Vacations are more than a mere trip out of town. A true vacation lifts you out of the daily grind, separating you in both mind and body from your everyday stresses and giving you a chance to relax and refresh in a way you can't always do at home. For these true vacations, many look far and wide to the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, or even farther afoot, and yet the Northwest is quite a vacation destination in its own right, especially if you know where to look. And it doesn't even require factoring in airfare.

Just two hours from Tacoma is one such Northwest destination - Suncadia.

Something between a resort and a grand lodge, Suncadia is a one-stop shopping kind of place. From dining to outdoor activities to a winery right on the property, Suncadia is perfect whether you've got a family, are looking for a romantic getaway, or even if you want some time away alone.

Perched on a hillside with majestic views of the Cle Elum River and surrounding forest and mountains, Suncadia prides itself on its vast array of outdoor activities any time of year, and it's likely you won't find another Northwest destination with such variety. You could stay at the resort for a week and not run out of things to do. And yet, if what you love in a vacation is to do absolutely nothing, you'd be hard-pressed to find a more tranquil place to do just that.

Rooms

Rooms range from studios up to one- and two-bedroom suites. Suites are ideal for families, especially if you have older kids who want their own space. When you book, you'll have your choice of a room on the front of the lodge or a river view - river views are worth the extra cost as the view is not only of the Cle Elum River, but an expansive evergreen forest and mountains in the distance.

Food and Drink

Suncadia aims to provide everything you need all in one place, which includes dining options. Just off the main lobby, you'll find three places to grab a bite that range from literally grab-and-go to a sit-down dining experience. The low-key Fifty 6° is a great place for a drink or a light meal. The Coal House Caffe doubles as a souvenir shop and cafe and has standard cafe fair as well as refrigerated items ranging from snacks and salads to beer and wine. For a full meal, Portals serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Both Fifty 6° and Portals have river views and make excellent choices for a romantic meal. There's also Swiftwater Cellars, a winery, just a short walk from the lodge, and it has a menu as well as wine tasting.

Activities

With more than 6,000 acres on the property, Suncadia's outdoor activities are what makes this place so stellar. Just about everyone can take advantage of the miles of trails at Suncadia, including the "1,000 Steps" that lead from the back of the lodge down to the Cle Elum River. Be warned, though - if you go down the 1,000 Steps, you will also have to come back up! Within a short walk of the lodge, there's also two 18-hole golf courses, horseback riding and a swim and fitness center, which has water slides for bonus points for families. And right at the lodge, you can relax in a hot tub that overlooks the river and mountains or roast some s'mores at the fire pit.

With the Wenatchee National Forest right next door, if you leave the resort grounds you'll open the doors to even more outdoorsy fun, including fishing, rafting, kayaking and rock climbing. Activities aren't limited to summer either. In the winter, go skiing, snowboarding or snowmobiling near the property, or ice skating right onsite.

For more information about Suncadia and what all you can do there (because there's more!), go to www.SuncadiaResort.com or call 509.649.6400. Suncadia Resort is located at 3600 Suncadia Trail, Cle Elum, WA 98922.