The best hotels in Deer Valley offer the highest level of service, 5-star accommodations, convenient locations, amazing food and beverage, and unique alpine charm. Deer Valley has no shortage of accommodation options for luxury ski vacations, but there are a few that stand above the rest.
Deer Valley Resort
Before we dive into the best hotels in Deer Valley, let’s touch on Deer Valley as a ski destination…
Skiers only
One of the most important facts that not everyone realizes is that Deer Valley is a skiers only mountain. That means snowboarders will have to take their talents elsewhere. It is one of only a handful of ski resorts left in the US that are skiers only. Other notable skiers only mountains include Alta, a Utah neighbor in Little Cottonwood Canyon, and Mad River Glen in Vermont.
Limited numbers
Another unique fact about Deer Valley is they have always limited the number of skiers allowed on the mountain on any given day. During the 2020-21 season, all mountains were limiting numbers due to COVID-19. This was a big change for most resorts, but Deer Valley was already used to this. So, not much changed. Limiting numbers has always been in an effort to enhance the guest experience and avoid long lines on and off the mountain. I’ll admit, being able to lap runs with ease to access the best terrain on a powder day is an awesome luxury!
Access to Park City
Deer Valley is definitely a bit more glamorous and not quite as authentic, in an old western mining town kind of way, compared to places like Aspen, Telluride, and Jackson Hole. That being said, Main Street in Park City still holds some character from the mining days. From Deer Valley, you can get to the heart of Park City in about 10 minutes driving.
The access to downtown Park City is important, because there’s not really a centralized pedestrian village at Deer Valley. There are three main base areas (Snow Park, Silver Lake, and Empire Canyon), but none of them are built up in a pedestrian village kind of way like you might see at places like Vail, Telluride, or Snowmass.
Speaking of Park City, Deer Valley is not the only ski resort in this town. You also have Park City Mountain Resort, which is the largest ski resort in the US in terms of skiable terrain. Here, both skiers and snowboarders are welcomed.
Ski resort terrain
Terrain wise, Deer Valley has something for everyone. Plus, their lift system was really well thought out, making it easy to understand for beginners or newbies to the mountain. And if you want to talk about a high caliber of skier, Deer Valley attracts some of the best in the business! This translates through to their instructors and ski school, which rank among the best year over year.
Ease of travel
In terms of access, it’s hard to beat flying into Salt Lake City and driving 45 minutes to shred world class terrain. With so many direct air routes into SLC and so many ski resorts within close proximity, the greater Salt Lake area is arguably the most convenient ski destination to access in the US.
So when thinking about your next Deer Valley ski vacation, where should you stay? It depends what you are looking for. Let’s talk about some of the best hotels in Deer Valley…
The best hotels in Deer Valley
Stein Eriksen Lodge
Step into Stein Eriksen Lodge, amidst the alpine serenity of Deer Valley, and feel transported to the European Alps. Outfitted with oversized leather chairs, crackling fireplaces, and a welcoming ambiance, the Lodge provides guests the ultimate in charming service, 5-star comfort, and exclusive location.
This ski-in/ski-out hotel is located at the Silver Lake base area in the heart of Deer Valley. The property is modeled after the luxury ski chalets you see in the European Alps, which is super unique for the US. It combines Norway’s traditional style and a contemporary American vibe from the aesthetics and the way down to the dining menus at the onsite restaurants. Insider tip: the Champions Club, the casual dining option and game room onsite, offers unlimited free games for guests! This includes skee-ball, Pac-Man, and air hockey, to name a few.
Most of the rooms have wood burning fireplaces (love this!) or private outdoor hot tubs on your private patio. Having a full size private outdoor hot tub is pretty unheard of in the US luxury ski hotel space! And guess what? Some of the rooms have BOTH…
If you are looking for an authentic, yet indulgent, alpine living experience, look no further than the Stein Eriksen Residences. Currently offering 39 opulent condos and 15 immaculate and expansive private homes, these properties are the perfect blend of nature, amenities, and ski-in/ski-out access throughout Deer Valley. Each stay offers the perfect blend of boutique hotel, luxury resort, and welcoming home.
St. Regis Deer Valley
Another beauty in Deer Valley located at the lowest elevation base area of the resort (Snow Park). This property sits on a hill overlooking the Snow Park base area and offers the most convenient access to ski school. While it is ski-in/ski-out, there is also a funicular that brings guests from the hotel down to the Snow Park base area. So, choose your path…
This property is what you would expect from a St. Regis, in a good way. High end finishes, a grand lobby with a huge double sided fireplace and oversized leather chairs scattered throughout, and great service. It also has our favorite outdoor pool setup in Deer Valley.
The St. Regis is not quite as unique as Stein Lodge in terms of style, and none of the rooms have private outdoor hot tubs. But like I said, having a private outdoor hot tub is a very rare, very unique situation. So I would not consider this a knock on the St. Regis by any means.
Guestrooms and suites are nicely appointed with soft leather touches and stunning marble bathrooms. The one-bedroom suites are HUGE and offer gas fireplaces in the living area and the bedroom. Yes, please! You can easily and comfortably fit a family of four in a one-bedroom suite. In comparison, the residences at St. Regis have slightly more modern finishes, upgraded appliances, and some of the biggest kitchen islands I have ever seen. But, they still carry through the cozy mountain rustic touches.
The St. Regis Deer Valley is understated elegance at its finest and caters well for families, couples, and groups.
Montage Deer Valley
When you walk into the Montage Deer Valley, through the lobby and into the mountain great room, you have an immediate feeling of community and gathering. This place is a family friendly mecca. It is located in the highest elevation base area at Deer Valley (Empire Pass), kind of off on its own. But, it is so big and has so much to offer that it almost feels like its own resort. If you don’t want to leave the resort, you don’t have to. Some people love this. Others may feel a little isolated. There are plenty of dining, après, and entertainment options for all ages, including the hottest sushi ticket in town and a game room and bowling alley at Daly’s Pub.
Empire Pass is where the intermediate and advanced skiers spend most of their time. So, for families, the location of this property can be seen as a downside or inconvenience depending on everyone’s ability level. But, to access ski school, the hotel would just drive you to and from the main ski school pick-up/drop-off area. This often creates a decision point for families, weighing all of the family friendly amenities that the Montage has to offer and the convenience that the St. Regis or Stein Lodge have to offer.
The style of the rooms and suites at the Montage is definitely the most elegant of the properties we’ve discussed in this article. They all have gas burning fireplaces and alpine views, which helps bring some warmth and comfort to the aesthetic. But the finishes are still quite clean and rich compared to the St. Regis and Stein Lodge. If we consider the Montage residences, which range from one-bedroom to four-bedroom, you’ll get a bit more of those warm leather touches and wood undertones you might expect at the one of the best hotels in Deer Valley.
All in all, Montage Deer Valley is a very well rounded property. But because of the “all in one” nature, it caters particularly well to families looking for ease and convenience.
When considering your next luxury ski vacation, put Deer Valley on your list. There is no shortage of luxury ski offers, from dining and experiences to terrain and ski school. And of course, some of the best 5-star luxury ski hotels out there!
There’s a lot of pressure on your precious time away, and it’s hard to be sure you’ve made the right choices and covered all of the details. Luxury ski travel with Journey Bound will put an end to that anxiety and make sure your time on the mountain is well spent.
Schedule a call today to discover a new level of luxury ski travel!
