Utah
Hotel Review: Grand Summit Park City, A Rock Resort
Max and I absolutely love Park City. It’s become a frequent winter adventure for us, thanks to our little camper.
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Utah
Welcome to our Utah travel guide
Utah is home to some of the most incredible landscapes in the country, in our opinion. From epic mountains to incredible canyons, Utah has all of it. Utah is also home to one of the largest ski resorts in the world, Park City, as well as Bryce and Zion canyon. To say Utah is an adventurer’s dream would be an understatement.
Things to See and Do in Utah
- Spend a week in Park City - don't forget to check out Alta and Snowbird
- Spend a few nights at Under Canvas Zion, a glamping experience not to be missed
- Don't forget about Bryce Canyon, Zion's sister park
- Shop in downtown Park City, prices compare to online shops
- Grab a drink at the top of the Ritz Carlton for an epic view at sunset (make reservations!)
- Try canyoneering for the first time and experience the canyons up close
What to know
The Ski Resorts offer luxury accommodations, often, right at the mountain’s edge. Park City/Deer Valley area is home to a number of luxury hotels such as the Waldorf Astoria, St. Regis Deer Valley and Montage Deer Valley. For a ski-in-ski-out experience in Park City, we’d recommend the Hyatt Centric Park City.
In the national parks, like Zion, you won’t find much by way of luxury accommodations. However, we highly recommend the Under Canvas experience, located just outside the park. Splurge on the Stargazer Tent for optimal views once the sun sets.
We highly recommend renting a car, regardless of where you plan to explore in Utah. You can get away with no car in Park City if you plan to stay only at the resort. However, if you plan on exploring the canyons, other mountains or other cities, we recommend a vehicle.
Park City is very well known for its foodie scene. Restaurants like Riverhorse on Main are institutions in the town, catering to the luxury travelers who have come from near and far to experience the mountains. In the last ten years, incredible restaurants have entered the space, but be warned, they will cost you.
Our favorite Park City restaurants include:
- Riverhorse on Main
- 710 Bodega
- High West Distillery
- Handle
- Chimayo
Salt Lake and Park City both offer great shopping. We found Park City (Main Street) to offer a huge selection of activewear brands, clothing and accessories for a very reasonable price. We compared to internet prices and everything was in line with what we found online. This affords a great chance to explore the shops and actually spend a few dollars. There are numerous clothing shops and hipster retailers with excellent local brands. Park City is a fun town to shop in for this reason.
Utah is very connected to the Mormon religion, which influences most of the state’s taxation, society and politics. Most of the hotspots to visit are more relaxed than somewhere like Provo, however, there are interesting distinctions to make. In Park City, for example, there are signs at every dining outlet that announce “this is a restaurant, not a bar” or “this is a bar, not a restaurant”. Similarly, children dining with family are not allowed to be seated facing a bar. Alcoholic beverages are often poured to a very specific amount, often making the glass of wine or the cocktail a little bit less …alcoholic than other resort towns with a heavy pour. There are interesting nuances that you may notice as you visit the area.
Articles to read
Where To Shop & Dine In Park City, Utah
Park City is a stellar ski town, but did you know it also has incredible shops and restaurants?
Read MoreTypical costs
In the areas like Zion, one can often find inexpensive lodging- but don’t expect it to be luxurious. Think more…basic accommodations near the national parks.
Park City on the other hand, is typically referred to as the West’s most bougie ski town and everything will cost money: transportation, lodging, meals, etc. When booking hotels, the majority of the rates do not include breakfast. Rates during high season can soar about $800 for a standard room at a five star hotel. If you plan far enough in advance, you may be able to secure a property at a decent points value (i.e a year in advance).
Dining in Park City is also on the upper end of the scale. Beverages range from $15 USD per glass of wine up to $45 USD. Appetizers at a high-end restaurant are in the $20 range and entrees will start around $30.
Typical food & beverage costs range depending on how high-end the hotel brand is, but we typically budget $350 per day for food & alcohol. Transfers to & from the hotel to the airport (SLC) range as well, but we typically budget $100-150. Ski Passes can be purchased online prior to your visit at a discounted rate.
When to TravelUtah Seasons
When to visit Utah depends on your activities. If you're a ski bum, February-March are the best months. If you're looking to explore the national parks, spring and fall are the optimal time with the best weather. Given the diversity of offerings, there's no real shoulder season or low season. Expect summers to be very hot in the parks, but cool in the mountains.
Travel Tips
- Looking to save some money in Park City? – Stay on the Canyons side of the mountain for slightly reduced rates
- Visit Zion in September – September is slightly cooler than the red, hot summer and less crowded
- Snowbird and Alta are great options – Park City is incredible, but there are more mountains within driving distance
- Experience the Bonneville Salt Flats – Have a few days to explore? Head to the world-famous speedway
Luxury Hotel Reviews
Check out some of our favorite Utah hotels and what we like and don’t like about each of them.
How to plan your trip
Utah has so much to offer and we typically wish we had more time to explore! Here are our recommendations for a successful trip.
Ski trip only:
- Depending on your ski pass, make that mountain your home base. For example, Park City. Consider staying on the Canyons side at the Hyatt Centric for true ski-in-ski-out access after January/February
National Parks:
- Stay at Under Canvas for two nights to explore the park. Then head to Bryce National Park to see the beauty of another incredible canyon
Gallery of Utah
