MENDOCINO GROVE PROVIDES PLUSH CAMPING

» MENDOCINO GROVE, a luxury camping experience in Northern California, lets visitors who still prefer the comfort of a cozy bed connect with the great outdoors. “We try to walk the line from an outdoor hospitality perspective where it feels like a resort with some of the amenities, but it still allows for that outdoor camping experience,” says Jake Halverson, general manager for Mendocino Grove. “We have a lot of built-in historical knowledge of what it takes for guests to really enjoy their experiences, whether it is for seven days or two days.”

Each tent varies on its configurations, although they all are equipped with heated mattress pads; high-quality linens, duvets, and comforters; as well as outdoor camp chairs, a fire pit, and a picnic table. If each visitor wants their own on-site tent, there is enough space for 75 guests, or up to 135 can stay if there is flexibility to share tents.

“[The camping spots have] all the standard campground accessories with a sprinkle of luxury,” Halverson describes. The luxurious camp amenities include two bath houses, a dry sauna, massages, a commercial kitchen for pop-up dinner events, an indoor conference space with capacity for 40, an indoor two-bedroom apartment suite, and a complimentary breakfast for all campers.

Within a 25-mile radius from eight California state parks, Mendocino Grove has a location that is part of the fun, says Marne Moran, event coordinator at the campground. “We are in really close proximity to the historic town [of Mendocino], which is one of the greatest assets because you can be tucked into the redwood forests, and half a mile down the road you can go out for a fabulous gourmet dinner, go shopping in really cute boutiques, or go on [a] guided tour of the town,” she says. Other popular activities—which Mendocino Grove will work to arrange for groups—include horseback riding, charter boat fishing, sea cave kayak tours, canoeing on Big River, and scenic rides on the Skunk Train. –Ava Diaz mendocinogrove.com

Agave Amor

The 12-acre Miramonte Indian Wells Resort & Spa, home to 215 guest rooms and 35,000 square feet of indoor-outdoor event space, launched a “Taste of Guadalajara” beverage experience for groups to take a tasting tour of tequilas and mezcals from Guadalajara, Mexico.

“You learn [about] … what you’re actually sampling and tasting, why it tastes that way, what makes it that way, how long it has aged, and what type of agave plant it actually came from,” explains Robert Hatfield, director of sales and marketing for the resort. The experience is available for groups staying at the hotel and can be reserved as a team-building activity for up to 25 guests.

Additional on-site activities include The Well Spa, three saltwater pools, and two culinary destinations: Citrus & Palm and The Tavern. The resort will undergo renovations to transition to Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa beginning this fall. The restaurant and bar area, as well as some of the guest suites, will also be refreshed. –Amanda

Christensen

miramonteresort.com