Marriot Mountainside

This summer, we had some extra cash and since we have only taken one vacation besides our honeymoon, and that was our overnight trip to the Hampton Inn I wrote about here, we decided we needed to treat ourselves. So we picked a resort that we normally wouldn't have spent the money on. That was the Marriott.

It is called the Mountainside, and it is a very fitting name.  The Resort sits directly on the mountain and is only seconds away from the lift at the very popular and amazing Park City Mountain Resort. (PCMR)  This hotel met all our expectations.  We took our two children, our infant son and 3 year old daughter.

The first thing to know is that this hotel will cost you for two reasons: the location and the ammeneties.  This place could define resort.  The staff were all very nice and the room was great.  Huge, really.  We had no problem getting a pack and play for our son to sleep in and a high chair to feed him.  The kitchen had all the basics you could need and the bathroom was more than spacious. Because of the location of the hotel, the parking is underneath the hotel.  Once you check in, the staff will give you a key-card to get into the covered parking and it is included in the price of your room.

 I could tell you all about it, but here, let me show you the pictures! We took all these pictures right as we walked in the room. The closet right inside the door held this washer and dryer!

 The entire place had granite counter-tops, and the appliances were all fairly new and sparkly clean!

Another view of the kitchen.  The only appliances we used were the microwave and the dishwasher.  But those both worked well and were easy to use.  There were instructions in the kitchen to help you use the appliances.

Our one bedroom, with a pull out couch, came with a table that could seat 6!

That green couch is the pull out bed.  The only slightly bad thing I can tell you about this hotel room is this, we had to move the couch or the chairs to pull it out.  That is it.  The only flaw we found in the whole room. 

Gas fireplace with a flat screen on top. There was a DVD player in the room and down in the lobby, you could rent a variety of DVD's.  We rented Tinkerbell.  There was also a sitting area on our floor where you could play some of the board games they had avaliable there or read a novel.  Lots of entertainment when you were done playing on the slopes. And please excuse the less than awesome picture taking.  I'm no expert, that is for sure!

King bed in the bedroom. We found it to be very comfortable.

Another TV in the bedroom across from the bed. Lucky us, we got to watch Mikey Mouse Clubhouse in the morning. Really we let our daughter watch it in there so that she wouldn't wake up the baby, who was sleeping in the pack and play in the other room. 

The bedroom was open to a sink and the tub, with a door between that and the shower, toliet and another sink.  If you had several people, maybe two couples, trying to get ready at the same time, it wouldn't be difficult.

Tub, a pretty good size.

Beautiful granite, don't you think?

I didn't get a direct shot of the shower, but it is big enough for two grow ups, if you want....

So there you go! We had a great time at this hotel.  We stayed during the summer, so we got the chance to use the pool, which is amazing.  I didn't get a shot of it, but you can visit the website here and view the pictures for yourself. The pool has several hot tubs and one thing that I loved, since we had our kids, was that two of the pools were a little less warm and the young children were welcome to warm up in them.  Then there were a few family hot tubs, and then two that were for adults only.  So if you have kids you can enjoy the water with them but if you would rather be alone or with your special someone, you can go to the adult only ones.

Near the pool was a big outdoor fireplace that you can reserve.  Something wonderful in the winter to warm up to and in the summer you could make s'mores! 

We stayed in the one bedroom villa.  If you have the money to spend on a hotel, I recommend this one! Right now, in December, right after a snow storm, this same room is going for $229.  If you can get a deal then more power to you.  Our rating here at Park City Couple is a 5 out of 5.  The fact that we had to move the sofa to get the bed out was the absolutely only thing I found wrong with the place.

Cheers! As always, email or comment with any questions I didn't answer or to suggest something we should try  in the future!

Hampton Inn and Suites in Park City

My husband and I stayed at the Hampton one night to celebrate our anniversary.  We were looking for a few things that made us pick this place. A decent place for a good price, a pool, and the Tanger Outlets. Part of my anniversary gift was getting to go shopping at the outlets, so we wanted to be close by.

One of the other things that made this hotel our choice for this visit was that they had a free hot breakfast.  It was pretty good for free food.  They had waffle batter and a hot iron, so you could pour out your waffle and it was piping hot when you were ready for it.  The lobby of this hotel was a little small, but very confortable.  There was a nice big, two sided gas fireplace that made for a nice place to thaw out as well as enjoy breakfast, there was also a TV mounted on the wall with plenty of tables to eat at or to work.  They had a 24 hour coffee and hot chocolate center in the lobby as well.  Nothing warms you up after a cold, brisk day in Park City like some hot chocolate.

Like I said, we wanted a hotel with a pool.  The pool in this hotel was a good size and the hot tub was very spacious.  The pool was large enough to not feel like an oversized bath tub, but not huge either.  I would guess about 12 yards long or so.  The spa was big enough that even if someone you didn't know got in, you didn't feel like you were invading anyone's space.

We found the room to be clean and comfortable.  The bathroom had a shower/tub combo and a large one sink countertop.  The bed was fluffy and big.  We had a king sized bed, and we only have a queen at home, so it was sort of a treat.  Although my husband did mention that I still slept on his side even though the bed was that much bigger.  Guess some things can't be solved with a bigger mattress.  The hotel room had a nice flat screen, fairly new TV and modern decor.  The carpet was clean as were all the upholstered furniture.

This hotel was not a resort and it took a drive to get to Park City proper, so to speak, but for the price and our agenda, it was very nice. We paid just under $100 for the night, with all the taxes and other fees. Today on Expedia, it shows you could get a room for $89, and since it is the busy season, that isn't too bad! 

All in all, we as the Park City Couple give this hotel a 4 out of 5, the only bad points being a some-what unfriendly night-time front desk attendent and the fact that it doesn't offer any of the resort ammenities, being more of a basic hotel. We loved how close it was to the Tanger Outlets and there is a Ruby River on the other side of the hotel parking lot and a McDonald's within walking distance, so you have both high end and low end food.  We did not get anything from room service and did not need any help from any of the staff besides check in and check out.  The morning desk attendent was much more friendly and helpful than the person who check us in. If we were to do it all over again, I would probably stiil book this hotel.  It is the closest one to the Outlets, after all!

Hope this was useful! Let me know if you have any other questions I didn't answer on this review!

Main Street, Park City

Main Street is a great place to be whenever you visit Park City.  This very pedestrian friendly street that is full of Art Galleries, Jewelry Stores, Restaurants, Hotels,  and even a family history research center.

The street happens to be on a hill, but since Park City is a mountain town, there is very little in the way of flat land.  You could spend anywhere between 30 minutes and 3 hours strolling up and down the street, depending on how many of the shops, galleries, and restaurants catch your fancy.  Most of the stores on the street are high or mid end.  There are, however,  several souvenir shops where you can get anything from a key chain to jewelry to clothing. Among the many unique stores are also some stores you might recognize, including Roots and Quicksilver.  Most of the galleries are free to the public but ask for a donation. Our favorite is the Kimball Arts Center, which often displays local talent.  The Park City Museum does have an entrance fee for around $10.  Check here for prices and hours. The hours change depending on what season it is, so make sure to check right before you plan to visit.

Now if you are thinking that shopping sounds great, but not on the side of a mountain, there is a trolley that will take you up and down the street.  So you can start at the top, and work you way down on one side and then go back up and come down the other side.  Or you can park towards the top and then take the trolley back to your car once you have worn yourself out shopping.

The restaurants on the street run from the informal to the very formal, and from inexpensive to quite expensive. There is Mexican, Italian, New American, Burgers, Bars, Southwestern, Asian, Sushi and others. As we visit more and more of them, I will be sure to post all about them. So far we have visited the Blue Iguana and Main Street Pizza and Pasta. They were both fantastic for around $10 to $15 a plate and informal restaurants.

Just off main street, there are local bike paths, tennis courts and a park.  If you are going in the warmer months, these just might be your style.  There are several shops where you can rent a bike and all the gear you might need for them. 

If you have ever wondered about your family tree, the Family Search Center has volunteers who can walk you through how to use the free software available and even find some of your ancestors with you.  This center is run by the LDS church but is open to anyone of all faiths interested in their genealogy.

Whenever there is a major event happening in Park City, it will likely be located on Main Street. It isn't very far from the resorts but has lots more variety than staying at a resort hotel. We haven't had the chance to stay in any of the hotels located on Main Street, but we are hoping to soon!

Main Street is a place for both the locals and the tourists, and it has so much variety, there really will be something for everyone!

Why Park City?

Once a year, Park City, Utah, suddenly finds itself mentioned everyday on the gossip websites and the entertainment news shows.. That is during the Sundance Film Festive. During those few weeks every late winter, the city swells in population and suddenly there are celebrities everywhere. However, the city is wonderful all year round.

The actual population of the city is around 7,500. Small even in Utah terms.  But it won't feel that small, because anytime you are up there, you will be one of the many tourist outnumbering the actual residents.  And yet, except for a few very small times a year, you still feel like a welcome visitor in a small town.

Park City began life as a mining town, high in the mountains that overlooked the booming Salt Lake Valley. Although the mining no longer supplies most of the people with their salaries, the city still celebrates their history as a mining town. The city is near picturesque.  The city is one of the wealthiest cities in the United States, and you can feel that as you walk around on any of the public land.  It is a well kept town.

One of the most interesting things you will see in Park City, compared to the rest of Utah, is the number of people who ride their bikes around town in the summer months.  It is sort of ironic that the Mormon Missionaries who are well known for their bike riding  skills are outdone by this city that has one of the lowest Latter Day Saint populations in the State.

So why Park City? What makes the city so special and unique? What is it about this place that makes it a destination for people across the world?

Well, as I previously said, it has all the amenities you could ask for and yet has that small town, welcome feeling.  Another great thing about this city is that you can find yourself in a great adventure no matter what time of year you visit.

Of course, the main part of the tourist season follows the pattern of snow fall, but if you choose to visit in summer time, you will be far from bored. There are several companies that offer horse back riding for the novice or experienced rider in the mountains. There are also biking companies that will show you the many trails, or just rent you some bikes and gear and let you explore on your own.

There are two reservoirs close by big enough for water skiing and other recreational water activities. In 2002, Salt Lake was home to the Olympic Games, but several of the events were held at Park City including the luge, bobsled, and the ski jump. And with some cash and a lot of bravery, you can follow in their footsteps.

The location is fabulous. It is barely a half hour from the Salt Lake International Airport and there are shuttles from the airport to the hotels all winter long.  The land is simply beautiful.  The mountains are majestic and the land is carefully protected from the usual spoil of a tourist hot spot.

If you are more of a shopper than a skier, the high end shops on Main Street are worth a visit and the outlet stores right outside the city will please the bargain hunter in you.  If you want to visit historic Salt Lake City, it isn't far at all. 25 minutes down the canyon and you can be touring Temple Square or shopping at the brand new City Creek Shopping Center. Go a little bit farther down the freeway and you can visit the Kennecot Copper Mine.  This is a great stop if you have school aged kids.

As I continue to add posts, I will talk about all these places (and others) and I hope to answer any and all questions about this fabulous vacation spot. If, however, you find that I haven't gotten around to something you are wondering about, send me an email or post a comment and I will try to get back to you in a few days or faster.

Enjoy!

Main Street Pizza and Noodle

There is a great pizza and pasta place right on Historic Main Street in Park City.  It's called Main Street Pizza and Noodle! Makes sense, right?

We went here for lunch around 1 PM on a Thursday afternoon.  We didn't have to wait to be seated. In fact, the resturant was pretty empty, since we went there during the summer season.  The server actually let us pick where we wanted to be seated. And since we had our infant son and three year old daughter with us, we chose a corner far away from any other patrons of the resturant.

One quirky thing about this resturant is that several of the pastas don't really have names. They are simply numbered 1 through 8. It is a fun, unique way of doing it. The pasta is also all home-made. And in my opinion, it makes a delicous difference. Yum!

I ordered the Pasta Number 1 in a lunch special, so I got a smaller portion and a salad.  The pasta also came with an amazing piece of bread! I was surprised and delighted with my food. I said that I got a smaller portion than the dinner menu, and that's true, but the lunch was also plenty big to satisfy. And I was HUNGRY!

Our daughter has a pretty staple choice when it comes to eating out. She wants the chicken nuggets and french fries, or whatever the resturant has that is closest to that.  She got her heart's desire and ate a fair portion. My husband tried a few bites and said it was really good.

The baby had a bottle of milk, so he isn't much help with this review.

The hubby had the Cholesteral Hiker Pizza.  He loved it, and couldn't quite finish the generous portion he was given. It is basically a meat-lover's pizza. It smelled amazing too.

The fountain drinks were of the "help-yourself" variety.  This is nice if you don't want to wait for the server to get around to re-filling it, but a draw back if you'd rather just sit down and be waited on. I'm usually one of the latter.

Overall, we really enjoyed our lunch.  It was good, fresh, warm food and the atmosphere was good.  This resturant also has an outside patio.  Since the patio overlooks Main Street, I'm sure it is good people watching.

As far as price, for lunch we spent about $35 for the three of us, not including tip.  The dinner menu seems to be a little more expensive. It is a pretty fair price for the location and the food. I'd say if you are looking for some good pizza or fresh delicous pasta, try this place!

The Alpine Slide

When Northern Utahans (Yes, that is the name for people living in Utah.) say they went to the Alpine Slide, the usually mean they went up to Park City Mountain Resort (PCMR) during the Summer and Fall and rode the slide. The slide is a luge-like track that you ride on a sled, where the rider controls the speed, and the rider has complete control of the brake. It is a fun activity if you are 3 or 93.

This is the lift that takes you to the top of the Slide.

And here is the finish line! Oh, and yes, you can race. So long as no one is one front of you on the track, anyway.

The fun at PCMR doesn't stop there! If you are a mountain climber or biker, you can take the lifts up to some amazing trails during the summer time. If you are looking for a more immediate thrill, right there next to the slide is the Alpine Coaster and the Flying Eagle Zip Line.

The Coaster is a bit of an unusual treat. Unlike a regular roller coaster where you quickly accelerate to the top, this track is built onto the mountain side and it takes several minutes to get to the top.  However, once you are at the top, the descent back down is much faster.

The final big thrill there is the Zip Line. I haven't personally been on the zip line yet, but it looks like a blast. I am hoping to get to ride soon.

The Slide is a great thing for even small kids. Children under 48" and at least 3 years old can go with an adult.  It isn't hard to change the thrill level for your own child. Just pull on the brake or let it go, depending on if you child is scared speechless or screaming, "Faster!"

The Coaster is a bit more of a thrill and has a height requirement, but again, small children can ride with an adult or even an older sibling. If the slide was too much for your kiddo, don't take them on the coaster. It is more extreme.

If the slide and the coaster are both going to be too much, during the summer months, there are a few small kiddie rides like you would find at county fair. If you have pre-teens or teenagers, the slide, coaster and zip-line are a must-do when visiting.

Although the slide closes for the winter, the coaster and the Zip line continue to operate during the warmest hours of the day during the winter. So if you go up to PCMR to ski or snowboard, you can always take a break from that and take a ride on the Coaster or Zip Line instead.

For prices and hours of operation, which are all weather permitting, visit: http://www.parkcitymountain.com/site/activities-and-events/index.html

There are a few other activities available during the summer months, and I am hoping to try them all next summer and then I'll give a great big post about them.

The Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

The Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory is exactly what it sounds like: A chocolate shop. However, the most amazing thing they sell, in my humble opinion, is their Carmel Apples.  Now these are not like the Carmel apples at your local elementary school during the week of Halloween. These apples are tart and juicy and covered in Carmel, and then they are re-covered in a delicious variety of other toppings.  Each time I go, I am struck with the problem of trying something new or getting one of my old time favorites.

Oh, and this is one of my favorites! M and M's! 

Now, don't get me wrong, they have chocolates there too, and they are plenty amazing. But, nothing gets my taste-buds going like those apples. I am literally salivating as I write this.  Now, some of you might be saying, "Jeez Lady, calm down. It's just a piece of fruit dumped in some Carmel." And maybe you are right. Perhaps I am getting a little carried away. I will say this, try it if you go.  Split it with someone if you don't want your own.  You will either need to share or take some home (or take it back to the hotel room). It is far too much to eat all in one sitting.

Now, one of the great things about this place, as far as I am concerned, is that if you don't like apples, fine. They have chocolate and Carmel dipped marshmallows too. In fact, that is what we get our three year old daughter when we go.  It is not a super sophisticated treat, but it is on the cheaper side and she gets to feel grown up picking out her own treat. They also have ice cream. What's not to love here?

So, now that I have told you all about this fantastic chocolate factory, I'm sure you are wondering where they are located.  Well, they have two locations in Park City.  One is on beautiful Main Street (I'll be posting about Main Street soon) about 2/3's the way to the top on the North side.  The other location is at the base of Park City Mountain Resort. You can grab a treat on your way home from skiing or snowboarding any time.

So, if you are going to Park City I would give this place a 5 out of 5 rating as a place to visit while you are there. Then, go skiing and work off the calories!