The prestigious hotel brand, Small Luxury Hotels of the World, recently named Paws Up as its first member in Montana.

Paws Up is privately owned by businessman Dave Lipson and his wife Nadine, who live in a circa 1915 farmhouse on the property. Their vision for this unique luxury resort has attracted a highly credentialed management team, including Jamie Holmes, the former GM of The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as Biras Creek Resort and Peter Island Resort in the British Virgin Islands. The resort has also named Bryan Kindred as assistant general manager, who joined Paws Up from Robert Redford's Sundance Resort in Utah.

"The Resort at Paws Up represents the very best offering in its destination. With the property's amenities, size and services available to guests, it was the ideal fit with Small Luxury Hotels," said Ed Donaldson, vice president of marketing, the Americas for Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
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The Resort at Paws Up is situated along seven winding miles of the Blackfoot River, made famous by Robert Redford's coming-of-age classic, A River Runs Through It. More than 100 miles of trails wind through the immense property for horseback riding, ATVs, hiking and mountain biking. Guests will also enjoy some of the country's best fly-fishing, as well as whitewater rafting, lake activities, kayaking, bird and wildlife watching, and sporting clay shooting with 14-time national champion Andy Duffy.

While the setting may be rugged, Paws Up will offer the kind of amenities and pampering usually reserved for fancy city-slicker hotels. Accommodations for 80 guests range from private, 2,600-square-foot Big Timber Homes to a fully renovated, 100-year-old farmhouse nestled on the bank of Elk Creek, each individually decorated with a rich, yet rustic elegance. After a long day in the saddle, guests can relax among five-star amenities like 300-count linens, heated granite bathroom tiles, private en-suite laundry rooms, flat screen TVs with satellite and DVD players, and DSL connections.

For the true outdoor enthusiasts, guests can also spend a night along the picturesque Blackfoot River in a unique luxury tent, featuring feather beds, fine linens, artwork and all modern conveniences.

Paws Up will also offer a full-service spa with unique signature treatments featuring indigenous plants like sage and alfalfa, a fine-dining restaurant, a lively bar and bistro, live entertainment, an outdoor swimming pool featuring large native stone accents, a children's club, meeting facilities and the largest private equestrian center in Montana.

Paws Up is located 35 minutes northeast of Missoula in western Montana. Guests can fly into the Missoula Airport, which can be reached via Delta through Salt Lake City, Northwest Airlines through Minneapolis, United through Denver, and Alaska Air through Seattle.