After three amazing days in Moab, it was time to head to Park City. Another stunning drive through mountain ranges – I think I’m going to spend most of this trip just gaping at everything. While I’m the kind of person that yearns to travel internationally, in such a short time I have already come to appreciate how much our own country has to offer. I feel pretty confident about making this statement even though I’ve been on the road less than a week… and that’s that everyone should take a USA road trip once in their life – especially if you live on the East Coast. The landscape in Colorado and Utah will mesmerize you and take your breath away time and time again.
One day in Park City was definitely not enough. We had just a few hours to spend walking around Main St. and I was anxious to have more time to explore. There were so many interesting boutique shops and many diverse eateries and bars. The architecture was very similar to San Francisco – multi-colored townhomes stacked together on hillside roads, but the feel and style of the shops was very western. We stopped at the No Name Saloon for a local beer and some local flavor.
Earlier in the day, we visited the Montage Deer Valley for a tour and lunch at Burgers and Bourbon. Daniel Howard, Director of PR for the resort was a gracious host with a wealth of information about Montage and Park City. Unlike the pretentious atmosphere you sometimes find at other world class ski resorts, the Montage Deer Valley was a breath of fresh air – literally, when you’re at an 8,000 foot elevation. Even though we weren’t staying on property, the staff made you feel like you were their most important guest.
Walking through the Montage can only be described as peaceful, serene and tranquil. “We anticipate your every need even before you do,” said Dan. They excel in what he describes as multigenerational travel, which is becoming more and more the norm these days. It was easy to see that this resort is a wonderful place to bring your family and the Montage has activities galore for you and your kids. One great concept I saw was a game room adjacent to their pub with flat screen televisions equipped with Wii and old style arcade games. They even had a regulation 10-pin bowling alley. You and your spouse can enjoy a nice meal or cocktail while the kids are entertained and still within your sight.
The Spa at Montage was exquisite. Imagine this – your therapist takes a 45 minute detailed health history from you and/or your spouse and then she customizes a treatment specifically for you. No menu to have to interpret and wonder if you’ve chosen the right massage. The couples soaking tub looked so inviting I wanted to get right in!
There are five dining options on property and we were able to eat outside at Burgers and Bourbon on this beautiful, sunny 70 degree day. The patio overlooked a grove of Aspen trees whose leaves had just started turning a lovely yellow marking the impending fall season. It was so quiet you could hear the leaves rustling in the breeze. You can pretty much guess what we ate at a restaurant named Burgers and Bourbon. With over 100 bourbons to choose from, it was tough but I opted for the brown derby cocktail, which was a refreshing mix of Woodford reserve, honey and grapefruit with a sugared rim. The southwestern burger was perfectly cooked with smashed avocado and… We were told by our server that the bourbon BBQ wings were quite possibly the best she’s ever had, so of course we had to try those! A spot-on blend of bourbon, barbecue and buffalo sauce with lightly crispy skin – we had to agree she was right. Dan told us we couldn’t finish the meal without trying one of their spiked shakes (also made unspiked for children), so we opted for the S’mores shake which was dessert in a glass. We enjoyed that in their beautiful wood stained Adirondack chairs by the fire pit, and as it was starting to get a little chilly, they even brought out fleece blankets for us. For the ultimate experience in luxury and pampering, visit: www.montagehotels.com/deervalley.
We ended the day at the Sundial at Canyons Resort. A sprawling property with everything you can imagine from dining, outdoor bars, a gondola, shopping, rooftop hot tub, cozy outdoor heated pool, and boutique health club. Think rugged elegance that envelopes you in comfort. Visit: http://www.thecanyons.com/sundial-explore.html.
