St. Regis Deer Valley

Owning at the St. Regis is a different decision from buying a condo almost anywhere else in Park City. You're buying a residence inside a five-star hotel. The staff, restaurants, spa and ski valet are available whenever you're there, and the dues and rules come with them. For the right buyer, it's the simplest way to own in Deer Valley. For others it's the wrong fit, and it's worth knowing which one you are before you start touring.

At a Glance

• Opened: December 2009
• Residences: The original resort included 26 private residences and 67 condominium hotel suites, with newer Snow Park residences added at the base since
• Hotel: About 180 rooms and suites, operated by St. Regis
• Site: 12 acres in Deer Crest, connected to Snow Park by a private funicular
• Ski access: Ski-in/ski-out from the main resort, with ski valet
• Rentals: Nightly rentals permitted; many floor plans include lock-off suites

Where It Sits

The St. Regis opened in December 2009 on a 12-acre site in Deer Crest, the hillside just east of Deer Valley's Snow Park base. The property is in two parts: the main resort building up the hill, and the Snow Park buildings at the base near Snow Park Lodge. A two-car funicular connects them in about 90 seconds. When it opened, it was the only hotel funicular in North America.

Main Street is about a mile and a half away, and the hotel provides car service within five miles.

Two Different Kinds of Residences

Hotel residences are in the main building. These are the original St. Regis residences, with ski-in/ski-out access on the Deer Crest side and the hotel's ski valet. Many have lock-off suites, so you can use part of the residence while renting the rest, or rent the whole thing when you're not there.

Snow Park residences are in the newer buildings at the base. The finishes are a generation newer: Wolf and Sub-Zero kitchens, Waterworks fixtures, heated bathroom floors, fireplaces in the bedrooms, snowmelt on the balconies, and underground parking. They're close to Snow Park Lodge and ski school, which matters if you're skiing with kids. Owners also get Deer Crest Club privileges.

Which one is better depends on how you'll use it. If stepping out the door onto snow matters most, look at the hotel residences. If you want newer construction and easy access to Snow Park's lifts and lessons, start with Snow Park.

What Ownership Really Costs

HOA dues here are high by Park City condo standards, and buyers often react to the number before they look at what it covers. Dues generally include all utilities, cable, building insurance, snow removal, shuttle service, security and access to the hotel's amenities. One three-bedroom hotel residence listed this year carries dues just under $10,000 per quarter. Room service, housekeeping and spa services are billed separately.

Inventory is thin. Usually only a handful of St. Regis residences are on the market at a time, so pricing depends a lot on which units happen to be available. Current listings are below. If you want closed sales and what they mean for a specific unit, call me.

Renting It Out

Nightly rentals are allowed, and the lock-off floor plans give you real flexibility. Hotel-managed rentals trade some income for almost no hassle on your end. Before you buy with rental income in mind, ask for actual owner statements from comparable units, not projections. The gap between the two is often significant.

Amenities

• Private two-car funicular between the resort and Snow Park
• Ski valet and ski-in/ski-out access
• St. Regis butler service
• Remède Spa
• Heated outdoor pool and hot tubs
• Fitness center
• RIME Seafood and Steak and the resort's bar and lounge
• Car service within five miles, including Main Street
• Deer Crest Club privileges for Snow Park owners

Why Buy Here

• Five-star service without running a house. The hotel handles everything, from ski valet to housekeeping.
• Two ways to own. Ski-in/ski-out hotel residences up the hill, or newer Snow Park residences near lessons and lifts.
• Rental flexibility. Lock-off suites let you rent part of the residence while you use the rest.
• A position that gains from the expansion. Deer Crest sits between Snow Park and Deer Valley's growth to the east.

Who It's Right For, and Who It Isn't

The St. Regis works well for buyers who want Deer Valley without running a house: no snow removal, no vendors, no driving up in April to check on things. It suits families who would rather have a ski valet and room service than a mudroom, and owners who want rental income without managing it themselves.

It's the wrong choice if you want privacy, a garage full of gear, or a place that feels like your home rather than a hotel. In that case a single-family home in Deer Crest or Deer Valley, or a smaller condo complex, will suit you better, and you'll usually get more space for the money.

The Expansion Angle

Deer Valley is in the middle of the largest expansion in its history, with new terrain and the East Village base going in on the Jordanelle side. The St. Regis sits on the Deer Crest side, between Snow Park and that growth. My view is that the location gets more valuable as the resort expands east.

Common Questions

Is the St. Regis Deer Valley ski-in/ski-out?

The hotel residences in the main building have ski-in/ski-out access with ski valet service. The Snow Park residences are at the base near Snow Park Lodge.

Can you rent a St. Regis residence?

Yes. Nightly rentals are permitted, and many floor plans include lock-off suites that can be rented separately.

What do the HOA dues include?

Typically utilities, cable, building insurance, snow removal, shuttle service, security and access to hotel amenities. Hotel services like room service and housekeeping are extra.

Talk to Someone Who Knows the Building

I've worked in Park City real estate for about twenty years. Whether you're thinking about buying or selling at the St. Regis, I'll give you a straight read on the unit, the dues and the rental numbers. Call or text 435.659.8993.