The fact is that The Oasis at Death Valley can transform special occasions into unforgettable ones. A world-famous desert getaway, with its two hotels, fine dining, and diverse collection of event venues, can accommodate gatherings of all kinds — from executive retreats to lavish weddings.

Granted, when you hear the name Death Valley, you may think rough-and-ready, not rest-and-relaxation. But with the resort’s unique facilities and a dedicated events team to help with planning, The Oasis at Death Valley is the place you’ll want to be. Here are a few reasons why.

The Middle of Nowhere is Closer Than You Think

While much of Death Valley National Park is designated federal wilderness, the area can easily be reached by guests traveling from around the country, or even from distant parts of the globe. McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, which is just two hours from the resort, has direct service from numerous U.S. cities, as well as hubs in Asia and Europe. And from Los Angeles International Airport, it’s a beautiful drive of less than five hours through the California desert to the resort.

Under the Desert Sky

The Inn’s outdoor event spaces let you take full advantage of the valley’s wonderful weather and the desert’s incomparable starry nights in the country’s largest International Dark Sky National Park.

Part of the resort’s $250 million renovation, the Mission Gardens, a romantic and verdant space for outdoor weddings and other larger gatherings, was created from an unlikely source. The whitewashed stone walls that enclose the gardens date to the 1920s and were originally part of an adobe building that served as The Inn’s laundry facility. The building burned down in 2014 but the walls were salvaged and restored, and together with palm trees, fountains, and colorful bougainvillea give the Mission Gardens an atmosphere that evokes Old California.

Another great venue for a wedding, especially if you’re hosting a smaller party, is the lawn area below the main hotel and adjacent to the 22 Spanish-style casitas that were added to the property during the renovation. Or for cocktail receptions and other group functions, you can take your pick of two other outdoor areas: Stargazer’s Terrace, with its wraparound views of the valley and the surrounding mountains, and the Panamint Deck, which overlooks the valley and the hotel’s palm gardens.

The Gold Rush Room

More Venues: The Great Indoors

With distinctive indoor event spaces, The Inn at Death Valley can handle group occasions of all kinds and sizes. Ranging from the intimate boardroom, an ideal place for executive off-sites, to the 1,400-square-foot, 120-person capacity Gold Rush Room, which has two wood-burning fireplaces and overlooks The Inn’s famous spring-fed pool, you’ll find choices that combine a historic ambience and a distinct sense of Death Valley.

Several of the rooms feature vintage stonework, and in the Oasis Foyer and the Big Horn Room, the ponderosa pine ceiling timbers were once part of railroad trestles used by trains hauling borax out of the valley. No uninspired hotel ballrooms with giant room dividers here.

The Last Kind Words Saloon

Distinctive Dining

Maybe you’re planning a wedding rehearsal dinner or just want to get together for a special meal with a group of friends during a weekend getaway. But whatever your plans, The Oasis at Death Valley’s restaurants let you dine in style.

The elegant Inn Dining Room blends a Southwest décor that features historic paintings of the American West with a contemporary menu of desert-inspired dishes to create a culinary experience that is truly of Death Valley. Favorites include the Wagyu ribeye and the blue cheese-stuffed date appetizer.

As beautiful as the main dining room may be, for a truly memorable meal, there’s nothing like dining beneath the starry desert sky out on the restaurant’s terrace. And next to the dining room, The Inn’s elegant lobby bar is the place to catch up with friends over a nightcap.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, that is, The Ranch at Death Valley, The Last Kind Words Saloon has added an informal and atmospheric dining option to the resort. Meticulously designed with historic artifacts, Western artwork, and Native American crafts, the restaurant brings alive the world of a classic Old West saloon. It’s the perfect spot for a high-spirited gathering where everyone can don jeans and cowboy boots and dig into such classic Western fare as a bison strip loin or barbecue baby back ribs. And when it’s time for a toast, take your pick from the saloon’s impeccable collection of small-batch and boutique American whiskies.

The Furnace Creek Golf Course at Death Valley

Fun in the Sun

While Death Valley is justly famous for its desert hiking trails, the resort offers all sorts of activities if you want to host group outings during company retreats, family reunions, and weddings.

Saddle up for guided rides onto the floor of the desert or into the foothills, as well as memorable sunset adventures, with Furnace Creek Stables. Families also love the carriage and hay wagon rides. Organize your own tournament at the challenging and beautiful Furnace Creek Golf Course at Death Valley, the world’s lowest-elevation course at 214 feet below sea level. Or treat your maid of honor and best man, to a massage and a body wrap at The Inn’s Wellness Sancturary.

Then again, nothing beats just hanging out poolside with friends, family, or colleagues at the resort’s two spring-fed swimming pools, both of which stay consistently in the mid 80s. The Inn’s pool has cabanas and deck-side wood-burning fireplaces, which everyone will appreciate on one of Death Valley’s surprisingly chilly nights.

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

The post Celebrate Your Special Occasion in Death Valley! first appeared on The Oasis at Death Valley.

For both wedding guests and corporate employees, the historic inn offers an unforgettable getaway from the everyday, thanks to the distinctiveness of the landmark hotel itself and the incomparable setting of Death Valley.

Whether you’re planning a wedding, a family reunion, or an offsite company retreat, The Oasis at Death Valley turns celebrations and meetings into memorable events.

Recently fully renovated, The Inn at Death Valley, the resort’s AAA four-diamond luxury hotel, is the opposite of a generic meeting location. For both wedding guests and corporate employees, the historic inn offers an unforgettable getaway from the everyday, thanks to the distinctiveness of the landmark hotel itself and the incomparable setting of Death Valley.

Front Entrance – Oasis at the Death Valley

If you’re worried that Death Valley is too remote, this world-famous desert destination isn’t nearly as isolated as you might imagine. Los Angeles and most of Southern California are an easy half-day drive away. For guests coming in from other parts of the country, McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas is just a short two-hour drive from the resort. That also means Death Valley is even close enough for breakaway sessions or teambuilding escapes if you’re hosting a meeting in Vegas.

But the truth is you’ll want to hold your event at The Inn. With four different spaces (the largest has a 120-person capacity) and nearly 4,000 total square feet of meeting and banquet spaces that can be set up in multiple configurations, the inn is a versatile venue capable of handling just about every sort of gathering.

For anyone longing to have a destination wedding, well, there’s certainly no destination quite like Death Valley or an inn as distinctive as this one. That’s especially true with the completion of the resort’s Mission Gardens event venue. Ingeniously designed from the shell of a 1920s adobe building that once housed the resort’s laundry facility, Mission Gardens is the kind of wedding setting that many couples dream of.

A view of the all-new Mission Gardens from The Inn

The Mission Gardens, with a whitewashed archway and walls of desert stone, looks like it has been here for centuries. Bougainvillea and blooming desert plants add splashes of color, while the desert mountains form a dramatic backdrop that will look terrific in your wedding pictures. And talk about romantic: When the skies fill with stars after dark, Mission Gardens becomes positively magical. (Death Valley is considered a “Gold Tier” Dark-Sky Park, according to the International Dark-Sky Association.)

For that matter, Mission Gardens is also ideal for elegant outdoor receptions during company events. And with Death Valley’s idyllic seasonal weather, you’ll definitely want to take full advantage of the inn’s open-air spaces. For another great option, the Gold Rush Patio overlooks the valley and the hotel’s palm gardens, creating a memorable setting for casual gatherings.

The Gold Rush Room

The hotel’s interior event spaces boast their own unique appeal. Both elegant and rustic, the 1,400-square-foot Gold Rush Room, which accommodates 120, has large windows that open to sweeping panoramas of the Panamint Mountains. The space also looks out over the pool, and its classic wood-beam ceiling and a pair of wood-burning fireplaces add to the Old West atmosphere.

The Inn’s versatile Oasis Level, where there are three separate event spaces, also offers a range of options. At just under 1,000 square feet, the Oasis Room, with its views of the Funeral Mountains, is another alternative to the sterile, windowless settings for many business meetings. The 500-square-foot Big Horn Room may not have the vistas, but its wood details and stone walls of borax and travertine beautifully show off the inn’s vintage architecture, as does the Oasis Foyer, a pre-function space that’s just outside the Oasis Room.

Hit the links at The Furnace Creek Golf Course at Death Valley

So what kind of events can the inn accommodate? Just about everything, really. In addition to weddings and vow renewals, families and groups of college friends come here for reunions, then take advantage of the endless recreational opportunities awaiting at the resort and in the national park — from guided horseback trips and wagon rides to hikes into desert canyons. Executive teams mix high-level strategizing around the 10-person table in the intimate confines of The Boardroom with rounds of golf on the challenging Furnace Creek Golf Course at Death Valley, the lowest-elevation course in the world. And of course, everyone can enjoy a swim in the spring-fed pool, perpetually at a comfortable 84 degrees thanks to Mother Nature.

Whatever event you’re planning, the sales staff at the resort will help you figure out the details and identify the best catering and audio-visual options for your group or company. With their skills and expertise, the staff can work with you to plan the event that you want. Best of all, they’ll keep things running smoothly so that you can enjoy a worry-free event — whether you’re the company CEO or a newlywed bride.

The Oasis at Death Valley in Furnace Creek is situated in a lush oasis surrounded by the vast and arid desert of Death Valley National Park — just 120 miles northwest of Las Vegas and 275 miles northeast of Los Angeles. The resort encompasses two hotels — the 66-room Inn at Death Valley (plus 22 brand-new casitas) and the family-oriented, 224-room Ranch at Death Valley. The entire resort is undergoing a $100-million renaissance with an extensive renovation to be completed in the fall of 2018. The resort includes natural spring-fed pools, an 18-hole golf course, horse and carriage rides, world-renowned stargazing, and is surrounded by Death Valley National Park’s main attractions. For information and reservations, visit The Oasis at Death Valley or call 800-236-7916.

For more travel experiences to Beautiful Places on Earth available from the 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 Death Valley Is Made for Celebrations first appeared on The Oasis at Death Valley.

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.

If anyone appreciates the lack of light pollution in the park it’s John Heller, a member of the Las Vegas Astronomical Society. Heller, alongside other members of the LVAS, graciously host an event called “Tonight’s Sky” a star viewing party at The Furnace Creek Golf Course at Death Valley every winter to spread their love and knowledge of the stars and planets with others. Join us January 27-28 at 8 p.m. for the next event and book your room .

When did you develop a passion for astronomy?

I became interested in astronomy before I was a teenager, during the Apollo space program. I wanted to learn more about the moon and the proposed landing locations. I had a wall-sized moon map in my bedroom. When my parents gave me my first telescope for Christmas, the moon wasn’t up that night, so I managed to find Saturn using a finder map from a little Golden Book. When I viewed Saturn through that 4 1/2″ Tasco telescope, I was absolutely awed.

What makes Furnace Creek Resort a great place to stargaze?

First and foremost, it is dark. It is far away from any significant urban “light domes”, and both Xanterra and the National Park Service have made deliberate efforts to reduce light pollution around Furnace Creek. Other great attributes are the moderate weather eight months of the year and the great venues for setting up telescopes. The most recent location at the golf course has worked out very well.

Can you describe what occurs at a typical Star Party at Furnace Creek, hosted by The Las Vegas Astronomical Society?

I think “facilitated” by the LVAS might be a better way of putting it. Xanterra and the NPS have hosted the events by providing the venues and advertising them. It’s also important to note that many of the participants are not LVAS. During our last star party, we had many participants from California, Along with others from Arizona and Utah. We even had one amateur astronomer who brought an 18” telescope all the way from Seattle to take advantage of the weather and dark skies.

To better answer your questions, we typically hold two-day events over Friday and Saturday near a new moon in October and February. Astronomers bringing telescopes are asked to sign up on the LVAS website so that we have an idea of the number of participants for logistics purposes. Astronomers are allowed to set up on Friday afternoon and scopes are allowed to be kept setup until Sunday morning. On the evening of the event, we begin observing at dusk and there is usually a steady stream of the public coming through until after 9:00. We typically have a couple of hundred people show up to look through the scopes. Astronomers are allowed to observe through the night. Early each evening, one of the astronomers provides a half-hour “night sky tour” to talk about the night sky and to point out constellations and interesting visible objects. On Saturday, we also set up solar observing scopes by the Furnace Creek general store. We usually have a good selection of white light and hydrogen-alpha scopes to allow viewing of both sunspots and solar prominences.

If someone wanted to get involved with the Las Vegas Astronomical Society, what steps should they take?

That’s simple, they simply show up at a monthly meeting or an event. The LVAS hold its meetings the first Thursday of each month at the Cheyenne Campus of the College of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas. They can find out about our events by checking the LVAS website at www.lvastronomy.com. If they want to become members, they can join through the website or at one of the meetings.

What is the best stargazing experience you have had at Death Valley?

Dealing with the public has a lot of “bests”. Hearing the “oohs” and “wows” when people look through the eyepiece is always satisfying. For a lot of people, it is their first time looking through a telescope – especially with all of the foreign visitors that come to Death Valley. I like thinking that I am giving them a unique experience when they climb the ladder to view through my 25” reflector. At one October event, I was out until dawn in shorts. The winter Milky Way can be an amazing sight in Death Valley. What impresses me, as an astronomer, about Death Valley is how good the seeing can be below sea level. I don’t know if it’s from being in the shadow of the Sierra Nevada Mountains or some other phenomena of the location, but there are times when the transparency and seeing are as good as many of our higher altitude dark sky sites.

Other than Death Valley National Park, what other places do you enjoy visiting to take in the night sky?

I’ve enjoyed many southwest observing sites over the 15 years that I’ve lived in Las Vegas. The Grand Canyon, at 7000 feet on the South Rim and 8000 feet on the North Rim can be absolutely sublime for summer observing. Grand Canyon National Park hosts a star party each June that LVAS supported for a number of years. Great Basin National Park started doing annual star parties about six years ago, and we went there for the first few years. For a number of years, we went to the Grandview Campground, near the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest east of Bishop, CA. Perhaps the darkest skies I have ever seen were from Belmont, NV and tiny old mining town about an hour northeast of Tonopah, NV. There is no commercial power to the town and the nearest lights come from the Round Mountain gold mine. At 7800 feet the summer Milky Way is so bright that you can see shadows from it. But all of those high-altitude observing sites are way too cold from October to May. Closer to home, we now have an observatory on Mt. Potosi through an arrangement with the Boy Scouts and we can get reasonably dark skies near Echo Bay and Temple Bar marinas out by Lake Meade.

Make your reservation.

The post Let the pros guide you at our Furnace Creek Star Party! first appeared on The Oasis at Death Valley.

You don’t need to travel to a galaxy far, far away for the ultimate getaway—just head to Furnace Creek Resort in Death Valley.

It’s been said that Death Valley National Park is like a whole different planet, apparently  George Lucas agreed. Which is why he chose to film both “Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope” and “Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi” in the national park.

In honor of Star Wars Day, May 4th, we encourage visitors to explore the other-worldly terrain that helped to inspire these classic flicks. Journey to the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Desolation Canyon, Golden Canyon, Dante’s View, and Artist’s Palette to stand where the actors stood in 1977.

The post Celebrate Star Wars Day at Furnace Creek first appeared on The Oasis at Death Valley.