Mountaintop Movie Nights and Forest Picnics: 12 Boutique Hotels Across the U.S. Made for Group Trips

Desert dreamers, assemble. This isn't just a mirage, it’s a boutique hotel set on 38 acres of Sonoran serenity at the edge of Saguaro National Park, made for couples who believe the best group trips come with sunrise hikes and salt-rimmed cocktails. With just five suites, Posada by The Joshua Tree House feels like your friend’s (very chic) desert compound. Think: reclaimed telephone pole ceilings, sun-warmed saltillo tiles, and plaster walls that turn golden at dawn.

Good for Groups: Spend the day floating in the canyon pool, striking a pose in the dedicated yoga room, or doing absolutely nothing from the rooftop lounge (which is kind of the whole point). Come evening, you’ll want to bundle up for firepit hangs, locally made pastries, and a front-row seat to the galaxy overhead. Stargazing hits different when you’re with your people and no cell service.

Things to Do: You’ll have full access to 38 acres of serene desert landscape, perfect for morning walks and stargazing at night. Spend the afternoon swimming in the canyon pool, gather around the firepit after sunset, or host a movie night in the cozy living room with the in-house projector. The rooftop lounge is ideal for sunrise coffee or group hangs under the stars, while the dedicated yoga room offers space for private meditation or guided sessions. Need something extra? Private chef dinners and in-room massages can be arranged upon request.

Deep in Massachusetts hill country, where writers once found inspiration in the Berkshires, you can now write your own chapter at this boutique hotel. Untold, Berkshires offers a modern-day mountain retreat muse for couples and friends. Set inside a reimagined 1970s lodge, the property blends retro charm with quiet luxury: rich wood paneling, forest-toned velvet lounges, and vintage details that nod to the landscape beyond. In the Club Room, guests gather over seasonal dishes made with ingredients from nearby farms, while cocktails are shaken with local spirits and served fireside or beneath café lights on the patio.

Good for Groups: Whether you’re curled up in the library lounge with a book, unwinding in a Le Labo-scented corner booth, or staying out late with your group under the stars, this spot is ideal for small groups who want something between a cozy cabin and a full-on resort. The intimate scale of the hotel (and its common spaces) makes it feel like your group rented a stylish writer’s retreat for the weekend. This is the kind of place where couples who travel in packs find their rhythm of quiet mornings with coffee in the lounge, group dinners that feel like salon gatherings in the Club Room, and afternoons spent antique shopping or leaf-peeping in tandem.  

Things to Do: The Berkshires are a choose-your-own-adventure for group getaways. In the fall, it’s all about vibrant foliage hikes and leaf-crunching strolls through historic villages. Come summer, catch a Shakespearean play or a concert at Tanglewood, followed by al fresco drinks back at the house. Book horseback riding for a sun-dappled trail moment, or spend the afternoon on a culinary excursion. Think: dining al fresco at a historic estate in the Bershire hills and riverfront lunches along the Housatonic with locally sourced gourmet baskets and a bottle of natural wine. In winter, it’s fireside cocktails and cozy conversations that stretch late into the night. 

Editors Tip: For a memorable meal book the outdoor patio for a fireside dinner. For something extra memorable, pre-order a locally sourced picnic basket (available for 2–8 people with optional wine or craft beer)

Alpine chic, but make it boutique retreat. Nestled in the heart of Downtown Aspen,and redefining high-altitude hospitality, Mollie Aspen is the group trip spot for couples who pack puffer vests and curated playlists. This four-story gem channels a modern mountain aesthetic with plush velvet beds layered in Italian Frette linens, natural materials, and just enough edge to make you feel like you’ve checked into an architectural digest spread.

Good for Groups: The real scene? Upstairs at the Lo-Fi Lounge, a rooftop bar-meets-listening room where the vinyl spins everything from soul to hip-hop and the drinks are as thoughtfully mixed as the music. Toast your crew with coconut-lime leaf gin & tonics or a glass of champagne with caviar in hand. And yes, there’s blue cheese popcorn on the menu. 

Things to Do: Come summer and early fall, you can hop on the hotel’s custom MOLLIE x Bluejay e-bikes and explore Aspen at your own (very chic) pace. Winter? Swap the wheels for hot toddies, trivia nights, rooftop movies, hot tub and après-everything at the Art Deco-inspired Colony Club. Whether you’re dining on the terrace or clinking glasses under starlight, Mollie proves that mountain magic only gets better with a good travel group. 

If Nancy Meyers directed a coastal couples’ retreat, it might look a lot like this. Nestled among wild blueberry bushes and just a flip-flop’s stroll from Dock Square, AWOL Kennebunkport is the New England daydream your friend group’s been group-chatting about. Salt air, centuries-old elms, concrete-encased fireplaces. Check, check, check.

Good for Groups: This coastal retreat has rooms that blend raw elegance with cozy touches: hardwood floors, serene palettes, and private patios shaded by balsam firs. There are Japanese soaking tubs for peak relaxation, waffle kimonos you’ll never want to take off, and a slow pace that practically forces you into vacation mode (the good kind). Evenings call for lobster rolls dockside, chilled rosé in hand, and a round of “remember when?” laughter under the stars. Because grown-up sleepovers hit different when they come with soaking tubs and a lobster shack down the road.

In the Area: 

• Hit the beach: Southern Maine’s sandy stretches are stunning (and staff are happy to share the local favorites).
• Visit a lighthouse: Maine has 63 of them (!), and a DIY tour with your favorite people = instant photo album.
• Antique like it’s your cardio: Dock Square is packed with treasures, from nautical finds to grandmillennial gems.
• Trade sun for shade: Not feeling the beach? Head for the trails—Maine’s got the forest-to-coast hiking thing on lock.
• Hop on the beer trail: The Maine Brewers' Guild makes it easy to sip your way through the state’s finest craft brews. Group flight, anyone?

Half summer nostalgia, half coastal escape, Camp DeForest revives the classic American camp with a modern twist. Set among Maine’s evergreens, this reimagined 1950s motor lodge feels like the grown-up version of your favorite childhood adventure; only now the coffee’s stronger and the linens finer. Mornings begin with mist over Penobscot Bay, and end with laughter circling the firepit as someone inevitably burns a marshmallow.

Good for Groups: Perfect for reunions, retreats, or full-property celebrations, Camp DeForest is designed for takeover. Between kayaks on the bay, candlelit dinners in the lodge, and late-night rounds of cards by the hearth, the atmosphere feels communal in the best possible way.

In the Area:

• Stroll the scenic Rockland Breakwater at sunset.
• Ferry to Islesboro for an afternoon of coastal hiking and gallery hopping.
• Visit nearby Camden for harbor views and Maine-made oysters.
• Close the day with a round of blueberry pie and conversation back at camp.

Set on the western edge of Austin, The Wayback captures the rare balance between polish and ease. Eight board-and-batten cottages gather beneath a grove of oaks, joined by a café that feels more like a friend’s dining room than a restaurant. The aesthetic is refined but familiar: natural wood, crisp cotton, Hill Country air. The property sits at that sweet spot between hospitality and habitat, showing how intentional design can make leisure feel native to its place.

Good for Groups: Reserved in scale but rich in atmosphere, The Wayback works best when shared. Groups linger over seasonal dishes and Texas wines, move between the pool, the patio, and the shaded lawns, and treat the cottages as their own small compound. Every detail feels considered, from the farm-to-table menus to the way the light filters through the trees at golden hour.

In the Area:

• Visit nearby vineyards for afternoon tastings and panoramic views.
• Explore Austin’s west-end art galleries before dinner at the café.
• Drive to the Barton Creek Greenbelt for hiking or a swim.
• End the night around the firepit with a bottle from the bar and good company.

Leavenworth has the look of Bavaria and the spirit of a mountain base camp, and LOGE sits comfortably between the two. The property was built for those who prefer trail dust to turndown service: modern rooms stocked with gear hooks, a café that smells like espresso and pine, and a courtyard where strangers become trip companions by the second round. It’s polished in the right places, but still rough enough to feel real.

Good for Groups: The setup makes travel logistics almost an afterthought. Mornings start with waffles and route-planning, afternoons dissolve into river swims or bike rides, and nights pull everyone back to the firepit and a pint of the house lager. LOGE has a way of making any group feel like a team that’s been doing this for years.

In the Area:

• Paddle the Wenatchee or chase waterfalls in Icicle Canyon.
• Browse Leavenworth’s Bavarian streets for beer steins and folk guitars.
• Stop at Icicle Brewing for their exclusive LOGE pour.
• Come winter, ski by day and soak in the town’s alpine glow by night.

At Two Capes Lookout, the coast feels close enough to touch. The property spans 58 acres of forest and sea, with geodesic domes and mirror cabins angled toward the Pacific’s shifting blues. Days move at a generous pace; hikes through Sitka spruce, afternoons by the fire, dinners that end with ocean air in your hair and sand still on your shoes.

Good for Groups: Designed for gathering, the retreat makes travel feel effortless. Each dome and cabin offers privacy, while communal spaces invite everyone back together without planning a thing. Groups often book the full grounds, turning weekends into something larger: time marked by shared meals, small discoveries, and that collective sense of having truly arrived somewhere.

In the Area:

• Wander the Cape Lookout trails for views that don’t need filters.
• Explore Bob Straub State Park or the dunes at Cape Kiwanda.
• Visit Pacific City for coastal dining and local wines.
• End the evening around the fire, listening to the surf carry the day away.

Hidden among the boulders of Pioneertown, Sol to Soul feels like a mirage you get to keep. The all-white home sits on ten acres of desert terrain, surrounded by Joshua trees and quiet expanses that make time move differently. Inside, clean lines and natural light keep the focus where it belongs; on good company, good food, and the sense of being far from everything without feeling removed.

Good for Groups: Designed for connection, the house makes an ideal setting for creative retreats, dinner parties, and weekend celebrations. The layout keeps everyone close; meals shared at the long table, conversations by the fire pit, stargazing from the saltwater tub. Whether it’s two people or ten, it feels like the right size for what matters.

In the Area:

• Catch a live show and dinner at Pappy & Harriet’s in Pioneertown.
• Spend a day exploring Joshua Tree National Park.
• Shop local galleries and vintage stores in Yucca Valley.
• Watch the desert light change from the terrace with a glass in hand.

Framed by the Adirondacks, Eastwind Lake Placid gives new life to a historic motor lodge once built for passing travelers. Now, it’s a destination worth staying for; a cluster of cabins, suites, and communal spaces where design and nature trade compliments. There’s a vintage library, a fireside bar, and a sauna waiting after a day in the snow or on the trails. Every detail feels deliberate but never precious.

Good for Groups: A favorite for winter gatherings and summer takeovers alike, Eastwind makes group travel feel quietly elevated. Guests stay close; cabins and rooms spill into shared outdoor areas made for morning coffee, open-air dinners, and late-night storytelling. With space for both privacy and proximity, it’s easy to feel at home without losing the sense of being somewhere new.

In the Area:

• Stroll into town for local dining, Olympic history, and small-batch shops.
• Spend a day hiking or skiing in the surrounding parklands.
• Take the property’s bikes for a lakeside ride before settling by the fire.
• Visit in any season. The landscape rewrites itself beautifully year-round.

Noble + Proper feels like a mountain house with a social calendar. Tucked among the pines of Big Bear Lake, the property’s eight cabins blend nostalgia and design with a wink; each one a tribute to a “Noble man” or “Proper woman” from the founders’ family tree. The result is a stay that’s charmingly personal, a little glamorous, and perfectly suited for a group that knows how to make a weekend count.

Good for Groups: This is where friends become chosen family for a few days. With space for 42 guests, the cabins gather around a central lawn strung with café lights and mountain air. Mornings might start with coffee by the fire, evenings with a chef-prepared dinner under the trees. Between the private spa, game room, and lodge for the hosts, every moment feels designed to linger.

In the Area:

• Stroll Big Bear Village for wine bars, bakeries, and vintage finds.
• Explore alpine trails or rent a pontoon for the afternoon.
• Visit local distilleries or book a guided forest walk.
• Stay up late; this is one mountain retreat that was clearly built for good company.

A mountain classic with a modern soul, Noon Lodge has been hosting California weekends since the 1950s. Restored with fresh design and a respect for its roots, the property still carries that easy, communal energy that makes mountain towns unforgettable. Cabins range from cozy studios to family-size lodges, all gathered around fire pits, a pool, and the kind of air that resets your mind on arrival.

Good for Groups: Noon Lodge was made for reunion-style weekends and full-property takeovers. Think shared breakfasts, lake swims, afternoon bocce, and evenings that drift from barbecue to firelight. With space for 57 guests, the setup makes group travel feel less like coordination and more like tradition.

In the Area:

• Rent kayaks or bikes and explore Big Bear Lake’s quiet corners.
• Stroll the village for dinner, drinks, or a post-hike coffee.
• Visit local trails for panoramic views of the San Bernardino Mountains.
• Return to the lodge in time for sunset and a round by the fire.

Pretty hotel? Check. Something to do once you get there? Also check. These spots make group trips easy, for your next vacation with friends or family. From lakeside cabins with espresso mornings to desert stays where the gossip’s hot and the cocktails are spicier. Netflix-and-takeout? Cute. But we’re choosing room service and sunsets (in the least messy couple’s room).

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