I’ve slept in a lot of beds in my time as a travel journalist. Some big, some small, some under canvas, others under stars, some smelling like old truckers, others sprayed with the mist of a virgin unicorn. I am often asked if I won Lotto and could spend any amount of money on my own hotel bookings in ski towns what would I choose?
Me? I’m a boutique hotel kind of gal. I like my service personal and approachable. I adore difference, quirky touches, attention to detail, perceptive and intuitive hospitality and convenience. Everything my job affords me but my personal budget does not.
I like the hotel to have done all the thinking for me and to have made my experience so user friendly I don’t even realise I need something until it’s there in front of me. I’m a princess like that.
You could say the limestone and white wash of the Washington School House in Park City delivers on all of these elements. It has character and style born from a history as a, well, school house back in 1889.
Each of the 12 rooms are different, some with high ceilings and spiral staircases, others tucked high in loft style fabulousness. Art work inspires at every corner and there’s even a Banksy right outside on the connecting laneway from the hotel to Park City’s vibrant Main Street.
Conde Nast loves it, Gayot named it the #1 boutique hotel in the world, Forbes put it in their Hot 20, you get the drill.
Think reclaimed oak barn wood floors, Utah quartzite, ice white marble and a plethora of carefully curated antiques, paintings and those chandeliers, oh my those chandeliers.
Yes, I’m spoilt with the keys to the 1 Bedroom Loft Suite that makes me feel like Juliet, Rapunzel, Elton John and Mae West all in one. I know, right?
The 9foot double hung windows are begging to be swung from and the iron spiral staircase links the parlour below with the boudoir up top with a king bed and a delightful antique French daybed to compliment the French burger chairs circa 1880 in the room below. Sigh.
The best part is the room has not one but two entries. One downstairs near the hotel entrance for a quick discreet getaway and one upstairs that requires a dramatic sashay down the staircase into the communal hallway below for those who like to be noticed.
Turn down is my favourite delight. Each evening my crisp Prates linen is turned back with care and a gift popped neatly at my pillow. My favourite? The George Washington deck of cards with ‘old school is the new cool’ printed upon them.
With all this lounging around one would think I never left to ski. But I did and not before the complimentary breakfast held daily in the lounge that is drowning in natural light and soft furnishings plucked straight from a design magazine, surely.
Choose from daily chef specials including passionfruit pancakes, eggs benedict, thick rye breads and French press or espresso coffees. Come late afternoon the breakfast menu makes way for a complimentary apres ski menu of tasting delights as fellow guests gather round to partake in the also complimentary alcoholic libations.
Have you got the picture yet? If not just step out onto the roof top terrace and out into the swimming pool and hot tub with pool house on the back lawn. Did we mention the steel Olympic torch from the 2002 Winter Olympics in Park City that doubles as an outside fire place?
We’re just getting silly now.
Of course all this glory doesn’t come cheap. Although to make it that much more palatable the kind folk at the WSH have packaged up some treats including the Epic Experience with three days of skiing at Park City, private transfer from SLC, three nights in a King Room, complimentary breakfast and apres daily, custom ski boot and ski fitting in your hotel all from US$1336 per night.
I know, I know. When I win Lotto I will shout you.
Want more info? Head to the WSH website.
Read more: Why Park City is hipster city
Rachael Oakes-Ash was a guest of Vail Resorts and The Washington School House
