The minute my aircraft descended into Salt Lake Metropolis and I caught a glimpse of the majestic mountains and the gorgeous metropolis under, a sense of calm washed over me.
As I walked via the airport, one thing else occurred to me: Everybody was so bedecked in Patagonia and North Face they appeared like that they had simply hiked a mountain, rappelled via a canyon or simply sat on a rock loving each minute they obtained to spend in nature.
That is precisely what Anna Loughridge, public relations supervisor at Go to Utah, hopes guests expertise right here, that mindfulness and immersing within the pure world can occur nearly anyplace within the Beehive State.
Right here, three locations in Utah to search out that zen—and within the course of we’ll share all that we now love about this state:
Salt Lake Metropolis Sparkles
Kicking off a Utah keep at The Grand America Resort is, indisputably, a tender (and luxe) place to land. This regal gem of a spot—it opened in tandem with the 2002 Winter Olympic Video games—guarantees sink-into beds and epic views of the cityscape and mountains behind it.
At this 24-story European-style lodge—there are 775 rooms and suites right here—luxurious is a number-one precedence. And, whether or not you need to take a dip within the indoor (or outside) pool or soothe sore aching muscle tissue on the 20,000-square-foot spa, there’s loads to do with out ever leaving the lodge.
In truth, you possibly can simply spend all day at The Grand Spa, the primary and solely spa in Salt Lake Metropolis to earn the Forbes Journey Information 5-Star ranking.
The enjoyable area boasts 18 spa service rooms, two moist remedy rooms with expertise showers, steam and dry sauna and a full menu of providers, together with progressive remedies similar to a Sleep Ritual Therapeutic massage, CBD Physique Therapy to cut back stress and a non-invasive HydraFacial, which offers fast outcomes with no downtime.
Early risers will recognize the truth that pastries and coffees can be found very first thing within the morning on the charming on-site Bonne Vie French patisserie—good accompaniments for a stroll via the picturesque and rubbish-free downtown streets.
Eating on the Laurel Brasserie and Bar is certain to please, too. The menu characteristic domestically sourced dishes and the atmosphere rivals essentially the most trendy French bistro you possibly can conjure.
The perfect a part of a keep right here: Having fun with afternoon tea alongside native SLC households dressed up for the event—whereas a harpist or piano participant fills the off-the-lobby area with peaceable, enjoyable tunes. There’s no scarcity of issues to do right here and we’ll simply say it: The Grand America is the just-right leaping off level for any Utah journey you’ve obtained deliberate.
For extra data, go to Grand America
An journey awaits in Snowbird
For the adventurous, a drive to Snowbird, situated within the Little Cottonwood Canyon, situated simply 45 minutes from Salt Lake Metropolis, shall be a thrill. That’s as a result of the street to this resort is among the most susceptible to avalanches within the U.S. and, as a field canyon, the two-lane street is slender, winding and there’s just one means in and a method out.
That mentioned, it’s price hiring an expert (or somebody who’s used to a little bit of a treacherous route) to take you to The Cliff Lodge, a resort greatest identified for its world-class spa which can be situated on the highest flooring. The spa boasts over 21 remedy rooms, a rooftop pool and scorching tub, a yoga heart, steam room and household pool with three extra scorching tubs.
You’ll be awestruck by the10-story wall of home windows within the foyer and the Wasatch Mountains past. There are three eating places on property and the pedestrian village of Snowbird is a mere 175-foot stroll away through a bridge.
Once more, make sure to hydrate and all the time test the climate forecast and street circumstances earlier than your journey. And, in case you’re an adrenaline junkie, think about taking a 10-minute aerial tram to Hidden Peak, situated 11,000 ft in elevation, which makes it the very best level at Snowbird.
For extra data, go to Cliff Lodge and Spa
Excessive altitudes and attraction await in Park Metropolis
It takes about 40 minutes to get to this refined mountain city from Salt Lake Metropolis and it’s definitely worth the journey. Famed for its adorably historic essential avenue that has lengthy been dwelling to the Sundance Movie Pageant, Park Metropolis is as welcoming as it’s picturesque.
For a very once-in-a-lifetime expertise, nonetheless, think about climbing additional up mountain roads to the Stein Eriksen Lodge. Opened in 1982, this European-style resort, perched mid-mountain at 8,500 ft, honors Stein Eriksen, the legendary Norwegian Olympic skier, and is rooted within the aim of serving to friends increase their total wellness whereas on property.
One huge draw for friends is you could ski-in and ski-out however, even in case you’re not as into winter sports activities, there’s loads to do right here and the breathtaking views from each vantage level are a delight.
At for the 23,000-square-foot spa, that features 16 remedy rooms and a wellness studio providing a full schedule of yoga and wellness courses, you possibly can spend the day right here and by no means run out of issues to do. Contemplate reserving such progressive remedies because the Fireplace Toast, a 75-minute remedy, that begins with a whiskey scrub compromised of a pores and skin softening rice bran oil, adopted by steamed towels with tender notes of roasted chestnuts to assist loosen your muscle tissue. Scorching Cider within the Snow is a 120-minute remedy, the place scorching river stones are chased by icy, chilled marble to supply alternating muscle melting warmth adopted by cryo-circulation.
Similar to whenever you’re touring to different high-altitude places, be certain that to hydrate whilst you’re right here and think about supplementing with oxygen, too. You need to breathe as greatest you’ll be able to whereas taking within the attractive vistas—irrespective of the place you might be within the wonderful Beehive state.
For extra data, go to Stein Eriksen Lodge
Photograph credit: Courtesy of Go to Utah
