Hotel Snapshot at the Washington School House
Courtesy of Washington School House
Most hotels want you to know you've arrived at a hotel. Washington School House, a 12-room boutique property set in an 1889 limestone schoolhouse a block above Park City's Main Street, would rather you forget. From the moment you’re welcomed at the curb to the moment you’re pried away from the gorgeous limestone facade, this will be a stay you’re unlikely to forget.
Design & Character at the Washington School House
Courtesy of Washington School House
The building has lived several lives: one of Park City's three original schoolhouses, a survivor of the Great Fire of 1898, a Veterans of Foreign Wars hall for dances in the '30s through '50s, and later a bed and breakfast. It reopened as Washington School House in 2011, with interiors by Paul Allen Design and architect Trip Bennett.
The hotel is delightfully hidden in plain sight, in part thanks to the way the entrances are designed - and yes, that’s plural. There are a few ways to get into the property, and all of them are nondescript without being kitschy or inconveniently hidden. There's no grand porte-cochère or glowing logo, just a door that makes you feel like you're in the know. Once inside, the best room in the house is a common space - the Living Room. 16-foot ceilings, a roaring fireplace, a 10-foot antique mirror from an opera house in the south of France, and a white-lacquered antler chandelier quite literally dripping in Swarovski crystals. On paper, that chandelier sounds like a lot, but in person, it works.
The Rooms at the Washington School House
Courtesy of Washington School House
We stayed in a Town King Room, and it was a highlight. The original schoolhouse windows pour in beautiful natural light, and the palette of whites, reclaimed oak barn-wood floors, and hand-selected antiques keeps things calm rather than precious. The bed, layered in Pratesi linens and down, was among the most comfortable I've slept in this year. The bathroom is done in ice-white marble with heated floors, and the clawfoot tub is excellent: deep, well-placed, and likely the reason you’ll be late to après (which is free, along with just about everything else during your stay).
The Food & Drink at the Washington School House
Courtesy of Washington School House
Breakfast is included, which you can take as a challenge to literally sample the menu (rotating specials included). Trust us, everything is worth ordering. It's hearty mountain cooking done with real finesse, and French press coffee can be brought to your room if you're not ready to come downstairs.
If you get the chance, book General Manager and Executive Chef Ryan Frye's private multi-course dinners, but if you don’t have the time, the complimentary après spread of charcuterie and fresh-baked cookies offer more than enough of an idea of what his kitchen can do. All dining is exclusive to hotel guests, which adds to the feeling that the house is yours.
The Amenities at the Washington School House
Courtesy of Washington School House Hotel
Shoulder season is the insider move here, because it means the heated pool, terraced into the hillside behind the hotel, is at its best. Split your afternoon between the pool and the jacuzzi, surrounded by aspens, with the fire pit (built from a steel torch from the 2002 Winter Olympics) nearby. When you’re not soaking, hiking, or enjoying the sites, check out the the guests-only Ski Lounge and watch some TV - it’ll feel a lot like hanging out in a friend's basement, if your friend had impeccable taste. In winter, the ski valet and in-house lift tickets make the Town Lift, a short walk away, even easier. A 24-hour concierge can arrange everything from fly-fishing to sleigh rides.
Location & Neighborhood Recs at the Washington School House Hotel
Courtesy of Washington School House Hotel
You're one street up from Main Street, close enough to walk everywhere and just far enough to feel removed from the bustle. Take an afternoon to wander Main Street and its surprising wealth of galleries. If art is your thing, be warned: you may go home with more than a souvenir.
Fast Facts
Location: 543 Park Avenue, Park City, Utah, one block above Main Street
Vibe: A private mountain home with a staff that anticipates everything
Rating: 5 stars
Room Count: 12 rooms and suites
Pricing: Summer rates start around $550 per night
Our Favorite Thing: Poolside with a complimentary cocktail in hand
Dining: Breakfast and après (including all alcoholic beverages) included; private chef dinners by reservation, exclusive to guests
Amenities: Heated pool and jacuzzi, Ski Lounge, ski valet, 24-hour concierge, Olympic-torch fire pit
Nearby Attractions: Main Street galleries and boutiques, Park City Mountain's Town Lift
Airport: About 45 minutes from Salt Lake City International