Advertisement
All Articles 10 ultra-cozy cabins where you can get away from it all

10 ultra-cozy cabins where you can get away from it all

From the Swiss Alps to the Australian Outback.

Nicholas DeRenzo
By Nicholas DeRenzo3 Dec 2024 6 minutes read
Snow covered forest and modern wooden cabin exterior
A couple sits outside their cabin watching it snow at Lone Mountain Guest Ranch
Exterior of Gilpin Hotel & Lake House (L); Exterior of Lone Mountain Guest Ranch (R).
Image: Courtesy of Gilpin Hotel & Lake House (L); Management/Tripadvisor (R)

As temps begin to drop across the Northern Hemisphere, many travelers’ minds wander toward the countryside and the cozy comforts of a rustic cabin. What better way to embrace the season than alongside roaring fireplaces with piles of throw blankets, hearty mountain fare, and mugs of hot cocoa (or hot toddies)? Or, you could head out on a wintry adventure—snowshoeing through the woods, hitting the slopes, or soaking in hot springs.

We’ve collected 10 of the finest resort cabins around the world—including a few in the Southern Hemisphere so you can embrace coziness, no matter the month.

The Kumaon, Binsar, India

Two chairs and a rug on a terrace with mountain views
View from the Upper Chalet at the Kumaon.
Image: Management/Tripadvisor

When to go: December to February, if you can handle cold weather; the valley will be covered in snow, and its clear skies make for ideal stargazing conditions.

Hotel scene: A day’s drive from New Delhi, this corner of India’s Himalayan foothills has attracted the likes of Bob Dylan and Cat Stevens for decades, though the psychedelic hippie crowd might feel slightly out of place at this minimalist 10-suite mountain retreat. The most impressive part of the Kumaon is the restaurant, which is cantilevered over the valley below, and serves superfoods native to the region, including as black soybean daal and bhaang chutney made with ground cannabis seeds.

Don’t miss: After a hike to area waterfalls or a picnic down by the Kosi river, relax at the spa, which offers champis (Ayurvedic head and neck massages) and treatments with local cold-pressed oils.

More to explore

Lone Mountain Ranch, Big Sky, Montana

Three cabins glow amongst the snow covered pine trees
Cabins at Lone Mountain Dude Ranch in Montana.
Image: Etrain33/Tripadvisor

When to go: December to March, to take advantage of the winter sports on offer.

Hotel scene: Eighteen miles from Yellowstone National Park, this high-end dude ranch sits in the shadow of the Montana Rockies and started life as a 1915 homestead. Many of the cabins date back to the 1920s and were built using lodgepole pine, and now feature cozy amenities like clawfoot tubs and potbelly stoves. You can go dogsledding, trout fishing, hiking, or skiing, and then warm up back at the hotel restaurant, Horn & Cantle, with dishes like bison short ribs and wild game bolognese.

Don’t miss: The best way to get into the winter spirit in these parts is with a sleigh-ride dinner. It begins with a 20-minute ride to the historic North Fork Cabin, where you’ll follow up a shot of honey moonshine with Montana prime rib and huckleberry cobbler.

More to explore

Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge, Tasmania, Australia

Snow covered exterior of Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge at dusk in Tasmania
Exterior of Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge at dusk.
Image: Kelliejane1/Tripadvisor

When to go: June through August, when the terrain is often dusted in snow and visitors have the best shot of seeing the aurora australis (southern lights).

Hotel scene: Located in northwestern Tasmania on the edge of Cradle Mountain–Lake St. Clair National Park, this alpine lodge sits in a dramatic wilderness and offers the chance to come face-to-snout with wombats and wallabies. Contemporary cabins offer views out over the woodlands and the park’s eponymous peak, while “spa cabins” come with a spa bath and are connected via boardwalk to the main lodge and surrounding hiking trails. During the serene winter months, you can bundle up for horseback rides through the snow gum trees and walks around the mirror-calm Dove Lake.

Don’t miss: One of the most dramatic ways to take in the terrain is with a helicopter tour over Fury Gorge, one of the deepest in Australia.

More to explore

Cervo Mountain Resort, Zermatt, Switzerland

View of the Matterhorn through glass room door at dusk
View of the Matterhorn from a Cervo Mountain Resort guest room.
Image: Management/Tripadvisor

When to go: March and April for skiing without the crowds.

Hotel scene: Located at the foot of The Matterhorn, Cervo Mountain Resort feels like a fairytale village, with a smattering of eco-friendly buildings dotting the hillside. You can pick from serviced apartments in the main lodge that range from studios to a three-bedroom penthouse or rooms spread across a series of cabins, all equipped with cozy Hästens mattresses. In addition to a climbing wall and gym, the hotel is home to a trio of restaurants, including Ferdinand, where menu standouts include fondue and raclette.

Don’t miss: The hotel’s Ātman Mountain Spa draws influences from around the world, including Bhutanese herbal baths with hot stones, Japanese-style onsens with views of the Matterhorn, and Mongolian yurts doubling as treatment rooms.

More to explore

Dunton Hot Springs, Dolores, Colorado

Dog sledding through the snow on sunny day
Dog sledding at Dunton Hot Springs.
Image: Management/Tripadvisor

When to go: January through March, when the region gets the most snow and the holiday rush has ended.

Hotel scene: Built within the remnants of a 19th-century ghost town outside of Telluride, CO, this Colorado mountain resort comprises 13 hand-hewn cabins, some of which were built by miners themselves. Depending on which cabin you book, you might have a wood-burning fireplace, an outdoor shower, or even private access to the hotel’s famed calcium bicarbonate hot springs, which range from 85ºF to 106ºF and can be enjoyed inside the bathhouse or outside under the stars. Dunton is nearly all-inclusive, with meals, most alcohol, and many activities included as part of the rate.

Don’t miss: Come wintertime, you can go snowshoeing, hop on horse-drawn sleigh rides, snowmobile, cross-country ski, or even climb up frozen waterfalls in the San Juan Mountains.

More to explore

Brasada Ranch, Powell Butte, Oregon

Woman jogging on trail flanked by big boulders
Smith Rock State Park near Brasada Ranch.
Image: Management/Tripadvisor

When to go: Autumn, so you can see fall foliage (especially golden aspens) and have a shot of spotting mule deer and pronghorn as they migrate to their winter habitat.

Hotel scene: At this luxury ranch a few hours east of Portland, OR, guests can tackle miles of trails on horseback, play a round at one of America’s most picturesque golf courses, or simply unwind at the spa. In addition to regular rooms and suites, the ranch includes architecturally striking bungalows with sleek Scandinavian design, fireplaces, and hot tubs; and two-, three-, and four-bedroom cabins, which feature full kitchens and outdoor patios.

Don’t miss: You can hop on a horse for beginner lessons with the in-house wrangler team, take quick pony rides around the pen, or head out on scenic trail rides, complete with hot cocoa and s’mores over an open fire.

More to explore

La Morada Lodge, Los Chacayes, Argentina

View of the vineyards with the Andes in the distance
Wooden cabins and modern furniture on a patio
Views (L) and cabins (R) at La Morada Lodge.
Image: Thomas D/Tripadvisor (R); Management/Tripadvisor (R)

When to go: March and April, to experience the grape harvest and fall foliage.

Hotel scene: Mendoza’s Valle de Uco sits in the shadow of the snowcapped Andes, and the best way to immerse yourself in the area is with a stay at this vineyard-surrounded boutique lodge. The onsite tiny homes and slightly larger life-pod suites include outdoor wooden hot tubs or access to an in-ground pool with incredible views. Bonus: the stargazing in these parts is unbeatable.

Don’t miss: No trip to the Valle de Uco would be complete without stopping into at least one of its wineries. Book a guided tour with a private driver from Mendoza Wineries Tour to get a lay of the land.

More to explore

Klahoose Wilderness Resort, Desolation Sound, British Columbia

Blurred figures looking at a grizzly bear in the water
Grizzly bear sighting from Klahoose Wilderness Resort.
Image: Management/Tripadvisor

When to go: August through October, for prime grizzly-bear viewing.

Hotel scene: Only accessible by water or air, this Indigenous-owned eco-resort in coastal British Columbia gives guests a front-row view of Desolation Sound, the Coast Mountain Range, and the Great Bear Rainforest. Opt for one of the log cabins, which feature art by Kwakwaka'wakw artist Adam Lewis and accent pillows by Coast Salish artist Simone Diamond. While winters are mild, the off-grid resort is closed during the season. Instead, visit during the spring, when humpback whales and sea lions frequent these waters, or the fall, when grizzlies head to the rivers to take advantage of the salmon run.

Don’t miss: Anglers can sign up for a variety of fishing tours, including ocean fishing, heli-fly-fishing, and even ocean foraging, which involves setting out traps to catch British Columbia spot prawns—which the chef will then prepare during your stay.

More to explore

Urban Cowboy Lodge, Big Indian, New York

Guest room clawfoot bath tub with large window overlooking fall foliage
Bathing suite at Urban Cowboy Lodge in Big Indian.
Image: Management/Tripadvisor

When to go: October, to immerse yourself in peak fall foliage.

Hotel scene: Set on 68 acres about 2.5 hours outside of New York City, this 26-room retreat (including two standalone cabins) is bursting with mountain-man maximalism: antler chandeliers, stone fireplaces, and outdoor cedar soaking tubs. The Pendleton blankets are boldly patterned, the custom hand-printed wallpapers are even more so. At the onsite Dining Room, you’ll find hearty fare, while the Parlor serves snacks like shrimp cocktail and marinated anchovies.

Don’t miss: The Catskills are dotted with charming towns that are perfect for aimless strolling and lazy days spent at a brewery. The closest include Phoenicia, Margaretville, and Woodstock, and more active types can hit up the closest ski hill, Belleayre Mountain, in about 15 minutes.

More to explore

Gilpin Hotel & Lake House, Windermere, United Kingdom

Man in hot tub overlooking frozen lake and snow covered landscape
Grounds of Gilpin Hotel & Lake House.
Image: Courtesy of Gilpin Hotel & Lake House

When to go: November and December, so you can immerse yourself in countryside Christmas vibes.

Hotel scene: This family-owned Lake District property is actually two hotels in one: The Gilpin Hotel comprises 30 standalone rooms on a 21-acre property that’s also home to two restaurants, a Champagne bar, a spa, and a small herd of llamas, alpacas, and pot-bellied pigs. The quieter Gilpin Lake House includes just six bedrooms around a private lake with its own boathouse. Come holiday season, the Lake District gets extra magical, as ponds and waterfalls freeze over and the Gilpin decks the halls with festive decor and sets hearths ablaze. You can get in the mood by joining in festive afternoon tea or wreath-making workshops.

Don’t miss: At the Michelin-starred Source at Gilpin Hotel, chef Ollie Bridgwater crafts inspired tasting menus with ingredients like Cornish monkfish and Cumbrian partridge.

More to explore

Nicholas DeRenzo
Nicholas DeRenzo is a freelance travel and culture writer based in Brooklyn. A graduate of NYU's Cultural Reporting and Criticism program, he worked as an editor at Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel and, most recently, as executive editor at Hemispheres, the in-flight magazine of United Airlines. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, New York, Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Afar, BBC Travel, Wine Enthusiast, and more. Follow him on Instagram at @nderenzo to see his many, many pictures of birds.