Hotels in Park City

The Park City area offers a wide variety of places to stay, and it's probably home to the largest portion of the state's deluxe accommodations. Even some of the most luxurious properties, however, lack air-conditioning; but at this elevation -- 6,900 feet in Park City and higher in the mountains -- it's seldom needed. For those skiers interested in renting a condo, check out the offerings online at www.parkcitylodging.com, www.resortpropertymanagement.com, and www.utahvacationhomes.com.

Among the franchise properties in Park City are the Best Western Landmark Inn, 6560 N. Landmark Dr., Park City, UT 84098 (tel. 800/548-8824 or 435/649-7300; www.bwlandmarkinn.com), with ski-season rates for two from $99 to $199; and Hampton Inn and Suites, 6609 N. Landmark Dr., Park City, UT 84098 (tel. 800/426-7866 or 435/645-0900; www.hamptoninn.com), with rates of $219 to $309 double. You can save some money by staying in Kimball Junction and taking the free shuttle into Park City. Try the Newpark Resort, 1456 Newpark Blvd., Park City, UT 84098 (tel. 877/649-3600 or 435/649-3600; www.newparkresort.com), with winter rates of $169 to $400 for two people; or Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 1501 W. Ute Blvd., Park City, UT 84098 (tel. 888/465-4329 or 435/658-1600; www.holidayinn.com), with peak rates of $225 to $379 for two.

Listed rates indicate rack rates for peak seasons, excluding special events. Rates are almost always higher -- sometimes dramatically so -- during ski season, and rates during Christmas week and the Sundance Film Festival can be absurd. The best bargains are in spring and fall. Sales and lodging taxes in Park City total about 10.5%. Pets are not allowed, unless otherwise noted.

A Helping Hand for Room Reservations -- Although it's possible to book reservations directly with individual lodges, many people find it more convenient to go the one-stop-shopping route, making all their arrangements directly with one of the resorts.

Heber City -- Heber City has a number of motels and inns, including Holiday Inn Express, 1268 S. Main St. (tel. 435/654-9990; www.hiexpress.com), with rates from $115 to $135 for two people. The Swiss-themed Zermatt Resort & Spa, 784 W. Resort Dr., Midway, UT 84049 (tel. 866/643-2015; www.zermattresort.com) targets the convention crowd but has terrific facilities for weekend visitors. Rates start around $150 for a double room and go north of $1,000 a night for three-bedroom suites. The Homestead Resort, 700 N. Homestead Dr., Midway (tel. 888/327-7220; www.homesteadresort.com), has a wide variety of options (double rooms are typically $129-$169 and suites, condos, and cottages are $359-$559) in myriad buildings on a golf course, as well as the 55-foot volcanic Homestead Crater, its interior developed for soaking, diving, or snorkeling in the 90°F (32°C) water.

In Heber City's oldest-surviving building, the Spicy Lady, 139 N. Main St. (tel. 435/654-4288; www.spicylady.net), serves creative lunches and dinners with a menu that includes salmon, pasta, and kangaroo brochettes. Home to a terrific model railway, the Dairy Keen, 199 S. Main St. (tel. 435/654-5336), is a good bet for families, focusing on juicy burgers and thick shakes.