From Jewelry-Making to Falconry: Hotels Redefine the Concept of Vacation

As travelers increasingly prioritize immersive experiences over mere sightseeing, hotels are adapting to meet this growing demand by incorporating skill-building activities into their offerings. In line with Hilton’s 2026 Trends Report, which found that 72% of travelers desire to explore a personal passion, skill, or hobby during their vacation, numerous hotels across the US are now providing guests with exclusive classes, workshops, and local experiences that showcase their unique locations.

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Alila Ventana Big Sur, situated in the heart of California’s Central Coast, offers an ‘Alila Experience’ program that integrates workshops with nature. Guests can participate in activities such as ‘Dive in the Hive,’ where they learn about beekeeping and enjoy a guided honey tasting, or take part in a hydrosol class to learn about botanical distillation using foraged plants from Big Sur. The property also features a knife handle-making course that utilizes locally sourced wood.

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The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach, marks its 10th anniversary by introducing a new collection of Signature Experiences that highlight traditional Hawaiian craftsmanship. The Art of Laʻi, for example, includes a lesson on the spiritual significance of the laʻi (ti leaf), followed by a lei-making workshop. The Luahala Weaving Experience provides a tutorial on traditional weaving techniques used for dried pandanus leaves. Foodies can participate in The Craft of Poke, a hands-on cooking class led by executive chef Reid Matsumura, which covers the techniques and flavors that define the beloved Hawaiian fresh fish dish.

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Sundance Mountain Resort in Utah offers an Art Studio & Gallery where guests can learn various skills, including jewelry-making, journaling, printing, perfumery, pottery, soap-making, and more. The resort also features a phone photography course that teaches students how to use the macro lens to capture flora and fauna. Additionally, the Glassblowing Studio allows guests to witness artisans creating hand-blown, recycled glass works of art.

Sea Island in Georgia provides a range of classes, from standard tennis and pickleball lessons to more unique offerings like ‘The Falconer’s Apprentice,’ where guests can train with one of Sea Island’s master falconers. The property also features ‘Turtle Technicians,’ a class where children can learn about the turtle species in the area.

Woodstock Inn and Resort in Vermont launched ‘Passion Pursuits’ last year, a curated list of experiences that allow guests to tap into the beauty of the Green Mountains. These activities are guided by ‘Passionistas,’ on- and off-site activity leaders who introduce guests to a range of activities, such as skiing, horseback riding, snowshoeing, and knitting. Other standouts include maple sugaring, where guests can visit local sugarhouses and taste-test Vermont’s liquid gold, or gardening within the hotel’s very own Kelly Way Gardens, focusing on seasonal flavors and flower arranging.

Mohonk Mountain House in New York is an adult summer camp set in a mountaintop castle. The property features a daily catalogue of recreational experiences that change depending on the season. In the summer, guests can participate in activities such as tomahawk throwing, via ferrata rock climbing, or guided horseback riding. Come winter, guests can take part in crafting embossed medallions, sitting in on art history lectures, trying their hand at the ancient Chinese practice of Qigong, and ‘lost proofing’ (navigating without a map in the wild).

The Lodge at Primland, Auberge Collection in Virginia is essentially a sporting ground, with opportunities for tracking and hunting wild game, fly fishing, shooting clays, riding RTVs, and more. The property also features an observatory equipped with Celestron CGE Pro 1400 and CPC 800 telescopes, perfect for spotting celestial objects in the Appalachian sky. Guests can also follow a resident naturalist on a foraging hike to learn about the native plants and flowers of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Enchantment Resort in Arizona offers a number of artsy experiences, from using oracle cards to paint spirit animals to engaging in the practice of pyrography, or wood-burning. The emphasis is on pottery, with classes dedicated to getting comfortable on the wheel, experimenting with clay shaping, and becoming acquainted with Southwestern glazing techniques. Guests can also pair their experience with a glass of wine selected by the hotel’s sommelier.

Wequasset Resort & Golf Club in Massachusetts partners with the Orvis Saltwater Fly Fishing School to host novice anglers who are looking to improve their skills at the elbow of Cape Cod. Guests can take a one-hour, hands-on class on the art of casting or embark on a day-long experience where they’ll learn all the basics, from choosing gear and tackle to landing and safely releasing fish.

The Meadows on Rock Creek in Montana is a luxury all-inclusive guest ranch that embodies ranch life. Guests can participate in activities such as shooting clays, mountain biking, or driving UTVs along backcountry trails. For a full-on Western sidequest, guests can book a sapphire mining experience to learn how to sift through the area’s beautiful gemstones; they’ll even get to take home their discoveries. Come sundown, guests can engage in some ranch games or fireside stargazing.

In conclusion, hotels across the US are redefining the concept of vacation by incorporating unique skill-building experiences into their offerings. From jewelry-making to falconry, these hotels are providing guests with a chance to explore their personal passions and create lasting memories.