Each January, film directors, screenwriters, actors and producers flock to Park City, Utah, for the annual Sundance Film Festival. This year, the festival takes place from January 19th to the 29th. If you’re lucky enough to get passes to a screening here, you’re in for treat—Sundance is known as the breakout place for many independent films, actors and directors. But keep in mind, if you want to take part in the festivities, the time to plan is now. Here’s a list of our top five hotels in Park City:
Stein Eriksen Lodge. This Five-Star hotel is nestled in the Wasatch Mountains, offering a warm and cozy retreat for film buffs (not to mention ski-in/ski-out access for those who want to hit the slopes in between screenings). Guestrooms feature oversized jetted bathtubs, and most come with fireplaces so you can cozy up after a long day in the cold. Dine at Four-Star Glitretind Restaurant, and then be sure to book a spa treatment at the newly awarded Five-Star Spa at Stein Eriksen.
The St. Regis Deer Valley. If you’re looking for luxury during your festival stay, this Four-Star resort is the spot for you. Book a suite and you’ll receive the St. Regis’ famous butler service—the personal attendants will provide you with just about everything you could possibly need, and they’ll even pack and unpack your luggage. After a day of film screenings, stop in at the Four-Star Remède Spa for some relaxation (ask for the Sundance special—a 60-minute treatment, plus a Intraceuticals oxygen inhalation and goody bag of products), and then head to Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s J&G Grill for a bite to eat.
Montage Deer Valley. Having just opened in December 2010, Montage Deer Valley is a beautiful spot in the mountains, and it’s just five miles from Main Street in Park City. There’s a long list of perks that come along with staying here, including ski-in/ski-out access, a bowling alley in Daly’s Pub & Rec gastropub, farm-to-table cuisine in Apex restaurant and luxe spa treatments at Spa Montage. All guestrooms have gas fireplaces and a private balcony or a patio.
Waldorf Astoria Park City. Walk into the Waldorf Astoria and you’ll be wowed by its glam lobby. Since it’s just a few years old (it opened in 2009), you’ll have all the perks of a new property. Ski-in/ski-out access here means that a gondola is located just outside the main entrance. If you would rather relax than exert energy, head to the Golden Door Spa for a massage. Here, you can stay in a standard guestroom or in one of the one- to four-bedroom residences. You’ll have your own full kitchen, dining area, living room and sleeper sofa. It’s the perfect spot for families.
Sundance Resort. If you want an authentic Sundance experience, stay at the festival’s namesake resort. Founded by Robert Redford in 1969, the Three-Star resort in Sundance, Utah, is a bit farther from Park City—45 minutes to be exact. But you won’t have to worry about transportation, since the resort runs a shuttle to and from the festivities. Catch a festival film in the resort’s screening room, ski along the slopes of Mount Timpanogos, dine at The Tree Room restaurant (take a peek at Redford’s own western memorabilia while you’re there) and get Native American-influenced treatments at the spa. The resort offers two packages just for the festival, which include tickets to film screenings.
