Muddy Stilettos


<p>Country is having its moment right now. From fashion (hello western boots) to country music being the UK&#8217;s fastest growing genre, it seems everyone is looking at ways to channel their inner cowgirl. Not on the bandwagon yet? The announcement of Soho House&#8217;s <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DSiPPB_DajX/?hl=en&amp;img_index=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Soho Ranch House Sonoma</a>, set to open in California in 2027, should get you over the line. And it isn&#8217;t your average horseback riding holiday. Think cottage living, farmyard frolicking, and views over the vineyards. It&#8217;s just one example of the new frontier of equine travel where wellness, nature, and gastronomy collide. So, saddle up. Here&#8217;s your hit list of luxury ranches around the world worth the long ride.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lodge-at-blue-sky-utah"><a href="https://auberge.com/blue-sky/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Lodge at Blue Sky</a>, Utah</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1250" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/blue-sky-604323464_18523920589065757_1727019308889988514_n.jpg" alt="The Lodge at Blue Sky, Utah best ranch hotels in the world" class="wp-image-130746" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/blue-sky-604323464_18523920589065757_1727019308889988514_n.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/blue-sky-604323464_18523920589065757_1727019308889988514_n-480x600.jpg 480w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/blue-sky-604323464_18523920589065757_1727019308889988514_n-800x1000.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Deep in the heart of the wild west, this ridiculously stylish mountain resort perches on a cool 4,000 acres of land. It&#8217;s a total love letter to the wilderness, fully surrendering itself to its jaw-dropping surroundings. If you do manage to peel yourself away from the alpine views and your deliciously decorated suite (tall order, we know), a world of adventure awaits. Guests have exclusive access to three private ski zones in the nearby mountain ranges, hiking, mountain biking, woodland aerial yoga, and al fresco meditation. Oh, and did we mention the spa?</p>



<p>The unique equine programme here is heavily anchored in mindfulness, and as much about healing its guests as it is its horses. Saving Gracie’s Farm is home to more than a dozen rescued Thoroughbreds and Mustangs with guests able to enjoy experiences like Wisdom of the Horse, Rescue Horse Rehabilitation, and the Healing Power of Horses which involve breathwork exercises and wellbeing activities. And you can ride them too. Naturally.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-herdade-da-malhadinha-nova-portugal"><a href="https://www.malhadinhanova.pt/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Herdade da Malhadinha Nova</a>, Portugal</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1874" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/herdade476824341_1012238254268776_6676866890774855919_n.jpg" alt="Herdade da Malhadinha Nova, Portugal luxury ranch stays" class="wp-image-130750" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/herdade476824341_1012238254268776_6676866890774855919_n.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/herdade476824341_1012238254268776_6676866890774855919_n-480x600.jpg 480w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/herdade476824341_1012238254268776_6676866890774855919_n-800x1000.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/herdade476824341_1012238254268776_6676866890774855919_n-1229x1536.jpg 1229w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Less yeehaw, more yes please. This one Michelin Key hottie is located in Portugal’s most unspoiled agricultural region, and to put it simply, is what dreams are made of. There&#8217;s a state-of-the-art winery, peaceful private&nbsp;casas, and one sparkling infinity pool to boot. And that&#8217;s before mentioning the remarkable restaurant where Michelin starred chef Joachim Koerper calls the shots. Practically all the ingredients used are organic and produced on the 1,000-acre estate. Yes, really. The horses from the hotel&#8217;s own stud farm are equally impressive. It breeds some of the finest, Pure Blood Lusitano horses for miles around, so riding here is a pretty special experience.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-estancia-los-potreros-argentina"><a href="https://www.estancialospotreros.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Estancia Los Potreros</a>, Argentina</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/aregntina490011367_1407337503816731_4392416308992233829_n.jpg" alt="Estancia Los Potreros, Argentina best ranch hotels in the world" class="wp-image-130755" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/aregntina490011367_1407337503816731_4392416308992233829_n.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/aregntina490011367_1407337503816731_4392416308992233829_n-600x600.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/aregntina490011367_1407337503816731_4392416308992233829_n-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/aregntina490011367_1407337503816731_4392416308992233829_n-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/aregntina490011367_1407337503816731_4392416308992233829_n-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/aregntina490011367_1407337503816731_4392416308992233829_n-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>You&#8217;re in real gaucho country now. Estancia Los Potreros in Argentina&#8217;s Córdoba region fully leans into its rustic, homely feel, and you&#8217;ll be warmly welcomed by the Begg family with open arms. For people who want a taste of estancia life, this is about as wild, crowd-free, and authentic as it gets. Become an Argentine cowboy and learn how to ride one of their 140 gentle steeds the gaucho way, head on a nature walk, go birdwatching, or even play a game of polo. It truly offers a once-in-a-lifetime stay.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-ranch-at-rock-creek-montana"><a href="https://theranchatrockcreek.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Ranch at Rock Creek</a>, Montana</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="999" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/ranch-creek-480305075_939443731734057_2532673277089362295_n.jpg" alt="The Ranch at Rock Creek, Montana" class="wp-image-130763" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/ranch-creek-480305075_939443731734057_2532673277089362295_n.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/ranch-creek-480305075_939443731734057_2532673277089362295_n-600x400.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/ranch-creek-480305075_939443731734057_2532673277089362295_n-1000x666.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Blink and you&#8217;re basically on the set of <em>Yellowstone</em>. The Ranch at Rock Creek is unapologetic cowboy-core through and through, set in 6,000 acres of immaculate Montana wilderness. Brace for a full digital detox. There&#8217;s no town for miles. Just you, the mountains, and the great outdoors. Play cowgirl, ride horses, hit the spa (the Saddle Sore Soak should sort you out), behold the weekly rodeo, and just pretend the outside world doesn&#8217;t exist. For a little while.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-estancia-cerro-guido-chile"><a href="https://estanciacerroguido.com/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Estancia Cerro Guido</a>, Chile</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1251" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/chile.jpg" alt="Estancia Cerro Guido, Chile" class="wp-image-130765" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/chile.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/chile-480x600.jpg 480w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/chile-799x1000.jpg 799w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Stargazing in the heart of Patagonia and witnessing one of earth&#8217;s most spectacular celestial displays might sound like the biggest draw here, but you&#8217;re wrong. The groundbreaking puma conservation programme sets it apart from the rest. It&#8217;s a bold experiment in coexistence in a setting of breathtaking landscapes and unmatched biodiversity. Quite frankly, they&#8217;ve nailed the balance of conservation and tourism &#8211; proffering intrepid travellers an ethical means to explore. And of course, the estancia offers safaris to see the elusive cats. That plus cultural excursions, horseback riding, e-biking, and 21 rooms with unmatched levels of exclusivity. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brush-creek-ranch-wyoming"><a href="https://www.brushcreekranch.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brush Creek Ranch</a>, Wyoming</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1875" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/brush-creek-488252696_1052297703596634_8916115842641970316_n.jpg" alt="Brush Creek Ranch, Wyoming best hotels with horse riding" class="wp-image-130768" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/brush-creek-488252696_1052297703596634_8916115842641970316_n.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/brush-creek-488252696_1052297703596634_8916115842641970316_n-480x600.jpg 480w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/brush-creek-488252696_1052297703596634_8916115842641970316_n-800x1000.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/brush-creek-488252696_1052297703596634_8916115842641970316_n-1229x1536.jpg 1229w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Gallop off into the sunset at this cosy, lodge-style western retreat. Honestly, we can&#8217;t think of a better setting to hibernate away the winter. All-inclusive luxury, wellness, and fresh air is the name of the game, with authentic log cabins that pay homage to the old west. After hitting up the bakery, distillery, and spa all in one, you&#8217;ll find us slipping out of our dirty boots and heading off for a spot of goat yoga. Yes, seriously. The Farm is a foodie destination in its own right, offering seed-to-table dining, a wine cellar housing over 30,000 bottles, and ranch-reared American wagyu beef. Oh, nearly forgot. It has its own private 600-acre ski mountain exclusive to just 12 guests at a time too. No biggie.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-farm-at-cape-kidnappers-new-zealand"><a href="https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/cape-kidnappers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Farm at Cape Kidnappers</a>, New Zealand</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="785" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/image-2-1000x785.jpeg" alt="The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, New Zealand luxury ranch hotels" class="wp-image-130781" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/image-2-1000x785.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/image-2-600x471.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/image-2.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>For an equine escape with a side of vitamin sea, this 6,000 acre working sheep and cattle station in Hawke&#8217;s Bay is one of the most luxurious around. Spectacular Pacific Ocean views aside, the real question is: what do you fancy doing? Sheep herding with the resident farmer, golf, spa, nature walks, winery tours (it has its own vineyard), and of course horseback riding across ravines, hills, and coastal plains can be arranged. There are 22 cottage suites, plus the owner’s cottage, each offering their own private balconies. Dreamy.</p>



<p><em>Words by Ellie Ball</em></p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



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Yeehaw! 7 luxury ranch stays to live out your best cowgirl life

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