The Stein Eriksen name is an illustrious one in the ski world. The man was a Norwegian, a pioneer of skiing in America, a world champion, an Olympic gold medalist. He moved to the USA in the 50s to make his mark on the sport and died in 2015, a director and resident of Utah’s Deer Valley Resort. He founded the Stein Eriksen Lodge, known now for providing the highest quality of accommodation for visitors in one of the very best outdoor activity areas in the world, both in summer and winter. The Stein Eriksen Lodge and Residences are located in the heart of Deer Valley, mid-mountain, and are surrounded by trails and pistes. There’s over 1,000m of vertical drop and 200 acres of skiable terrain and together with the resorts of Park City and Canyons, all of which are linked, it’s the biggest ski area in America. The Stein accommodation? Ultimate 5* experience in a top-end mountain town hotel.
Deer Valley is one of America’s most exclusive mountain resorts. I don’t mean to be grandiose, making such a claim. Rather trying to pass across the true status of the Stein and the style of the area. Deer Valley is a snowboard-free resort. It’s traditional and has an old-world charm (if ever there was one in the mountains away from Switzerland and the likes of St Moritz). Valets are everywhere to carry your skis, there’s hot chocolate for all, a lift-ticket limit so the slopes remain perfectly social and heated pavements for easy strolling. In fact, the resort has even roughened up it’s rep in recent years. It works closely its neighbour, the ultra-cool Park City. Both are luxury, but where Deer Valley is impeccable, traditional deluxe, Park City balances by being the more bustling, hipster ‘downtown’. So what do you get when you visit Deer Valley? Unparalleled service, comfort and ease, access to a world-class mountain playground and cream-of-the-crop accommodation.
There are four Stein properties. I stayed at the newest in the collection, the Stein Eriksen Residences. The Stein name denotes luxury, but where the Lodge is intimate and homey, the Residences are elegant and modern. The Residences are just a five-minute drive from the Lodge, so you can head up for more buzzy, cosy apres. The Residences are 15 homes and 39 ‘condos’, privately owned but run just like a hotel. If you prefer a little more privacy on holiday, the Residences are the way to go. As you drive up Royal Street, out of Deer Valley, and onto Silver Lake Drive, winding steeply upwards, Alpine-style, you know the views across the valley are going to be sensational.
The Residences are Scandi in style – an homage to the inspirator – a nice change from the popular American 5* opulence. Fitting in to the environment was not overlooked during the design, and the stone and refined wood used works wonderfully, set in the unique and impressive Utah mountain scape. Entering the enclave, it’s quiet and peaceful. You drive past the beautifully designed individual homes with what have to be the best views of the entire valley and surrounding peaks. Pull up to the main entrance – a valet will nip out to sort your car and luggage – and into the light lobby with a floor to ceiling window-wall that looks out over the infinity pool to the vista beyond. Again, it’s cool and calm in here. No manic, in-your-face welcome, just serenity and views.
The Stein Eriksen Residences are contemporary designs with clean lines and are simply decorated using high grade materials and beautiful furnishings. Though the layout isn’t like a hotel, you’d hardly know it wasn’t one from the plush dressing gowns, Molton Brown toiletries, mini bar and antler sculptures and chandeliers (somehow made light and modern), as well as all the services a 5* superior hotel would provide. Windows throughout are floor to ceiling. The Deluxe Bedroom is the most affordable option and has everything you need, as long as you’re not planning to cook (why would you in such a foodie hotspot?). An enormous super king bed with the softest mattress and sheets with the highest thread count dominates the room. There’s a flat screen Smart TV and a huge, deluxe bathroom that includes a steam shower and jetted bathtub, with a separate loo (again, Euro-style) and marble or limestone basins and tops. The Luxury Suites have elegant, open plan lounges with ultra-mod kitchens, fireplaces, multiple bathrooms and private balconies (with hot tub).
Best are the amenities. A sleek gym with everything you could need looks towards the indoor part of the indoor-outdoor heated infinity pool. There are two outdoor hot tubs heated to different temperatures, for those that don’t have one on their terrace, and outside lounge areas with firepits. The spa has steam rooms and saunas and various lounge areas for time alone. It’s all about complete and sophisticated relaxation. The refined facilities blend in perfectly with the surrounding nature and active lifestyle on offer for those looking for a pampered, authentic alpine living experience.
I stayed on the top floor of the main building, accessed by private lift. I didn’t catch a look inside the ‘homes’, but you can see the natural stone veneer and reclaimed wood siding, keeping it all contemporary. The balconies on the front of the properties, i.e valley-side, you can’t see, either, but are equipped with outdoor spas. You can’t, however, help but peer in through the 18-ft floor-to-ceiling windows to the lush interiors and inviting, warm lighting. Neither did I eat in the Restaurant 7880 Club, so tempted by the many, many incredible eating spots down and around Main Street. I couldn’t fit in everything I ‘needed’ to. Bad reviewer… But I’ll go back. I did, however, hear rave reviews. And if it’s anything like the famous Glitretind restaurant at the Lodge, (which you must visit – hike the mile up for the mother of brunches) it’s an easy ‘approve’.
The Residences are the next generation of the Stein Eriksen properties. If I haven’t made my point enough already, it’s chic, mountain-contemporary at its best and completely bypasses the dated ‘modern-cool’ you tend to find in many ski resorts attempting to update themselves now. Essentially it’s everything you’d expect from a high-end residence, but better. It’s class, everywhere: Simple and sophisticated. It’s Stein re-envisioned. The hospitality is unintrusive and the space allows you to relax, enjoy the outdoors, and reconnect with nature, as Stein Eriksen intended. It’s one of the finest luxury retreats I’ve visited in North America in, might I add, one of the best locations.
Stein Eriksen Residences
6702 Stein Circle
Park City
UT 84060
USA