“We are here to connect people to nature and beautiful places in an effort to help build an army of guests and followers that want to preserve them. And so doing it right from the beginning was very important to me. Focusing on how to create guest room structures that have little to no impact on the land. Focusing on how to actually design physical and experiential aspects that connect the guests to nature.”
We’re in great company with Peter Mack, Founder and CEO of Collective Retreats, the first and largest B-Corp certified experiential travel company redefining traditional hotels through a collection of unique luxury retreats in unexpected places.
From Vail, Colorado to Governors Island, New York to Hill Country, Texas, travelers can find inspiration in every direction across Collective Retreats, experiencing considered exploration, fostering a deeper connection with the land, community and themselves.
And with a new vision from Collective Retreats, The Conservatory Collective is a new cultivation of people and places, a curated portfolio of nature stays and experiences around the world where extraordinary accommodations are paired with exclusive benefits and perks.
In this episode, as Collective Retreats celebrates 10 years of offering luxury outdoor hospitality, a decade of creating unforgettable experiences in breathtaking locations, Peter speaks to the excitement and exploration yet to come.
Top Takeaways
[2:00] Peter Mack has worn many hats throughout his hospitality childhood turned career, with dishwashing being his favorite.
[3:10] “The hotel industry has evolved a lot, especially in the last several generations to be more about providing comforts that remove guests from the place and in ways, disconnect them.” Peter explains what went awry that caused him to create Collective Retreats.
[5:15] Peter learned early on how to turn potential problems into joyous moments because “there's no such thing as a complaint when you've established trust.”
[9:50] Making a difference has been ingrained in Collective Retreats since the beginning - from little-to-no-impact architecture to sustainable amenities, from immersive nature experiences to communal local cuisine.
[12:09] Collective Retreats as a name is like an onion. It has a lot of layers that can be peeled back to explain the entirety of the experience.
[14:25] Experience Collective Retreats by land, water or fireside - start the morning making coffee with a view, enjoy a boat ride around the harbor in New York City, wake for fly fishing at sunrise in Vail, sit around a campfire sipping bubbly in Hill Country.
[25:20] Dine In Good Company with the Hearth & Harvest Open Fire Dinner Series where the local culinary talent knows a trick or two about how to bring out the flavor of the local ingredients.
[31:00] “Travel For The Collective Good” starts with transparency, and Collective Retreats is proud to share their impact with the world.
[36:15] Soon, travelers will be welcomed to retreat to Sonoma, California or Trojena, Saudi Arabia with more signature stays in serene settings to come.
Notable Mentions
Hamburger America by Chef George Motz
New School American Cheese by Chef Eric Greenspan
Members of The Conservatory Collective:
- El Cosmico in Marfa, Texas
- Tumbling River Ranch in Grant, Colorado
- Pacuare Lodge in Costa Rica
- White Desert in Antarctica
Visit For Yourself
Collective Retreats Website | @collectiveretreats
The Conservatory Collective Website | @theconservatorycollective
