Death Valley is a perfect location for anyone willing to trade the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas for the glories of wide-open desert spaces and sparkling, star-filled skies that put the bright lights of The Strip to shame. Just two hours from Vegas, couples and their guests can enjoy a unique wedding experience.

“It’s this little oasis right outside the big city, and a whole different world,” says the resort’s Catering and Sales Manager. “People can come here for a relaxing, hassle-free wedding in a beautiful location. You often see people getting married in mountains and in other natural areas. But Death Valley is something very different. Here you’re in this green, gorgeous spot surrounded by stark, yet beautiful mountains.”

Despite Death Valley’s foreboding reputation, the betrothed and their guests will hardly have to rough it. That’s especially true after a host of recent improvements at the resort. The addition of 11 two-room casitas and 22 cozy cottages will let newlyweds spend their honeymoon in style. Savor a lavish dinner and valley views from The Inn’s beautifully renovated dining room, an elegant spot both for rehearsal and wedding meals. And the Mission Gardens, the new wedding and events venue at the four diamond Inn at Death Valley, brings together the romance of Old California and the valley’s natural beauty.

The Mission Gardens, adjacent to The Inn

Open to the desert skies and surrounding mountains, the gardens are enclosed by Spanish-style, white-washed adobe walls that feature decorative details crafted from Mojave Desert stones. Blooming bougainvillea growing along trellises add a splash of brilliant color, while a seasonal creek and towering palm trees rustling with the breeze are reminders that The Oasis at Death Valley is, in fact, a genuine oasis.

The ceremony, of course, is the main event for any wedding, but the entire party will quickly discover that The Oasis at Death Valley makes for a perfect getaway. The Wellness Sanctuary gives couples the option of easing their pre-wedding jitters with a vigorous workout, followed by a soothing massage. Or for total relaxation, just settle into a cabana by the spring-fed pool. And for any bride or groom who still needs a bit more help chilling out, there’s also a poolside bar.

You can also escape into Death Valley’s dramatic landscapes. Go out for a romantic evening carriage ride (just try to do that in Vegas!) or explore the desert by horseback with Furnace Creek Stables. Then wake up early and head out to Zabriskie Point, where the inspiring sunrise will spectacularly herald the arrival of your wedding day.

Add it all up and The Oasis at Death Valley makes for an unforgettable destination wedding. Still need proof? Just take a look at this review from Weddingwire.com:

“I wanted a hassle free destination wedding and that is just what they gave me. They took care of everything and even added in a few nice touches that made the whole experience excellent. The room they gave us was just perfect also. I’m so glad we were married there so we can return to such a wonderful place year after year and remember a beautiful wedding. What a special place!”

For more travel experiences  available from Xanterra Travel Collection® and its affiliated properties, visit xanterra.com/explore.

Written by: Matt Jaffe

Specializing in California, the Southwest, and Hawaii, Matt Jaffe is an award-winning former senior writer at Sunset magazine and contributes to a variety of publications, including Los Angeles, Arizona Highways, and Westways. His books include The Santa Monica Mountains: Range on the Edge and Oaxaca: The Spirit of Mexico.

The post Till Death Valley Do Us Part first appeared on The Oasis at Death Valley.

Over 100 miles from Last Vegas and the rest of civilization, The Oasis at Death Valley offers a retreat from the sometimes frenetic pace of modern life into a timeless desert landscape of enveloping silence and inspiring beauty. So while it may sound counterintuitive, Death Valley, known as the hottest spot on Earth, is the perfect place to chill out.

Two Distinct Hotel Experiences

The Oasis at Death Valley is a full-service resort, offering a serene home base for exploring Death Valley National Park’s rugged terrain. With a recent $200 million renaissance, the resort comprises two distinct hotel experiences – the historic four diamond Inn at Death Valley and the family-friendly Ranch at Death Valley.

An elegant hideaway since 1927, the historic Inn at Death Valley has been a AAA-rated four-diamond resort for more than 37 years and still pampers every guest. Nestled against the hillside, it offers exclusive and private accommodations overlooking the valley and the Panamint Mountains. The hotel boasts natural springs throughout the property, lush palm trees, and beautiful bougainvillea. Recently renovated, The Inn offers new casitas, a spring-fed pool, and classic California-desert style.

Located along Highway 190 near the National Park Service Visitor Center, The Ranch at Death Valley is the energetic center of activity in Death Valley. The Ranch features a classic town square with towering date palms, mission California architecture, and spacious lawns along an 18-hole golf course – the lowest elevation course in the world. It also offers a natural spring-fed pool, rooms with exterior entrances, and new cozy cottages. Additionally, there are convenient to-go food options to enhance your stay as you embark on adventures in Death Valley National Park.

Rejuvenating Spring-fed Pools

Considering Death Valley is the driest spot in North America, new guests are always delighted to discover that both The Inn and The Ranch feature large, inviting swimming pools. Nearby natural hot springs deliver a steady flow of soothing 87-degree water, helping you escape and reclaim your senses in rejuvenating waters.

Taking a dip in these pools is truly a sublime experience. In the summer, it provides a refreshing respite, while in the winter nights, it offers an invigorating contrast of brisk air temperatures against the warm water – a treat for both the body and the spirit. Marvel at the clear desert sky adorned by innumerable stars as you enjoy the therapeutic waters.

To enhance your experience, the pool bar offers a variety of delightful options, including cocktails, beer, smoothies, and light fare, eliminating the need to leave the pool area. For those aiming to live a purer, more natural lifestyle, the pool water undergoes frequent replenishment from the spring and does not require chlorine or other chemical treatments.

Is one of your New Year’s resolutions to be more active? Adjacent to the pool at The Inn, we offer a newly expanded fitness center that is one-third larger than before. It’s the perfect place to kickstart your cardio or strength training while enjoying stunning views of the pool.

Pamper Yourself

Whether you choose to engage in fitness activities within the resort premises or embark on invigorating hikes through the rugged and vibrant canyons of Death Valley National Park, you can rejuvenate your weary muscles at The Inn’s wellness center. The Wellness Sanctuary at Death Valley boasts two treatment rooms and a serene relaxation area with a picturesque waterfall overlooking the gardens. Our skilled therapists are dedicated to alleviating any discomfort and promoting overall relaxation with an extensive range of treatments, including Swedish and hot stone massages. Experience the indulgence that sets us apart from other national park locations!

A Unique Golfing Experience

If you’re looking for a unique experience on the greens, look no further The Furnace Creek Golf Course at Death Valley. Located 214 feet below sea level, this 18-hole course is unlike any other golfing experience in the world. Expertly designed, it offers a challenging and dynamic play that will test even the most seasoned golfer. A knowledgeable PGA Golf Pro is on site to provide lessons and invaluable tips to help you make the most of your game. Framed by palm and tamarisk trees, with a stunning mountain backdrop and endless sunshine, it’s a fantastic escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Natural Beauty

There is something undeniably alluring about the beauty of nature, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the awe-inspiring Death Valley National Park. From towering sand dunes to deep canyons and vast salt flats, there is never a dull moment when exploring the park. But perhaps one of the greatest delights of Death Valley is the sense of peacefulness and tranquility that can be found within this breathtaking wilderness. Whether lounging on a sun-soaked rock or taking a leisurely stroll amidst the park’s stunning flora and fauna, the serenity of Death Valley is truly unmatched. So if you’re looking for a place to unwind and bask in the wonders of the natural world, look no further than this stunning national park.

For more travel experiences available from Xanterra Travel Collection® and its affiliated properties, visit xanterra.com/stories.

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Whenever guests watch the first Star Wars movie at The Oasis at Death Valley it inevitably launches tales of when the movie’s director, George Lucas, came here in 1977 to transport people to another galaxy with the scenes he shot in the surrounding desert and mountain national park.

Indeed, Death Valley provided Lucas the perfect landscape of sand dunes and arid canyons for Star Wars: A New Hope. And over the years, past generations of resort employees have shared stories with newer generations of where the movie locations are. Fans can find these shooting spots throughout Death Valley National Park, at 3.3 million square acres, the largest national park in the contiguous United States. They include Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, where R2-D2 and C-3PO found themselves lost amid the sand dunes of Tatooine; Artist’s Palette, near where a Sandcrawler station was set up featuring R2-D2; Dante’s View; Desolation Canyon; Artist’s Drive and Golden Canyon. They’re all just a 20- to 40-minute drive from the resort.

In celebration of the new Star Wars movie, The Oasis at Death Valley has produced an exclusive map for guests, which leads them to the filming locations that are easily accessible by car.

And lest you fear inhospitable weather akin to that of the desert planet Jakku, from Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the temperature is actually ideal in winter at Death Valley. January highs average 67 degrees; February, 73 degrees; and March, 82 degrees. Even spring and fall are delightful.

While Death Valley may seem like another universe to vacationers, those in the know have found an oasis-like world of its own at the luxurious AAA Four-Diamond historic Inn at Death Valley and the family-friendly Ranch at Death Valley.

After you pay homage to the unearthly movie locations, you can explore the real universe here, too. Death Valley is one of the only gold-tier designated International Dark Sky Parks in the United States where stargazers can actually see the Milky Way with the naked eye. From science fiction to real science, there’s no better place to examine other worlds than in this otherworldly park.

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