Mary Gostelow's Hotel of the Week: Montage Deer Valley
First sight of the chalet-hotel, Montage Deer Valley, Park City Utah.
A weekly series featuring luxury hotel expert Mary Gostelow’s hotel pick of the week.
Montage Deer Valley in Park City, Utah has become such a staple of the city’s experience and backdrop that it looks like it’s been here for decades. Yet, it only opened, 8,100 feet above sea level, in December 2010. Forty minute’s drive up from Salt Lake City airport, the resort towering at the foot of ski lifts surrounded by aspen and pine. Most skin-in and ski-out during the long winters. Others love summer for mountain biking, and Fall for the colors of the aspen. Shopaholics adore Thanksgiving; this year, after ‘the meal’ on Thursday November 27th, limousines are available starting at 9pm to whisk you to Park City’s famous malls, open until 3am on Black Friday.
The roads wind through the towering aspen and pines. Look at that crystal blue sky!
What looks like an enormous, 13-floor wood chalet can be summed up in one word: space. The baronial fifth floor lobby is patrolled by a two tame canine ambassadors, Jonas and Monty, twice a day. Its mezzanine Vista Lounge, with hand-scraped walnut floors, stretches for a hundred feet. But don’t be too distracted by the interior- the lounge’s scenic mountain views are not to be missed. The smallest of the 174 rooms is still 600 sq ft. All have working log fires and balconies. Montage Deer Valley also has 81 residences with full kitchens and washer/dryers, making them ideal for families and longer stays.
Make it a double! A burger and side of fresh cut fries at Burgers & Bourbon.
Casual dining ranges from all-American to Burgers & Bourbon, with 12 of the former (a favorite is the double-sized Big Rob, named for security officer Robert Oaks) and 120 of the latter. I also loved Daly’s sports bar, with two indoor bowling lanes, and the do-it-yourself Hershey’s s’mores, on an outside fire pit every afternoon. Try the outdoor pool, heated year-round, or the indoor Olympic pool. For kids, the Paintbox center has spectacular activities and Boy Scout-style achievement badges for when parents want to hit the slopes solo. The gym is Utah-based FreeMotion and the serious spa offers Kerstin Florian products. Take notice of the photography through the reception. It is hand-colored Cibachrome by Michael Fatali of Park City. GM is Allen Highfield.
Local artist Michael Fatali at work in his darkroom His work is featured in Kerstin Florian Spa.
Ski lifts glide up the mountains.
