Luxury accommodations and elite hotels take the stage.
By Annette Velarde
In response to the demand for luxury vacation accommodations, elite hotel brands are adding Park City to their portfolios, joining established destinations in such cosmopolitan locales as New York, Rome, and Tokyo.
The town has burst onto the world stage since its “debut” at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. An improved economy and a scarcity of available residences have prompted the hospitality industry to offer a variety of options, including purchase opportunities.
When Regent Properties of California discovered the only unimproved acreage left in Deer Valley’s Silver Lake Village, they knew it was something truly special. Their aspiration was to make this offering the best in town. This vision included an association with Stein Eriksen Lodge, the benchmark of luxury and service for decades. Less than a year ago, Stein Eriksen Residences began to accept purchase contracts and to-date over 50% of the property has been presold to the world’s most discriminating buyers. This is a transcendent convergence of pristine nature, avant-garde architecture and interior design, and meticulous construction in 14 homes and 40 condominiums. Ranging in size from three to seven bedrooms, there is a perfect floor plan for every buyer. Deer Valley ski runs are just steps away. The lodge will be the Residences’ hub with skier services, indoor/outdoor infinity pool, fitness center, elegant spa, fine dining, and intimate gathering spaces. Stein Eriksen Lodge will manage the property and its amenities, and oversee vacation guest rentals, guaranteeing owners immeasurable peace of mind.
The Chateaux Deer Valley is a property with rich history in Park City, and one of its best-kept secrets. Celebrating its 15th anniversary this winter, the staff can hardly believe the time has gone by so quickly. Friendly service and lavish amenities have established this luxury hotel as a poised, self-assured master of its art. The extensive array of comforts ranging from sumptuously- appointed rooms to family-friendly dining to professional concierge service is only the beginning. Even though this hotel sits at 8,000 feet in altitude, it intentionally flies under the ‘glitter’ radar and aims for the respectful privacy of its visitors. Guests who choose this property are looking for a discreet and relaxing getaway. Mirroring its guests, the Chateaux is elegant, refined and intelligent. Guests return year after year because of the atmosphere and the property’s amenities. General Manager Greg Gendron reiterates his guests’ reviews: “The Chateaux Deer Valley is where value and luxury meet mid-mountain.”
Montage Residences Deer Valley agrees that, “A happy family is but an early heaven.” While the brand is synonymous with the utmost in luxury, it also welcomes the thunder of little feet and makes every effort to support its guests in enjoying valuable family time. The children can safely splash in the pool while an expert spa therapist guides Mom through treatments customized specifically for her body and unique wellness goals, and Dad zooms down the ski slopes of Deer Valley Resort. These spacious 1-, 2-, 3- and 4+ bedroom vacation homes (available for purchase) range from 1,850 to 5,400 square feet, so there’s plenty of room for kids to be kids while affording parents some much needed space to themselves. Healthy, expertly- prepared food is available throughout the hotel’s five dining outlets, but if you prefer to cook for your family, the designer kitchens make meal preparation a joy. Daily group activities are arranged for youngsters and supervised by experts. The spa has services designed specifically for young, sensitive skin and the bowling alley is every kid’s favorite hangout after dark. Montage Residences Deer Valley makes it possible for a dream vacation home to become a reality.
St. Regis Hotels’ roots date to the legendary Aster family. As central figures of the sophisticated New York City social scene during the 19th and 20th centuries, the Asters were icons of American aristocratic elegance. This legacy is evident at every turn at the St. Regis Deer Valley. Situated above the main Deer Valley ski runs, this grand hotel has panoramic views from every window, sweeping entryways, and countless amenities. In the midst of this abundance of luxury is the St. Regis soul: a boutique inn that attends to the smallest of details. Owners and guests enjoy care from professional staff who tailor their services to meet visitors’ personalized needs, and this excellence of service is the foundation of the St. Regis brand. The Deer Valley units were 40% pre-sold before the doors ever opened, during the worst years of the recent recession. In Park City there are many resorts designed for the nouveau riche, but the St. Regis stands out as the choice that requires no explanation. Its history, strength of brand, and consistent excellence in all things speak for themselves.
While some people spend their vacation trying to get away from it all, guests of the SKY Lodge are all about the experience. They want to be near the center of the action so they can soak up the excitement of life as it happens. Located in the heart of Park City’s Historic Main Street district, access to the town’s world renowned art, music, shopping, and nightlife is just steps away. This sleek, modern hotel is just up from Park City Mountain Resort’s Town Lift, and also offers transportation to other local resorts via its luxury Acura fleet. The onsite restaurant, Table ONE, is an innovator in the healthy-gourmet movement of progressive American cuisine. SKY’s Sugati Spa is a holistic haven that offers mind, body, and spirit rejuvenation. Ayurvedic therapies and traditional Japanese soaking tubs are examples of the services tailored for individuals, couples, groups and private parties.
The crown jewel of the Hilton brand is the Waldorf Astoria and guests in Park City enjoy a level of service found in no other property located in the Canyons village. Whole-ownership Residences ranging from studio to four-bedroom condominiums are all turnkey and lavishly appointed. Just outside its front doors, the Waldorf Gondola whisks guests up the mountain. Its gourmet dining makes for a favorite memorable meal. No detail is left unattended; no client request is left unfulfilled. Combine this with the fact that the price per square foot of a residence in the Waldorf is half that of other comparable hotels in Park City and you have a ‘wise investment.’ When Vail completes the lift connection between Canyons and PCMR for the 2015/ 2016 ski season, the Waldorf will be the only luxury hotel on-site in the largest ski resort in the nation. One hundred groomed runs will welcome winter enthusiasts with seemingly-endless amenities, on one Epic ski pass. This puts the Waldorf Astoria Park City in a league of its own for luxury property investment in the area.
Park City is quickly becoming the prime vacation spot for outdoor enthusiasts from around the globe. Given these exceptional properties, there is no better area in the country for relaxation and extraordinary recreational experiences.
