I got lost on the way to EVO this year. This, despite the fact that I live only an hour and a half away from Park City {that’s Utah in case you’re wondering}. It’s because I haven’t been to The Canyons since my teen years, for a Sting concert if you can believe it.
Sting is pretty boring in concert if you want my humble opinion. It’s hard to fall asleep standing up, but I gave it my best.
Anyway, it’s been a few years since I’ve been up that way, and a lot has changed. None of this was there the last time I checked. It’s pretty impressive really. All these beautiful hotels gathered together right up against the beautiful ski mountains. And since EVO was such a whirlwind of classes and phenomenal social media networking, I didn’t really get much time to see my surroundings. This is true of every conference I attend. I’m okay with it. I’d rather hang with amazing women than see where I’m staying, but if I could figure out a way to do both I’d be golden.
I actually got a second chance with The Canyons because I live so close, and I’m thrilled about it, because man, it’s a great place to visit.
We stayed at The Grand Summit hotel for a weekend with the kids, right after I got back from BlogHer in New York City.
August has been a whirlwind month, I tell you.
There were treats waiting for us in our room, which is a good thing because driving an hour and a half has famishing effects on children. The syrup wasn’t just a random snack, it was coordinated with Eggo’s in the freezer.
It took Charming precisely two seconds to dig into the treats.
I love having a kitchen in hotel rooms. At least a little kitchenette or refrigerator. It makes me feel like I have control over our eating choices. Or at least it gives me more room to stash snacks, which is always the best option.
The kids each had a queen bed in their own bedroom. They didn’t mind so much. You wouldn’t either if you were 5′ tall and sleeping on a twin bed at home {Precocious}.
They also had their own bathroom, identical to the one in the master suite, which they proceeded to filth up within moments.
Is *filth up* proper English? I somehow doubt it, but that’s what my children do: filth up.
The hotel living room was perhaps my favorite. The couch folds out to fit two more people, {party!} and the window seats actually double for beds. But the fireplace along with all the comfy furniture just made the whole room so inviting. We spent a good amount of time on those couches checking up on Spongebob Squarepants {my poor deprived babies don’t have a television at home} while chewing the fat.
Let’s talk about the master suite for a minute. The master suite made me reconsider televisions in the bedroom, specifically flat screen televisions at the foot of your bed.
It has also spurred a conversation between me and Viktor about a new bed in our lives. I haven’t slept on a bed this comfortable since the Sheraton in Chicago for BlogHer ’09. It was heaven.
The view was such that even Charming was compelled to finish his cookie {or maybe it was his second. third?} on the balcony of our room.
You would too if this was your view. Even I, a jaded Utahn with no respect for the beauty of the mountains, was thoroughly impressed. I mean, it’s really pretty.
Most importantly, there’s a pool. A good pool with two hot tubs. Come to mama.
Our visit to The Canyons is going to be a three part series, on Fridays. There’s just too much to cover. Between the food {oh the food!} and the entertainment, I need a little more time to tell you about it.
Allison
Hello there! I'm Allison Czarnecki, founder + editor of Petit Elefant, a blog all about style on a budget for every part of your life: style / home / travel / family. I do a lot of how-to beauty + style tutorials, travel posts, easy recipes, home remodel projects, and cool DIY crafts you totally want to try. I'm super happily married (to a hot Polish immigrant) and am the mother of two kids, a daughter and son, all of whom are featured here on the regular. We live in the country but we're a little bit rock + roll. Welcome!
I do not have words for how much I love that place. The hotel is fantastic, the food is wooooonnnnderful and the staff are the most hospitable folks I’ve ever met.
I bet it is just glorious up there in the winter. Can you imagine that fireplace and that view while it snows!
Erin? I think we have a date. The Canyons + snow + a fireplace? When shall we go?
I need a trip to the canyons! so jealous! and don’t you dare pull that “just move to utah” line on me…again. ;) can’t wait to see your follow-up posts!
You absolutely positively DO need a trip to The Canyons Jane, your family would die.
I love your blog!!! So strange, i started reading your blog when I lived in michigan and now I live in Utah, Park City Utah. Not near the canyons but in Jeremy Ranch and I adore Utah. I simply can’t say enough about how genuinely kind people really are here and about just how breath-taking it is! I hope you enjoyed your trip to my new hometown! Continue the good stuff, I love it all, between you and Pioneer Woman you make my day!
Alyssa,
Thank you so much!
How funny to have such a full circle moment. I love those. I also love Jeremy Ranch, it’s just so pretty.
I love that you compared me to Pioneer Woman, she’s my favorite daily read so it’s quite the compliment! :)
Love The Canyons. Haven’t been there in forever but I still remember the room and the pool. Suh-weet!
The room? Marvelous? The pool? Clean, warm, pretty, and refreshing. Not too shabby.
Lovely hotel. I haven’t been there since my teens either, but then I don’t live as close as you. I am sure a ton has changed. How fun to come to a room with all those great snacks.
It’s so crazy how different Park City looks now than the 80’s and 90’s of my youth. It’s so pretty, still.
Anytime we enter a room with snacks = heaven.
What a nice looking hotel! I also love having a kitchen in my hotel room when I travel — its especially nice if you have kids. Yeah, the last Sting concert I went to a few years ago was a big YAWN — I left early.
Jen, it’s a lovely hotel, so nice in fact that Precocious made us eggs for breakfast. Love that.
So funny! As much as I adore Sting and the Police… I totally fell asleep at his show sometime late in high school. Zzzzz!
See what I mean? It’s okay in theory but at a concert I want to have FUN.
Clearly you needed to be with me at the Sting concert in Buenos Aires. Not a sleeper in sight. It was energetic and amazing. But, we were among Latins and everything’s more fun with a little Latino beat :).
Soooo glad you got to hang at The Canyons. We’re excited to have Evo there again. In the meantime, I’m excited to head up there for their beet salad when it gets on the menu this winter. It seriously is one of my fave salads. Should we make it a date? You’d heart it!
In fact… let’s have a girls’ weekend out. What are we waiting for? Awesome digs, to-die-for-food, dancing nearby? I’m sooooo there!
xoxoxoxo
I think that would be an AMAZING girls weekend. I’m officially tasking you with the job. Not kidding.
ENVY!!! Was this a swanky free gig or a paid for outta pocket? When is the free giveaway so I can do such a thing?
The hotel gifted us with a complimentary visit, but the rates in summer are really reasonable. You should absolutely visit!