Triple Creek Ranch | Relais & Châteaux — Hotel in Hamilton

It was with a lot of optimism when I researched a destination for our winter holiday. I knew it was a tall order for any single property to offer what we wanted:||- luxury|- unpretentiousness|- all-inclusive|- made for foodies|- heart-pumping activities|- no children||Triple Creek Ranch ticked all of these, and beyond. There were the little details of leaving trip tokens in our cabin (a TCR leather bookmark on my book, printed photos of us enjoying activities and dinner), hot cider and a rotating menu of cookies and treats you could grab any time, experienced staff who’ve been there a decade and who will work with you on a custom plan for your hike up Bitterroot (and furnish you with hot soup to take with you), and the festive, customised boxes of treats delivered on Xmas morning.||We stayed in the spacious Castle Rock cabin, with a fireplace (refreshed daily), double bathroom with steam shower, and a jacuzzi. Room is overflowing with snacks (trail mix, kettle potato chips, fresh fruit, cookies, chocolate bars) and they refresh those daily too.||Outside vistas are like Ansel Adams photographs. Majestic and dreamy. A picture perfect winter wonderland in December.||Skiing is included and worth it. I went from n00b to blue runs in 3 days. Lost Trail Mountain is a spectacular place to learn and have fun. TCR staff loaned me the things I didn’t have (waterproof jacket and pants, goggles), and always sent us out with a huge packed lunch which we’d customise the day before (loved the turkey, Brie and huckleberry sandwich, and Nick’s killer chilli). There are specified drop off and pick up times, but TCR kindly flexed for us when we called saying we wanted to come back a bit earlier. They’ll always pick you up with hot cider, or hot chocolate, whatever you like.||Yoga and meditation (also included) were great. Jzhilnar gave me a tough yoga session (per my request), while the session with a larger group led by Kelly was more relaxing.||We also enjoyed using the infrared sauna. Give them 30 mins notice to warm it up for you.||Massages cost extra but were also very good after a whole lot of skiing (note TCR does not have a spa; you can get massages in the dedicated treatment rooms, or your cabin).||Food straddles the line well between fine dining, and “something for everyone.” There are elegant amuse bouches with caviar, and seared foie gras, as well as the best breakfast potato hash brown I’ve ever had, and a rustic white bean soup with ham hock. We loved the bison tenderloin, lobster scramble, beef cheek, and the fancy take on crunchy chicken parmigiana. It was so hard to say no to dessert! And big shout-outs to the rotating breads, a different one every day (soft pretzel bread, focaccia, cheese and chive biscuit, sesame bread, and the richest butter to slather on). If you are more health conscious, you’ll do fine - the stone cut oats were my go-to breakfast, and they have a great mocktail beverage list for non-drinkers. I also really appreciated that entrees can be prepared in half portions (in case you lack self control, which I sure as hell do). It was always a pleasure to end an action-packed day in the warm dining room by the fire. Live music is gentle and unobtrusive. Or skip the dining room and have your meal delivered to your cabin if you’re feeling antisocial.||Make sure to grab a drink from the upstairs bar and hopefully Tony is around to mix it. He made me a velvety Xmas White Russian, and also gave me a taste of some impeccable peanut butter whiskey, which I asked him to turn into a PB&J cocktail, and he NAILED IT - he wrote down the recipe, so ask for it!||Wifi coverage is available at the lodge and in your cabin. Signal is consistent but performance is just ok, it was often slow. But who cares, you should be out doing activities, or eating a really big sandwich.||On the matter of cost and value - upfront I felt it was eye-wateringly expensive. I knew that when I signed up and my only concern was, will it live up to this? It did, resoundingly. I was stressed and exhausted ahead of this trip…and came away so relaxed I kind of forgot I even have a job.||Big thanks to Sean, Catherine, Christie, Joshua, Katie, Heidi, Beverly, Dusty, Matt, Tony, Scott, Darby and all the other staff who made our holiday spectacular.||Tips:||- Get in touch with your activity coordinator and book your activities as soon as possible. Yes, even months in advance.||- Ask for a half bottle of champagne and some OJ, and go drink mimosas in the OUTDOOR jacuzzi. No one else used it; we had it all to ourselves for 3 days, and a hot tub in the woods with gentle falling snow is a treat.||- The forms for ordering lunch are a standard set of options, but you can be cheeky and ask for stuff not listed and they’ll probably accommodate you (i.e. that lusty turkey sandwich).||- If it’s a clear night, ask them if you can use the telescope at Rider’s Roost.||- See if they’re doing art tours with the property owner at his house. He tells some terrific stories and I enjoyed learning about...

Triple Creek Ranch, Darby, MT sent me a threatening letter to take legal action against me to which I replied:below

They have been stalking me on LinkedIn for some reason - I don't know why. All I know is that they denied us a reservation a decade after we had one visit of multiple visits that I politely complained about.

I did not: Destroy property Abuse staff or other guests File a dispute about payment.

I am of the opinion that TCR and its management are hateful, grudge holding and inhumane. One complaint - a decade ago is arguably disproportionate, punitive and retaliatory..

Another reviewer said this about TCR in a Yelp review. "If you manage a property it should be instilled to treat every visitor as though they are a guest or a potential guest who would be spending a substantial amount on your property. We received a lukewarm greeting upon arrival and after explaining that we had called the day before, were treated as though it was a courtesy to have breakfast there without reservations. We were expecting a full restaurant with that type of response... come to find out the dining hall was almost empty.

Upon finishing breakfast we decided to walk around the main reception area to see parts of the property that were accessible by foot just nearby-- the pool area, the courts and a couple of cabins. We were approached by a staff member who obviously came after us-- who then told us we cannot be walking around and aren't to be on premises for the privacy of their guests. Understandable-- but don't treat us like trespassing teenagers! Management/staff approach was not professional or classy in enticing future/potential business to come to their property. Please try next time to use a more diplomatic approach."

As is typical TCR does not respond to less than 5 star reviews on this platform-indicative at best.

Here is my response to the email I received from TCR attorney:

I am in receipt of your letter regarding Triple Creek Ranch and the allegations you have outlined. I categorically reject and deny any and all claims that I have engaged in defamatory, harassing, abusive, or malicious activity directed at Triple Creek Ranch, its employees, or its management. Furthermore, I have not authored, submitted, or authorized the recent posts or complaints referenced in your correspondence, including those attributed to "Jerald Kreis" or otherwise alleging false events.

Your letter contains serious accusations that are not only false but damaging in themselves. To be clear:

· I have not published or disseminated any content suggesting that I or anyone else is deceased, nor have I attributed any such fabricated event to Triple Creek Ranch or its employees.

· I have not submitted any recent complaints to the Better Business Bureau, Google, Yelp, or other platforms under my name or anyone else's.

· If my name has been used in connection with such posts, this may be a case of impersonation or misuse of identity, and I would appreciate your full cooperation in providing evidence including specific IP Addresses from which posts originated.

I am aware of my rights under the law and expect any future communication from your office to be professional, substantiated, and free from intimidation. Your attempts to cite past complaints or unrelated matters do not excuse or justify making unfounded allegations or threats in the present.

The facts are:

Triple Creek Ranch denied me a reservation which was falsely justified. During all previous stays:

· I did not damage the property.

· I did not harass, threaten, or abuse staff or guests.

· There were no non-payment or dispute of previous charges.

If Triple Creek Ranch believes a legal claim exists, I expect it to be pursued through proper legal channels, and not through coercive letters laced with...

We recently had the opportunity to spend an entire week at Triple Creek Ranch, and without a doubt, it was the best week of our lives. It’s hard to put into words just how extraordinary our experience was, but if you are considering staying here—do it. You will not regret it.||From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with warmth, genuine hospitality, and a sense of serenity that immediately set the tone for the rest of our stay. The staff is exceptional—kind, thoughtful, attentive without being intrusive, and deeply committed to creating a personalized and luxurious experience for each guest. Every single person we encountered made us feel like we were not just welcome, but truly at home.||The list of activities we were able to enjoy during our stay is long and impressive—and somehow, there was more than enough time in the week to do them all! We went horseback riding through stunning mountain trails, enjoyed a fly fishing lesson and then a guided half-day float down the Bitterroot River that was both peaceful and exhilarating. We explored the forested surroundings on hikes, tried our hand at trap shooting, and participated in a number of other curated ranch activities. Every guide was not only knowledgeable and patient but also full of passion for what they do and the land they steward. The love and respect for Montana’s natural beauty shines through in everything at Triple Creek.||One of the most meaningful parts of our stay was that we were able to elope at the ranch—and the experience was beyond anything we could have imagined. Triple Creek gave us the freedom to choose any location on the property that felt right to us, and we ended up getting married in the most breathtaking open field, surrounded by majestic elk and backed by a spectacular view of the mountains. It was peaceful, wild, and deeply romantic—the kind of setting you dream about but rarely find. The ranch helped us coordinate everything so seamlessly while still allowing the moment to feel entirely our own.||A heartfelt thank you to the entire staff for making our stay—and our wedding—so unforgettable. A special thanks to Catherine and the Activities team for making our days so full of joy, adventure, and memorable moments. You played such a vital role in helping our wedding day feel effortless and personal. Thank you to Heidi for not only being our witness, but for being a genuinely wonderful human being. Your warmth, humor, and sincerity stayed with us—we felt like family during our stay.||Triple Creek truly excels at the little details—the thoughtful touches that make your experience feel personal and intentional. From the caramels left on our pillows each night during turndown to the custom bookmarks placed in the books we were reading in our cabin, everything was perfectly considered and lovingly executed. It’s these small moments that elevate an already unforgettable stay into something truly magical.||And speaking of magic—the food! Every meal was divine. From breakfast to dinner, everything was fresh, beautifully presented, and absolutely delicious. I highly recommend requesting a packed lunch if you’re heading out for a daytime adventure—the sandwiches are to die for. We also loved that so many of the ingredients and items used at the ranch are sourced locally, which only deepened our appreciation for the region and its rich offerings.||In short, Montana is special—and Triple Creek Ranch is extraordinarily special. It is a place where beauty, comfort, nature, and service all blend together to create something truly once-in-a-lifetime. It will forever hold a place in our hearts, and we cannot wait to return for an anniversary trip someday soon.||With deep...