Enthusiast Hotel Collection Launches With Six Properties

By Newsdesk Sep 25, 2023 4:41pm

The new Enthusiast Hotel Collection has launched six properties. Reaching across the country and all the way to the Caribbean, each hotel offers a distinctive experience. The six properties are: Brewery Gulch Inn and Spa, overlooking the rugged Mendocino Coast of Northern California; Historic Tapoco Lodge, a hideaway set in North Carolina’s scenic Great Smoky Mountains; the Hartstone Inn, which anchors the New England village of Camden, Maine; the adults-only Casa Morada, which is a sub-tropical retreat along the scenic Islamorada coastline in the Florida Keys; A Stone’s Throw Away in Nassau, Bahamas; and the family-friendly Cap Cove in St. Lucia, home to crescent-shaped coves and balmy rainforests.

Brewery Gulch Inn and Spa, California

Brewery Gulch Inn and Spa is the collection’s Northern California outpost in Mendocino County. Set on acres of old growth forest and meadows and adjacent to the 48,000 redwood-studded acres of Jackson Demonstration State Forest, this inn is located on a bluff top overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Amenities include a spa and a full-time executive chef who cooks only for guests, serving an array of culinary offerings, from cooked-to-order breakfast to an innovative Wine & Appetizer Hour highlighting locally sourced, organic ingredients.

Historic Tapoco Lodge, North Carolina

Across the country, near Robbinsville, NC and right in the center of the Nantahala National Forest, Historic Tapoco Lodge sits on the banks of the Cheoah River. This property on the National Register of Historic Places has been popular with outdoor adventurers, gear heads and nature enthusiasts since 1930. Comprising 120 acres, it is situated at the end of U.S. 129, the famous "Tail of the Dragon," considered to be America’s number-one motorcycle and sports car road. Aficionados admire the cars that are often parked onsite—hot rods, exotics and pro-touring luxury machines abound. There are 11 private hiking trails and activities during the summer months include tennis, pickle-ball, canoeing, rafting, kayaking, fishing and mountain biking. Overlooking the rushing Cheoah River, onsite visitors will find Tapoco Tavern equipped with a full-service bar and offering everything from brick-oven pizzas to all-American favorites such as steaks, burgers, salads and fresh Carolina Mountain trout.

Hartstone Inn, Maine

At the United States’ northeastern tip, Hartstone Inn—built in 1835—is situated in Camden, on the Midcoast of Maine. The nearby harbor on Penobscot Bay, with its fleet of windjammers and bustle of activity, sets the tone for this cozy coastal retreat; sailing excursions can be arranged by the hotel. All rooms have writing desks, flat screen TVs, fine linens, robes, original art and more. The Electric Daisy restaurant comes with a wine list and a celebrated chef. The nightly Happy Hour at the hotel's bar includes extensive selection of “Sober Curious” mocktails in Midcoast Maine (in addition to inventive cocktails). The hotel also provides complimentary daily breakfast.

Casa Morada, Florida Keys

Florida’s Keys are the setting for Casa Morada, the collection’s only adults-only resort. Located in Islamorada, along the "Sunshine State’s" scenic Overseas Highway, Casa Morada has gardens designed by renowned landscape architect Raymond Jungles. The gardens have an extensive collection of Florida native and tropical plants, trees and grasses. When it’s time for cocktails, drinks are served poolside on the resort’s own private island. The skipjack sailboat Sol Sister and 105-year-old yacht Blue Mist can be booked for private tours, nautical adventures or as a vantage point for the spectacular sunsets that the area is famous for. There are courtesy kayaks, paddle boards and bicycles available for guests’ use. Spa services are on offer and complimentary yoga can be enjoyed by guests every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. Breakfast is included each morning and lunch can be ordered to enjoy in the suites or poolside from noon to 5 p.m.

A Stone’s Throw Away, Bahamas

Situated on one of the highest elevations by the coast in Nassau, Bahamas, A Stone’s Throw Away offers a rare panoramic view of Nassau’s land and sea, from the native pine forest by Lake Killarney to the rim of the coral reefs that protect the beaches. The hotel is built to echo the traditions of an old Bahamian home with wood floors and wood ceilings, louvered shutters and a large wrap-around porch. Serene Love Beach, known for its snorkeling, is only a two-minute walk away. Suites and rooms with wood or parquet floors have either ocean or tropical garden views. All rooms have private balconies, flat-screen TVs with cable, and several rooms have walk-in showers with separate tubs. The outdoor swimming pool is open year-round and massage services are available on request. There is a vegan Indian restaurant and complimentary continental breakfast is served each morning in the dining room or on the porch overlooking the ocean.

Cap Cove, St. Lucia

Cap Cove is the second of the collection’s Caribbean properties. On the northeast coast of St. Lucia, Cap Cove is nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the championship St. Lucia Golf Club. This family-friendly retreat sits on a bay with a secluded half-mile stretch of beach surrounded by green tropical landscapes. There are 74 individually decorated beachfront suites and townhomes—all with fully equipped kitchens and many with amenities such as outdoor dining areas and lounge spaces. The four-bedroom family-style villas are complete with personal pools and terraces, while furnished condos surround the lagoon pool. This bayside village has its own poolside Tiki Bar serving island cocktails while there is also a well-equipped onsite fitness center. Suitable for the whole family, their Cap Cove restaurant serves fresh local ingredients and modern presentations.

All of the properties are pet-friendly, with the exception of Brewery Gulch Inn and all offer free Wi-Fi and free parking.