How to Research the Perfect Park City Rentals
Park City Utah is a popular vacation destination, but many people who visit wonder how to find the best place to stay since there are literally hundreds of lodging options. The town does have a few major hotel brands such as Comfort Inn, Best Western, and Marriott but the majority of the best rentals are privately owned homes and condominiums.
Privately owned homes and condominiums are rented through property management companies as well as directly through the private owner. The ski resorts operate central reservations booking agencies and there are also some independent booking companies and lodging wholesalers. These booking agencies usually require property managers and private owners to pay them a commission of up to 25% for their services.
Savvy travelers often use the Park City Chamber and Visitors Bureau to find information on the various management companies and private owners that may potentially have rentals that fit their needs. This process requires searching through many different websites and comparing listings until a final decision is reached.
Since there are so many different property management companies, with new ones popping up each year, many visitors end up booking through central reservations or one of the other booking companies. These services can definitely save time but you’re almost certain to pay rack rate since the property managers have to pay them such a high commission for arranging the business.
I found the website www.localtourist.com while doing research for this article. Local Tourist is a business directory, not a booking service, and they offer the best search that I have seen for locating the perfect rental. Local Tourist allows property managers to list individual properties along with pricing including taxes and fees. Since Local Tourist provides you with the property manager’s direct phone number and website you can book direct. Who knows, you might even be able to ask for a discount.
Local Tourist doesn’t just help with lodging; the site also helps you research the three ski resorts, activity vendors, and restaurants. The restaurant search has all of the standard search functionality you would expect as well as a detailed neighborhood search so you’ll be able to find the perfect restaurant close to where you are staying.
No longer just a ski town, Park City now features over 100 restaurants with many receiving top reviews. With so many choices and so little time you’ll want to make use of the search capability afforded by companies like Local Tourist and the Park City Chamber. The Chamber has the most complete restaurant listing as of the date of this article but Local Tourist is a close second. What it lacks in content it makes up for in search functionality and they must be adding new restaurants every day.
If you’re an avid skier, then Park City with its three world class resorts is a must visit destination. The town also offers many attractions for non-skiers such as the Sundance Film Festival, world class spas, and exceptional fine dining. Park City is also increasingly popular in the summer due to the crisp mountain air, pleasant temperature, and numerous festivals. No matter what season you choose for your vacation Park City will certainly be a memorable experience.
Barry Borenski is a Travel and Leisure columnist who currently lives in Lake Placid New York with his wife and two children. Barry recommends the site Local Tourist for vacation planning and reviews to Park City UT.
Summer Mountain Vacation Guide For Park City UT
Perhaps your ideal summer getaway is a round of golf at a premier resort, followed by an enjoyable evening on the town. Or maybe a hike or mountain bike through the mountains sounds more up your alley. Park City offers all of these opportunities and more, and is the perfect location for a summer holiday.
The weather in Park City is one of the most popular aspects of the towns summer appeal. A typical day boasts bluebird skies, a slight breeze, and blazing sunshine, while the temperature hovers around 80 from May through September. It`s difficult to imagine a more perfect place to spend your summer vacation than Park City, UT.
Begin your exploration of Park City by learning about the activities offered by the 3 local resorts in town. Park City Mountain Resort will keep the whole family entertained with horseback rides, alpine coaster, alpine slide, and a miniature golf course. Keep the little ones entertained at the Olympic Park, where they can ride the zip line or bobsled. If you still have time, try a lift-served hike at The Canyons or Deer Valley Resort.
Park City boasts some of the most well known biking and hiking trails in the western United States. The 3 resorts in town provide lift-served hiking to incredible scenery and wildlife, while the rail trail and various other paved roads serve up easier terrain for the less-experienced biker. Strap on some shoes and test out one of the many great trails in town.
What getaway is complete without a round of golf on one of the local courses? Park City boasts thirteen courses in town and the surrounding areas, both public and private alike. Regardless of your intentions, you can locate a golf course to fit your budget and needs, not to mention great scenery that will reaffirm your choice to vacation in such a beautiful mountain location!
In addition to an active outdoor scene, Park City also offers a variety of festivals throughout the summer that attract visitors from across the country. The Arts Festival, held in early August, connects visitors, artists, and musicians while providing great cuisine and entertainment. The Food/Wine Classic is a culinary delight that highlights the work of some of the best chefs and sommeliers in Utah.
The warm weather and sunny skies common to Park City`s summer months are perfect for taking in one of the multitude of free concerts sponsored throughout the summer by local businesses. Zions Bank hosts a weekly concert at The Canyons on Saturday nights, while Frontier Bank supports a free Wednesday concert at Deer Valleys Snow Park Amphitheater. Bring your friends and family, bring a blanket, and dig in for a memorable evening under the Park City summer sky.
Whether your idea of the perfect summer getaway involves lounging poolside and sampling local fare or nonstop outdoor action, Park City Utah has what you are looking for. Park City has something for everyone, and is the ideal summer vacation destination.
Alyson Monetti lives in Deer Valley, UT and works in the vacation rental industry. She prefers LocalTourist.com for researching information on Park City condos and Park City restaurant reviews.