“The ultimate vacation hideaway“
There’s a famous saying among ski addicts: “If you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much space.” Whoever said that clearly couldn’t have had Park City, Utah, in view with its seemingly endless landscape of towering, powder-caked mountains.
At The Sky Lodge, a grand resort which opened on historic Main Street in Old Town Park City in late December, the very idea is to take up as much space as a body wants — carving the slopes at Deer Valley and Park City Mountain, indulging in lavish treatments at the onsite Amatsu Spa, chowing down at one of the resort’s four restaurants or finding fun in the city.
Inside the glamour of one of the 33 residential units complete with fireplaces, plush living rooms, multiple flat-panel HDTVs, sleek open kitchens and decks with hot tubs, one is tempted to pass on going outside. From the comforts of the regular rooms and “SkyHomes” — which range from 1,260 square feet to more than 2,700 — guests live the dream of the ultimate vacation hideaway.
Since The Sky Lodge is situated in the heart of town, guests staying there are encouraged to partake in a little nightlife at spots such as Harry O’s and soak up culture at places like The Kimball Art Center. “A lot of people don’t ski,” explains Bill Shoaf, founder and managing director of CloudNine ResortClubs, who guided this project to fruition. “Our strongest suit is that our location allows everyone to have a fun day right in the middle of town.”
That’s a pretty rebellious notion, and perhaps insane, not to head out to frolic in the snow. The Wasatch Mountains could lure even the die-hard city dweller to indulge in a little mountaineer spirit. But nothing says, “Let’s get lost,” like this particular boutique resort where they’ve thought of every creature comfort from soft Italian bedding, Molton Brown bath products, Bose surround sound systems, and an ever-attentive concierge to eco-conscious ideals built into the architecture and service.
The property’s Amatsu Spa experience is built around the ritual Japanese ofuro bath in a traditional, wooden tub, where a guest takes a relaxing shower after a romp in the great outdoors. Next, he or she warms up in a tearoom — so the right state of mind is achieved before entering one of the six treatment rooms.
The resort scored big in hiring award-winning Executive Pastry Chef and instructor Mary Cech for their Easy Street Bakery, whose sweet creations are a local favorite. For those who need a familiar jolt, The Sky Lodge just added a Peet’s Coffee to the grounds. And then there’s Fin, a fine dining resto focused on fresh, sophisticatedly prepared seafood under the skillful direction of Executive Chef Scott Boberek. There are two additional dining destinations, Zoom, which boasts famous cheesecake (and is Sundance-operated), and Easy Street Brasserie.
The Sky Lodge has barely opened its doors and the reservationist has been busy for months booking rooms. For the Sundance Film Festival (which descends upon the town in January), they’ve already compiled a roster of “important” guests and three premiere parties lined up that are sure to attract the numerous A-listers who descend upon the town. However fancy that may be to some, that’s far from the focus here. In fact, the staff recommends the precious days between New Year’s Day and Sundance madness as prime time for a visit — the first 10 days of pristine ski conditions and no crowds.
Shoaf sums it up as the place to be when he says, “It’s the best of all that is reflected in the mountain West.”
Winter rates start at $925 per night for a 1-bedroom residence.
Climb the mountain at www.theskylodge.com