Archive for February, 2008
Dakota Mountain Lodge and Waldorf=Astoria Announcement
February 26th, 2008 Categories: Hotels & Lodging, The Canyons®
Dakota Mountain Lodge Aligns With Waldorf Astoria Collection
Dakota Mountain Lodge May Be Park City’s New Hot Spot. Dakota Mountain Lodge made national news last year with their announcement of their affiliation with the Golden Door Spa.
Today’s news that the Waldorf=Astoria Collection and Hilton have stepped up to the plate is a big deal for The Canyons® and Park City area visitors and potential real estate investors.
A New Gold Rush in Park City, Utah?
In the past two years, top international boutique luxury hotel brands St. Regis and Montage have started construction on spectacular new hotels in Deer Valley.
Today’s Waldorf=Astoria announcement is a powerful vote of confidence in the bright future of The Canyons® Resort.
Developers are placing big bets on assorted new developments at the base of The Canyons Resort, and the arrival of the venerable Waldorf=Astoria name may be an indicator of exciting future of Park City’s largest ski resort.
Will Luxury Icon Deer Valley® Resort Have to Compete with The Canyons® Resort for Tomorrow’s Luxury Ski Visitors?
Over the years, Deer Valley has succeeded in attracting luxury ski vacationers and second home owners on the strength of snow grooming, dining, and pampering guests.
Local luxury developer Talisker is in the process of purchasing The Canyons Resort® from American Skiing Company. This raises the question of what The Canyons might look like in the years ahead, and will The Canyons emerge as a competitor for Deer Valley’s business in the luxury segment of the market.
Dakota Lodge Phase II Release Coincides with Waldorf=Astoria Announcement
Sales at Dakota Mountain Lodge have been strong to date–79 units in Building One are pending sale so far at Dakota.
The developer has just released the first condos in building II, which will be available on a first-come-first-served basis.
Dakota Mountain Lodge Reservation Details
Click the link above or contact us for details at Toll Free 877-838-2805 or email Dakota@ParkCityRealEstateGuide.com We have the list of available units, floor plans, prices, and reservation agreements.
Park City and Deer Valley’s Best Cash Flow Condos are…
The Best Cash-Flow Condos in Deer Valley (Part II)
Deer Valley Is Not the Only Smart Money Bet in Town (Part III)
St. Regis Resort and Residences, Deer Crest
Deer Valley Montage Hotel
In case you missed it, here’s a copy of the press release…
THE WALDORF=ASTORIA COLLECTION SIGNS FIRST SKI MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT IN PARK CITY, UTAH
The Dakota Mountain Lodge to Debut at The Canyons
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - February 22, 2008 - The Waldorf=Astoria Collection and DuVal Development
announced today the signing of the Dakota Mountain Lodge, a Waldorf=Astoria Collection hotel and the luxury brand’s and Hilton’s first ski management property.
Located in Park City, Utah as part of The Canyons, Utah’s largest ski and snowboard resort and one of the largest in the United states, the Dakota Mountain Lodge will offer guests an assortment of unique experiences and discoveries for luxury ski enthusiast travelers. Completion and opening is scheduled for spring 2009.
Welcoming this hotel into The Waldorf=Astoria Collection, Ernest Wooden, Jr., executive vice president-brand
management said, “Selection for the Waldorf=Astoria Collection is exclusive. Only landmark hotels with a
reputation for superior service, a luxurious sense of place and unique architecture or artistic and historical
significance receive such designation.
Befitting of a luxury hotel, Dakota Mountain Lodge ideally represents The Waldorf=Astoria Collection brand within the scenic State of Utah.” The 197-guestroom Dakota Mountain Lodge will range in room size from studios to the six-bedroom penthouse and will be outfitted with the finest furnishings including custom Viking appliances, European showers, Jacuzzi tubs, and an outdoor pool and fire feature - all presenting refined alpine luxury.
Dakota Mountain Lodge Building II Just Released!
A second phase comprising an additional 137 guest rooms in 65 condo units is planned to commence construction in 2008.
Guests will see The Waldorf=Astoria Collection’s hallmarks of discovery and unique experiences throughout the
lodge’s impressive offerings, including access to The Canyons’ new Frostwood Gondola, which is currently
under construction and will be adjacent to the Dakota Mountain Lodge. Guests will be able to ski-in/-out to The Canyons’ slopes with personal ski valets escorting their equipment to and from the gondola.
For après ski, or as a destination in itself, guests will be able to indulge in the Dakota Mountain Lodge’s
20,000-square-foot world-renowned Golden Door Spa consisting of 20 treatment rooms, an elaborate fitness center and a full beauty salon - all in a unique and spectacular environment.
Golden Door Spa & Waldorf=Astoria Unite for the First Time
Tom Posey, president and chief executive officer, Golden Door Spas added, “Golden Door welcomes the world
class brand of the Waldorf=Astoria to the Dakota Mountain Lodge. We look forward to working with this
renowned hospitality leader to create a year-round spa and ski destination in Park City that embodies the best of
our organizations mutually remarkable legacies.”
The resort will offer a multitude of activities throughout the spring, summer and fall such as: horseback riding and
fly fishing. Additionally, The Canyons is in the process of adding a breathtaking 18-hole mountain golf course, which will surround the Dakota Mountain Lodge and is planned to commence construction next summer.
“The Waldorf=Astoria Collection is an iconic brand that is embarking on many fantastic new ventures,” commented Lee Hindin, co-founder of DuVal Development. “We’re thrilled to be part of the growth of The Collection as its first ski property.”
Shelly Kamins, a principle in DuVal Development added, “As part of The Waldorf=Astoria Collection, Dakota Mountain Lodge and the Golden Door Spa will bring cache to The Canyons and offer guests a resort experience like none other. Aligning ourselves with the legendary stature of The Waldorf=Astoria Collection is an exciting step in this process.”
Amenities Define Dakota Mountain Lodge
Other highlights of the Dakota Mountain Lodge will include a 15,000-square-foot ballroom and meeting space with its own kitchen, a 5,000-square-foot signature restaurant and lounge, and screening rooms designed to suit the Sundance Film Festival.
The lodge will be located 30 minutes from the Salt Lake City International Airport which services more than 1,000 flights a day from cities across the U.S., as well as international locations. The Dakota Mountain Lodge is also only a few minutes from the historic Main Street of Park City, Utah with its elaborate offering of restaurants, shops and amenities.
Goldman Sachs Backs Dakota Mountain Lodge
Financing for the Dakota Mountain Lodge, Waldorf=Astoria Collection is being provided by Goldman Sachs.
About the Dakota Mountain Lodge developers:
DuVal Development is a privately held real estate firm located in Park City, Utah. With over three decades of real
estate experience, the partners of DuVal Development have successfully developed millions of square feet of
commercial, residential and resort real estate throughout the United States. A prominent name in Park City,
DuVal Development has a reputation for building spectacular residential communities and is currently one of the
largest developers in the area. Because of its focus on high-quality design, world-class amenities and premier
locations, DuVal properties are the most coveted in the area. Due to absolute attention to detail and scrupulous
standards of quality, DuVal Development is highly regarded as one of the top developers in the marketplace.
About The Waldorf=Astoria Collection:
The Waldorf=Astoria Collection includes some of the most extraordinary properties in spectacular destinations around the globe. Inspired by New York’s legendary Waldorf=Astoria, each hotel in the growing Collection has its own distinct character, timeless architecture and special history. Luxury spas, culinary excellence and world-class golf are featured at
The Collection’s current properties: the beautiful Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix, tropical Grand Wailea Resort hotel & Spa on the Isle of Maui, Hawaii, the historic La Quinta Resort & Club in Southern California, New York’s Waldorf=Astoria and the palace hotel Qasr Al Sharq in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Each guest encounter is a discovery of unique experiences designed to last a lifetime. For more information, please visit: www.waldorfastoriacollection.com.
About Golden Door Spa:
Golden Door is revered in the spa industry for its wealth of history, expertise and innovation. Each day is engrained with the Door’s philosophy of promoting complete well-being and develops a remarkable rhythm, bringing balance and transformation into the lives of its guests. Full-service resort spas near Scottsdale, AZ in Puerto Rico, Naples, FL and Telluride, CO bring the principles and philosophies of the renowned destination spa to the resort guest - seamlessly integrating indigenous treatments, fitness programs and cuisine with signature elements from Golden Door Escondido. Golden Door is also a part of the LXR Luxury Resorts Hotels collection, a portfolio of independent properties distinguished by a style and spirit that captures the unique qualities of their setting.
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Heber Creeper
February 7th, 2008 Categories: Just Outside of Town, Lifestyle & Activities, The Heber Valley
Kids Love The Heber Valley Railroad
It was a cold and snowy morning. Just before the railroad tracks, I saw the Heber Creeper train running-steam billowing and whistle blowing. I had gone back in time to the days of the steam engine. I grabbed my camera and took this photo.
This train is one of two 1907 Baldwin Steam locomotives
The journey starts at the train station in the middle of the picturesque Heber Valley.
There is a regular tour schedule and special events.
Special trains include: The Haunted Canyon Train, The Polar Express, Comedy Murder Mystery, day out with Thomas the Train, and Tube-’n'-train (which is snow tubing and train-ride combo).
The World Famous Train Put Heber City and Midway on the Map!
The steam engine has been featured in 33 motion pictures in the past 20 years and in the T.V. series “Touched by an Angel” and “The Promised Land”.
A trip to Heber City and Midway isn’t complete without a visit to Park City and Deer Valley just minutes away.
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Easy Guide to Utah Real Estate Taxes
February 5th, 2008 Categories: Park City
Property Taxes in Utah are Collected at the County Level
Unlike some states, real estate property taxes in Utah are not based on actual sales prices.
This may come as a surprise to you if you own property in other states, and you are accustomed to being able to predict your property taxes each year with precision. In Utah, the process is not quite as transparent or predictable.
In Utah, the County Assessors determine the “assessed value” of your property each year. It’s typically not a property-specific ”appraisal” but more of a blanket neighborhood-level adjustment based on overall market conditions.
You will pay taxes based on this assessed value, at a tax rate that varies from county to county, depending on local programs, bonds, etc.
How To Estimate Your Park City Area Property Taxes
If you are considering purchasing a property in Utah (home, condo, or land)…
A ”quick & dirty” rule to estimate your first year of property taxes is to figure that you’ll pay about 1% of your purchase price. The actual rate is closer to 1.1%, but…
You’ll be pleased to learn that the “assessed value” is typically a little less than “fair market value.”
After all, the county assessor doesn’t have the time or the resources to deal with every property owner in the county lining up at their door to contest their tax assessment every year!
Utah Primary Residents Get A Discount
To help make it possible for local teachers, firemen, etc. to actually live in the community, the counties give “primary residents” a discount on their property taxes.
In Summit and Wasatch Counties (Park City & Deer Valley areas) Primary Residents get a 45% Discount on their taxes compared to “Non-Primary” residents.
Park City & Deer Valley Second Home and Investment Property Owners Carry the Tax Burden for Local Services.
This might seem counterintuitive, but it’s reality. Second home and investment property owners pay a disproportionate share of the taxes for schools, fire, police, etc… even though they’re not year-round residents.
Even so, this “non-primary” rate is substantially lower than California, New York, Florida, New Jersey, and lots of other states.
According to Summit County Assessor Barbara Kresser, second homes make up 36 percent of the appraised value of single family Park City dwellings. When it comes to condominiums, however, that number soars to about 80 percent.
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