It was dark when my plane landed at the Salt Lake City airport. And it was dark while I made the 30-minute drive to Park City and pointed my car up the mountain to the Stein Eriksen Lodge. So it wasn’t until the next morning that I had any inkling of the beauty of my surroundings, a sprawling Scandinavian-style lodge flanked by tree-covered, snow-dusted peaks.
Set 8,500 feet above sea level, the Stein Eriksen Lodge’s mid-mountain location is ideal for snow bunnies, but I was there in mid-November, which meant I didn’t have to make excuses for not wanting to hit the slopes; I could admire them from not-so-far away and enjoy the resort’s other amenities. And there are many: two pools, a Forbes Five-Star spa with 16 treatment rooms, a wine cellar, a 3,500-square-foot game room, a movie theatre, Glitretend restaurant and Troll Hallen bar, a fitness center, and plenty of cozy nooks and crannies to curl up by a fire and relax.
Over the course of two days, my friend and I barely left the property (though when we did, we were happy to have the hotel’s free shuttle service run us to Park City’s main street). Instead we wandered the expansive grounds, snacked on hearty mountain fare like garlic-dusted Yukon gold potatoes and creamy mac and cheese in the restaurant, sipped wine by the wood-burning fireplace in our room, and spent a relaxing morning at the spa, alternating between steam room, sauna, hot tub, and cold plunge pool.
Our room, a one-bedroom Lodge Luxury Suite, was more than 1,000 square feet and felt more like a home than a hotel room. We had a large living and dining room with a big, comfortable leather couch and two chairs, a wood-burning fireplace, flat-screen TV, a full bathroom, and a spacious, fully equipped kitchen (including full-size refrigerator) with marble bar.
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There was a queen Murphy bed in the living area, and a separate master bedroom with another wood-burning fireplace set in a stone hearth, another flat-screen TV, a large walk-in closet, and a stone-tiled en-suite bathroom with shower and tub.
Rooms were decorated in modern Scandinavian style, with beige and light brown tones, crisp white linens, dark wood furniture, and faux-fur throw blankets. Outside, we had a private deck with our own hot tub and a patio table with chairs. Our room easily could have fit four people (two couples) instead of just the two of us, so we had plenty of room to spread out, and had we been there for a longer stay, we definitely would have made use of the full kitchen for some of our meals.
Throughout our stay, staff was friendly and helpful, from carrying our bags and offering us umbrellas for the short, snowy walk to our room from lobby at check-in, to offering bottled water for the road when we left. We never waited more than a few moments for the free shuttle service (though one night we missed the final ride by about five minutes and had to take an Uber, so be sure to check the time for the last run), and service in the restaurant and bar was quick and courteous.
While we didn’t ski, it was apparent how convenient a location the Stein Eriksen has for snow bunnies; we could see ski lifts just a few yards from the restaurant’s floor to ceiling windows. Instead, we enjoyed our inviting room, explored the resort’s many luxe amenities, and focused on relaxation. With great service, an excellent mid-mountain setting, and tons to do on site, the Stein Eriksen was the perfect spot for a girls weekend in Park City.
If you go: Room rates start at around $250 per night. Look for possible cheaper rates at Expedia or other booking sites.
