Grand Hyatt Deer Valley: A First Look

As part of the Deer Valley expansion, new hotel partners are joining the scene, offering more options for families who want a full-service experience beyond a condo or rental home. I was lucky enough to spend two days at the Grand Hyatt in Deer Valley’s East Village. The 381-room property opened on November 20, 2024, and my visit was a few months later. While some features are still in the works (in the “coming soon” category) and a few areas need improvement (like their shuttle service), I was very impressed with my first stay.

First Impressions

When it comes to location, the Grand Hyatt has scored well. It’s an almost ski-in/ski-out property—right now, guests need to take a resort shuttle to the base, but soon, the lifts will be walkable. The hotel sits on a stunning piece of land overlooking the Jordanelle Reservoir and the surrounding mountains. However, this view will change in the future when a Four Seasons is built in front of the Hyatt.

As expected from a Grand Hyatt, they spared no expense on the lobby. It’s a showstopper, with soaring ceilings and breathtaking views of the Heber Valley.

The hotel is currently a bit understaffed, so I handled my own luggage at check-in. I made my way up to my King Suite on the 5th floor—a spacious setup that could easily accommodate a family of four. The suite featured a large entryway, a massive walk-in closet, and a bar area with a coffee maker, tea kettle, and seating area (including a sleeper sofa). The bathroom was bright, modern, and had excellent water pressure with high-end amenities.

My bedroom faced the hills and was equipped with effective room-darkening curtains, stylish modern artwork, and a cozy atmosphere. Upon arrival, I was welcomed with a thoughtful cheese platter. Housekeeping ran late during my stay, but I did receive nightly turndown service. The staff was eager and friendly, making up for any minor inconveniences.

Video Tour

Check out a King Suite room in our video

Residences & Shared Spaces

Beyond the standard hotel rooms, the Grand Hyatt also offers 55 private residences (35 of which are part of the rental pool). These range from one to four bedrooms and include full kitchens, washers and dryers, and generous living spaces. Owners also have access to a private club.

The lobby serves as a central gathering spot, separating the hotel rooms from the residences. It’s beautifully outfitted with a piano, a fireplace, and plenty of seating. Outside, fire pits and cozy seating areas offer the perfect setting to watch the snowfall or enjoy a sunrise.

The hotel is packed with amenities, making it an excellent home base for families. It’s also well-equipped to serve the business community, with dedicated spaces for conferences, weddings, and large events.

Hotel Highlights

• Fitness Center – Bright and well-equipped, featuring a Peloton, cardio machines, and ample space for functional workouts. Currently, there’s no dedicated yoga or Pilates space, but that may change when the spa opens next summer.
• Outdoor Pool & Hot Tubs – A spacious pool for lap swimming and three hot tubs, which became a popular après-ski spot.
• Retail Shops – A small general store and an apparel shop offering sizes for both kids and adults.
• Camp Hyatt – A kids’ program available for holiday periods and weekends, offering three sessions for children ages four and up ($150 for morning, $175 for afternoon). Babysitters can also be booked in-room for younger kids. Note: ski instruction is not included, but meals are provided.
• Nexus Lounge – A family-friendly hub with PS5 and Xbox gaming systems, air hockey, ping pong, vintage arcade games, board games, and puzzles. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• North Star Lounge – An exclusive space for military service members to relax and connect.

Dining at the Grand Hyatt

The hotel offers a variety of dining options:

• The Living Room (Lobby Area) – Afternoon tea is available for $25 per person (reservations required). It’s a luxurious après-ski experience with a beautifully presented tower of sweet and savory treats served by the grand fireplace. On select days, a pianist adds to the ambiance. Guests can also enjoy hot chocolate by the world-famous Angelina’s in Paris.
• Remington Hall – The main bar and restaurant, serving an excellent breakfast buffet with an omelet station, hot dishes, baked goods, and savory options like cured meats and cheeses. Specialty coffee drinks, including cappuccinos and Americanos, are available.
• Double Blacks Coffee Shop – Located downstairs by the ski rental shop, it serves locally roasted coffee (by Park City Roasters), espresso, baked treats, and sandwiches. Open at 6 a.m. for early risers.
• Hidden Aces (Speakeasy Bar) – A stylish, intimate bar with a nod to Utah’s mining history. Open Tuesday–Sunday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. for cocktails and live music. Reservations are recommended due to limited space.

Supporting Military Families

One of the most exciting aspects of the Grand Hyatt is its partnership with the U.S. military. Through a groundbreaking initiative with the Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA), the hotel offers discounted room rates for service members.

Military guests can book rooms starting at $149 per night, with rates adjusted on a sliding scale based on rank. This special pricing is available to active duty, Reserve, National Guard, retired military, and disabled veterans, with lower ranks receiving the lowest prices. In addition, Deer Valley offers discounted lift tickets in conjunction with the hotel stay.

This program is a fantastic way to make skiing more accessible to middle-class military families, and it’s a model worth watching.

What’s Coming

• The Spa (Opening Summer 2025) – The spa will feature treatment rooms, a hammam, and steam facilities, with plans to partner with Sauna Wild for additional wellness offerings.

Access to Skiing

While the Grand Hyatt is designed as a four-season destination, most of my readers are focused on winter skiing. For families who don’t need group lessons, this hotel is a great option.

Once dressed for the slopes, I was able to head straight down to the ski lockers, pick up my rentals, and be on the snow in minutes—an incredibly seamless process. My Ski Butler rental gear was pre-arranged and ready upon arrival, and I had a ventilated locker for my boots. Each day, the Ski Butler team set my skis out by the shuttle stop, and at the end of the day, they took care of storing them.

The slopes are accessed by a free, open-air shuttle—a quick two-minute ride to the East Village Base. This new base is poised to become an ideal launch point, with slopeside rentals, private lesson meet-ups, and the new Keetley 6-seater bubble chair, which connects to intermediate terrain and the Sultan Express lift. In total, Deer Valley’s expansion includes three new lifts and 300 additional acres—with even more coming soon.

You can read more about my skiing experience here, but in short: the expanded terrain is a spectacular addition to Deer Valley.

Logistics

Do you need a car? For now, yes. The hotel is accessed via a winding road off Highway 40. I took an Uber but had to rely on friends and additional rides to get around.

The biggest challenge is ski school. Right now, group lessons for kids are based at Snow Park, which is inconvenient for Grand Hyatt guests. While a shuttle is available, it’s unreliable. Families may need to either drive early to secure parking at Snow Park (which fills up quickly) or deal with multiple shuttle transfers—neither of which is ideal for young kids.

Dining is another logistical hurdle. The hotel’s shuttle to Park City runs every two hours, and on my visit, a promised 5:30 p.m. shuttle never arrived. The hotel currently has only one vehicle and driver—a serious limitation. A dedicated ski school shuttle and more frequent service to town would make a huge difference.

Final Thoughts

The Grand Hyatt Deer Valley is a stunning addition to the area, with luxurious accommodations, thoughtful amenities, and a strong commitment to military families. While a few operational kinks need ironing out, the hotel has tremendous potential as a premier ski-in/ski-out destination. With Deer Valley’s expansion in full swing, this is a property to watch!

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