The minute my plane descended into Salt Lake City and I caught a glimpse of the majestic mountains and the stunning city below, a feeling of calm washed over me.
As I walked through the airport, something else occurred to me: Everyone was so bedecked in Patagonia and North Face they looked like they had just hiked a mountain, rappelled through a canyon or just sat on a rock loving every minute they got to spend in nature.
That's exactly what Anna Loughridge, public relations manager at Visit Utah, hopes visitors experience here, that mindfulness and immersing in the natural world can happen just about anywhere in the Beehive State.
Here, three places in Utah to find that zen—and in the process we’ll share all that we now love about this state:
Salt Lake City Sparkles
Kicking off a Utah stay at The Grand America Hotel is, without a doubt, a soft (and luxe) place to land. This regal gem of a place—it opened in tandem with the 2002 Winter Olympic Games—promises sink-into beds and epic views of the cityscape and mountains behind it.
At this 24-story European-style hotel—there are 775 rooms and suites here—luxury is a number-one priority. And, whether you want to take a dip in the indoor (or outdoor) pool or soothe sore aching muscles at the 20,000-square-foot spa, there’s plenty to do without ever leaving the hotel.
In fact, you could easily spend all day at The Grand Spa, the first and only spa in Salt Lake City to earn the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating.
The relaxing space boasts 18 spa service rooms, two wet treatment rooms with experience showers, steam and dry sauna and a full menu of services, including innovative treatments such as a Sleep Ritual Massage, CBD Body Treatment to reduce stress and a non-invasive HydraFacial, which provides quick results with no downtime.
Early risers will appreciate the fact that pastries and coffees are available first thing in the morning at the charming on-site Bonne Vie French patisserie—perfect accompaniments for a stroll through the picturesque and rubbish-free downtown streets.
Dining at the Laurel Brasserie and Bar is sure to please, too. The menu feature locally sourced dishes and the ambience rivals the most stylish French bistro you could conjure.
The best part of a stay here: Enjoying afternoon tea alongside local SLC families dressed up for the occasion—while a harpist or piano player fills the off-the-lobby space with peaceful, relaxing tunes. There’s no shortage of things to do here and we’ll just say it: The Grand America is the just-right jumping off point for any Utah adventure you’ve got planned.
For more information, visit Grand America
An adventure awaits in Snowbird
For the adventurous, a drive to Snowbird, located in the Little Cottonwood Canyon, located just 45 minutes from Salt Lake City, will be a thrill. That’s because the road to this resort is one of the most prone to avalanches in the U.S. and, as a box canyon, the two-lane road is narrow, winding and there’s only one way in and one way out.
That said, it’s worth hiring a professional (or someone who is used to a bit of a treacherous route) to take you to The Cliff Lodge, a resort best known for its world-class spa that are located on the top floors. The spa boasts over 21 treatment rooms, a rooftop pool and hot tub, a yoga center, steam room and family pool with three more hot tubs.
You’ll be awestruck by the10-story wall of windows in the lobby and the Wasatch Mountains beyond. There are three restaurants on property and the pedestrian village of Snowbird is a mere 175-foot walk away via a bridge.
Again, be sure to hydrate and always check the weather forecast and road conditions before your trip. And, if you’re an adrenaline junkie, consider taking a 10-minute aerial tram to Hidden Peak, located 11,000 feet in elevation, which makes it the highest point at Snowbird.
For more information, visit Cliff Lodge and Spa
High altitudes and charm await in Park City
It takes about 40 minutes to get to this sophisticated mountain town from Salt Lake City and it’s worth the trip. Famed for its adorably historic main street that has long been home to the Sundance Film Festival, Park City is as welcoming as it is picturesque.
For a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience, however, consider climbing further up mountain roads to the Stein Eriksen Lodge. Opened in 1982, this European-style resort, perched mid-mountain at 8,500 feet, honors Stein Eriksen, the legendary Norwegian Olympic skier, and is rooted in the goal of helping guests boost their overall wellness while on property.
One big draw for guests is that you can ski-in and ski-out but, even if you’re not as into winter sports, there’s plenty to do here and the breathtaking views from every vantage point are a delight.
At for the 23,000-square-foot spa, that includes 16 treatment rooms and a wellness studio offering a full schedule of yoga and wellness classes, you could spend the day here and never run out of things to do. Consider booking such innovative treatments as the Fireside Toast, a 75-minute treatment, that starts with a whiskey scrub compromised of a skin softening rice bran oil, followed by steamed towels with soft notes of roasted chestnuts to help loosen your muscles. Hot Cider in the Snow is a 120-minute treatment, where hot river stones are chased by icy, chilled marble to offer alternating muscle melting heat followed by cryo-circulation.
Just like when you’re traveling to other high-altitude locations, make sure to hydrate while you’re here and consider supplementing with oxygen, too. You want to breathe as best you can while taking in the gorgeous vistas—no matter where you are in the glorious Beehive state.
For more information, visit Stein Eriksen Lodge
Photo credits: Courtesy of Visit Utah