Since 1936, the Sun Valley Lodge has been a go to property for those heading to Sun Valley Idaho to either take in summer hiking or winter for its incredible skiing. The best way to describe the lodge is a mix of elegance with old world charm. They offer cozy cottages, four-bedroom condominiums and traditional hotel rooms. Below is a shot of the front of the historical lodge during winter months.
During my stay there in early April where I had the unique opportunity to take in some spring skiing only a couple of weeks before the mountain (and the resort) was due to close for the season, I learned about its new renovation plans. The new renovation project will refurbish guest rooms as well as update the lobby, restaurant and other guest amenities. Some of the smallest rooms will be combined to create suites with fireplaces and expanded bathrooms with large showers, baths and vanity areas.
Currently the resort sleeps 1,200 with a total of 485 rooms. There are 148 in the Lodge, 105 in the Sun Valley Inn and 232 apartments, cottages and condominiums. In the renovation project, the lobby will be enhanced to provide space for more gathering and visiting while enjoying the views of the terrace, ice skating and the ski mountain. They plan to keep the character and essence of the historic building that houses the Sun Valley Lodge, still close to the style from its original designer Stanley Underwood. The place can boast a lot of history and if its walls could speak, ohhh, the stories they could tell….Countless movie stars, dignitaries and other celebrities have stayed at the Sun Valley Lodge over the decades.
Below is a shot of the lodge exterior during summer.
The exterior of the lodge will remain the same however there will be a one story addition to the pool side of the northwest wing of the Lodge. All bathrooms will be enlarged & modernized, with plumbing upgraded throughout. The style will not change, but the Lodge will feel fresher and more refined according to their management team. They say that the final “look’ will still be traditional, cozy and warm.
One of the loveliest things about the lodge in addition to its charming and homey lobby area, is the massive heated pool. Their pool is no ordinary heated pool; during the winter months, their water is heated to a soothing 100-102 degrees and cocktail service is available après ski.
There’s also an Olympic pool and a pool at the nearby Sun Valley Inn, which is attached to the hotel and open year-round. Both pools are the same size, 55 feet in diameter and 10 feet deep at the center. The pool at the Lodge offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains, all while soaking in temperatures that feel more like a hot tub than a pool.
Below are some examples of what their existing rooms look like. First, the Parlour Suite. Each Parlor Suite in the Sun Valley Lodge offers a marble bath, solid oak French furnishings and two flat screen plasma televisions.
The family suite, which brings me to the fact that this property is an ideal choice for families — even moreso when the new design and rooms are complete, as many of the room and bathroom sizes will be expanded and modernized.
Here’s an example of a four bedroom condominium, which is also ideal for family stays.
A few other rooms to get an idea of their existing decor. (A Lodge bedroom and a Lodge apartment respectfully).
So, imagine that this same old world style and historical flare doesn’t lose its charm, but that soon, the rooms will be upgraded, updated and many of them expanded in size. It’s a renovation that both locals and tourists and dying to experience including myself.
AND, how’s this for an incredible addition? The plans include the addition of an adjoining 20,000 square foot full service spa and salon. The spa will be built to harmoniously interact with the beautiful lodge pool, which btw, is a toasty temperature, and the spectacular views of Baldy Mountain. It will include 15 private treatment rooms for both individuals and couples, large locker rooms with steam and sauna facilities, relaxation lounges, a yoga studio and a large fitness facility with the most up to date aerobic and strengthening equipment. Impressive!!
Some of the spa facilities will be housed in the adjacent wing of the lodge and the spa will also be accessible from the first floor of the lodge. Construction of the spa is scheduled to begin next month, with the full lodge renovation to follow in September and both projects are anticipated to be complete by June of next year.
Below is the map of the renovation so you can get an idea of what they have in store for their guests.
What’s sweet is that the Sun Valley Village is a stone’s throw from the lodge, making it an easy walk day or night. Here, you can take in shopping, entertainment, and dining. Across from the lodge is also the renowned ice skating rink, which is a great activity for families staying at the property. Another thing to note is that they have shuttle vans which can run you into the center of Ketchum and there’s a shuttle bus pick up just a short walk from the lodge, where you can catch lifts to the mountain.
Below is a shot taken of Sun Valley’s Therese Magner and I on my last day; sad to be leaving the resort although they left me with plenty of incredible memories. We are standing in front of the lodge, so you can get an idea of how fabulous the view is as you exit the main entrance.
Note: I was hosted by the Sun Valley Lodge but all opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
Photo Credits: All supplied by Sun Valley Lodge except for the misty pool shot which was by luxuryskitrips and the third pool shot; also the shot of Therese and I taken on my Canon.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
