Top 10 Hotels in The Southwest and West: Readers’ Choice Awards 2024

Goldener Hirsch merges a charming Bavarian-style chalet with a chic, modern mountain tower in one property located in the heart of Deer Valley Resort’s village, and steps from the Silver Lake Express lift. The 66 room hotel offers an elevated homebase for any high-altitude escape, with construction recently completed on a steel-and-glass, six-story tower adorned with a rooftop heated pool and infinity hot tub that connect (via a heated bridge) to the historic European-style inn—both expertly designed by award-winning architect Tom Kundig. Aside from practically getting you two stunning boutique hotels in one, Goldener Hirsch offers an impressive roster of experiences that enable guests to get out and enjoy Utah’s year-round outdoor playground—whether it be horseback riding under a summer full moon or enjoying a warm fondue picnic after snowmobiling the backcountry.

Set the scene

The lobby’s bold pops of color feel worlds away from a typical slope-side property, but there’s no mistaking that Goldener Hirsch is, in-fact, a ski lodge when the Moncler-touting skiers rush by in the morning to get the first tracks of the day. There’s constant fires roaring in giant hearths (three in the lobby alone), and of course, impeccable views of the sun setting behind the rugged Wasatch Mountains from the rooftop infinity hot tub—where I took in the show while sipping High West with other big-city types on their annual ski vacations. Dinner is on the Bavarian side (more on that later) with a small lounge where I sipped a nightcap by yet another fire, and sat comfortably in a hand-carved chair. (It’s less lively-après, and more formal cocktail party.)

The backstory

The property was founded in 1992 by prominent philanthropic Utah family the Eccles (a name you will see all over the valley, from Salt Lake City’s Broadway-caliber theater to one of the main screening spaces for Sundance Film Festival). It was inspired by its namesake hotel in St. Mortiz, Switzerland—a favorite of the Eccles Family. Auberge took over the management of the property in November 2021, with an agreement with the Eccles family to keep the spirit of the European-style inn and restaurant intact: It’s filled with painted, ornately-carved furniture imported from Austria, antiques collected from around the world, and original paintings all from the family’s private collection. For the 2022 holiday season, you might recognize the hotel in the Netflix film Falling for Christmas, starring Lindsay Lohan and Chord Overstreet.

The rooms

Mine was on the tower wing, which the hotel calls “Goldener”—and hosts tranquil escapes in muted-pastel colors. Unmistakably mountain-inspired, interiors still feel more akin to a spacious Midtown-east hotel, which is a welcome departure from other Park City properties. If you’d like something a bit more European, book a room on the “Inn” side, which transports guest to the familiar mountain chalets in the Alps.

Food and drink

There are two dining options on property. The Goldener Hirsch restaurant that serves up all-day fare, après, and dinner in a Bavarian style: Think melty fondue, red hen coq au vin with Käsespätzle, and, of course, veal schnitzel. For breakfast or lunch, head to the Goldener side to The Kitz, which is more akin to a Ladurée in design and serves up lavender-cardamom cinnamon rolls and gourmet sandwiches.

The area

Located in the heart of Deer Valley, there is plenty to do year round for any type of outdoor activity, a plethora of dining options, and some of the most beautiful strolls in the world. Just a short five minute trip to Main Street Park City on the property’s complimentary shuttle bus is world-class shopping, dining, and spas—best found in our Park City guide.

The service

A refined, casual approach; it’s not unusual for the staff to know your itinerary and greet you by name, but also talk about their personal lives and connect on an interpersonal level. The concierge is very knowledgeable and can get guests access to things like dinner or event reservations during Sundance Film Festival, and similar feats that otherwise would be impossible—and take that from me as an ex-local.

For families

Ski vacations and mountain vacations are meant to be enjoyed with the whole family—there’s little that is more connecting than a day on the slopes. Goldener Hirsch has a residence rental program that is extremely family-friendly with flexible sleeping arrangements, welcome kits for the kiddos, and babysitting services. Plus: Deer Valley has one of the best ski school programs in the country which is perfect for children learning to ski.

Anything left to mention?

New for 2022, the two-and -three-bedroom residences will be assigned a “Goldener Guide”—a personalized concierge who stocks the kitchens with your selects of groceries, assists with ski outfitting and shopping, curates custom itineraries, and more. The property has also partnered with the plant-based mixology brand Apotheke to lead its holiday beverage program and perform cocktail classes, as well as Lingua Franca, a sustainably-sourced, fair trade luxury cashmere sweater brand, hand-stitched by women in NYC, for a limited run in Goldener Hirsch’s signature bold red and blue.