Forest Houses Resort, Sedona Wagyu cows, Icelandic sheep, French Copper Maran chickens and Alentejano Iberian pigs. Terra Farm + Manor is an all-inclusive luxury resort that is part agricultural retreat, part culinary adventure, drawing a gourmands seeking a closer relationship to their food. “You’re here with eight to 12 like-minded individuals who care about where their food comes from,” explains chef and owner James Porter. “They’re in for a dining experience, they’re in for adventure, they’re in for something uniquely Arizona.” The off-grid, solar-powered resort is tucked away in Prescott National Forest on the site of a former homestead — and before that, an American Indian settlement. It is perched on one of the state’s largest aquifers and uses sustainable farming practices to reduce its footprint. Native agriculture flourishes here, and the state’s bounty is woven into seemingly everything, from the selection of spirits to the napkins woven by local textile artists using Arizona-grown cotton. “Our focus is to support all things Arizona, celebrating the cuisine of the American West,” says Porter. During the day, try your hand at tasks such as harvesting vegetables or collecting eggs from the coop. At night, sleep in the master suite or one of the seven guest rooms, which border the picturesque courtyard edged in fragrant herbs. While these farming experiences may put guests closer to their food source, some resorts seek to bring visitors closer to the wonder of Arizona’s natural beauty. At Forest Houses Resort in Sedona, sink into the shaded tranquility of upper Oak Creek Canyon, where towering Douglas fir and Ponderosa pine trees provide cooling shelter for wildflowers, birds and other wildlife. This family-owned resort started in 1930, when Robert Kittredge, Sr. and his brother bought the property for $60 per acre and began building rustic mountain homes across the 20-acre parcel. Pick from cozy cabins, such as the two-person Tree House, or the sprawling Sycamore House, which accommodates up to 10 people. Your days will be spent swimming or fishing for trout in the cool waters of Oak Creek, hiking nature trails or watching for wildlife amid lush greenery. For an experience that blends nature and ancient culture, venture to the vast lands of the Navajo Nation to spend the night where the wide-open skies glitter with infinite stars. Just 12 miles south of Page, Shash Diné Eco-Retreat is an off-grid glamping space built by Baya and Paul Meehan on ancestral land that Baya’s family has stewarded throughout centuries. You’ll hear traditional storytelling, eat a hearty dinner of mutton and vegetables and spend the night in a bell tent, cabin or hogan — a traditional Navajo earth-and-log dwelling. Wake up to sweeping vistas of brilliant red canyons and deserts as far as the eye can see. Sometimes a hotel is simply a place to rest after a long day of exploring. But these passionate locals ensure their accommodations also offer a brief, beautiful glimpse into the wonder that is Arizona. 32 VISITARIZONA.COM TERRA FARM + MANOR
Arizona Official State Travel Guide Arizona 2023-24: Page 32
