The Cozy Mountain Resort In Washington's Bavarian Village With Treehouse-Style Cabins

Located just over two hours outside of Seattle, deep in the Cascade Mountains, is the picturesque settlement of Leavenworth. Complete with wooden chalets and surrounded by green forested peaks, the Bavarian-style Washington town looks as if it was plucked right out of Germany's Black Forest and dropped into this little corner of the United States. The main streets, lined with mural-covered buildings and home to businesses like the Yodelin Broth Company, The Gingerbread Factory, München Haus, and Icicle Brewing Company, add to the overall charm.

To get this level of idyll elsewhere, you'd have to go to Germany itself. Luckily, Leavenworth lets you experience a taste of Bavaria without leaving Washington. Due to it's proximity to bigger cities like Seattle, many people come on a day trip, but there's plenty to do in Leavenworth and the surrounding area that warrants staying for at least a night — if not more. Although the town has many options for accommodation, from chalet hotels to amenity-filled resorts, one of the most unique places to stay is about eight minutes outside of town at the Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort. Named after the resort's surrounding mountains, which resemble the profile of a woman sleeping, this historical site has all the amenities you could want — including fire pits and a pool — plus requisite mountain views and plenty of rustic-yet-modern Bavarian touches.

People who love gorgeous mountain retreats can find Sleeping Lady Resort located in the Rocky Mountains, one of North America's most incredible mountain ranges. Once cabins for Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) workers during the Great Depression, the resort retains its camp-like feel with clusters of rooms and separate cabins interspersed between the forest and gathering places. The rooms, from the smallest Alcove Room, which sleeps three, to the fun Rookery, which sleeps eight, all have a treehouse feel — a vibe that the surrounding peaks enhance. Every room features tall, beamed ceilings, cozy log beds, and gorgeous natural views. 

The cabins range from the simple to the ornate, and while they all have a rustic charm, the amenities are anything but rustic. Splash in the pool or soak in the hot tub, release your stress at the Aspen Leaf Day Spa, or have a drink at the Grotto Bar. Follow an art trail around the 67-acre property, get moving with resort yoga, and let your kids run wild in the Play Barn. Year-round events happen in the Chapel Theater and Salmon Gallery, and seasonal fare is served at several on-site restaurants. There's no indoor fitness studio and no TV in the rooms, as Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort encourages its guests to "get outdoors all year long and enjoy the Cascade Mountains." But don't worry, there's still internet access in all the rooms. Whether in your room or at the day spa, you'll feel immersed in the great outdoors wherever you are on the property.

One of the main draws of Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort is its location in Leavenworth. Whether you're wandering down the streets, stopping for a cup of coffee, exploring the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum, or dashing through the snow on a sleigh ride, one thing is for sure: You'll feel like you're in Germany on a trip here. It might even make you want to explore other destinations with German vibes, like historic Hermann, Wisconsin.

Leavenworth truly sparkles in the winter — thanks, in part, to its more than 500,000 twinkle lights. These don't just shine through the Christmas season, however, but also during the January Winter Karneval, through Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and until the end of February. Outside of winter, Leavenworth maintains its appeal all year long. In the fall, come for autumnal foliage in the Cascades and the annual Oktoberfest, and in the spring, experience the month-long Maifest, with activities like a flower run, alphorn festival, and chainsaw carving.