Hilton HHonors - Waldorf=Astoria coming to Park City Utah

Dakota Mountain Logdge Ski Resort will join the Waldorf=Astoria Collection when it opens in 2009 in Park City Utah.

http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/154000320/4034862.html

http://www.dakotamountainlodge.com/home.php

Dakota Mountain Logdge Ski Resort will join the Waldorf=Astoria Collection when it opens in 2009 in Park City Utah.

http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/154000320/4034862.html

http://www.dakotamountainlodge.com/home.php

At least it's a new build--hopefully will be fabulous. La Quinta near Palm Springs and the Arizona Biltmore (both "adopted" properties into the Waldorf-Asroria Collection) get disappointing reviews and ratings at Tripadvisor.com.

I really hope Hilton doesn't over do it by branding too many hotels with the W=A designation. It's a landmark unto itself and all it takes is one or two bad apple properties to tarnish the reputation. IMHO, nothing will ever stand up to the Park Avenue icon.

all it takes is one or two bad apple properties to tarnish the reputation

The horse is out of the barn on this brand--La Quinita and Arizona Biltmore don't seem to come up to (even) Hilton standards right now--and I have not noted any communications regarding refurbishment....

I really hope Hilton doesn't over do it by branding too many hotels with the W=A designation. It's a landmark unto itself and all it takes is one or two bad apple properties to tarnish the reputation. IMHO, nothing will ever stand up to the Park Avenue icon.

Ummm, but they HAVE to brand them W=A or silly HHonors members like us will expect to stay there on a GLON (as opposed to say 80k/night at the Grand Wailea).

The Canyons is not exactly Deer Valley. I question the branding choice.

A new Waldorf Astoria Collection ski resort coming to Park City, Utah

Finally, Luxury to Match the Surrounding Beauty
With the grand opening of the Dakota Mountain Lodge & Golden Door Spa, the natural beauty of Park City, Utah, is now more luxurious than ever. Nestled at the base of The Canyons® Resort village, where activities abound all year, this newest member of The Waldorf Astoria Collection® is destined to transform the meaning of "mountain escape."

During the winter, the "Greatest Snow on Earth" takes center stage. Our luxurious resort's new Frostwood Gondola offers ski-in, ski-out convenience. Spring, Summer and Fall offer bright sunny skies and cool temperatures to enjoy outdoor concerts, hiking, mountain biking, and fly-fishing in one of the world's most pristine mountain settings. If your visit is to relax and soothe the soul, the Dakota Mountain Lodge houses one of only 6 Golden Door Spas in the world, with a full menu of treatments, salon, fitness center and more. And in 2010 tee off on our brand-new golf course, located just steps from our front door. Dine on the best and freshest ingredients at Spruce restaurant. Native to San Francisco and one of Esquire magazine's best new restaurants, Spruce offers Contemporary American Cuisine that everyone in the family will love.

The magnificent Waldorf Astoria Collection showcases architectural beauty, custom designed décor and original artwork to accompany the exceptional service and luxury offered every guest.

Book your next stay at the Dakota Mountain Lodge & Golden Door Spa today and enjoy a new standard of luxury.

Anyone with a stay report?

Cost in $ or in points, treatment of Gold/Diamond, other information? I'd love to know about the place and treatment, experiences, etc.

Appreciated from any who have experienced the place...

Just got an email with this offer:

We are pleased to present a special offer for our Grand Opening, with rates starting at US$129! Or, HHonors members can redeem just 40,000 points per night! Enjoy warm days hiking, biking and swimming, and cool nights by the firepits.

Valid for stays between August 1 and December 15, 2009.

Of course, there is this little tidbit on the hotel's Hilton page:

A Daily Resort Charge of $25 (plus tax) is assessed per room, per night and includes: Unlimited local, toll-free, and credit card calls (no access fee); high-speed wired and wireless Internet access in all guestrooms and suites; coffee and tea in guestroom and suites; nightly turndown service; unlimited use of the Golden Door Spa cardiovascular and strength training facilities, including Kinesis resistance equipment; complimentary access to Golden Door Spa daily scheduled group fitness classes; complimentary valet parking; complimentary use of self parking facilities; complimentary ski and golf valet service; and complimentary shuttle service to scheduled stops throughout the Park City area including Deer Valley Resort, Park City Mountain Resort, The Canyons Resort and Main Street, Park City.

The language reminds me of all the minutia automakers put on the sticker of a new car to try and justify the price.

Just got an email with this offer:

We are pleased to present a special offer for our Grand Opening, with rates starting at US$129! Or, HHonors members can redeem just 40,000 points per night! Enjoy warm days hiking, biking and swimming, and cool nights by the firepits.

Valid for stays between August 1 and December 15, 2009.

Of course, there is this little tidbit on the hotel's Hilton page:

A Daily Resort Charge of $25 (plus tax) is assessed per room, per night and includes: Unlimited local, toll-free, and credit card calls (no access fee); high-speed wired and wireless Internet access in all guestrooms and suites; coffee and tea in guestroom and suites; nightly turndown service; unlimited use of the Golden Door Spa cardiovascular and strength training facilities, including Kinesis resistance equipment; complimentary access to Golden Door Spa daily scheduled group fitness classes; complimentary valet parking; complimentary use of self parking facilities; complimentary ski and golf valet service; and complimentary shuttle service to scheduled stops throughout the Park City area including Deer Valley Resort, Park City Mountain Resort, The Canyons Resort and Main Street, Park City.

The language reminds me of all the minutia automakers put on the sticker of a new car to try and justify the price.

Can you refuse the resort fee? I would not be using anything but the shuttle service. If you have to pay the resort fee,how can anything be called complimentary?

Agree with the proliferation of the W-A brand. It actually diminishes the value of our points since those hotels require so many more points and even as Diamonds,the benefits are less than at regular Hiltons, e.g., free breakfasts no longer available as an option.

just got a phonecall from them:

I'm staying 7/19 - 7/25

The restaurant is NOT going to be open in time, and they will NOT have their liqour license yet.

They are going to offer a free continental breakfast, free lunch at the pool from 12-2 (bbq), and a $50 voucher per person for spa.

FYI

They have the $129 rate for the summer with a "Stay 3 nights, 4th is free" type promotion. When I am booking the reservation it still shows $516 total (4 x 129). Is the $129 rate already with the reduction built in, or do they remove the fourth night at checkout?

The canyons is not deer valley but Deer Valley already has the Stein Erickson Lodge and a brand new St Regis. I dont think hilton wanted to compete with those at deer valley but wanted to enter the Utah (particularly Park City market). Park City Mountain Resort is dominated by Marriotts multiple properties and condos.

The canyons is an amazing ski area and I think that the hotel will do really well even in this bad economy. Park City is an amazing market and i think the olympics have a decent chance of returning in 2022. Hilton is smart to build in Park City I think this was a solid choice and its better suited for a Waldorf=Astoria then a resgular hilton. This and the brand new amazing St Regis might be the new "in" places to stay/host events at the Sundance Film Festival in 2010

They have the $129 rate for the summer with a "Stay 3 nights, 4th is free" type promotion. When I am booking the reservation it still shows $516 total (4 x 129). Is the $129 rate already with the reduction built in, or do they remove the fourth night at checkout?
It looks like the $129 rate is simply the “Best Available Rate”, so there is no built-in reduction. I’m not sure how it works or why it shows $516 for the total. I’d call and ask.

Regarding the resort fee discussed up thread, at least they disclose it front – one couldn’t possibly miss it when booking online.

This is a great property addition....

It looks like the $129 rate is simply the “Best Available Rate”, so there is no built-in reduction. I’m not sure how it works or why it shows $516 for the total. I’d call and ask.


Below are the full T&Cs for the SUMMER ESCAPES / GRAND OPENING SPECIAL from Dakota's web site (http://www.dakotamountainlodge.com/utah-vacations/index.cfm?WT.mcid=CMEM_BKRQpMB7uQrciX). Among other things, they say "The value of the last night will be deducted from the bill at check-out."

Also note that the "Total" before taxes does NOT include the $25/day Resort Fee!!!

One thing that is still not clear to me is that it says "Must mention code PRES1N when booking via phone." and later "Must mention Code EFN when booking via phone." So if you book online as a SUMMER ESCAPE, does that obviate the need to manually enteri the codes to get those "benefits"



SUMMER ESCAPES / GRAND OPENING SPECIAL

Book early and get a great rate, earn Resort Credit and get a free night! Stay 3 consecutive nights and get 4th night free*, and earn Resort Credit of $25 for every $100 spent, up to $250 total credit value per room per stay**.

Complimentary kids breakfast in Spruce for each paying adult with maximum for entire stay of 2 free breakfasts (10 and under).

15% off spa treatments at Golden Door Spa and you can earn or use credit for the rest!

Book by July 15, 2009*** and receive a complimentary night certificate for a future stay at participating hotels.

Rates start at $129.



Terms & Conditions: * Subject to availability. Valid for stays from 5/26/09 - 9/30/09. Must mention code PRES1N when booking via phone. Minimum 3 consecutive night stay required. Free night offer is valid for the same room type only. Single or double occupancy. The value of the last night will be deducted from the bill at check-out. Free night offer is for room rate only and does not include resort/service fees, food and beverage, taxes, gratuities or incidental charges. Advance booking required. Check with property of deposit policy and cancellation policy to avoid cancellation penalties. Free night and credit and discount offers are not transferrable or redeemable for cash, and cannot be used during future stays. Offer not valid in conjunction with previously booked or held rooms or group bookings, and cannot be combined with any other promotion or offer. Blackout dates and other restrictions may apply. Hilton reserves the right to alter or withdraw this offer at any time without notice. ©2009 Hilton Hotels Corporation.

**US$25 resort credit for every US$100 spent, up to a maximum o US$250 total credit per room, per stay. Resort credit is incremental based on spend. Credits applied at check-out. Final credit value will be based on total spend during the stay, excluding room rate and corresponding taxes and fees. Credits can be applied toward all charges except room rate and corresponding taxes and fees. Spa discount is per room and will be applied toward total charges, excluding taxes and gratuity. Complimentary breakfast for up to 2 children ages 10 and under per stay, at participating resort restaurants only, excluding room service. Each child must be accompanied by a paying adult and must choose from the children’s menu or buffet, as applicable. Taxes and gratuities are not included. Unused discounts and/or credits will be forfeited at check-out.

*** Subject to availability. Valid for booking made by 7/15/09. Must mention Code EFN when booking via phone. One certificate received at check-out, per room, per stay. Certificate valid for stay of minimum 3 consecutive nights are participating properties from 5/26/09 - 12/20/09. Value of certificate varies by property. Certificate of room rate only and does not include resort/service fees, food and beverage, taxes, gratuities or incidental charges. Advanced booking required. Certificate not valid in conjunction with previously booked or held rooms or group bookings, and cannot be combined with any other promotion or offer. Blackout and other restrictions may apply. Subject to full terms and conditions available at Hiltonluxury.com/FreeNight.