Scene
To call it a “lodge” is a bit of an understatement
Walking into the lobby at Sun Valley Lodge feels surprisingly familiar. The stone pillars by the entrance, the cavernous seating area dimmed by thick curtains and heated by a cozy fire. It all resembles a quintessential ski lodge, the high-ceilinged, sprawling kind in classic books and movies. Maybe that’s no accident, since some of our most celebrated writers, actors and directors have passed through Sun Valley.
Once the smoky, 1950’s nostalgia wears off, the other feature that stands out right away is the sheer size of the place. Sun Valley Resort includes the Lodge, an inn, several townhouses, a courtyard and a veritable village of shops and restaurants to entertain its guests. The whole Sun Valley brand is geared toward skiers, mountain bikers and outdoorsy types—and the surrounding landscape definitely lives up to the hype. But in a resort this big, it’s just as easy to walk all day and never step off the lot.
Location
Sun Valley, Idaho isn’t somewhere you end up on accident
Three hours from any major city, and with only the smallest regional airport to speak of, Sun Valley only exists if you go looking for it. That might be what makes it such a popular destination for the one percent. Tech and media moguls have flocked to Sun Valley Village for the last 40 years, holding an annual meeting of the minds in a stress-free, press-free environment, 6,000 feet above sea level. When Zuck and Musk aren’t cage-fighting in the conference room, here are some other things they might get up to:
- Skiing Bald Mountain, a gorgeous 13,600 foot peak with runs for every skill level.
- Hiking Dollar Mountain, a rocky but doable day hike with rewarding views of the valley.
- Visiting Ketchum, the nearest town, which punches well above its weight in terms of food and entertainment options.
- Fly fishing for trout in the Big Wood River.
- Paying respects to the Hemingway memorial. Hemingway returned time and time again to Ketchum and took up permanent residence there before his death.
Rooms
Tasteful elegance is the M.O.
In keeping with the Lodge’s simple, tasteful charm, most of the guest rooms are similarly decorated in muted pink and burgundy, and none of the design choices call too much attention to themselves. If you’re looking for flashy appliances and Bluetooth speakers, this might not be the place for you. There’s a comfort in playing it safe, though, as even the most basic rooms share a similar coziness with the most expensive.
- Premier King suites: The most budget-friendly option at the Lodge, Premier King suites still feature top-dollar comfort, as well as a spacious bathroom with walk-in shower and granite floors.
- King suites: The bathrooms in King suites are slightly larger than the next lowest tier, and have a soaking tub in addition to the walk-in shower. The living room is also appointed with a fold-out sofa and a second TV.
- Two Queen suites: These offer similar square footage with two queen beds instead of a single king. This is a better option for families or friends traveling together.
- Rink View suites: These are available as both King and Two Queen suites and face out toward the ice skating rink behind The Lodge.
- Terrace suites: These may not be bigger inside than other suites, but they lead out onto terraces with stunning panoramic views. Terraces come equipped with outdoor furniture and patio umbrellas.
- Celebrity suites: The grandest of the Lodge’s offerings pay homage to the many celebrities that have spent time there, including Marilyn Monroe, Ernest Hemingway and Clint Eastwood. All celebrity suites have a large parlor built around a working fireplace, a terrace, extra-large en suite bathroom and walk-in closet.
Amenities
The resort is practically a self-contained village
Food and Beverage
It’s hard to know where to begin when there are so many options. Sun Valley Resort plays host to a total of seven restaurants, two bars, a bakery, a chocolate shop and an ice cream shop—and that’s not including the various affiliated eateries scattered across the surrounding mountains. The Lodge itself contains a casual diner, Gretchen’s, as well as the Duchin Lounge. The former serves up buttermilk pancakes, crab cakes and meatloaf, while the lounge specializes in cocktails and fresh, local trout.
Ice Rink
This is only open seasonally, but if you want a taste of winter without the snow, you can’t do better than ice skating. Beginners can take summer skating lessons, or, if spectating is more your thing, the resort also hosts Sun Valley on Ice, a live performance with fireworks and a rotating cast of Olympic medalists.
Gym
There are two fitness centers in the resort, one in the Inn and one in the Lodge. Both are clean and spacious, though perhaps slightly less state-of-the-art than some of the resort’s other amenities. The highlight of the Lodge’s fitness area is the attached spa, where you can reserve a spot in a yoga class or book an hour with an acupuncturist.
Golf
Sun Valley Resort has not one but three golf courses, including Trail Creek, which was recently recognized by Golf Digest as one of the top 75 resort courses in North America.
The Opera House
Okay, it’s not technically an opera house, but they do project new and classic films on the big screen.
Pool
Both the Lodge and the Inn have heated outdoor pools, hot tubs, and ample space for lounging in the sun.
FAQs
What are the amenities offered at the Lodge?
Other services and amenities offered in the Lodge include: the Duchin Lounge and Bar, Sun Valley Salon & Day Spa, a massage center, hot tub, sauna and heated outdoor swimming pool, fitness facility, a bowling alley, game room, room service and gift shop.
The other amenities include a 24-hour front desk, concierge services, free Wifi, a flat-screen TV in each room, hair dryers, air conditioning, biking and bike rentals, tennis courts, free parking, free airport shuttle service.
There are tons of seasonal activities: golf, downhill and cross country skiing, snowboarding, sledding, year-round ice skating and more.
What’ the ski resort’s address?
1 Sun Valley Rd, Sun Valley, ID 83353, USA
What is the phone number?
(800) 786-8259.
How far is the Sun Valley Resort from the River Run Ski Lodge on Bald Mountain?
About a mile and a half.
How far is the Sun Valley Lodge from Boise, Idaho?
There are about 150 miles between the two places.
When is check-in and check-out?
Check-in is 4:00:00 p.m. Check-out is 11:00:00 a.m.
Is the Sun Valley Lodge the same thing as the Sun Valley Inn?
No, though the Sun Valley Inn is the sister property to the Lodge and is just .2 miles away.