Utah: The Hotels Were the Main Event
If you’ve been following along, you’ll know I went to Utah this summer for the 29029 challenge. Yes, the one with the big climbs and the altitude and the transformative epiphanies. (I talk about all that on an upcoming episode of Beyond Four Walls, if you’re curious.)
But for the purposes of this Subby, let’s skip the hiking boots and get straight to the good stuff: the hotels. Because, honestly, the hotels were everything and dare (dare I say it?!) the main event!
Auberge, I’m Yours
For this trip, I stayed at not one but two Auberge properties and, well, consider me converted. This is luxury but in a chic whisper, not a shout.
At Blue Sky, you’re wrapped in a grounding, spiritual aura the moment you arrive. Rescued horses roam the hills. Crystals glint discreetly on tabletops. The whole place feels like it’s been designed around the land, not just on it. No glittering excess, no formulaic “mountain lodge” clichés—just stunning views, muted palettes, raw stone, wood, and the occasional shimmer of steel. Very Amangiri softened by nature.
If I had to give it a name? Modern Rustic Minimalism with a Spiritual Edge.
Natural materials: stone, raw wood, steel, slate, concrete
Quiet grandeur: windows framing sunsets, infinity pools fading into the horizon
Intentional decor: small sculptures, crystals, art that tells stories (rescued horses, mountain landscapes)
Colour: muted yet rich—earth tones, creams, charcoals, soft greys
Architecture: built into hillsides, suites opening onto creeks, views as a focal point, not furniture
Goldener Hirsch: Après-Ski but Make It Chic
Then there’s Goldener Hirsch, perched mid-mountain at Deer Valley. Steps from the chairlifts (or hiking trails, if you’re that person), private ski lockers at the ready, and the ski valet who seems to know your boots better than you do.
Inside, though, it’s not your average ski lodge. This is refined alpine luxury with a European accent. Warm woods, stone, wrought metal, slatted panels, plush textiles. Artisan rugs and soft leathers next to steel and glass. Austrian chalet cues—but edited, restrained, elegant. It’s après-ski glamour without the theatrics. Think luxe throws, fireplaces, and a bar where the cocktails are perfect, but the mood remains intimate.Goldener Hirsch: Après-Ski but Make It Chic
Then there’s Goldener Hirsch, perched mid-mountain at Deer Valley. Steps from the chairlifts (or hiking trails, if you’re that person), private ski lockers at the ready, and the ski valet who seems to know your boots better than you do.
Inside, though, it’s not your average ski lodge. This is refined alpine luxury with a European accent. Warm woods, stone, wrought metal, slatted panels, plush textiles. Artisan rugs and soft leathers next to steel and glass. Austrian chalet cues—but edited, restrained, elegant. It’s après-ski glamour without the theatrics. Think luxe throws, fireplaces, and a bar where the cocktails are perfect, but the mood remains intimate.
Why This Matters (Beyond Pretty Hotels)
With Homekin about to launch across Canada and the U.S., I can’t stop thinking about how relevant this aesthetic is. People don’t necessarily want loud glamour anymore—they want grounding, authenticity, sanctuary. Blue Sky and Goldener Hirsch prove that luxury can be whisper-soft and deeply tethered to place.
So yes, I went to Utah for 29029. But the hotels? They were the real elevation. The design wasn’t just a backdrop; it was part of the transformation. And if you’re a design junkie like me, you know: the best spaces don’t just look beautiful—they make you feel more.