Rush Creek Lodge, California

All 143 rooms, suites and villas come with a private deck and views of the surrounding woodland, many face west for great sunset views. Blending in with the 20 acres of forest enveloping this Yosemite retreat, the three-storey lodge buildings and main lodge are timber-clad and built with the environment in mind. Eye-catching canvases bring the outside in and huge animal photographs remind you that you’re on the doorstep of nature’s playground. Lodge Rooms are ideal for two, and the larger Lodge Suites feature a separate living area and a cosy cast-iron gas fire for the winter months. For families, the Hillside Villas come with two bedrooms, a living area in the master bedroom and a large deck. To encourage interaction with the outdoors, the rooms don’t feature televisions, instead you’ll find a box full of games in each room.

The spacious restaurant overlooks the pool and serves hearty breakfasts and wholesome Californian dishes for dinner, with locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. For lunch, the Tavern ticks the box when it comes to producing hunger busting dishes after a morning hiking or biking in the surrounding woodland. The Tavern features a huge communal table if you’d like to socialise with fellow guests as well as cosy booths for a something a little more intimate, or head out to the terrace and enjoy al fresco dining in the fresh mountain air. Just off the lobby, the brilliantly stocked General Store has everything you need for a day our exploring Yosemite, from fresh coffee, picnic goodies and maps to beer, wine and cheese for a tasty treat on your deck as the sun sets over the hills.

The recreation programme at Rush Creek Lodge has been carefully and lovingly developed, tried and tested for many years by the friendly team at the lodge’s sister property, Evergreen Lodge. With the entrance to Yosemite National Park just half a mile away, and the infamous Valley Floor a 45-minute drive away, you can either self-tour in the park, or join an informative guided tour along the scenic trails, hop on a bike and cycle along picturesque mountain paths or try a spot of fishing in a crystal clear stream. The lodge itself offers countless experiences including swimming and hot tubs, wilderness talks, stargazing, live bands, a large screen in the Tavern for live sport, a kids play area and gold-panning. There’ll soon be a zip line too! Every evening, be sure to grab a spot around the fire pit for a taste of every American’s childhood – and adulthood – obsession; S’mores – the ubiquitous campfire treat.