My Creative Cup of Tea

July 15, 2022

#MCCOTPlacetoStay {10}

The Ranch at Rock Creek

Philipsburg, Montana

USA

If there is a one-of-a-kind place in the heart of Western Montana that is well worth a visit or a stay, it is surely the eco-luxury Ranch at Rock Creek. Located 20 miles outside of the historic town of Philipsburg in Granite County, an area known as Gold Country, half-way between Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks near the cities of Missoula, Butte and Helena. The property is extended on 6.600 acres of mountains, meadows, forests, trout ponds and a mountain-fed creek. It belongs to successful entrepreneur and former investment banker in Wall Street Jim Manley since 2007. After visiting several hundreds of ranchs for 20 years, his 10-year old boy's dream finally came true. Ranch at Rock Creek was the perfect spot, the one with the specific qualities he was looking for from the beginning: a river running through the property, a nearby ski hill and an area that did not have venomous snakes or grizzly bears. Originally a working ranch homesteaded in the early 1900’s and then a charming Family Ranch in the 1940s, the Ranch at Rock Creek is now an all-inclusive luxury guest ranch with a spa- 29 accommodations, from one-room suites to five-bedroom log homes for a maximum capacity of 125 lucky guests-, member of prestigious Relais & Châteaux. It was opened in 2010 after a few years of renovation. Jet Zarkadas, Designer and Owner of Los Griegos Studio did an amazing job and also paid tribute to the History of the Western United States by tracking down and reprinting photographs of Philipsburg and the surrounding area from the Montana Historical Society archives. These rare snapshots of frontier life pepper the walls of the Granite Lodge. "From this historical perspective, I set out to create a sense of place and authenticity. Working closely with Jim and his vision, we set the bar high. The furnishings, photographs, textiles, artifacts, art and many antiques that I have assembled all tell the story of the region and invite guests to experience the spirit of the place. This has been a project of a lifetime for me. As you explore the structures on this Ranch, you’ll find the passion that I feel for this place in every book, nook and cranny.” she is proud to tell. If staying in this place, you'll feel to step back in time because every building that’s new has old wood on the outside and the inside, so that it looks like it’s been there for 100 years, be sure that all the management is looking towards the future especially a sustainable future. At the Ranch at Rock Creek- the world’s first Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star ranch-, sustainability has been a priority since the opening. "When we started our sustainability department, led by Katie Acheson, she noted that it felt like jumping onto a well-developed path, as opposed to having to pave an altogether new one. Our staff come to Montana because we share a similar mindset about our environment – that it is beautiful and should be treasured" explains General Manager Jon Martin. So if you are around, get a safe and unforgettable experience of the Wild American West. You'll be amazed.