style Ranch influences in California, with their open-concept living spaces and eccentric interior details. The sprawling 55-acre property comprises six two-bedroom barns and a five-room luxury guest house fittingly named ‘The Rambler Longhouse,’ adorned with internationally sourced antiques, vibrant colours and contrasting textures. Sunranch also features an array of exclusive amenities, including The Pool Club, The Badminton Club, The Whiskey Lounge and The Lair, a vibrant sunken lounge where guests can relax.
The estate is also a holiday home for Zephyr Horses – Byron Bay’s top riding club, so visitors can saddle up and explore the property on horseback. There is an outdoor alfresco kitchen and dining space at The Field House, a wellness space featuring an ice bath and woodfired floating sauna at Go Easy Dam and The Cowboy Bar, where the saloon doors will swing open for bar service at varied times throughout your stay. Sticking to the 70s ranch theme, guests are greeted with a salty margarita or icy cold beer upon arrival at Sunranch.
Bethlen Estates
Transylvania , Romania
When you think of Romania, the likes of Dracula are more likely to come to mind than a Western-style estate. And yet, Bethlen Estates melds historic restoration with modern amenities and is a destination where traversing the Transylvanian wilderness in the saddle is a highlight. At Bethlen Estates, guests can choose from three restored 300-year-old residences, each embodying a distinct style.
The façade of each guesthouse has been repaired, while the interiors have been reconfigured and imbued with a classic and comfortable aesthetic. The design features include Bespoke bookshelves, exposed oak beams and designer lamps by Tom Dixon. Each guesthouse is designed to feel like a home, a place to unwind after a day exploring the wild countryside and press pause on the pressures of modern life. The horse-riding experience is in partnership with Villa Abbatis Equestrian Centre and features a picnic lunch. Additional experiences include flyfishing on the Dam of Zeta and the option to either Heli-Ski or Heli-Bike in the Carpathian Mountains. At Bethlen Estates, guests can choose to dine either in the privacy of their guesthouse or in the semi-public rustic communal kitchen bar, where head chef Robert prepares a seasonal menu of traditional Romanian favourites with local Transylvanian wines.