Marriott's Summit Watch: Park City's BEST Ski-In/Ski-Out Luxury?
Marriott's Summit Watch: Park City - Living the Dream… Or Just Trying To Survive the Slopes? (A Frankly Opinionated Review)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I’m about to spill the (very hot) cocoa on Marriott's Summit Watch in Park City. Is it the pinnacle of ski-in/ski-out luxury? Is it worth the (substantial) cheddar? Let's dive in, warts and all.
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First things first: Location, Location, Location. If you're here for the skiing, this is your spot. Seriously. You literally click into your skis and schuss down to the lifts. Glorious. That, my friends, is half the battle won. No more battling parking or shuttles at 7 AM. Instantaneously, that alone probably just elevates the whole experience into the “worth it” category.
Accessibility, Bless Their Hearts:
Okay, let's be real, I'm not personally using a wheelchair, but I poked around and checked for the details. The good news: Elevator, facilities for disabled guests, and Accessible rooms available. Good on ya, Marriott. BUT, and this is a big but, I didn’t see specific info on ramp gradients or width of doors. Might be worth a call to the front desk before you book if that’s crucial. They get points for trying to be inclusive.
The Room – My Fortress of Solitude / Disaster Zone (Depends on the Day):
I went for the "premium" (read: expensive) suite. Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
The view? Spectacular. Seriously, postcard-worthy. The bed? Like sleeping on a cloud made of… well, I don't know what, but it was good. The bathroom phone? A relic of a bygone era, but hey, I appreciate the effort to feel boujie. The mini bar? Overpriced, naturally. But hey, I’m paying for the experience, right?
Here’s the reality check though:
- Internet access – wireless, Wi-Fi [free]: This is where things get… messy. The Wi-Fi was, at times, atrocious. Dropping out during important Zoom meetings? Check. Streaming your favorite ski-movie at 10pm when you cant sleep? Check. I spent way too much time dealing with spotty connections. Come on, Marriott! It’s 2024! Get your act together.
- Daily housekeeping: It was a godsend, really. The staff was friendly and cleaned my mess of discarded clothing, muddy boots, and empty water bottles that had collected in roughly 3 hours.
- Soundproofing: The walls aren’t soundproof, but they do a pretty decent job of not hearing the noisy kids from next door.
Cleanliness and Safety – The Germaphobe’s Delight (Maybe):
Okay, I'm a bit of a cleanliness freak, especially post-pandemic. This is where Summit Watch gets some serious points. Daily disinfection in common areas, hand sanitizer everywhere, rooms sanitized between stays, professional-grade sanitizing services. I genuinely felt safe. I even used the anti-viral cleaning products to give the doorknobs and light switches another once-over. Maybe I was just being paranoid, but still… peace of mind is priceless.
The Spa and Relaxation Zone – Where Dreams Go To Die (Or Be Born… Depending on the Massage):
I hit up the Spa/sauna, the pool with view and the spa, well i mean the sauna. Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Spa, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor].
- Pool: The outdoor pool? Absolutely stunning. Heated, with incredible views of the mountains. Perfect for soaking after a day of shredding (or, let’s be honest, falling).
- Massage: Ah, the massage. This is where I had the most up and down emotional response. The massage itself was heavenly. The masseuse was a magician. But then, oh THEN, the price… Let’s just say my wallet is still recovering. But hey, a little pampering never hurt anyone… except maybe your bank account.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Fueling the Fun (and the Expense Account):
- Restaurants, Bar, Poolside bar, Coffee shop, Snack bar: There are a few options on-site, which is super convenient. But prepare to pay. A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snackbar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant.
- The buffet: Expensive but mostly OK. The usual breakfast suspects – eggs, bacon, pastries, etc. Asian selections too.
- Room service: Pricy, but sometimes necessary after a long day on the slopes. The burger was decent. The fries, however, were soggy.
- Happy Hour: A lifesaver! A decent way to avoid a small mortgage on drinks .
Things To Do – Beyond the Slopes (Or If the Slopes Are Closed):
- Gym/fitness: This gym was a lifesaver. I try to stay in shape. Having that space to workout makes it worth it.
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: Summit Watch really caters to families. I didn't have kids myself, I did see A LOT of them.
- On-site, Outdoor venue for special events, Indoor venue for special events, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, Seminars, Wi-Fi for special events, Proposal spot: If you have a big event, or need a place to host it, Summit Watch has you covered.
Services and Conveniences – The Little Things That Matter (Or Should):
- Concierge: Helpful, friendly, and always ready with a recommendation. They even managed to get me a last-minute dinner reservation, which is a feat in Park City.
- Doorman, Front desk [24-hour]: Always there. The staff felt attentive and helpful.
- Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange, Convenience store, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage: Plenty of things to help keep life convenient.
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking, Airport transfer, Bicycle parking: All the travel bases are covered.
- Food delivery: Uber Eats saved the day on occasion.
- Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private]: Easy.
The Verdict - Is It Worth It?
Okay, here's the bottom line. Marriott's Summit Watch is a splurge. It’s not cheap. You’re paying a premium for the location, the convenience, and the (generally) high level of service.
The Good: Ski-in/ski-out access is EPIC. The rooms are comfy with gorgeous views, and the spa is divine. The cleanliness and safety protocols are reassuring. There are plenty of amenities.
The Bad: The Wi-Fi can be unreliable. The prices. The prices. The prices. Some extras can be a bit inconsistent.
My Recommendation: If you can afford it, and you’re a serious skier/snowboarder, or you just value extreme convenience, then yes, Summit Watch is worth it. It’s a truly luxurious way to experience Park City. Just be prepared to open your wallet and possibly, occasionally, curse the Wi-Fi gods. Otherwise, you may want to look at a more budget-friendly option… and hike a bit further from the lodge to the slopes. Just my two cents!
Final Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. It's good. Really good. But not perfect. And, honestly, I wouldn't want to find a perfect place. Where’s the fun in that
Escape to Paradise: Hotel Pacific Monterey Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, 'cause we're about to dive knee-deep into my Park City adventure at Marriott's Summit Watch! Forget Instagram-perfect itineraries; this is the raw, unfiltered, probably-slightly-hungover version. Let's go!
Day 1: Arrival, Altitude, and Accidental Appetizers
- 1:00 PM: The Great Escape (from Reality, aka the Airport) Landed in Salt Lake City. Thought I’d be cool, calm, and collected. Nope. Immediately succumbed to the existential dread of baggage claim. Turns out, my meticulously packed ski pants were MIA. Panic sets in. Deep breaths. Just breathes. Found the shuttle.
- Quirk of the day: Utah accents, man. It's like they're all singing a happy little tune about their perfect weather. I'm already jealous.
- 3:00 PM: Check-In & Apartment Appreciation Finally! Summit Watch. The lobby’s nice, but the real magic happens in the apartment. Two bedrooms! A fireplace! A balcony with a view that actually makes me say “WOW!” (for real). Immediately sprawled on the king-sized bed like a starfish. This is the life.
- Emotional Reaction: Pure, unadulterated JOY. This is what vacations are for.
- 4:00 PM: The Altitude Adjustment…and the Burger Debacle. Okay, so the altitude. It's real. Felt like I'd run a marathon just walking from the couch to the kitchen. Decided to grab a burger at the hotel restaurant because, well, carbs. Ordered it medium-rare. It arrived… definitely not medium-rare. More like "just-barely-kissed-by-the-flame-of-Hell-and-then-thrown-back-at-you." Ate it anyway. Lesson learned: stick to pizza.
- Opinion: Overpriced, undercooked. 1/5 stars.
- 6:00 PM: Apres-Ski (pretend kind): Because I'm not skiing yet. Grabbed a bottle of wine (yay!) and some cheese and crackers (double yay!) on my balcony. Watching the sunset paint the mountains in pinks and oranges. Utter bliss.
- Anecdote: Nearly lost my wine glass over the balcony railing. Clumsy much? Definitely.
Day 2: Skiing, Sweating, and the Search for Pizza Perfection
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast of Champions (and Regret). Attempted to make a healthy breakfast. Failed miserably. Ended up with burnt toast and instant coffee. Sigh. Needed fuel for skiing, so I doubled up on bacon.
- Messy Truth: I packed all the "healthy" stuff and left all the bacon at home. Go figure.
- 9:30 AM: On the Slopes! Okay, let's be honest. I'm not a great skier. Maybe an okay skier. Definitely not glamorous. But I get down the mountain, eventually. The views, though! The snow! It makes you feel alive, you know?
- Quirky Observation: Ski instructors are basically paid comedians. Their jokes are terrible, but I laugh because I'm so relieved I haven't killed myself yet.
- 12:30 PM: The "Almost-Lost-My-Glove" Incident. Took a tumble, lost a glove. Spent a solid ten minutes rummaging through the snow looking for it. Found it! Victory! (Then immediately fell again.)
- Emotional Reaction: A mix of frustration and pure, unadulterated laughter. Skiing is humbling.
- 1:30 PM: Apres-Ski (for real this time!): Hot chocolate! Fireside chats! The glorious sensation of taking off my ski boots.
- Opinion: Apres-ski is the best part of skiing. Period.
- 7:00 PM: Pizza Quest. The burger incident has scarred me. Tonight, I'm on a mission for the best pizza in Park City. The internet tells me to try…[Insert Local Pizza Place Name]. Let the feast begin!
- *Stream of Consciousness: Oh man, I hope this place is good. What if it's *another* burger situation? Okay, breathe. Deep breaths. At least I have wine. And hopefully, friends. Well, one friend who is joining me for dinner. Hopefully, she likes pizza. Okay, pizza pizza pizza…
Day 3: Spa-ing, Shopping, and the Sunday Blues (Almost)
- 9:00 AM: Spa Day! Booked myself a much-needed massage at the hotel spa. Bliss. Actual, genuine, melt-into-the-table bliss.
- 10:30 AM: Retail Therapy (and Failed Bargaining): Wandered into the shops downtown. Found a gorgeous scarf. The price tag? Highway robbery! Tried to haggle. Failed miserably. Bought it anyway. Regret and joy in equal measure.
- Anecdote: The shopkeeper had the most incredible (and intimidating) eyebrow game. I was too scared to say no.
- 12:00 PM: Brunch and Rambling About Life. Found a cute little cafe for brunch. Over-ordered. Ate it all. Ranted about the world, the weather, and the fact that I still hadn't found my ski pants.
- Messy Truth: Sometimes, I just need to vent. Brunch is the perfect venue.
- 2:00 PM: Last-Minute Skiing (for one last epic fail). One last run (and one last opportunity to eat snow). Ended up face-planting, but the sky was blue, the air was crisp, and I was laughing.
- Emotional Reaction: A bittersweet mix of joy and sadness. The trip is almost over.
- 4:00 PM: Packing the suitcase. (sigh).
- *Opinion: Hate packing
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at [Insert Restaurant Name]. One final, delicious meal. Reflecting on the trip. It's been messy, imperfect, and absolutely wonderful.
- 8:00 PM: The Hotel Room Reminiscence: Soaking in the tub, reflecting on the trip. Taking it all in, the apartment, the views.
Day 4: Departure and Post-Vacation Melancholy
- 8:00 AM: Last Breakfast. The Grand Finale…of Burnt Toast. You know the drill.
- 9:00 AM: Check-Out, Goodbye, and "I'll Be Back!" Saying goodbye to Summit Watch. Already planning my return.
- 10:00 AM: The Drive to the Airport: Trying to remember all the good times and to forget the ski pants.
- 12:00 PM: Back to Reality (aka the airport). Waiting on the plane is the longest.
- *Emotional Reaction: The post-vacation blues have hit hard. But, hey, I can't be sad forever!
- 1:00 PM: Take off! Saying goodbye to this beautiful place. Until next time!
This is just a suggestion. I hope you enjoy it.
Escape to Paradise: Zoetry Villa Rolandi's All-Inclusive Cancun Luxury
Marriott's Summit Watch: Ski-In/Ski-Out Luxury? The Unvarnished Truth (and My Take)
Okay, the BIG question: Is Summit Watch REALLY ski-in/ski-out? I've heard whispers...
Alright, let's get this out of the way. The *whispers*? They're…not entirely wrong. Here's the deal: YES, technically, you can ski-in/ski-out. BUT. (And there's always a BUT, isn't there?) It's a bit…aspirational. The 'ski-in' involves a moderately steep, slightly icy, often crowded run that dumps you pretty much right at the base of the property, which is AMAZING. The 'ski-out'? You kinda schlep. Look, you walk a few yards. A very few. Then you're on the slopes. And you have to walk to the lift, which is not connected through the hotel but is close. It's closer than, say, having to take a shuttle from some other place, but it is NOT like popping your skis on your doorstep and magically appearing on a black diamond run.
The first time I went, I was picturing myself practically *water-skiing* into the hotel lobby. Reality? Dragging my skis, cursing softly under my breath because some kid in a helmet was blocking the path. But hey, I’m still on the mountain!
Is the resort itself, like, actually...luxury? What's the vibe inside?
Luxury? Yeah, pretty much. It’s not over-the-top, diamond-encrusted luxury, thank goodness. More like…comfortably elegant. Think plush sofas you can sink into after a hard day of face-planting in the powder. Fireplaces. Balconies with kick-ass mountain views. (Do NOT book a room without a mountain view. Trust me.)
The vibe inside? I'd say it's "relaxed posh." You see families, couples, groups of friends. It's not stiff or pretentious. I’ve seen people in fancy ski gear having drinks next to someone in sweatpants who just came back from a workout. I've even seen a *dog* wearing fashionable *ski goggles*! The whole thing feels…comfortable. Maybe that’s the real luxury, eh?
The rooms…are they spacious? I hate feeling cramped!
Spacious? Absolutely. You get a full condo, not just a hotel room. Real bedrooms, a proper kitchen, living and dining areas. I mean, you could practically host a small dinner party in there (and I have, with questionable results). The kitchens, in particular, are a lifesaver. Think of all the money you save on restaurant bills! (This is what I tell myself to justify the cost)
The master suites have these glorious jet tubs. Seriously, after a day of shredding the slopes, sinking into that bubbling paradise? Pure bliss. I'd pay extra just for access to that tub, tbh.
Food and Drink. How's the scene? Do I have to cook every single meal?
No, you don't *have* to cook everything. (Thank God, because my culinary expertise is… limited). While the kitchens are well-equipped, there are restaurants within walking distance and plenty of delivery options. There's a small grocery store nearby for quick snacks and breakfast supplies or if you're feeling particularly ambitious.
Within the hotel itself, there's a cozy little bar area. Perfect for that apres-ski beer or a warming cocktail after your workout. Don't expect Michelin-star dining options on-site, but you’re not roughing it, either, because the food is good.
Plus, the best part? You can bring your own drinks back to your suite and enjoy them on your balcony with that amazing mountain view. Priorities, people.
What about the pool and hot tubs? Are they any good?
Oh, the pool and hot tubs? They're essential. Absolutely essential. After all that skiing, that hiking (if you're a masochist), you *need* a good soak. The hot tubs are perfect for aching muscles. Pro tip: hit them at sunset, it's an *experience*.
The pool… well, it's there. It's your standard outdoor pool. Clean, nicely maintained, and a great place to let the kids do their thing while you nurse a drink. The best part? They're open year-round. Even in a blizzard, which is, admittedly, a pretty magical experience. Just don't slip on the ice on your way to the tub, okay? My near-death experience with the snow is enough.
Is it worth the price tag? Let's be honest...it's not cheap.
Okay, this is the big one. Is it worth it? Look, it's expensive. Let's not sugarcoat it. But here's the deal: you're paying for convenience, the space, and the overall experience. If you're all about budget travel, this isn't for you. If you are on a budget but want to go? Save up!
For me? I'd say, yes. When I'm there, I feel… pampered. Less stressed. Like I'm actually on a vacation. The convenience of the location, the spacious rooms, the hot tub after a long day… it all adds up to a premium experience. And honestly, the convenience of ski-in, ski-out (even with the small caveat) is HUGE. I put a price on that.
Any insider tips you'd share? Secrets, if you will?
Okay, here’s the dirt:
- Book EARLY: Seriously. Way in advance. Prices fluctuate wildly.
- Request a high floor, mountain-view room: Trust me.
- Pack your own snacks: Grocery stores close by but prices can get crazy.
- The shuttle IS useful: even though you're practically on the slopes, the free shuttle makes getting around Park City a breeze. Use it!
- Don't be afraid to ask questions: the staff is generally super helpful.
- Go during the off season: fewer crowds, same luxury, potentially lower prices.
- Get up EARLY for fresh snow.
And most importantly? Relax. Have fun. Embrace the mountain life. Don't take it too seriously. Fall in love with the place. And maybe, just *maybe*, I'll see you there next year.
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