From rural farmhouses to Western-style ranches, horse lovers can saddle up and sleep in style at these luxury equestrian escapes
Whether you’re an experienced equestrian or a beginner looking to break in your first pair of boots, we’ve rounded up a herd of hotels where you’ll want to stay in the saddle as much as in your boutique bedroom – and the views from your window can be best explored on four legs. Giddy up and get booking!
the green o, Montana – USA
Nestled among the towering trees of a Montana ranch, the green o’s treetop houses enjoy wraparound forest views beneath the soaring skies this state is so well known for. At the green o, you’re in a place that takes horseback riding seriously. In addition to spectacular trail rides, including the all-day-long Frontiersman Ride, you’ll discover peaceful sunset rides, authentic cattle drives, arena lessons, team penning and a challenging but fun new sport called ‘Cow Croquet’.
Experience a variety of Montana pastures and sagebrush trails – winding along the edge of the Blackfoot River, ambling through a forest of towering Ponderosa pines, and cresting Rocky Mountain foothills where you can see for miles around, all the way to the next mountain range. Each horse is lovingly cared for on the ranch by a team of equine experts and is carefully selected to meet your skill level. You’ll become fast friends with your steed, whatever your riding background.
Castello di Reschio, Umbria – Italy
Huddled amidst rolling green hills lined with cypress trees, Castello di Reschio is a one-thousand-year-old castle which has been meticulously restored and stylishly reimagined into ten bespoke farmhouses dotted across a staggeringly beautiful 1,500-hectare landscape.
With state-of-the-art stables created by the estate’s founder, Count Antonio Bolza, who was inspired as a boy by the famous Lipizzaner horses of Vienna, Reschio is now home to some of the world’s most skilled dressage horses – their weekly performances by in-house trainer Antonello Radicchi and his wife Francesca in the estate’s Teatro Equestre are not to be missed. Featuring spectacular indoor and outdoor arenas, the hotel’s multilingual instructors are on hand to help with all things horse-related, from dressage lessons to guided hacks through the Umbrian wilderness where you might spot deer dancing through the trees and wild boar snuffling in the undergrowth.
Grand Forest Metsovo, Metsovo – Greece
Birdsong rings across the mountains. A fresh breeze plays through the black pine forest. At Grand Forest Metsovo, getting back to nature comes easily. Perched on the slopes of the Pindus Mountain range in the foothills of the Pindus National Park – considered one of the most important protected areas for the maintenance of alpine biodiversity – every element of this chalet-style retreat has been designed with its surrounding peaks in mind.
Horseback treks through the pristine forest are the perfect way to take in the natural beauty, stopping for refreshing drinks straight from the mountain springs and ending with a delicious picnic of locally sourced produce prepared by the hotel’s executive chef, Vasilis Giannoulis.
Domaine des Etangs, Massignac – France
Drawing inspiration from its wildly beautiful natural setting deep in the Charente countryside, Domaine des Etangs is a meticulously restored retreat in a 1,000-hectare landscape of woodland and waterways. This Considerate Collection hotel encourages guests to connect with nature wherever possible, from guided horseback hacks around the estate, tours of the organic vegetable garden and cattle farm which is home to a herd of 350 Limousin cows, to rowing a boat across the pond as dragonflies skim the surface.
Torralbenc, Menorca – Spain
Perfectly placed between rolling farmland and vineyards, and the island’s sandy beaches with Mediterranean Sea views, Torralbenc boasts the best of both worlds when it comes to experiencing the natural Balearic beauty of Menorca. A traditional finca with fuschia flowers covering whitewashed walls, threshing floors, and a stable yard, the 27 rooms and cottages are decorated in a soothing, creamy palette. Hack through 77-hectares of the estate on horseback to make the most of the surrounding agricultural landscape, sprinkled with wild olive forests, fragrant orchards, and Mediterranean underwood.
Riverview Ranch, Montana – USA
Perched above the banks of the Clark Fork River, Riverview Ranch is a back-to-nature bolthole where each experience is an authentic Western adventure. The hotel’s connection to the vast Montana landscape greets you throughout your stay, whether you’re toasting marshmallows around the firepit or enjoying farm-to-table cuisine in the Lodge Great Room. When the charms of Big Sky Country beckon, there are ample opportunities to immerse yourself in ranch life – from horseback cattle drives, team penning, and scenic trail rides through the nearby Lolo National Forest, to horse-drawn sleigh rides with hot cocoa in hand during the winter.
Viesca Toscana, Tuscany – Italy
A tranquil Tuscan estate which was formerly the fashionable Ferragamo family’s summer home, Viesca Toscana’s collection of elegant villas and suites are set among lush grounds dotted with cypress trees – all within striking distance of Florence. Tempting as it might be to stay close to the swimming pool – and the wine – Viesca Toscana’s vast estate and surrounding hills cry out to be explored. Take in the idyllic views on horseback, winding through woodlands past vineyards and olive groves. After working up an appetite, return to Il Borro restaurant for traditional Tuscan dishes with vegetables that come directly from the on-site organic garden.
Carmo’s Boutique Hotel, Ponte de Lima – Portugal
With just 15 rooms and three glamping-style tent suites, Carmo’s Boutique Hotel is an intimate countryside retreat in the heart of Portugal’s oldest village, Ponte de Lima. Carmo’s guests are wonderfully placed to discover the traditions, cultural heritage and architecture of the beautiful Minho region of Portugal. With equestrian touches at every turn, Carmo’s is a haven for horse lovers – including Frederico the pony on hoof to help you with your bags.
Take a class at the nearby Equestrian Centre Vale do Lima before exploring the region’s lagoons and Peneda-Gerês National Park. For a more leisurely experience, sit back in a horse-drawn carriage along tree-lined pathways to take in the rural surroundings at a slower pace.
Hotel Rangá, Hella – Iceland
From the Golden Circle in the west to the Glacier Lagoon in the east, Hotel Rangá is ideally located if you’re looking to experience everything South Iceland has to offer. Originally intended as a rural resort for horse lovers, Hotel Rangá was founded on the banks of the Rangá River, from which it takes its name, by Sigurbjörn Bárðason – one of Iceland’s best known horsemen. Should you choose to spend your time in the saddle, you’re guaranteed volcanic views and a lesson in the five gaits of the Icelandic horse. Canter through fjords and over windswept black beaches, before warming up in the hotel’s outdoor geothermal hot tubs for an evening session of stargazing in the observatory – if you’re lucky, you might even see the Northern Lights.
Rawah Ranch, Colorado – USA
A rustic set of historic Colorado-style cabins in the rugged Laramie River Valley, Rawah Ranch is a true slice of the Wild West. Channel your inner cowboy or girl with over 22 trails spanning mountain waterfalls, lily ponds and across rivers, through aspen groves and peaceful valleys. Ride through thousands of acres of pristine and protected high-country Colorado wilderness, perfect your lassoing skills on the lawn, or get up to speed in the arena with one-to-one instruction with the Rawah resident wranglers. More experienced riders can venture off property with a selection of all-day treks, including a mounted visit to ‘Ghost Town,’ an old mining camp from the 1800s where the cabins are still intact.
