Park City

The Best Après-Ski Bars: Get Your Drank On After The Slopes

by Kristina on February 12, 2013

Akin to that elusive “nineteenth hole” in golf, après-ski scenes are more about socializing than sporting. Groups gather after the last run of the day to drink, dance, and relive any hairpin turns they might have experienced on the slopes. We’ve traveled to North America’s premier ski locales and every time, after a blustery day on the mountains, nothing has warmed us up faster than a hot toddy by the fire in some of our favorite hotel bars. Featuring cozy ambiances, stunning views, and custom drinks, these hot spots are just the ticket for a solid après-ski social hour.

The Granary at Spring Creek Ranch, Jackson Hole 

The Granary offers phenomenal views and cuisine in Jackson Hole.

This après-ski gem in Jackson Hole offers delicious, locally-sourced cuisine. Cocktails are tasty and the views…well, the views pretty much speak for themselves. With The Granary set in a wildlife refuge more than 700 feet above the Jackson Valley, it’s no wonder that the views are the most stunning of the Tetons in the area. Read More »

Tagged as: Apres Ski, Aspen, Breckenridge, Foodie, Hotel Bars, Jackson Hole, Lake Placid, Lake Tahoe, Park City, Ski Travel, Telluride, Vail, Whistler

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Bring the Kids: Our 7 Favorite Hotels for Family Ski Trips

by Carolina on February 8, 2013

For many of us, family ski trips are some of the fondest memories from our childhoods; they often involved fire pits, heated pools, hearty meals, and, well, maybe a few kamikaze-style downhill runs as well. We know from experience that kids always have a great time in the snow, and they’re usually so tired after an entire day of skiing that parents can even snatch some time alone after the little ones are in bed. But there are so many hotels that cater to families and groups that picking the right one can be tricky. No need to fret — we’re here to help! We’ve put together a list of our favorite family-friendly hotels in the top ski destinations, so that all you need to do is have some fun!

Top of the Village, Aspen

The resort offers multi-room suites with kitchens and sitting areas.

The resort offers multi-room suites with kitchens and sitting areas.

Located at the top of Carriage Way, a winding road in Snowmass Village, the mid-range Top of the Village offers great ski-in/ski-out access, an outdoor year-round pool, two whirlpools, and a small fitness center. Because the 88 units range from two to five bedrooms, Top of the Village tends to draw large parties and families.  The fact that it’s the only hotel in Snowmass where you can ski or walk down to the Village Mall, and then take the free shuttle back up, is an added bonus.

  • Our favorite family-friendly feature: Some units offer sleeper sofas that can accommodate up to two other guests, so families on a tighter budget can book a one-bedroom suite instead of a more expensive two-bedroom condo, and still have separate rooms for the parents and the kids.

 

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Tagged as: Aspen, Breckenridge, Jackson Hole, Kid-Friendly Hotels, Lake Tahoe, Park City, Ski Travel, Telluride, Vail

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14 of the Best Ski Hotels

by Jane on January 18, 2013

Skiing is one of our favorite winter pastimes: There’s just something about getting out in the fresh air (and fresh powder) that does a body good. And whether you’re doing the “pizza” down the bunny slopes or have mastered the double black diamond, you’ll be sure to have a great time, especially considering all the other offerings ski destinations and hotels have: gorgeous spas, fabulous shopping, heated pools, you name it. So without further adieu, here’s a roundup of our favorite ski hotels that go above and beyond with amenities such as ski-in/ski-out locations, elegant rooms, and activity-packed itineraries.

Viceroy Snowmass

Viceroy Snowmass

Viceroy Snowmass is easily the most luxurious resort in Snowmass Village, and is packed with top-notch amenities, including a 7,000-square-foot spa with a stunning relaxation room, a solid fitness center, and a lovely pool area with heated saline pool, cabanas, and fire pit. It also offers phenomenal ski valet service (valets will take care of everything from scheduling lessons to putting your boots on for you) and a prime ski-in, ski-out location. There’s a daily resort fee, and you’ll have to pay for valet, but that’s to be expected at a resort of this caliber.

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Tagged as: Aspen, Breckenridge, Deer Valley, Jackson Hole, Kid-Friendly Hotels, Lake Tahoe, Luxury Hotels, Park City, Romantic Hotels, Ski Travel, Snowmass, Vail, Whistler

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11 Things We Love About Hotels

by Jane on November 21, 2012

As the Hotel-Tell All, Oyster is very well-traveled when it comes to hotels. We’ve seen it all — the good, the bad, and the ugly. So around this time last year, we came up with a list of 11 things we hate about hotels. And trust us, we really hate them (don’t even get us started on daily resort fees…). But tomorrow is Thanksgiving and we realized that, sure, hotels can do some annoying things, but hotels give us plenty to be thankful for, too. So this time, we decided to come up with a list of 11 things we love about hotels.

11. 24-hour room service

Breakfast in bed at The Surrey in New York City

Breakfast in bed at The Surrey in New York City

Even Mom won’t whip up an omelet for us when we just gotta have one at 4 a.m. But at hotels with 24-hour room service, guests can have their pick of tasty treats no matter the time of day or night. And even better than 24-hour room service is 24-hour room service with a menu dreamed up by a celebrity chef. Hotels such as The Surrey and Mercer Hotel, both in New York City, are known for their celebrity chef restaurants and room service menus.

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Tagged as: Costa Rica, Denver, Dominican Republic, Foodie, Jackson Hole, Los Angeles, Madrid, Maui, Miami, New York City, Paris, Park City, Scottsdale, Silicon Valley, Washington D.C.

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Oyster Stats: Proof That Nevadans Win Big — At Least When It Comes To Hotels

by Kristina on November 16, 2012

In our Oyster Stats series, we’re sharing surprising tidbits on a range of topics using data we’ve accumulated from our hotel coverage and site traffic. Our goal is not to provide scientific data but to provide interesting directional insights about travel trends.

If you think you’re a smart shopper, you may have to think again. Because according to our research, some states are getting a lot more bang for their buck when it comes to hotels — and the results are pretty surprising.

Essentially, people from certain states are doing a better job of finding the lowest price possible for the highest pearl rating possible, guaranteeing a more luxurious stay at a smaller cost. Others, however, are not so savvy. Shelling out more money for a hotel with a lower pearl rating, these shoppers get a lot less pearl per dollar than their compatriots across state lines. Just check out how the numbers break down:

Here we show how the price per pearl differs among our best and worst shoppers. Our best shoppers in Nevada can, theoretically, book a five-pearl hotel for $290 per night, whereas New Yorkers, our worst shoppers, would pay $445 per night for a five-pearl property.

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Tagged as: Connecticut, Las Vegas, Maine, New York, Oyster Stats, Park City, Phoenix

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Wedding Wednesday: Montage Deer Valley; Park City, UT

by Kristina on November 14, 2012

Built in picturesque Deer Valley, the hotel never lacks for stunning mountain views.

The Montage Deer Valley in Park City is a large, luxurious resort with a ski-in/ski-out location that slope-loving couples and guests will enjoy. The rooms feel like upscale apartments, with warm wooden accents, chandeliers, fireplaces, and marble bathrooms complete with heated floors, soaking tubs, and separate showers. The hotel has a massive spa (all guests have free access to its pool, steam rooms, and saunas — perfect for some pre-wedding jitters-calming) and several restaurants (one with a bowling alley). But pricey hotels have pricey extras, and everything from spa treatments to kids’ club activities to Wi-Fi is expensive. Couples should definitely discuss their budget — and that of their guests — when considering this luxe property.

But after seeing what a wedding in Park City entails, the bride and groom will have a difficult time passing up on the experience. On-site wedding coordinators will walk brides (and grooms)-to-be through the entire planning process and are dedicated to ensuring a personalized experience. Ceremony and reception location options include two ballrooms, a sprawling lawn (open seasonally), and an apres ski terrace overlooking the forested valley. Your event planners can also assist with rehearsal dinners, bridal showers, and wedding brunches, as well as with selecting spa treatments, florists, photographers, and stylists. Your guests will also be well taken care of, with coordinators arranging room blocks, mountain itineraries, and Park City excursions for every age group. They’ll also throw in a ring bearer — of the four legged variety — for those couples in need of one. Check out more wedding-inspired photos of the Montage Deer Valley here »

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Tagged as: Destination Weddings, Kid-Friendly Hotels, Luxury Hotels, Park City, Resort Hotels, Romantic Hotels, Wedding Wednesday

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In the Spotlight: Stein Eriksen Lodge – Deer Valley, UT

by Jane on November 8, 2012

Some rooms, such as the one-bedroom luxury suite, feature full kitchens and dining rooms.

Some rooms, such as the one-bedroom luxury suite, feature full kitchens and dining rooms.

The luxurious Stein Erikson Lodge is a favorite among skiers, families, and couples who visit Park City. Located directly on Deer Valley Resort, the hotel offers skier-friendly amenities such as ski-in/ski-out access, a full-service ski locker room, ski valets, and a design style that could be described as “wilderness chic” with plenty of roaring fireplaces and cozy leather couches. The 170 rooms are spacious and feature comfortable bedding, sleek bathrooms with whirlpool tubs, large flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Besides the highly reputed spa, the two restaurants (make sure to try the Stein burger — it’s to die for) and the year-round outdoor pool all add to the lodge’s popularity. The nearby St. Regis features slightly more luxe decor, but return visitors to the lodge prefer it’s more laid-back vibe and freebies, such as a shuttle to shops and restaurants. See more incredible photos after the jump or read our full review now»

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Tagged as: In the Spotlight, Luxury Hotels, Park City, Romantic Hotels

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The 8 Most Expensive Spa Treatments

by Devon on November 6, 2012

While there are plenty of luxurious hotels out there, some hotels take luxury to a whole other level (which means prices on a whole new level, too). But when you really need to unwind away from home, there’s no better way to indulge than heading to a luxe hotel with an equally luxe spa for some much-need pampering. Whether they’re offering oils of gold, creams of caviar, or bathtubs of wine, these hotel spas aren’t shy about offering their guests the royal treatment – and charging them royally, too.

Treatment: Evian Bath for $5,000

Spa: Spa V at Hotel Victor, South Beach

Hotel Victor pampers guests with the finest bath water in South Beach

Not many of the treatments at Hotel Victor in South Beach come cheap, but the Evian bath is particularly pricey. The bath, consisting of 1,000 bottles of the French mineral water, is only available to guests of the $10,000 per night penthouse suite, and includes champagne, dessert, and an additional treatment of choice for two.

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Tagged as: Beverly Hills, Chicago, Las Vegas, LuxuryHotels, Maui, Miami, New York City, Park City, Santa Fe, Sonoma County, South Beach

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The Best of the West: Where to Hike in the Great Wide Open

by Devon on July 10, 2012

The West has some of the best scenic hiking in the entire country.

One of our favorite summer pastimes is hitting the dirt road and taking to the hills for a nice, long hike. And because of its clear skies, open pastures, and low humidity, there’s no better place in the U.S. to hit the trail than out West. Boasting countless National Parks and some of the most spectacular wildlife in the nation, the West is an adventurer’s paradise. Whether you’re in search of New Age stimulation or a adrenaline-filled adventure, grab your walking stick because we’ve found some of the best hiking spots the West has to offer.

 

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Tagged as: Boutique Hotels, Breckenridge, Luxury Hotels, Park City, Santa Fe, Sedona, Yosemite

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The Hotels of Political Power Players: Inside the Fat Cat Fundraisers of 2012

by Kelsey on July 9, 2012

Let’s see if you can guess what the following events have in common: a super-secret conference hosted by the billionaire Koch brothers; a concert with $10,000 tickets featuring Mariah Carey; and an uber-luxe weekend golf retreat in Deer Valley, Utah.

If you guessed political campaign fundraising, you guessed right. Each of those events was orchestrated for one purpose — to help either Romney or Obama win the 2012 election. (Romney is currently pulling in more dollars — specifically, $35 million more than Obama in the month of June.)

But the events had something else in common, too — they all took place at some of the country’s top luxury hotels. And we wouldn’t be the hotel tell-all if we didn’t spill the details on just what went down — and where.

We’ve provided helpful color coded icons in Republican red and Democratic blue to let you know which event helped whom.

Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Carlsbad, CA – R.

Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Carlsbad, CA

Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Carlsbad, CA

The Event: “Path to Freedom 2012,” a fundraising summit hosted by the Koch brothers, June 24

The Power Players: The Koch brothers, conservative oil tycoons each worth $25 billion

The Spoils: Unknown, but it’s been reported that their annual fundraising goal is $400 million.

Security at the Park Hyatt Aviara was extremely tight for the Koch brothers’ biannual fundraiser, and few details about the guest list or speeches have been leaked. (A BuzzFeed reporter did manage to sneak in, before getting the boot for not wearing a name tag.) But we’re sure the wealthy conservatives who gathered to conspire raise money enjoyed the property’s gorgeous pool with lagoon views, Arnold Palmer-designed golf course, and serene gardens. See exclusive photos of the hotel

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Tagged as: Election 2012, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Luxury Hotels, New York City, Park City, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Washington D.C.

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