Luxury lodges are booking up fast this summer as high-end travel makes a strong comeback. With travelers prioritizing short, experience-packed getaways, five-star properties adapt. Most now offer curated itineraries, on-site experts and built-in adventures that don’t sacrifice comfort or time.
The surge reflects a broader momentum across the luxury hospitality industry, which Luxury Hotelschool Paris projects to reach $166.41 billion in 2025. Driven by an increasing number of travelers seeking premier accommodations, these high-end lodges offer a rare combination of exclusivity and efficiency, and are ideal for travelers who want to maximize their vacation days.
Tutka Bay Lodge — Kachemak Bay, Alaska
Accessible by boat from Homer or directly by charter float plane from Anchorage, Tutka Bay Lodge is one of the most remote luxury accommodations in the state, offering a true break from connectivity and crowds. Part of Within the Wild, a curated collection of three Dixon family-owned Alaska properties, this remote retreat has a strong sense of place steeped in Alaskan flavors, stories and untamed beauty.
Tutka Bay Lodge blurs the line between rugged and refined. Guests might spend the morning kayaking through glassy inlets and the afternoon in a cooking class led by award-winning chefs who transform local ingredients into scrumptious dishes. The days are filled with tidepooling, heli-hiking and foraging — all rooted in the landscape and designed to immerse travelers in the rhythm of coastal Alaska.
Black Diamond Club — Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, Alberta, Canada
In the heart of Alberta’s Kananaskis country, the Black Diamond Club opened on May 1 as a fresh take on luxury and comfort with a resort-within-a-resort concept. As part of the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, visitors can expect sweeping alpine views alongside luxurious wellness offerings designed to enhance their stay.
Guests can explore the landscape on horseback, play the links at the 36-hole golf course, or just relax and unwind. The massive Nordic Spa is open year-round, and with more than 745 miles of trails, the extensive trail system allows travelers to move at their own pace, with routes that range from gentle forest paths to more challenging alpine hikes.
Origins Lodge — Upala, Northern Costa Rica
In northern Costa Rica, Origins Lodge rises above the rainforest, offering panoramic views that stretch all the way to Nicaragua. The setting immerses visitors in clean, high-altitude air, dense rainforest vegetation and the calls of over 150 identified bird species that inhabit the surrounding gardens and trees.
The lodge offers a naturally slow pace that encourages guests to unwind and engage with their surroundings. Mornings often begin with fresh-pressed juice enjoyed in open-air bungalows. Toucans pass through the trees near the yoga deck, and nearby trails lead to secluded waterfalls. Forest-to-fork dining and wood-fired hot tubs enhance the experience, combining ecological sensitivity with modern comfort.
“Origins Lodge in Upala, Costa Rica, is an intimate and exclusive luxury experience, with only six cabins and one villa, each featuring a wood-fired hot tub on the terrace. But what truly made this place special was the wildlife, especially the birds. The lodge and its gardens are home to over 250 different bird species from hummingbirds to toucans, parrots and thrushes. At one point in time, the lodge even had a resident alligator,” says Emese Maczko, a travel writer and founder of Eco Lodges Anywhere.
Maczko also adds, “I found myself embracing the jet lag, waking naturally at 5 a.m. to sit on my terrace with a cup of tea, watching as the animals stirred to life with the first light of day. It was my first time in Costa Rica, but it was love at first sight.”
The Lodge at Bodega Bay — Sonoma Coast, California
Nestled along the stunning coastline of Bodega Bay, The Lodge at Bodega Bay offers a quick yet restorative retreat, located less than two hours north of San Francisco. It combines the raw, natural beauty of Northern California’s coastline with locally focused dining and high-end comfort, making it a convenient escape that doesn’t sacrifice depth or quality.
Guests often find The Lodge at Bodega Bay an ideal place to reset. The day might begin with a hike along the Bodega Head trails, followed by afternoons scanning the horizon for whales or herons. Evenings typically wind down with a glass of something local as the sun dips below the Pacific.
As Casandra Karpiak, a luxury travel journalist, says, “The Lodge at Bodega Bay offers a front-row seat to one of California’s most spectacular stretches of coastline. It’s a dream base for whale watching, birding and fresh-off-the-boat seafood. Don’t miss a sunset walk along Bodega Head — it’s pure magic when the fog lifts.”
She also shared a pro tip of booking a room with a fireplace to fully experience the lodge’s signature coastal mood. Watching the mist roll in from the comfort of a fireside chair, with a glass of Sonoma Coast pinot noir in hand, captures the essence of what makes this retreat so memorable. The combination of sea air, soft light and warmth from the hearth turns a simple moment into something lasting.
Lake Placid Lodge — Adirondacks, New York
Rustic elegance defines Lake Placid Lodge, a lakeside retreat located in the heart of the Adirondacks with sweeping views of Whiteface Mountain. The lodge blends regional craftsmanship with upscale comfort, featuring handcrafted timber architecture, stone fireplaces and thoughtfully appointed rooms that reflect local heritage.
Guests can unplug fully. Mornings can be spent fly fishing or enjoying a quiet paddle across Lake Placid. Afternoons might include lounging by the shore or exploring wooded trails, while evenings often lead to intimate lakeside dining with menus inspired by seasonal, local ingredients.
Each suite is uniquely designed, featuring handcrafted furnishings, wood-burning fireplaces and deep soaking tubs that encourage relaxation after a day outdoors. The attention to detail in layout and materials reflects the region’s rustic heritage while delivering a refined, personalized experience.
Matetsi Victoria Falls — Zimbabwe
Offering a refined safari experience that balances adventure with relaxation, Matetsi Victoria Falls is set on a private 136,000-acre reserve along the Zambezi River, just 25 miles from Victoria Falls. The lodge provides access to one of Africa’s most iconic natural wonders while maintaining a sense of seclusion.
Guests can experience sunrise and sunset game drives, river cruises, canoe excursions or simply unwind in riverside suites that look out onto untamed wilderness. The design merges contemporary African aesthetics with natural materials and open layouts that highlight the surrounding landscape.
Matetsi is known for its calm, thoughtful atmosphere — luxurious but unpretentious. Many visitors return not just for the wildlife, but for the sense of place that feels timeless, welcoming and deeply connected to the land.
Gora Kadan — Hakone, Japan
Set in Hakone’s natural beauty, Gora Kadan exemplifies the refined simplicity and deep care at the heart of Japanese hospitality. Once an imperial family retreat, this property now serves as a luxury ryokan blending tradition with modern design. Guests experience attentive service, minimalist interiors and multi-course seasonal kaiseki meals that highlight the region’s ingredients and rhythms.
The atmosphere encourages a deliberate slowing down. Open-air onsens with views of the surrounding mountains offer deep physical relaxation, while the manicured gardens and tatami-matted rooms invite quiet reflection.
After a day visiting Hakone’s natural hot springs and art museums, many guests find themselves returning to Gora Kadan not just for comfort, but for a sense of stillness that feels restorative and lasting.
Explora Lodge — Patagonia National Park, Chile
Offering an intimate and private atmosphere, Explora Lodge places guests in the heart of one of the most remote and ecologically rich landscapes in the world. Located within Chile’s Patagonia National Park, the lodge serves as a gateway to glacier-fed rivers, rugged mountains and expansive grasslands. Everything at Explora is designed to support deep engagement with the land, from daily guided explorations to curated wildlife experiences.
The lodge’s minimalist architecture blends into the terrain, allowing nature — not design — to take center stage. Rather than following fixed itineraries, guests tailor their days based on weather, energy levels and personal curiosity.
Hikes may reveal herds of guanacos, Andean condors circling above or simply a quiet vista with no one else in sight. The experience is rooted in adaptability and immersion, allowing travelers to form a genuine connection with Patagonia’s raw and unpredictable beauty.
Where 5 stars leave a lasting mark
Summer may come and go, but a stay at the right lodge leaves more than just a memory; it plants something quieter, more lasting. A great lodge reshapes how someone carries that season forward, through quiet mornings on shaded forest trails, the lingering scent of cedar carried by warm mountain air or a late-night conversation that unfolds. These moments may seem small in real time, but they imprint themselves with a kind of permanence as they become part of how travelers remember the places they visit.
Jennifer Allen, retired chef turned traveler, cookbook author and writer, shares her adventures and travel tips at All The Best Spots. Living at home with her family — and the cats that rule them all — her work has been featured in The Washington Post, Seattle Times, MSN and more.