Sundance
Lodging
Reserving Sundance Lodging is a great way to getaway...
Sundance Lodging: How to get your money's worth? During our last stay we found out some interesting things that will help you get the "best of the best" accommodations for your luxury getaway (best location, best size, best quality).
copyright 2007 by Howard A. Knudsen |
Two options to make reservations. Yes, there are two ways to reserve your Sundance lodging for your stay at Sundance Resort. First, you may rent directly from a property owner (Sundance rentals-by-owner), and second, you may use Sundance hotel reservations to book your stay. (This depends on if a private-owner has placed his/her property into the "Sundance rental pool.")
Sundance Lodging Options. If you call for reservations at Sundance Resort, they will offer several options of cottages or condos, and mountain homes. Each property is unique, but Sundance has designated every unit into a specific category (as listed below from least to most expensive) in order to have standardized pricing.
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Standard
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Studio
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Sundance Suite
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Mountain Suite
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Mountain Home
You may choose from a standard room (lowest price, smaller room with no fireplace) to a mountain home (highest price, very spacious). Each accommodation is a privately-owned condo or mountain home that has been placed in the Sundance "rental pool." If you rent a standard room or studio you are actually staying in a portion of a private owner's condo property (each room has a separate entry).
Example of the property variations. If you rent a "Sundance Suite" there is a significant amount of variation in size, quality, and location. Sundance describes the suite as 700 sq ft in their brochure, yet each of the 4 units we have seen are actually listed at about 500 sq ft (per real estate quotes). The best floor plan had room for a couch with a pull-out bed while the others didn't have room enough for a couch, so they felt more like a studio than a suite.
Another variable of the Sundance Suites is overall quality and amenities offered. Our favorite unit (Mandan 24) had a kitchen with oven & stovetop burners, microwave, dishwasher, and refrigerator, while the other units did not include the oven or dishwasher. Mandan 24 has a deep, jetted-tub for two plus a shower while the other units just have a regular tub and no shower. One Sundance Suite we saw had a 40-inch flat-screen HDTV while others have a 19-inch TV.
The point is that you will pay Sundance Resort the same rental fee no matter the actual size and quality of the suite.
As with any real estate
property, the most important factor is: location, location, location...
This property factor may be broken down into two parts: A) How far am I going to
have to walk to get to the ski lifts or Sundance village? B) Will we have a
view?
Proximity to Sundance Village. Sundance lodging is located in three regions:
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Close proximity: Timpcreek, River Run and The Pines (These properties are in the Sundance Village area).
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Intermediate proximity: Mandan (These properties are located up the mountain side above Sundance Village. You will either drive or walk to the village and ski lifts, depending on how energetic you feel.)
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Driving distance: Mountain homes (These properties are located even further up the mountain. If you are walking for exercise you could easily do it, but most of the time you will be driving to the resort).
Place "mouse cursor" over photo below to see where these 5 property areas are located...
copyright 2007 by Howard Knudsen |
Closest proximity. The closest cottages or bungalos are at Timpcreek, River Run and The Pines. Timpcreek is located on the mountain creek across from River Run cottages. Timpcreek does not place their property into the Sundance rental pool, so these accommodations must be rented directly from the private-owner. There are twenty "River Run" cottages located in the Sundance Village which are next to a mountain stream that runs year round. The newest accommodations in Sundance Village are called "The Pines" which has ten cottages for rent.
These three properties are situated within a minute walking distance to the ski lifts and Sundance Village shopping, movie screening room and restaurants.
Another important factor is that Timpcreek, River Run and The Pines are on the same level as Sundance Village so no hiking up hill is required to get back to your room. We really appreciated the proximity when we stayed in a studio at a River Run during a recent weekend getaway.
Intermediate proximity. The sixty-two Mandan cottages/bungalos are located on a hill overlooking the resort. This means a longer walk and a major incline to get to and from the resort. Why is this a potential problem? It may not be a problem if you don't mind hiking to ski... hiking to go to the restaurants... repeated hiking back and forth! Personally, I would rather hike one of the Mt. Timpanogos trails. If you bring your children, this will present even more problems. So to us, proximity is very important.
Your vacation stay won't be as enjoyable if you have a long, uphill walk to get back to your condo after a long day of skiing, especially carrying your ski or snowboard equipment. Also, the distance is too far and too difficult to comfortably walk in ski boots. This means that you will either have to endure the hike or drive your car to the parking lot and try to find a parking place.
Driving distance. The mountain homes (also known as Sundance vacation homes) are even farther away and up on the mountain side, so driving to the resort may be required.
copyright 2007 by Howard A. Knudsen |
What about the view? The River Run section of Sundance lodging typically have a patio that is within 10 feet of a "creek" or mountain stream (definitely not a river) that runs year round. Timpcreek is also located on the creek. The ambience is excellent... Otherwise, the view from your patio is of the trees and mountain stream, not the mountains.
The "Mandan" cottages are nestled on the side of the mountain. Some of these cottages have good views from the patio. Mandan 24 has a view from atop a ridge looking down on tall fur trees. Through the trees you can see a ski slope and Sundance Village (not a bad view at all).
The most spectacular views are from lots that Robert Redford has been selling (two lots are left as of writing this essay) for $2.5 million. These are located on the hill side east of the ski lifts.
Besides skiing, what else is
there to do? Try outdoor adventures along the
Mount Timpanogos Trail, which
are highly recommended! One of our favorite hikes is to
Stewart Falls, check out the landscape
photos I took along the way. Staying at Sundance lodging allows easy access...
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