The modern traveler wants to go deeper than staying near a national parks or scenic coastline. Rather, they want experiences that immerse them in those landscapes without sacrificing design, comfort, or service. The world’s largest hospitality provider, Marriott International, is putting that preference for the great outdoors front and center in its global portfolio with the Outdoor Collection by Marriott Bonvoy, the company’s new brand category dedicated to nature-driven lodging.
Outdoor recreation has seen a boom in popularity since 2020. Peggy Roe, Marriott International’s Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Officer, told Matador that the collection is the brand’s invitation to reconnect with nature and community.
“We built Marriott Bonvoy Outdoors to help people, whether that’s cresting a mountain trail, catching the perfect wave, or simply finding quiet under the stars,” she says. “Travel is at its best when it speaks to who we are and what we love. It’s about reconnecting with yourself and the people you love in the places that inspire you most. With the new Outdoor Collection by Marriott Bonvoy, our curated Marriott Bonvoy Moments, and even playful activations like the Drop Pin Challenge with Dylan Efron, we’re not just offering places to stay, we’re opening doors to experiences that inspire, connect, and stay with you forever.”
The Outdoor Collection is made up of a curated portfolio of properties that combine outdoor adventure with full-service amenities, and that, of course, can maintain their personality while being streamlined enough that Bonvoy members know what they’re getting when they book. The launch includes two anchor brands: Trailborn Hotels & Resorts, a fast-growing boutique hospitality company, and Postcard Cabins, a collection of design-driven glamping and cabin stays across the United States. For Marriott Bonvoy members, the inclusion means that guests can now earn and redeem loyalty points, as well as receive elite-night credits, at these outdoor-focused stays.
Trailborn Hotels & Resorts headlines the Outdoor Collection
Canyon King room at Trailborn Grand Canyon. Photo: Trailborn Hotels & Resorts
At the center of the new portfolio is Trailborn Hotels & Resorts. Trailborn has expanded from a single hotel into an increasingly visible name somewhere between the glamping-focused Under Canvas and high-end hotels like Gravity Haus, with locations continuing to open in popular outdoor rec hubs.
“In just over a year, Trailborn Hotels & Resorts has grown from a single property into one of the fastest-growing independent outdoor hospitality brands in the country, with five distinct properties across iconic destinations—from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Carolina coast to the Grand Canyon,” Mike Weiss, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Trailborn Hotels & Resorts, told Matador. “We’ve redefined outdoor hospitality by creating full-service boutique hotels and resorts that serve as both a basecamp for adventure and a hub for connection.”
Trailborn’s entry into Marriott’s system marks a significant shift for both companies – Trailborn was built to stand apart from corporate hospitality. But at the insistence of Weiss and co-founder Ben Weinberg, the agreement allows the brand to maintain its character.
“Every Trailborn tells the story of its place through locally inspired design, vibrant food & beverage concepts, and immersive experiences that guide guests’ adventures,” Weiss says. “With new openings in Mendocino, California, and Jackson Hole, Wyoming, debuting next year, we’re expanding the way guests can explore, whether it’s wine country by the sea or a ski resort in the Tetons. Wherever we are, Trailborn is about turning bucket list destinations into unforgettable stays.”
Weinberg, who along with Weiss remains as a Co-CEO of Trailborn Hotels & Resorts, framed the partnership as a reflection of how the travel landscape is evolving. “The launch of the Outdoor Collection by Marriott Bonvoy is a milestone moment—it signals that outdoor travel isn’t a trend, it’s a movement,” he said. “As a founding member, Trailborn is proud to be at the forefront of this shift. In just over a year, we’ve proven that boutique outdoor hospitality can scale and succeed.”
What this means for Bonvoy members and other travelers
The bar at the Trailborn Highlands hotel. Photo: Trailborn Hotels & Resorts
Trailborn’s current portfolio includes five operating properties across the United States, all situated near outdoor landmarks. Trailborn Rocky Mountains and Trailborn Rocky Mountains Outpost sit at the edge of Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park; Trailborn Highlands lies in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina; Trailborn Surf & Sound overlooks Wrightsville Beach on the Carolina coast; and Trailborn Grand Canyon serves as a gateway to one of the nation’s most visited national parks.
“Now, we can combine our creative, place-driven approach with the global reach and loyalty of Marriott Bonvoy,” Weinberg says. “Each of our hotels reflects the spirit of its surroundings anchored by locally inspired food, programming, and curated outdoor experiences that connect guests more deeply to nature. This strategic agreement between Trailborn and Marriott Bonvoy better connects travelers to America’s most extraordinary outdoor destinations through unique stays and unforgettable adventures.”
Of course, travelers who book Bonvoy properties are far less likely to do so if they can’t earn and redeem points. Each Outdoor Collection property allows this to happen.
While Trailborn serves as the collection’s full-service, design-led anchor, Marriott Bonvoy also brought Postcard Cabins in as part of the launch—a nationwide network of contemporary cabin stays designed for travelers seeking minimalism, privacy, and natural immersion. The collection’s debut underscores a growing cultural shift. Outdoor travel surged following the pandemic and has remained one of the fastest-rising segments in leisure tourism. Marriott’s move consolidates that trend into a formal business category. And, a cabin in the Catskills or a boutique lodge near the Grand Canyon now exists in the same points ecosystem as a JW Marriott in Tokyo or a Ritz-Carlton in Maui.
Beyond points, the appeal is experiential. Trailborn’s hotels serve as “basecamps for adventure,” offering easy access to hiking, skiing, surfing, and exploring—paired with restaurant and lounge spaces that reflect the culture of each destination. Guests at Trailborn Surf & Sound, for example, might begin the day with coffee overlooking the Atlantic before paddle-boarding lessons arranged through the property. At Trailborn Rocky Mountains, a guided hike through Estes Park can transition into craft cocktails and live music at sunset. The brand’s philosophy combines outdoor immersion with social connection, ensuring that guests can both retreat into nature and engage with a local community.
