I love a delicious new hotel opening and while they are few and far between in this challenging environment, the June 1 opening of the new modern luxury ranch The Green O in Montana, from the creators of The Resort At Paws Up, seems like it was almost designed for what we all need right now. Remote, lots of pampering and adults-only (yes!) with the perfect balance of serenity and adventure. If fireside hot tubs and skylights above your bed without the kids in the Montana wilderness sound appealing to you, well then just keep reading.
First, let’s discuss the name, The Green O. A bit strange name to choose unless you go back a bit in history to find out the meaning. The owner of the original ranch established in 1915, Paul Greenough, was well-known for his sense of humor and liked to brand his sheep with a large Green O. Years later, the town of Greenough was named in his honor.
Opening June 1, The all-inclusive Green O was born out of the growing demand amongst guests at Paws Up for a year-round, more intimate adult-only glamping experience (fun fact: the term Glamping was actually coined by Paws Up in 2004). The new hideaway, located on the Southern edge of the 37,000 acres shared with the Resort At Paws Up, features an edgy, contemporary architectural design where guests can be as one with nature as possible.
Similar to Paws Up, all three meals are included at Green O (guests do have access to the three restaurants at Paws Up) as are airport transfers from Missoula Airport. But even with shared services and facilities, this is very much a distinctly independent entity with unique appeal and features.
ACTIVITIES
At the Green O, guest have access to everything that The Resort at Paws Up has to offer but are able to retreat back to their exclusive hideaway. A private island at Salmon Lake, guests can do tons of water sports such as jet skiing, kayaking, sailing, swimming, wakeboarding, waterskiing along with sunset pontoon boat tours. In the Winter, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and skiing are the main diversions.
Guests have access to all the programming and events at Paws Up but will also have their own exclusive events.
ACCOMMODATIONS
The showstopper for me is the architecture. Green O features features four different styles of accommodations amongst 12 Haus’ in all, each with their own unique design and characteristics (but all with floor to ceiling windows to make you feel immersed with nature). Each Haus, 800-1,200 square foot in size, is fitted with 1 BR for a maximum of two adults and comes with a private Lexus car to explore the vast property.
The Green Haus
Features a living roof of greenery, turning its rooftop terrace into a meadow-like perch. Inside, it gets better: A skylight above the bed allows guests to gaze at constellations all through the night (when they aren’t gazing at each other) along with a large atrium over a glass-encased living room.
The Light Haus
A glass bump-out design with an oversized skylight over your bed is the highlight of these accommodations. A private hot tub on the outdoor deck along with two fireplaces are also unique features of the most private of the accommodations.
Tree Haus
Elevated 15 feet in the air, the two-story Tree Haus features a glass-encased spiral staircase to a living room and then on to a master bedroom suite. Two separate terraces provides the best views to the outdoors.
Round Haus
The stylish Round Haus has an edgy design is a result of its curves. Both its living room and bedroom offers 180-degree window views, putting you in the center of the forest. A sunken seating area with a two-sided fireplace and rooftop terrace with panoramic views are also unique features of this accommodation.
DINING
Social Haus is where guests congregate for dining. An open kitchen with food cooked under a live fire concept with open forest views, Social Haus serves a changing menu. Guests have access to Paws Up Restaurants.
WELLNESS
Green O’s spa and fitness program is as much an attraction as the architecture, cuisine, and surroundings. Spa Town is a collection of tents where a variety of services ranging from massages to purifying mineral mud wraps are provided. Yoga and Glidebarre classes, a Huff-and-Puff Fitness Center equipped with the latest machines, and a 1-mile fitness trail equipped with 12-wooded stations are also available to both Green-O and Paws Up guests.
CLIENTELE
You must be over 21 to stay here. Green O is perfect for those who don’t want to share their ranch vacation with lots of young ones running around and have a more sophisticated relaxing experience but with all the amenities and activities of a dude ranch.
COST
How to Get Here
The Green O is located in the remote township of Greenough, Montana—35 miles northeast of Missoula, Montana where the Missoula International Airport is locate. MSO features a number of major airlines and direct, daily flights along with one-stop flights from Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Oakland, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Francisco and Seattle. Many guests take private flights into MSO.
Round-trip transportation between the airport and The Green O is included in all room rates, as well as all on-property transportation.
THE LAST WORD
I fell in love with the big skies and endless vistas of Montana when I went there for the first time two years ago. Since then, I’ve been working my husband to get a vacation home there (‘it’s an investment’) – Big Sky, here we come this August! Paws Up, a resort that is a working cattle ranch, has been consistently refining and enhancing its offerings since it opened and has its pulse on what customers want and need. Their latest creation, Green O, seems to hit all the right notes. The question is not should you go, but when should you go.
Images courtesy of Green-O Montana.
