There’s another reason to head to Utah, which is as much of a summer destination as it is a winter one. The Inn at Sundance Mountain Resort has opened and it’s not just another basic luxury hotel. Instead, it leans in big into its Western locale, which gives it a unique sense of place.
Robert Redford first began shaping it in the late 1960s. His guiding principle – develop a little, preserve a lot – still governs the land, and the Inn arrives as a continuation of that ethos rather than a departure from it.
The Setting
The hotel settles in at the base of the ski slopes, two low wings stretching out on either side of the North Fork of the Provo River. A wooden footbridge links them, keeping the waterway exactly where it’s always been and giving you a tranquil moment to register the canyon before stepping inside. Rooflines stay tucked 10 to 15 feet below the treetops (a carryover from Robert Redford’s original ecological guidelines) and the whole structure reads as part of the terrain rather than an interruption.
Mount Timpanogos rises behind it all, perfectly framed and impossibly grand.
Inside, the design shifts into storytelling mode, pulling from the region’s layered history. That includes Native influences, the Scottish lineage of the Stewart family, and the modernist streak that shaped Sundance in the ’70s and ’80s. Two carved cedar panels by Haida artist Corey Bulpitt flank the fireplace. Stained glass by Holdman Studio adds a quiet hit of color. A tartan‑fronted reception desk nods to the Stewarts. Reclaimed timber, exposed beams, and leather details give the rooms a warm, lived‑in texture.
The Experience
The Inn offers 63 rooms, all oriented toward streams, ridgelines, or surrounding peaks. Expansive windows pull in the alpine views, and a few rooms sit so close to the creek you can hear it from bed (by design, not luck). Architectural Digest Wellness‑minded touches appear in the lighting scheme, curated by the resort’s PhD sleep expert.
Communal spaces center around the Living Room, anchored by a wood‑burning fireplace and a concentric tree‑ring mural by local artist Izzi Ballstaedt. A wraparound deck blurs the line between indoors and out, and a small gallery hosts rotating exhibitions, beginning with watercolor works by British artist Tony Foster documenting his journeys along the nearby Green River. The Inn feels tranquil, but only in a good way. It’s not static: there’s always something happening in the background, and it gives the place a quiet pulse.
Dining & Culture
Food stays true to Sundance’s roots. The Foundry Grill handles the wood‑fired comfort, while the Tree Room leans into regional finesse. Both sit a short walk from the Inn, which keeps evenings relaxed and pleasantly analog. Workshops and screenings add another layer, turning a stay into a small creative reset rather than a simple mountain getaway.
Rooms start around $363 a night, depending on the season. Winter climbs. Summer softens. Festival weeks do their own thing. It’s Sundance, after all — the mountain sets the rhythm, and the rates follow.
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FAQs
Q: What is The Inn at Sundance?
A: A 63‑room hotel at Sundance Resort that continues Robert Redford’s “develop a little, preserve a lot” ethos.
Q: Where is The Inn at Sundance located?
A: It sits at the base of the ski slopes, with two wings linked by a footbridge over the North Fork of the Provo River.
Q: How much does it cost to stay?
A: Rooms start around $363 a night, with winter and festival weeks landing higher.
