It’s no secret that Park City and Utah are booming. Thanks to the state’s world-class ski scene and newly accepted 2034 Winter Olympics bid, the need for new places to stay is more significant than ever. From luxe properties in the new Deer Valley East Village to a revitalized train depot turned hotel in Salt Lake City, we’re showcasing a flurry of new hotels opening to satisfy the increased demand.
Asher Adams
On November 7, a luxury hotel opened its doors in downtown Salt Lake City at the historic Union Pacific Depot. Asher Adams makes what’s old new again with an ambitious adaptive reuse project that preserves the train station’s French Second Empire architecture while adding a new building to house many of the hotel’s suites.
“The property showcases the transformative era of American railroads in homage to the transcontinental railroad and the innovation it brought with it,” says Asher Adams General Manager Niels Vuijsters. “Asher Adams is designed to be the embodiment of the people, experiences and meaningful moments behind the past, present and future of Salt Lake City.”
The design preserves the depot’s history, carefully restoring the original stained-glass windows, terrazzo floors and murals and adding 35 historic train station suites. As Salt Lake’s first Autograph Collection property, Asher Adams features a total of 225 guest rooms and suites, a fitness center, a restaurant, two bars and a coffee shop.
“As an ode to train dining, the property’s culinary concepts are all inspired by the function of each dining car,” says Vuijsters. “The restaurant, Rouser, represents the dining car where train guests gather for an upscale and sophisticated meal. Counterpart, which will have artisanal coffee and fresh pastries, emulates the club car and is designed for a quick meal or coffee. Finally, the bar car is the focus of the two on-property bars, No.119 and Bar at Asher Adams.”
From a rarefied whiskey tasting to a charcoal-grilled seafood tower, Asher Adams’ unique culinary offerings, inspired by coal-fueled train engines, is a welcome addition to the city’s dining scene.
The Asher Adams’ location at The Gateway, in the heart of downtown, provides convenient walking access to shopping, dining, The Depot’s music performances, the Delta Center’s sporting events and the Salt Palace Convention Center’s conferences.
Grand Hyatt Deer Valley
Deer Valley Resort is doubling in size, making it one of the largest ski resorts in North America. There will be 16 new chairlifts, a 10-passenger gondola and 3,700 acres of additional skiable terrain. Deer Valley East Village anchors the expansion, which includes adding Grand Hyatt Deer Valley with 387 rooms to support the growth.
The hotel debuts the Grand Hyatt brand in Utah and opened to the public on November 20. The convenient location has easy access to East Village’s under-construction restaurants, retailers and children’s center as well as one of the largest ski beaches in the world.
“Grand Hyatt Deer Valley will help bring travel dreams to life by celebrating iconic and magnificent moments and inviting guests to be the first to explore the uncharted terrain of the new Deer Valley East Village,” says Grand Hyatt Deer Valley General Manager Anthony Duggan. “We are setting a new standard for mountain hospitality by seamlessly blending bespoke elegance with a warm, family-friendly atmosphere.”
Residents and guests can enjoy world-class dining options, including Remington Hall, a rustic American brasserie by renowned Chef Marc Marrone; Remington Lounge; the family-friendly Living Room; a vibrant live music venue, Hidden Ace; and a coffee shop appropriately named Double Blacks.
Skiers staying at the Grand Hyatt also have convenient access to Deer Valley’s new and existing terrain. “All three new lifts are adjacent to the Grand Hyatt,” says Deer Valley’s Director of Communications Emily Summers. “The bottom terminal of Keetley Express sits adjacent to the hotel’s snow side and takes skiers to the existing Deer Valley terrain. Next to it is Hoodoo Express offering access to a new beginner area, while the Aurora lift returns skiers to the East Village area.”
Perks for Service Members
Those who serve in the military score special discounts at some new Utah properties. Grand Hyatt Deer Valley was built in conjunction with the Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA) as a replacement for the seven-room Morale Welfare Recreation Snowbasin cabin that was removed for the 2002 Winter Olympics. Part of the Grand Hyatt construction agreement is a permanent price break for military members.
“The 387-room conference hotel includes a block of 100 rooms that will be available on a preferred-rate basis for our nation’s service men and women — whether on active duty or retired — and active Department of Defense personnel as well as access to the grand conference room and a dedicated military concierge space, North Star,” says MIDA Public Relations Manager Kristin Kenney Williams.
The Grand Hyatt is part of a larger development with four-season recreation opportunities: skiing, horseback riding, golfing and boating. “The additional recreational activities will be available to the public,” says Williams, “and military guests will receive discounted rates for these activities.”
Sundance Mountain Resort also recently broke ground on a new ADA-accessible inn that supports wounded veterans. Sundance Inn will open in time for the 2025-26 ski season and features 63 rooms, ski-in and ski-out access, a ski locker room and The Springs, a relaxation area with a sauna and relaxation pools.
“Both participants of Sundance’s Mountain Veterans Program (MVP) and the general public will have the opportunity to stay at the inn,” says Williams. To honor those injured while serving, MVP program participants and their families/caregivers will receive free travel, lodging, meals and activities.
Renovations and Upcoming Projects
Beyond hotels already under construction, more planned lodging will accommodate expected growth and the 2034 Winter Olympics.
• At the Utah Olympic Park, guests could one day watch ski jumpers practice from their room at a proposed 120-room hotel. The project would replace the Utah Olympic Park’s existing Legacy Center and generate revenue for the park.
• Homestead Resort in Midway is undergoing a major expansion and restoration project that totals more than $120 million. All 123 lodging rooms, The Milk House coffee shop and ice cream parlor, and 1886 Grill and Smokehouse have been renovated. Along with the addition of several new onsite fire pits, Homestead Resort has opened an expansive pool complex consisting of a family pool with waterfall, lounge pool, family spa and three hot spring pools that will be open year-round. The property is currently building an event barn and restoring the Virginia House, originally built in 1886.
• Also in Midway, construction of a new luxury hotel at Ameyalli will begin in January and is expected to wrap up in the second half of 2026.
