Finding your way through mountain, sand, and sea

Boasting design-forward accommodations and superior on-property offerings, Dovetail + Co.’s Wayfinder Hotels, part of the Benchmark collection, don’t need much in the way of selling.

At Wayfinder Newport, historic charm along the Eastern Seaboard is just as palpable as the salt in the air. The Wayfinder Bishop lies at the ideal intersection of outdoor adventure, with the Sierra Nevada rising to the west and Mount Whitney to the south. And Wayfinder Waikiki, the island emissary — well, it’s in Hawaii. And yet, despite the obvious outer appeal of these locales, there’s so much more than meets the eye.

To get a full picture of what they offer, we turned to those who helm the Wayfinder hotels — the people who know those places best, these beautiful places they call home.

Find your way through

Waikiki, Hawaii

“Everyone has a certain idea of what Hawaii is like when they arrive,” says Jim Weisiger, general manager of Wayfinder Waikiki, voted one of 2024's Top 10 Hotels in Hawaii by Condé Nast Traveler readers

Upon arriving at Wayfinder Waikiki, a 228-room hotel sheathed in colors inspired by the local environment, visitors confirm most every notion they had about the tropical 50th U.S. state. Barely a hop, skip, and a jump from the hotel’s doors, there are beaches with blue waters and white sands, many-hued tropical drinks, luaus, surfing, Diamond Head State Monument, Pearl Harbor, and so forth. And, of course, all that is true to the experience that many visitors have, Jim says. But that’s not everything.

Although everyone has different expectations for what they hope to get out of their time on Oahu — a family trip might be quite different than, say, a wedding after-party — for those looking to go beyond the beach, a car is a must. And luckily, it’s not really possible to get lost on an island. (“Well, I mean, you could,” Jim says, “but you can't get lost that bad on an island.”)

One of the better-known spots that will check several items on visitors’ Hawaiian bucket lists is Kualoa Ranch, a 4,000-acre private nature preserve located on the windward side of Oahu. Although the name might not ring any bells, if readers have caught even a few larger-than-life summer blockbusters over the past couple decades — say, Jurassic Park, Jumanji, or King Kong — there’s a decent chance the landscape may look awfully familiar. “They have an ATV tour that goes through there, they have horses there, and they have a secret beach they can take you to,” Jim says. “It's a great spot.”

Elsewhere, Jim says, Wayfinder Waikiki has partnerships with organizations that provide lesser-expected glimpses into the Hawaiian landscape and culture. That might be a (very) handson tour of a local taro farm (visitors can expect to get their hands dirty) or a docent-guided tour of the Bishop Museum, where guests can learn about the history of Hawaii through artifacts that have either been returned to the island after time away or those items which have never left. For the more commerceinclined, Jim notes “Kalakaua probably has some of the best couture shopping in the world. I think it blows away Rodeo Drive.” Foodies, in particular, won’t have to travel far for world-class seafood: Some of the island’s best poke resides at on-site Redfish.

And finally, because one can’t visit Hawaii and not take part in the ocean, even if it’s from a distance, Jim recommends taking a trip to the North Shore, “a world-class stretch of beach that has the best waves in the world. In the wintertime, it's a who's-who of surfing up there to watch, because they hold the Triple Crown of surfing up there December through January.”

Find your way through

Bishop, California

From an elevation of some 9,800 feet at Lake Sabrina, Bishop Creek trickles its way down the mountain, covering nearly 20 miles before its south fork courses immediately beside the hotel. For those guests lucky enough to book a room at the Wayfinder Bishop, there’s nothing quite like an evening beside the creekside fire tables, listening to the churning waters and watching the stars twinkling overhead.

But that’s not the only bit of natural beauty that meets the eye.

You could say the Wayfinder Bishop lies at a confluence in more than one sense. In addition to overlooking the creek — and cooking up a standout breakfast buffet that’ll provide all the calories you need for an adventure of any stripe — the hotel offers a straight shot to some of the most awe-inspiring outdoor activities around. Just 15 minutes to the west of the hotel, rock climbers from all over the world flock to the Buttermilk Boulders. Further afield, one finds the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada.

It doesn’t take long to feel the change once you start to ascend to higher elevations, says John Marko, general manager at Wayfinder Bishop.

“I'm in Bishop, and it could be 105 degrees outside, and you drive 15 minutes straight up Line Street, and you get to the top of the mountains at Sabrina, and you have to put a sweater on,” he says. That area is especially well-known for its lakes — both the larger ones where you can take out a boat and the “thousands” of smaller ones — and its world-class trout fishing. In a nod to Bishop’s history as a trading post during the gold rush, those looking to get off the beaten path can hire pack mules to carry their gear into the mountains.

But that natural beauty goes beyond rocks.

The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest lies due east of Bishop and boasts living trees said to be up to 4,000 years old, including the Methuselah tree, long considered the oldest living things in the world at more than 4,800 years old.

Although extremely dedicated outdoors enthusiasts will find no shortage of activities in the vicinity around Bishop, John notes it’s fairly common to see thru-hikers passing through town as they make their way along the 2,653-mile route from Mexico to Canada — less-intense opportunities abound, as well. That might mean paying a visit to the Owens Valley Paiute Shoshone Cultural Center, posting up at Erick Schat's Bakkery for a loaf of legendary bread or taking a well-deserved soak at Keough’s Hot Springs.

Find your way through

Newport, Rhode Island

You could say the Wayfinder Newport is a product of its environment. Standing on the threshold of the hotel’s doorstep, it’s not uncommon to hear the shrill cries of seagulls and taste a bit of salt in the air. But instead of traditional New England, guests will find a fresh take on the Newport experience. Because it’s truly a passion project of Rhode Island locals — chefs, bartenders, artists, designers, and entrepreneurs — visitors will find the city’s vibrancy reflected in their rooms, the on-site restaurants, and the local artists featured on the walls.

Still, there’s no better means of getting to know a place than by setting out for a day of exploration.

“I always prefer on-foot myself,” says Dan Balceniuk, general manager of Wayfinder Newport. “If you're in a car, you’re [thinking], ‘How much are we missing?’ Because you don't have time to [stop] or take in the cool architecture.”

Just minutes from the Wayfinder Newport, visitors will find cobblestone downtown streets bustling with artsy shops and exceptional restaurants serving up very, very locally sourced seafood — like, say, The Red Parrot Restaurant or Flo’s Clam Shack.

Once you’ve worn the soles of your shoes down a bit on the cobblestones, consider taking the city on two wheels — the hotel allows guests to borrow cruiser bicycles to explore the area (though there’s no shame in hopping in an Uber). Head toward Brenton Cove some five miles from the hotel, and you’ll come to Fort Adams State Park, which is currently fêting its 200th anniversary in 2024.

However, history buffs — or, really, anyone with a penchant for ogling the wealth of yesteryear — won’t want to miss out on the nine Gilded Age mansions known as “summer cottages.” Be sure to check with the Preservation Society of Newport County’s website for information on tours and whether the mansions are open when you’re visiting. Finally, after a long day on the bike (maybe), head to Second Beach to cool off before riding back.

Still, no trip to Newport is complete without a drive along Ocean Drive — especially when viewed from a classic coupe through Newport Classic Car Co. (Hotel visitors can get a 20 percent discount on the tour).

“You're kind of just in awe, driving down Ocean Drive looking at all the beautiful mansions and landscape,” says Erika D’Arezzo, Wayfinder Newport’s director of sales and marketing, who was born and raised in the area. “As you go on Ocean Drive, it comes out to [Brenton Point], and it's literally the panoramic view of the ocean and rocks and waves. It's beautiful.”