Serenity Spa at Westgate Park City Resort and Spa is a Hidden Gem in Park City's "Canyons"
Serenity Spa at Westgate Park City Resort & Spa is a full-service mountain retreat day spa. Photo by Elyse Glickman
Things have not so much changed in the Rocky Mountains as they have shifted. In terms of geology, the landscape is physically migrating and ecologically shifting. Park City’s identity as destination, meanwhile, has already been shaped by the Sundance Film Festival’s watershed move to Boulder, Colorado.
With the Winter Olympics returning in 2034, Park City is returning to its ski and sports roots while doubling down on luxury tourism with several five-star properties debuting or under construction in posh Deer Valley.
Down in the more centrally-located Canyons Resort area, closer to the city center and the much talked-about Utah Olympic Park (blending winter sports-related thrill activities and museum dedicated to the 2002 games and overarching modern Olympics history), other five-story properties like Pendry Park City have or will debut in the years leading up to the 2034 games.
The Westgate Park City Resort, described by its management as, “a middle ground between luxury and practicality,” is divided up between family-friendly hotel lodging, time share units, and more upscale second home real estate with spa-inspired bathrooms.
The spa’s expansive retail area carries a variety of wellness brands. Photo by Elyse Glickman
Within the sturdy lodge-inspired complex, however, there are two places that, without question, belong in the luxury category even though they are open to the public. The first is the Park City outpost of Edge Steakhouse, receiving top honors in regional and national media as one of Utah’s top steakhouses and for having one of the American West’s best wine lists.
The other is the Serenity Spa by Westgate, which takes some effort to find for those staying at the property, but is easily accessed along one of the shopping lanes flanking the back of the hotel. The overall wellness area open to guests staying at the resort is spread out across the fourth floor of the Elk Lodge building, with its adults-only serenity pool and fitness room undergoing improvements at press time.
The adults-only serenity pool offers guests a place to relax in-between treatments. Photo by Elyse Glickman
Once I walked past the entry inside the Elk Lodge hallway and into the reception area, I completely understood why Serenity Spa by Westgate earned “Best Destination Spa” honors from Park City and regional media every year since 2017.
Rather than lean into ornate European influences, Asian mythology, or branding associated with certain five-star hotels, the décor is pure Park City mountain lodge with its woodsy appointments, amber lighting and accents, forest-scented toiletries, and a selection of hand-crafted granola and artisanal teas in the lounges.
There are 14 treatment rooms, along with salon services beyond the extensive selection of massages, facials, and body treatments.
The spa’s relaxation lounge includes high-quality faux fur blankets .Photo by Elyse Glickman
The heated yoga room and the main spa are further elevated through attention to details, amenities sourced from local vendors, and an easygoing demeanor exhibited by staff and management. Information about spa treatments and amenities are relayed by the team in a straight-forward way.
The reception and retail area expand into an intimate circuit featuring a surprisingly roomy dry cedar sauna, eucalyptus steam room, a hydrotherapy whirlpool jacuzzi, and showers that build on the overall property’s traditional ski lodge feel with a modern, minimalist hand.
Special touches such as high-quality faux fur blankets and the aforementioned snacks elevate the pre-/post- treatment lounges (one co-ed and the other women-only). Based on my schedule, I began my Serenity experience allocating 10 to 15 minutes in each sauna, the hot tub, and the relaxation lounge before breaking for a pre-planned lunch.
The spa has spacious and fully stocked showers. Photo by Elyse Glickman
I returned through the public door and down an elevator into the spa reception an hour later to prepare for my 90-minute Chakra Healing Ritual, an amalgam of some of the spa’s most popular treatments and add-ons as well as a touch of the studio’s Sound Healing Yoga class.
As the full schedule of yoga classes (led by some of Park City’s best instructors from studios around town, according to management) is only available during prime ski season, and the few on the summer schedule are offered in late afternoon, going the chakra route was an intentional choice for me with my interest in having as full of a wellness experience as possible.
A double treatment room at the spa includes its own private shower. Photo by Elyse Glickman
The comprehensive session began with light massage on the most stressed areas of my back and shoulders, followed by the lining up of crystal stones on my back corresponding with the different chakras. Each stone placement was followed by the practitioner putting a corresponding medical grade essential oil under my nose, encouraging me to take a breath, and adding a drop or two to a strategic area on my body.
She provided a short explanation of the benefits each oil provides, but then allows the sounds of Tibetan singing bowls to do the rest. A warm blanket was put over my back, which relaxed the spine and the mind before the process of deep breathing, massage, crystal placements and bowls was repeated on my front side.
The hydrating foot wrap was followed by more light massages on my arms and legs. The warm Coconut Milk Scalp & Hair Hydration was the final stage, with the practitioner gently massaging my scalp. She assured me the hair treatment had no oil to weigh down my fine hair, which helped me relax a little more.
Following the massage, I returned to the women’s lounge for another cup of tea and more homemade granola smelling like a garden, feeling relaxed, and finding this retreat a place where one can legitimately be pampered like a local.
The heated whirlpool includes a soothing waterfall feature. Photo by Elyse Glickman
Tips for experiencing Serenity Spa by Westgate for the first time:
Be sure to study the spa’s complete menu and make reservations for your massage, body treatments, and facials of choice in advance, especially if you plan to visit during ski season.
The Chakra Healing Ritual is not a hot stone massage, but the spa does offer their take on a classic hot stone massage, as well as other compelling packages.
While Serenity Spa’s saunas and jacuzzi are only accessible to those purchasing spa treatments and packages, registered resort guests have access to amenities included in the resort fee such as separate dry saunas, steam rooms, and its main indoor/outdoor pool (the largest of its kind in Utah) with hot tubs.
Resort guests have access to the fitness center and yoga studio, though specialized or private classes might incur a fee between $15 to $25 depending on the type of yoga and length of session.
The menu of specialized yoga classes include Gentle Flow Yoga, Hot Power Yoga, Mobility Flow Yoga, Sound Healing Yoga, Vinyasa Flow Yoga, Warm Flow Yoga, and Sound Healing Yoga.
For more information about Serenity Spa at Westgate Park City Resort, visit their website. Follow on Instagram: @westgateparkcity
Westgate Park City Resort is located at 3000 Canyons Resort Drive Park City, UT 84098. (435) 655-2240
[Photos by Elyse Glickman]
Elyse Glickman is a Los Angeles-based freelance travel journalist for consumer and trade magazines, websites, social media, and marketing/public relations projects.
She has visited 70 countries on assignment in Asia, Europe, South America, North America, Australasia, and the Middle East.
You can see her complete portfolio at ElyseGlickman.com.