“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things” – Henry Miller
This quote resonates with me the more I travel. I think less of places on a map, and more of how I feel when I visit and eventually, when I return. This visit to Deer Valley, Utah was my first, and there was no question that I would stay at the St. Regis Deer Valley, the area’s most acclaimed luxury resort. I chose wisely.
Location
The St. Regis Deer Valley is a scant and quite scenic drive from the Salt Lake City International Airport. We visited in the summer, so the drive was brisk, approximately 45 minutes. In winter, the drive will likely take longer – although not much more so – depending upon conditions. The property is located at the base of the Wasatch Mountains, overlooking Park City, Utah.
The Property
I’ve had the fortune of visiting some of the most luxurious properties in the world, but the St. Regis Deer Valley casts one of the most dramatic and grand figures I’ve seen. Simply breathtaking. Photo credit to the St. Regis Deer Valley.
As you can see, the property includes a lower area, which serves as both a main base entrance, and access to the hotel’s classic and luxurious Funicular – that’s right, it’s own Funicular. It’s soon quite clear that the St. Regis Deer Valley offers a unique luxury experience to its guests. I couldn’t wait for my ride!
Rising above Park City, surveying the mountain landscape, the rider imagines what lies ahead – or, if you’ve visited before, you are likely to delight in revisiting one of your favorite luxury destinations.
Accommodations
The St. Regis Deer Valley is the only AAA Five Diamond property in Utah, and it’s readily apparent as to why. The main lobby and top level entry are magnificent – stately architecture with a chalet-influence, awash in earth-colored stone. The warmth and comfort are imbued in the design and the materials, and you feel as if you’ve been wrapped in a soft blanket, and delivered to impenetrable luxury from which you desire no exit.
We enjoyed an expansive space, featuring a slope-side mountain view, and a corner view of the property’s exterior. The room included a Juliette Balcony, fireplace, plush appointments and sumptuous bathroom.
Spaces
The property is replete with impressive spaces, continuously astounding its guests and creating boundless spacial gravitas. I’ve never experienced a space at which I’d enjoy being stranded more than the St. Regis Deer Valley.
Pool
The centerpiece of the property’s interior is an impressive split-level infinity-edge pool, and it defies capture by image unless you have a drone. Here are a couple of images of the pool, courtesy of the St. Regis Deer Valley.
Dining
The St. Regis Deer Valley offers a variety of both luxury and casual dining options, in addition to in-room dining. The resort’s signature restaurant is the J&G Grill, featuring a menu developed by Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, and executed masterfully by Chef de Cuisine Richard Samaniego. Click Here to view the Dinner Menu. You’ll notice a strong emphasis on high quality, locally sourced ingredients; which always forms the basis for an exemplary dining experience.
I enjoyed the delectable Tuna Tartare, featuring Avocado and Spicy Radish (a definite must-order), and the “RR” Ranch Beef Tenderloin from the quite inventive Simply Cooked small menu.
Remède Spa
The St. Regis Deer Valley features the lavish Remède Spa. Click Here to view the Spa Services. Of note, the Spa offers the Native American-inspired Bear Dance Ritual.
In addition, it’s difficult to capture images of spas because of respect for the privacy of guests, but I managed this image of what may only be described as my new favorite jacuzzi. I logged some serious time here. 🙂
Click Here for additional high resolution images of the Spa.
Signature Experiences
There are a number of Signature Experiences to enjoy during your time at the St. Regis Deer Valley. If you’re a skier, the property offers exclusive ski-in, ski-out access to the Deer Valley and Olympic ski slopes. You can avail yourself of Ski Valets, automatic boot dryers and the on-site ski shop.
In addition to skiing, the property also arranges winter activities of snowboarding, snowmobiling, ice skating, snowshoeing, and for warmer weather, hiking and mountain biking adventures, horseback riding, touring, scenic chair lift rides, fly fishing, hot air balloon rides, water sports, shopping, gallery strolls, and outdoor summer concerts and festivals.
Also, for the St. Regis aficionados, there is the world famous St. Regis Butler Service, which I very highly recommend. They can assist with everything from tidying up your worn shoes, dinner reservations, and packing assistance.
Signature St. Regis
There is however no St. Regis Signature Experience more near and dear to my heart than the daily Champagne Sabering, or what is also referred to as Sabrage. If you haven’t had the pleasure, Champagne Sabering is the act of cutting the top off a Champagne bottle with a large sword or saber – and it’s as awesome as it sounds.
Sabrage is practiced daily by St. Regis Butlers and Bartenders all over the world. I first experienced it during our visit to the St. Regis Florence, and have been continuously on the lookout to enjoy this experience when I travel.
The St. Regis Deer Valley enjoys the benefit of its mountainside location, and the Bartender in this case (the exceedingly talented and delightful Brett) diligently and with marked flair, grabbed the saber and rallied the guests to watch him open some Champagne.
Click Here to view my YouTube video of the Sabrage.
Here are some images of the Sabrage:
Closing Thoughts
I have the fortune of visiting some of the most luxurious properties in the world, and every so often, a property is supremely exquisite, exceeding all expectations and creating an everlasting place in my mind. If as Mr. Miller suggests that destinations are new ways of seeing things, then I look quite forward to seeing the world through my experience at the St. Regis Deer Valley – and I urge you to do the same.
The St. Regis Deer Valley – Location and Social
The St. Regis Deer Valley (Website): 2300 Deer Valley Drive East, Park City, UT, 84060 (Google Maps)
Click on the links below to further learn about and connect with the St. Regis Deer Valley:
Click Here to read the reviews on Trip Advisor
More Pictures!
Also, Click Here to view some additional high resolution images of the property.
Thanks so very much to everyone at the St. Regis Deer Valley, especially to Carlyn for making this visit possible!
I would like to specifically thank Lindsey for the lovely welcome, Ashley and Brett who really made us feel welcome at the Bar, and Vanessa at Reception for offering (without my asking) to take our picture. At J&G, I’d like to thank Glenn and Eric for an expertly served dinner.
Thank you also for the access, and for the use of some high resolution images. This was a special visit, and we look forward to returning in the Winter to experience the snow!
Please take note that the resort welcomed me as a special media guest, but that my opinions are, as always, entirely my own.
Thank you so very much for taking the time to read this article, and happy dining and traveling!
#agp
