Montage Deer Valley
Photo Courtesy of Montage Hotels & Resorts
Nestled against the Wasatch Mountains in the heart of Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah, sits the 220-room Montage Deer Valley. Since it opened in 2010, the property has received numerous accolades, most notably a new Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star distinction earlier this year.
Today, it still holds pride of place among the crème de la crème of luxury hotels in the region. From excellent service to a glorious spa and sumptuous accommodations, here are five things that we love about this mountain retreat.
It’s a skier’s paradise
If you love the slopes, Montage Deer Valley ranks among the best ski resorts in the nation. In fact, it was named America’s No. 1 ski resort for six consecutive years (2008 through 2013) by Ski Magazine, and it’s easy to see why. It’s extremely easy to get to; just a 40-minute drive from Salt Lake City International Airport, the trip is short enough that you could, theoretically, hit the slopes on the day of arrival because you’ll likely land before noon.
Once you get to the resort, everything is effortless. Compass Sports, the onsite ski shop, takes care of all your gear needs. Additionally, a Deer Valley Resort counter is onsite, so you can buy lift tickets on property.
When you’re ready to hit the slopes, a ski valet helps you adjust and put on your boots, escorting you outdoors where another valet will pull your skis for you and set them up. And, because this is a true ski-in, ski-out facility, there’s no trekking involved. Three high-speed lifts are located just yards from property.
The fact that Deer Valley Resort is a capacity-controlled, ski-only resort known for its immaculately groomed trails means that you’ll zip through the lifts with barely a wait. And if that isn’t enough, the Ski Day with Our Olympic Ski Ambassador program offers a one-of-a-kind experience — private lessons with two-time Olympic medalist Shannon Bahrke.
Spa Montage Deer Valley, Photo Courtesy of Montage Hotels & Resorts
The spa is amazing
On par with the luxury mega-spas you might find in Las Vegas, Spa Montage Deer Valley is a 35,000-square-foot oasis in the mountain. The largest spa in Utah, this Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star retreat provides everything you could want: his-and-hers private locker rooms with relaxation areas and a full water circuit (sauna, steam room, deluge shower, Jacuzzi); a public area featuring a heated lap pool and two larger, coed whirlpools; a state-of-the-art fitness facility; and 29 treatment rooms, including a couples massage room, a Vichy shower and hydrotherapy rooms.
Therapists will melt tensions with treatments such as the Mountain Body Therapy, a full-body service tailored specifically to your needs. The Advanced Cellpower Beauty Lifting Facial, which employs Jacqueline Piotaz Switzerland products (a line derived from plant stem cells that is exclusive in North America to Spa Montage), gives an immediate lift in the skin while firming, rejuvenating and diminishing wrinkles.
The rooms are splendid
The smooth, 400-thread-count Egyptian cotton linens and neutral color scheme of the rooms, when contrasted against the stunning backdrop of the Wasatch Mountains just outside, evoke a feeling of calm, understated luxury that is comforting and welcoming.
Units range from 600-square-foot resort guest rooms to 3,600-square-foot, four-bedroom residences, but all accommodations share similar amenities. A gas fireplace and flat-screen TV are central to the room. There’s complimentary Wi-Fi. And the bathroom is stately, boasting heated, marble-tiled floors; a sunken tub; a separate shower; and fragrant toiletries by Antica Farmacista.
Apex, Photo Courtesy of Montage Hotels & Resorts
It’s fit for foodies
Though you can easily take one of the complimentary shuttles into Park City to eat, the great thing about staying at Montage Deer Valley is that you won’t need to. Morning and afternoon, Four-Star Apex, the hotel’s fine-dining restaurant, serves up a lavish buffet. The breakfast spread includes cold-pressed juices, made-to-order omelets and waffles, fresh baked pastries, local fruit, smoked salmon and cereal, along with a creative build-your-own trail mix station complete with small baggies for you to take with you. The lunch layout is just as bountiful, featuring hot entrées, salads and a delectable pastry selection. (The restaurant also serves a full dinner menu.)
For dinner, Yama Sushi satisfies appetites with fresh sushi, sashimi and rolls. And for something heartier, Burgers & Bourbon beckons with gourmet, custom-ground burgers, craft cocktails and more than 100 bourbons and whiskeys. Finally, there’s the fantastic Après Lounge, where you can sip on Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label by the glass (or bottle) while snacking on caviar, local cheeses, charcuterie or smoked fish.
There’s so much to do
You won’t get bored at Montage Deer Valley. Early afternoon from winter to early spring, guests can hit up Powder Park, set up right outside the property, for inner tubing fun. Beginning mid-May through summer, you’ll also find complimentary archery, croquet and badminton on the campus. Throughout the year, s’mores roasting takes place by fire pit between 8 and 9 p.m. daily.
At the Vista Lounge and Terrace — essentially, the big great room in the center of the hotel — weekend evenings are accompanied by live acoustic performances, and have been known to host Dustin Christensen and Ryan Innes from the popular TV show The Voice.
There’s also plenty of entertainment for the family. Montage Deer Valley’s two Bernese Mountain Dog canine ambassadors come around the lobby twice daily for petting, general mayhem and adorable photo ops. At Daly’s Pub & Rec, you and your family can bowl, play at the a vintage video game arcade and shoot darts. And for young ones between the ages of 5 and 12, there’s a kids club called Paintbox, with fun daily activities such as hiking, crafts and karaoke.
