10 Employees Who Experience National Relaxation Day Everyday

relaxation day

National Relaxation Day is today, Monday, August 15th, and it should be exactly as it sounds: all about winding down, taking a few deep breaths and enjoying a quiet moment or beautiful space. At The Resort at Paws Up, our 37,000 acres offers scenic vistas and serenity at every turn. In honor of this day, we’re sharing the most relaxing part about The Resort at Paws Up from the perspective of a few of our employees.

relaxing

“Seeing the many paws of our wildlife here on the Ranch. I find it mesmerizing to watch the elk herd move across a pasture and equally awesome to watch our bison move their enormous bodies with such grace. I can’t believe my eyes when I spot the many eagles perched in our trees, watching in amazement as they teach their young to fly. Fawning season just finished, and the new spotted baby deer are finally old enough to show their faces. It’s the beauty of nature that relaxes me. I can sit in one place for hours watching this show unfold.”

Kathleen Cochran, VP Operations

paws up animals copy

“Like most people in today’s world, our guests lead very busy lives. What makes Montana and our property so unique is the ability to unplug, unwind and just observe an amazing place. One of the best parts of my job is talking to guests—from the moment they arrive to their last day here—and observing how the stress comes off their shoulders as they tell me about sitting outside their homes and watching an eagle in its nest in their backyards, or how they had the best night’s sleep of their lives listening to the Blackfoot River from their tents.”

Jon Martin, General Manager, Guest Relations

relaxing river

“Watching the sunrise on the Pomp Deck at the Cook Shack is my Zen spot. My best dishes and menu ideas come from sitting there watching the light fill the valley.”

Ben Jones, Executive Chef

sunrise at Paws Up

“The most relaxing thing to me about Paws Up is sitting in an Adirondack chair, listening to the Blackfoot River roar by, watching the fish rising, feeling the cold stones beneath my feet, smelling the elk steak on the grill and sipping my own Huckleberry Hound.”

Mindy Marcum, Executive Administrative Assistant

paws up moments

There is no greater tonic for stress than an early-morning hike on the Sunset Hill Loop.”

Scott Schaefer, Special Events Manager

The Resort at Paws Up Summer 2010

“Find your Zen at Spa Town at Paws Up by getting a massage beneath the moon and stars.”

Laura Russell, Spa and Wellness Manager

“I find it the most relaxing when I’m on a morning ride and it’s foggy. The forest gets really quiet and everything is still. The fog adds an otherworldly feel to the forest, and the gentle sway of the horses with the sounds of their breathing is enough to make anyone look around in wonder.”

Rachael Warnick, Wrangler

campfire at Paws Up

“For me, it doesn’t get any more relaxing than being curled up in front of a crackling campfire—a glass of red wine in one hand while the other twirls a marshmallow in the flames.”

Justyne Palermo, Reservations Manager

paws up nature

“The most relaxing thing about Paws Up is the early mornings. Nature is awakening and the light and air has an absolutely magical feel to it. Gathering my horse from the pasture at that time is my life medicine.”

Zia Reato, Wrangler

sunset at Paws Up

“Sitting on the porch at the end of the day, glass of wine in hand, watching an amazing Montana sunset. The colors are unlike anything else here, and you just watch the light melt away into a quiet evening.”

Jackie Kecskes, Youth Programs Director and Activities Manager

paws up hammock

Why Paws Up is Winning in June

Did you know that Montana is known as “the last best place?” Visit us at the Resort at Paws Up in Greenough, and you will be in on the secret, too. June is an incredible time to experience our resort and all it has to offer. From Montana’s long sunny days and optimal seasonal weather to the abundance of outdoor adventure that awaits, it’s the summer vacation getaway you and your family will never forget. If that isn’t enough to entice you, then here are 6 wonderful ways that Paws Up is winning in June.

1. Kites over Montana (June-13—19)

Brett Morris and his wife, Diane, have been featured participants at various kite festivals for more than a decade, and they’ll be taking to the beautiful big skies at The Resort at Paws Up this month. Build your own kite, and learn a few new tricks. Or, just sit back and relax as Brett and Diane’s trick kites and quads decorate the sky—you won’t be disappointed! You will learn all about kite building and flying, plus experience demos. All workshops are complimentary.

2. BBQ-U at Paws Up (June 17—19)

Father’s Day Weekend means it’s time to earn an extremely tasty, different kind of degree—perhaps a 375F degree for the perfect burger, or a 140F degree for a succulent medium steak. As part of the first BBQ-U, Montana Master Grillers alums Sam Huff (Sam’s BBQ-1 in Georgia) and Danny Fischer (Baby Blues BBQ in California) will conduct outdoor grilling demonstrations that will transform you from backyard beginner to searing expert. You will learn the techniques to expertly cooking meats and veggies from these pros—and—just as grand—this “university” will take place in Montana’s majestic outdoors. For barbecue enthusiasts faithfully devoted to the way of the grill and the passion of the flame, BBQ-U is the must-attend event of the summer. All participants are sure to get an A for appetite along with advanced barbecuing skills.

3. Bottle & Bottega (June 21—26)

Whether you’re the family Picasso or you struggle just to draw stick figures, Bottle & Bottega will bring out your inner artistic talent. This fun, hands-on art session will be totally relaxed, friendly, and filled with step-by-step instruction. No matter what your skill level is, we promise you will produce a painting to be proud of—there’s even plenty of wine to help get your creative juices flowing. We’ll have outdoor afternoon sessions in some of the most inspiring locations on the ranch, and sunset and alfresco evening sessions at individual luxury camps. There will also be a handful of vino-free sessions at the Kids Corps of Discovery, so family members of all ages will have a chance to express themselves.

4. Montana Long Table: The Ultimate Backyard BBQ (June 18)

Looking for the best way to spend Father’s Day? Join us at a Montana Long Table to dine with ranchers, farmers and food artisans who make the cuisine at The Resort at Paws Up so special. Chef Danny Fischer and Chef Sam Huff, along with Chef Ben Jones, will create a five-star menu that dad will love. Along with amazing live music, this mouthwatering adventure may become your new favorite summer tradition.

5. Behring Made Knives, C. Martini and Diane Whitehead Trunk Show (June 18th)

Don’t miss this unique trunk show featuring custom handmade knives, hunting knives and cutlery from Behring Made Knives, as well as a variety of goods from C. Martini “wearable art,” custom couture pieces (no two are the same) and fine art by renowned wilderness artist Diane Whitehead.

6. Mexicana (June 28th—29th)

Spice up your June stay with a special culinary event featuring the talented chefs of Lindo Michoacán, Las Vegas’ No. 1 Mexican restaurant. In collaboration with our Executive Chef Ben Jones, they’ll rustle up all the flavors of one of the world’s most exciting cuisines.

Mingle with fellow guests and resort staff, learn some new culinary skills, taste signature cocktails spiked with Dulce Vida organic tequila, enjoy deliciously authentic Mexican dishes, and kick up your heels with live entertainment from our outdoor stage.

One Resort, Two Vacations

One Resort, Two Vacations

Add dynamic to your next vacation! Outdoors in our 37,000 acres at Paws Up means a range of activities that can leave the family exhausted long before the options are. We’ve got you covered no matter the adventure you’re seeking, and that extends to our accommodations as well!

The Resort at Paws Up can be two vacations in one by combining the ease of living through indoor luxury with roughing-it-like-royalty glamping. Every feature of Paws Up pays tribute the rustic wilderness of “The Last Best Place” that is Montana without losing touch with your favorite creature comforts. Your private luxury vacation home is cozy with the best of modern amenities. Campgrounds bring a whole new interpretation to the Montana ‘Dude Ranch’ with their own camp butlers and chefs. You and yours can get the most out of your next vacation by experiencing both: starting in a home-away-from-home and then glamour camping beneath the ‘Big Sky’.

When choosing your vacation home we take into account your group size and vacation type. Extended family, reunion, or group get-together? We recommend our expansive Wilderness Estates. For smaller families or couples looking for privacy, perhaps Big Timber Homes or Meadow Homes are your ideal for isolated peace. Need more room without being broken up? For larger groups or company retreats, the historic Morris Ranch House or Blackfoot Lodge can cater to your spacious needs while also providing a true Montana experience. Luxury Homes at glance offer 2-4 bedrooms inside each home to accommodate up to 4-8 guests each. Majestic views, porches with six-person hot tubs, chef quality kitchens, luxury bed and baths, access to the wi-fi and satellite TV (should you choose it), complimentary transportation – all of these and more are made available to our vacation home guests.

Both the Morris Ranch House and Blackfoot Lodge offer a private luxury tent in their backyard. Selected Big Timber and Wilderness Estate homes offer this unique feature as well! Outfitted with lighting, a set of comfy beds, lounge furniture, toys and games, the luxury tents add a perfect adventure for kids and adults alike. Our permanent tents set you comfortably in the center of nature and beneath truly stunning nighttime views.

In fact, you may find that you’d like to spend the daytime in our safari-styled tents as well. Our ‘one resort two vacations’ option gives one week of Paws Up excitement with 4 days in a luxury home and 3 days glamping at our luxury camps. The variety enriches vacation memories, which last long after you leave the ranch. A camp butler attends to your every need and the chef creates high quality food with the freshest ingredients transformed through rustic cuisine style. Roast s’mores and sip wine beneath the ‘Big Sky’. The Resort at Paws Up is Montana’s premiere glamping site – enjoy fine linens, The Last Best Bed®, chic furnishings, art adorned walls, electricity, cooling fan and heat. Not to mention the private master bathrooms with rain shower, jetted tub, heated floors and indulgent organic spa products!

 

Where We’re Going Glamping

For many people, the term “camping” conjures images of dirty sleeping bags, flimsy tents that provide little protection from the elements and more insects than all the bug spray in the world could handle. But experiencing the great outdoors can be a very comfortable and, dare we say, luxurious experience.


The Resort at Paws Up, Greenough, Montana

Simply mention Montana and most people envision sweeping vistas and rugged landscapes. And The Resort at Paws Up certainly encompasses that pioneer-esque imagery, but it also throws in an element of undeniable opulence. Currently, there are four luxury camps to choose from here—there’s the Moonlight, Creekside, Pinnacle and River—each featuring views and characteristics all their own. In June, the newest luxury camp, Cliffside Camp, will join the roster. Resting on the banks of the Blackfoot River (the setting for the Norman Maclean novella A River Runs Through It), Cliffside Camp features four two-bedroom tent suites and two one-bedroom honeymoon tents, each as luxuriously rustic as the next. Every suite has in-room bathrooms (no dirt holes on this camping trip), air conditioning, and a camp butler and chef.

Interview: Stephen Beaumont, CEO of Paws Up

Stephen Beaumount’s illustrious 35-year career in the luxury hospitality sector has included management titles at Keswick Hall, The American Club, The Old Course Hotel Golf Resort and Spa in St. Andrews and Biras Creek Resort in the British Virgin Islands. He has been the CEO of The Resort at Paws Up, Montana, since last October.

Thank you for your time! How is business at Paws Up?
We are excited to be getting ready for our busiest season ever. Our forward bookings are ahead of previous years and the summer months will be extremely busy. However with 37,000 acres of land, our guests will never feel crowded.

Where are your guests coming from these days?
Paws Up guests come from all over the USA and increasingly from overseas. It is easy to get here from many areas of the country and only a 35-minute drive from Missoula International Airport which has great summer connections.

How do they hear about you?
I think that most people hear about us through word of mouth or a connection (often by social media) to our website. We have a very creative marketing and PR team who work hard to get the word out, not only about our “glamping®” experiences, for which we have become rather famous, but also the beautiful homes and the extraordinary menu of activities available.

You’re an Englishman in Montana and most recently a resident of the British Virgin Islands, where you managed Biras Creek Resort. How is the change of scenery treating you?
I can’t compare the two. The British Virgin Islands are spectacularly beautiful and yet the natural beauty and the combination of mountains, plains and rivers here in Montana has a rawness, a pristine yet wild side that makes me catch my breath every morning. The vistas seem to change almost every minute and I love the changes of season. They don’t call this Big Sky Country for nothing and it is just as well that my office chair is sited with my back to the windows or I would never get any work done!

How and when did you first hear about Paws Up?
Paws Up has been on my radar for several years now. I have had colleagues who have worked here at some point in their careers and it is the first place you look at when investigating the luxury camping model, which I have done in depth in at least one of my former positions. Paws Up is undoubtedly a pioneer of that concept and so it is a huge honor to now be heading up the wonderful team here and expanding the glamping business even further this year.

The ranch re-opens in April for the summer season. Are you expecting a busy spring as well?
We have a number of groups who are staying with us in April and May. It is a perfect location for a company to hold a retreat and combine some team building and meetings with the myriad activities on offer. Of course we also have an amazing chef and, close to my heart, an eclectic and unusual wine list. Work and leisure combine in very appealing ways at Paws Up!

If you were a guest of Paws Up, what would your perfect day be like?
I love the sunrises and I would try to capture the beauty of the pink glows over the mountains on my camera before going to Trough for a hearty breakfast. Although we offer many healthy options I would likely order huckleberry pancakes and a cup of locally roasted coffee that has been blended for us new for the season. Then off to the Wilderness Outpost for the first activity of the day. Perhaps a half-day of fly fishing on the Blackfoot River (made famous by “A River Runs Through It”) under the watchful and encouraging eye of one of our guides.

Having worked up an appetite and hopefully having caught a trout or two (we are strictly catch and release here), I would go back to the village for lunch and meet up with my wife who may have been enjoying a more leisurely activity at the spa, and sample some casual Montana fare. Perhaps a bison burger or some great chilli — not too spicy but just enough heat to keep the taste buds alive, all washed down with a local micro brew. I’ve become a little obsessed with the local beers even though my real passion is wine!
An afternoon activity seems to be beckoning, this time with my wife and arranged by our Personal Concierge, and so we may opt to go to the shooting club for some sporting clays, take a private horseback riding lesson or an ATV tour. We’re not brave enough to rappel the 163 feet down to the river from Lookout Rock nor do the whitewater rafting, but plenty of our guests are!

After our afternoon activity, back to our tent or luxury home to get changed and sit and relax on the deck before dinner and take in the views. If I am staying in one of the luxury camps, dinner will be served by the Camping Butler in the Dining Pavilion and prepared by our Camp Chef. If we’re in a home, we’ll drive our personal golf cart or Kia to the village where we will choose either the casual fare of Trough or the more fine dining (but still distinctly local Montana driven) Pomp. We’ll have a cocktail and enjoy a bottle of northwestern wine — perhaps a Washington State Merlot or Oregon Pinot Gris. Chef Adam’s simple and yet deceptively sophisticated cuisine will ensure that those taste buds are very, very happy!

The sun sets very late up here in summer and so it will probably still be light when we have finished our dessert. So a nightcap on the deck (local bourbon?) will ensure we are lulled gently to sleep, perhaps catching a glimpse of the infinite number of stars that fill the late summer skies, ready to wake refreshed for another day of adventure!

Your accommodations are roughly split between vacation homes and glamping tents. Do any guests prefer to split their visit with a stay in both?
Many guests like to try a combination stay and it is a great way to experience both. Our reservations team are experts in creating just the right blend of experiences and our Personal Concierges continue after your reservation is made, building an itinerary of activities, spa services and dining as well as being on hand during your stay to ensure that whether you are in a camp or a home, your visit to Paws Up is one that will live on in your memory.

What is it like working on new upgrades and luxury camping sites, such as Cliffside Camp, during a Montana winter?
There are definitely some challenges with construction and building when the ground is frozen and there is snow on the ground. However the team here has been building these additions now for eight years and they are masters of ingenuity. We get it done and although some things may look like they will never be finished in time, I know that they will be and that we have the best team ready and waiting for our first guests in April. We also spend a lot of time on training and developing our team, and the only way to provide world-class service is to plan well, recruit the best people and provide ongoing training and development. That has always been my mantra and it is no different at Paws Up.

The Montana Master Grillers Weekend is happening this May 24-27, with Chef Frank Ostini of Casmalia’s The Hitching Post and Chef Adam Sappington of Portland’s The Country Cat. How does your chef Adam Cooke find the participants?
Like everything, it is a team effort. Chef Adam knows a lot of people in the industry and so do many of us, whether on the operations side or in Sales and Marketing. We are also getting a great reputation as a fun venue for culinary events (we have been the host of Montana Master Chefs for many years now) and so we are approached by people in the culinary world to participate. That is a great honor and we welcome collaboration so that we can provide innovative and different experiences to our guests.

Any news on other upcoming projects to share with Hideaway Report readers?
We have many plans but we like to keep some of them in our back pocket so as to keep delighting and surprising our guests each year. To reveal them now would be like telling you what I’m getting you for Christmas. Oh and by the way, we also have incredible Christmas and New Year’s packages. But that’s a whole other story!

The Most Private and Exclusive Guest Experience in Montana

The Resort at Paws Up offers the most private and exclusive guest experience in Montana. There is no main lodge. There are no room numbers or hallways. Instead, our guests can stay in a luxury ranch home or glamping tent, nestled within a forest of tall timbers that overlook rolling meadows, majestic rivers, pastoral creeks and panoramic mountainscapes.

Paws Up offers 28  Montana vacation homes, each impeccably appointed in an unrivaled tapestry of rustic elegance and each located on its own private lot.  The expansive Wilderness Estates are perfect for Montana family reunions and groups. The Big Timber Homes and Meadow Homes make an ideal refuge for smaller families and couples on a quest for privacy. For a true Montana experience, stay in our historic Morris Ranch House or Blackfoot River Lodge – idyllically situated on the banks of the legendary Blackfoot River. All accommodations blend western-chic decor with a litany of amenities including kitchens, hot tubs, personal transportation, flat-screen TVs with DVD players, high-speed wireless Internet, laundry and more.

Luxury Ranch home

Luxury ranch home

Montana vacation home

Morris Ranch House

Blackfoot River Lodge

Top 10 Coolest Glamping® Honeymoons

A great article by Uschi & Kay about the glamping trend and the coolest glamping honeymoon destinations.  They included Paws Up in their list.  Here’s what they had to say.

Location: Greenough, MT
Price: From $1075/per night (includes all meals)

As one of America’s top glamping resorts, I couldn’t do a glamping round up without including Paws Up, now could I?  If you want a luxurious glamping experience in the truest sense of the word then Paws Up is the place for you. With a camp butler, heated washroom floors, and king sized feather beds, this is glamorous camping at its finest. And to make the experience at Paws Up truly decadent, a visit to the tented Spa Town is a must.

Adventure served just the way we like it…

Gordon J.B. MacGeachy

“The first time I heard about Paws Up, it was from a client back in 2006 and she wasn’t someone who would ever be interested in anything that looked like camping. She was very wealthy, controlling, and wanted to celebrate the fact that she had just got her two sons and grandchildren “back” after successfully managing two divorces and getting rid of the daughter-in-laws that she just couldn’t stand. Not being one to argue we sent them to Paws Up, and although I thought she would hate it, she absolutely loved it, and told me that she couldn’t wait for her sons to marry again so she she could plan another two divorces..!”

Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet…

Mother Nature can’t slow down the construction at Cliffside Camp, our newest and most luxurious glamping® experience opening in June.  This spectacular view is from the front deck of one of two “honeymoon tents” that will be available at Cliffside Camp.  Sweetening the view is our lovely reservations team (from left): Jessica, Sheena, Tira and Nicole.  Each stands at the ready to tell you more about Cliffside Camp and to help you plan the vacation of a lifetime at Montana’s premier luxury ranch resort.