We know you鈥檙e not going to book a trip somewhere just because there鈥檚 an absurdly cool hot tub waiting for you. That鈥檚 not why you travel. But let鈥檚 say that place also has jagged mountains ready for skiing, wild rivers full of salmon, or the northern lights visible from the jetted seat of that聽hot tub鈥攚ouldn鈥檛 that help tip the scales in the tub鈥檚 direction? We thought so. Here are some soaks that might just be worth the journey.
The Observatory at Alta Lakes
Telluride, Colorado
The is a plush lodge just outside Telluride鈥檚 ski boundary that鈥檚 accessed via snowmobile or skis in winter or a five-mile unmaintained road in summer. You can drop into fantastic backcountry skiing right out your door or hire a guide from to show you the area. In summer, you can climb 13,000-foot peaks and loop mountain bike trails right from the lodge. The best part? The view of the jagged San Juans from the deck鈥檚 stellar outdoor hot tub.
Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort
British Columbia, Canada
Located in a fjord deep within western British Columbia鈥檚 Great Bear Rainforest, the waterfront can be reached only by boat, helicopter, or seaplane. You鈥檒l be dropped off at one of nine two-bedroom cabins, all powered by hydroelectricity generated on-site. By day, take a guided hike up 5,500-foot Mount Stephens, sea kayak or paddleboard among seals and eagles, or be whisked by helicopter to a picnic atop a 10,000-year-old glacier. By night, steep in the cedar hot tub neighboring a waterfall before heading to the main lodge for a dinner of locally harvested salmon.
Matakauri Lodge
Queenstown, New Zealand
Minutes from Queenstown, on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, the upscale features an eight-person cottage with one major highlight: a dramatically placed hot tub perched on the edge of the private balcony. From the lodge, you can charter a boat to explore the lake, take a helicopter tour of Milford Sound, or taste local wines. You鈥檒l also dine on meals prepared by an on-site chef and head to the spa for hot-stone massages and yet another perfectly situated whirlpool.
Puema Lodge
Futaleufu River, Chile
In 2015, began offering lodge-to-lodge trips down Chile鈥檚 legendary Futaleufu River. You鈥檒l spend nine days rafting through Class IV and V whitewater and sleeping in deluxe accommodations each night. The remote will be your home base for two nights, but you may want to stay even longer after you ease into its wood-fired outdoor tub.
Amangani
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
After 4,000-vertical-foot tram-accessed laps at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, you鈥檙e sure to appreciate a long soak in stunning outdoor tub and heated infinity pool. The resort鈥檚 spa also has steam rooms, morning yoga sessions, and a plethora of body treatments. The concierge service can arrange everything from guided tours of Grand Teton National Park to fat biking through the National Elk Refuge to cat skiing at Grand Targhee.
Hotel Ranga
Hvolsv枚llur, Iceland
You can spot the Mount Hekla volcano from the three outdoor riverside hot tubs at , located in a pastoral corner of south Iceland. Visit during the northern lights and you can request an aurora alarm to make sure you catch a night sky lit with color, or stargaze from the hotel鈥檚 standalone observatory, complete with retractable roof. When the sun鈥檚 up, explore glacial caves, take a scenic flight over Mount Hekla, and fish for salmon in the East Ranga River.
Rifugio Scoiattoli
Cortina d鈥橝mpezzo, Italy
Book a night at the , accessed via chairlift from Italy鈥檚 Cortina ski resort, and you鈥檒l be treated to a traditional dinner of house-made pastas, basic overnight accommodations in a bunk room, and a supreme wood-barrel hot tub heated by wood-burning stove. From the tub鈥檚 perch, you鈥檒l have a view of the surrounding Dolomites. The hut was built in the 1960s by Italian mountain guide Lorenzo Lorenzi and is still owned and operated by his family.
Hidden Ridge Resort
Alberta, Canada
Banff, Alberta, has everything from ice climbing in its namesake national park to ski resorts like Lake Louise and Sunshine Village. But whatever your sport of choice, there鈥檚 no better way to end the day than a dip in the massive outdoor heated tubs at . Each whirlpool has views of the Canadian Rockies. There鈥檚 also a sauna, and each condo features a wood-burning fireplace and full kitchen. Want your own tub? Some accommodations come with private hot tubs on the balcony.