Utah's snow country is a place of natural beauty and deep history, but it is also a place to come kick back, relax and be pampered by the sophistication of high-altitude luxury lodging. With the Wasatch Mountains as a backdrop, indulgence and recreation collide. If you are seeking the royal treatment you definitely have many perfect options for indulgence while vacationing in this magical mountain wonderland, but here are a few that are taking it to the next level.
1. St. Regis Deer Crest at Deer Valley Resort
Opening November 2009, the latest addition to Deer Valley Resorts gorgeous lodgings has spared no expense in creating the utmost in luxury mountainside accommodations (plus there is always something appealing about being in a brand new hotel). Keeping up the high standard with the white-glove treatment one would expect from the worldwide St. Regis luxury properties, the newest member of the St. Regis family boasts a convenient ski-in ski-out locale that is only minutes from the heart of Park City's historic Main Street. Opulent from lobby to lounge and everywhere in between, highlights include full ski valet and butler services (make sure to take advantage of these!), an outdoor infinity-edge swimming pool, the bliss-inducing Remede' Spa, sumptuous dining, and ski-in ski-out convenience...and most notably, the European-style "funicular", the first of it's kind in North America, which whisks guests from the Snow Park area in the valley below - 500 feet above down to the hotel's two buildings in less than 90 seconds.



2. The Cliff Lodge - Snowbird
With the visionary concept of having Little Cottonwood Canyon's mountain landscape within view from all of it's rooms, The Cliff Lodge is not only an architectural wonder, but a well-appointed paradise to escape to at the end of a hard day's skiing. In the summer of 2006, over $5.6 million was spent upgrading this Utah classic, with such features including brand new furnishings, flat screen televisions, and wireless connections in every room. Anyone that stays here will also tell you about those notorious glass-facing-the-outdoors showers...again, designed with the mountain views in mind (I mean, hey...who doesn't want to map tomorrow's bump line while shaving their legs?!). "The Cliff" as it's referred to locally, has somewhat limited but delightful dining options at The Aerie's sushi bar at the top of the hotel (think mountain views!), where you will often find a broad spectrum of locals and visitors feasting from a diverse menu of not only excellent sushi, but mouth watering continental cuisine. For relaxing treatments, The Cliff Lodge Spa keeps the spirit and body in balance, employing some of the very best therapists around to help you rejuvenate spirit and recharge muscles in the contemporary mountain getaway.



3. The Goldener Hirsch Inn - Deer Valley
Inspired by the famous hotel of the same name in Salzburg, Austria, Deer Valley's Goldener Hirsch Inn is the cozy, European-style boutique hotel answer to the bigger, sometimes overwhelming choices that abound in Deer Valley Resort. Tucked into Deer Valley's Silver Lake Base Area, The Goldener Hirsch has 20 slope-side rooms and suites, each adorned with beautiful hand-milled Austrian furniture, feather beds, and cloud-like goose down comforters. Private balconies overlook breath-taking vistas of Deer Valley ski area, and in-room fireplaces complete the unmistakably European-Alps influence, something no other hotel seems to capture. As a winner of the AAA "Four Diamond" Award many times over, and with constant accolades from Wine Spectator and Zagat Survey, The Goldener Hirsch Restaurant is as good as advertised - serving a delicious traditional Austrian menu of wiener schnitzel, local elk flank steak, and decadent cheese fondues, to list just a few. Sister restaurant Ticino Trattoria serves elegant Swiss-Italian fare, of course. With excellent shopping and ski-in ski-out convenience just steps from the lobby, The Goldener Hirsch Inn will leave definitely leave you feeling like you've escaped into a dream of European sophistication...without the jet-lag.
Honorable Mentions:
- Dakota Mountain Lodge (The Canyons) - Home to the Golden Door Spa (see my article "Best Spa in Utah") and part of the Waldorf Astoria Collection, it also offers luxurious ski in/ski out condo options.
- Hotel Park City (PCMR) – Luxury lodging in Park City (and home of the Ruth Chris Steakhouse).
