Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort

The property was once known as Camp Icicle, home to a branch of the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. Many of the original barracks not only still remain but were restored and converted into the buildings that now house the Sleeping Lady's rooms. Paved walkways give way to rough paths through the trees and clusters of cabins on the scenic grounds, with some areas decorated with colorful art and sculptures. A large organic garden is a focal point of the resort, which prides itself on such eco-friendly practices as using sustainable building materials and a geo-exchange heating and cooling system.

Named after one of the nearby Cascade Mountains, the Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort is surrounded by 67 acres of natural terrain. It's a 10-minute drive along Icicle Road from Leavenworth, whose downtown was modeled after a Bavarian Village and remains a popular spot during the holiday season. Common skiing destinations include the Stevens Pass Mountain Resort, which is a 45-minute drive away, while the Mission Ridge Ski Resort is about an hour and a half away. Amtrak's Icicle Station is a good 11-minutes away, while Seattle Tacoma International Airport is about a 90-minute drive from the hotel.

Most of the resort's 58 air-conditioned rooms are grouped in blocks of six or more in simple wooden buildings, as well as in a pair of stand-alone cabins. Each combines the rustic charm of handmade log beds, with down plush comforters. Many have vaulted ceilings with wooden beams, and all have hardwood floors with brightly painted walls. Wooden pegs adorn the wall trim in nearly every room, taking the place of closets. Desks and wooden chairs come standard, along with free Wi-Fi, iPod docks, and coffeemakers, but there are no TVs or mini-fridges. Upgraded rooms add loft bedrooms, and there are two private cabins for larger parties. Bathrooms have heated towel racks and shower/tub combos. 

Guests are given maps of the resort upon arrival to help them navigate the expansive grounds and numerous schedules of activities, which include horseback riding, wagon rides, cross-country skiing, volleyball, badminton, and yoga. White-water rafting excursions are available, and there are hiking and biking (for a fee) trails to take at one's leisure. An indoor game room fashioned after a barn has a lounge with Foosball, ping-pong, and a pool table under a high vaulted ceiling. There's also a library for those looking for quiet time. The seasonal outdoor pool, with a waterfall at the base of a rocky outcrop, harmonizes with the landscape, and the nearby hot tub stays open year-round. For more serious relaxing, the spa has several treatment rooms, along with a sauna and steam room. There's also a 24-hour fitness room with a few cardio and weight-training machines. Business groups and wedding parties can take advantage of the resort's nine meeting rooms and 10,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor function space, including the two-story Chapel Theater and Salmon Gallery, which can accommodate up to 190 people.The all-inclusive rates include breakfast and dinner, along with coffee and non-alcoholic drinks that are available in the lobby. The main dining option is Kingfisher Restaurant & Wine Bar, where food is served buffet style with a salad bar and dessert bar. Entrees are predetermined by the chef, but produce from hotel's own organic garden makes for meals that are better than average. The Grotto is a cocktail and wine bar whose faux cave theme and petroglyphs pay homage to the area's rich history, and O'Grady's has an espresso machine, along with casual Pacific Northwest cuisine. All three have expansive outdoor terraces for alfresco lounging.