Under Canvas, an upscale outdoor hospitality company, has announced the launch of a new portfolio of properties offering nature-based stays and experiences designed with "place and purpose in mind."
The portfolio debuts with two properties: The Fields of Michigan and Bar N Ranch in West Yellowstone, Montana. Both locations showcase premium outdoor stays with their own unique character and amenities.
The Fields of Michigan
The Fields of Michigan is a 30-acre working blueberry farm near South Haven, Michigan. Located within easy reach of Chicago and Detroit, the property offers 23 places to stay ranging from safari-style field tents to contemporary cottages.
The property boasts numerous hotel-like amenities and a communal dining space called The Willow serves small plates, beverages, evening s'mores, and hosts a weekend Supper Club.
Bar N Ranch
The second property in the collection is Bar N Ranch, a traditional western lodge set on 200 acres in West Yellowstone, Montana. Located just six miles from Yellowstone National Park's west entrance, the ranch also provides convenient access to Grand Tetons National Park.
Activities at Bar N Ranch cater to outdoor enthusiasts and include fly-fishing, horseback riding, hiking, whitewater rafting, and guided tours of Yellowstone and Grand Tetons National Parks.
Our Take:
The Rise of Experiences in Hospitality
Vacation rental operators, take note: demand is shifting toward upscale, experience-driven stays. As we noted in our newsletter last week: in 2025, travelers aren’t just booking beds—they’re chasing stories.
According to Arival, travelers are picking destinations based on the cool stuff they can do there - like cooking with locals, picking blueberries on the farm, or fly-fishing at Yellowstone - anything that feels authentic.
The host’s edge? Don’t just offer a place to stay—curate the experience. Feature local hidden gems in your listing and provide personalized recommendations.
And the big players are already investing:
- In March, Airbnb started advertising for its Experiences relaunch
- In July 2024, Hyatt and Under Canvas announced an exclusive partnership—later called “hugely successful” by Hyatt’s CEO
- Hilton teamed up with AutoCamp, while Marriott acquired Postcard Cabins to grow its footprint in nature-first destinations
The takeaway: experiences aren’t a nice-to-have—they’re the new baseline.
