Your Tail Hotels and Resorts Guide

As travelers increasingly seek out memorable accommodations – and often want to get closer to nature – many hotel reward programs are integrating more outdoor accommodation, including the New Trailborn Hotels & Resorts Adventure Lodge brand at Bonvoy Marriott Bonvoy.

I recently had the opportunity to stay at Trailborn Highlands in the small town of Highlands, North Carolina, about three hours drive from Atlanta and Charlotte. Since my parents live nearby, I decided to take my mom with some mother-daughter contact time- I would have a heartbeat.

This is something I learned from my stay and why you might want to consider a trailer property for your next active adventure or a static retreat (or both).

Related: Marriott Hotels lean on new hotel collection and booking platforms toward outdoor

Boutique campsite

According to the brand’s website, “Every Trailborn is a seamless starting point for curated, the world’s most extraordinary outdoor destination.”

In addition to the highlands, these locations include:

• Estes Park, the gateway town of Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
• Wrightsville Beach by the Sea, North Carolina
• Williams, Arizona, near the south edge of Grand Canyon National Park
• Mendocino, a coastal town in Northern California (coming soon)
• Jackson Hole, a mountain town in Wyoming (coming soon)

If the term “adventure cabin” would draw opinions in images of exposed cabins that are nowhere to be messed up, think again. Each Trailborn property is a unique boutique hotel in a (relatively) central location.

In this case, “central” does not mean that you will find big names or convenient public transportation systems. Instead, expect miles of hiking trails, other outdoor activities and charming town exploration.

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When my mom and I arrived at the winding end from Asheville, North Carolina (Google Maps predicted an hour and 40 minutes, but the curved mountain road took us longer), we found an unquestioned 63-room building tucked behind a bunch of trees on a Highland surgical boat. The interior of the property is filled with earth tones, natural materials and medieval modern furniture, echoing the natural beauty and remote areas of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains.

These accommodation feel modern, stylish, but low-key. Our room was small but thoughtfully designed with free use, from decorative quilts and air conditioning covers to linen spa robes and cool bags. The result: I felt like a family road trip, minus the station wagon and moldy sleeping bags.

Trailborn Highlands is affordable and can match its down-to-earth energy. Our Queen’s balcony room includes two queen beds and a private balcony, starting at $158 per night tonight. However, you also need to budget for renting a car.

The hotel is far enough away to feel like a paradise while still offering a lot to do. It is a 20-minute drive from the lovely highland town (or you can take advantage of your own free cruiser bike), and a few minutes from the lovely highland town.

Related: How to Save Money on National Park Travel

Relaxation

Trailborn Highlands also offers a party space to help guests relax with their companions (or meet new people) after their adventures.

The hotel’s gorgeous indoor seating area is packed with photography books and vintage-style board games, as well as free tea, coffee and pastries for breakfast. The outdoor area offers picnic tables, corn holes and fire pits, and S’mores kits are available for purchase at the small live snap-up market.

Sadly, we didn’t visit Thursday when Trailborn Highlands hosted weekly live music and drinks. We did have the opportunity to check out the Independent Highlands Dinner Club, a rustic cabin for Southern comfort food.

We also spent some time visiting the outdoor Nordic spa which includes a wood-burning sauna, cold shower and a private fire pit. After a full day of hiking, spending an hour of relaxing in the foggy mountain air is worth the increase (up to $50 per hour for two guests, or $75 per hour for up to four guests).

For me, Trailborn Highlands is the perfect place to connect with the big outdoors and my travel companion. However, some party spaces and events may not be ideal for large groups. And if you are looking for more traditional amenities like a pool, spa, fitness center, or full breakfast, you may be disappointed.

A cultural connection

In addition to the facilities I mentioned above, Trailborn Highlands offers a well-curated experience. Many of them are targeted, such as fly fishing (starting at $300), rock climbing (climbing ($295)) and forest bathing, and come with certified forest treatment guidelines ($50 per person). However, there are a fewer outdoor options, such as wood-burning cutting board workshops ($75 per person) and dinner and highland shows ($200).

Trailborn’s hotel planning event is designed to showcase the local culture, so you’ll find different products in each property. There are only a few examples: the Grand Canyon helicopter (up to seven guests $2,793), the Aspen and Aspen and Elk photography tour ($128 per person) at Trailborn Rocky Mountains, the Trailborn Roast ($65 per person) at Trailborn Surf and Sound ($65 per person).

Check out each hotel’s experience page to see what’s available and visit the area’s hiking trails, restaurants and other recommended live guide pages.

On a two-day trip with mom, we didn’t have the chance to try one of these well-planned experiences – we were busy putting in, shopping and crossing the highlands on our hiking boots. However, with a lot of options, I think it’s hard to fill our time during longer stays.

But if you are a city that loves museum jumps and fine dining, rather than regretting in the wilderness, then in a few days you might run out of it.

What Marriott hotel benefits can I get in Trailborn?

Since Trailborn Hotels & Resorts joined Marriott Bonvoy earlier this year, you can earn and burn Marriott points on your stay in one of these adventure properties.

Bonvoy members can earn money per dollar, as well as earn 10 basic points directly on booking via Marriott or Trailborn channels and earn high-priced Elite Night Points. You can also redeem Bonvoy points and free night certificates through your Marriott account.

Trailborn Properties offers some of the usual Bonvoy benefits, including free Wi-Fi for Bonvoy members, Marriott’s final booking guarantee, and welcome gifts for Gold Elite and Platinum Elite members. However, there are some benefits not available at Trailborn Properties, including discounted membership rates, guaranteed lounge access, nightly upgrade rewards, instant redemption awards and 48-hour guaranteed availability.

So if you are a top elite member, you might prefer to stay at the Marriott hotel where you can get more from your identity.

Related: The fifth night of the Marriott Award

How to go outside at the key point

The basic room at Trailborn Highlands is priced at $140 or $410 million tonight, although rates may be as high as $400 or 75,000 on weekends next May. Either way, you will be well below our 0.7 cent valuation of every Marriott point in October 2025.

As a result, this may not be the best way to maximize your perspective. Also, some room types (such as those with fireplaces and balcony, none of them seem to be available. If the cash rate is reasonable, it is best to book a paid accommodation with one of the best Marriott credit cards and earn points for future redemption.

Trailborn isn’t the only hotel brand to bring guests outside. Marriott Bonvoy also recently integrated the Postcard Cabin, which collects over 1,200 well-equipped cabins, all of which are set in outdoor activities but within a two-hour drive to the main city.

Similarly, last year, Hyatt World added luxury brands under canvas, while Hilton Honors added Autocamp’s Airstream trailer collection and other outdoor accommodation. With so many options, it’s easier than ever to earn and burn on a natural retreat.

Bottom line

Trailborn Highlands offers a lot of activities for my mom and me, both on-site and off, slower and more casual atmosphere than you find in a city hotel or spa resort. Between this and the nostalgic atmosphere, it seems to be the perfect place for outdoor family gatherings as long as your family isn’t too big.

If you love big outdoors, you’ll be here to spend a relaxing solo, romantic weekend or late summer family vacation.