Park City • Wasatch Front residents who have ever wondered how the other half lives need to drive no farther than this thriving resort town.

While the Stein Eriksen Lodge has set the bar for luxury hotels in Utah since 1982, four other world-class properties have opened in the Park City area in the past few years. The Waldorf Astoria near The Canyons, Deer Valley's St. Regis and Montage, and The Sky Lodge in the heart of historic Park City rank among the world's classiest properties.

Depending on the time of year — and ski season is not that time — it is possible to experience one of these resorts at per-night prices of between $129 and $300. During the ski season, though, prices at some of these rooms start at $500 and $600 and can easily reach several thousand dollars.

That said, all of the resorts offer seasonal specials for those who are flexible and like to shop for packages that might include skiing, dinner and a spa treatment.

Couples such as Jim and Cheryl Fillman, of Midvale, who stayed at Stein Eriksen and the Waldorf Astoria in early November to celebrate their anniversary, say they come to these properties for "a chance to be spoiled."

They can summon a driver to take them to a restaurant, enjoy a spa treatment, dine at a world-class restaurant, relax in a pool or hot tub, do some shopping or simply take in the mountain ambience.

While ski season brings guests from all over the world, the time between April and November reverts to largely local traffic, with the hotels offering good deals to entice folks to make the short drive from the Wasatch Front to Park City.

The Waldorf Astoria, St. Regis and Montage rank among three of the world's most exclusive chains, and the Stein Eriksen is the one-of-a-kind resort imagined by its namesake. The Sky Lodge is a unique, smaller property with its own personality located in the heart of town.

While each establishment might offer similar amenities, they possess their own personality and unique features.

The Waldorf Astoria, for example, features a 300-year-old Italian mantle as part of its lobby fireplace, hand-carved wood stags that are over 100 years old, year-round dogsledding and a 5,000-square-foot presidential suite, complete with a commercial-grade exhibition kitchen, marble master bath, six bedrooms and eight fireplaces.

At The Sky Lodge, visitors can enjoy a cigar bar, outdoor hot tubs, huge bathtubs filled with waterfall faucets from the ceiling. Even a three-bedroom suite with a grand piano that has been played by Elton John is available for rent.

The St. Regis features the only funicular at a North American ski lodge. After having a valet park their car, visitors ride 230 feet from the Deer Valley base in a Swiss-crafted funicular.

The resort's wine collection features 8,000 bottles from more than 1,000 different labels. Beverage manager Tony Landegent showed off a $7,500 bottle of 1949 vintage wine. There are over 200 pieces of custom art on the property.

At the Montage, a dog mascot greets visitors. From there, guests can purchase custom dandelion honey from the Buzz coffee shop, use four bowling lanes or play Wii or classic video games such as Ms. Pac Man and Donkey Kong at Daly's Lounge. Pets are welcome.

Suites at Stein Eriksen Lodge feature private hot tubs on the deck. Visitors can enjoy pre- or post-ski stretching, yoga classes or in-room wood fireplaces. Guests can use spa facilities such as cold and hot pools, sauna and steam rooms without paying for a spa treatment.

The emphasis is on guest service. From the second you drive up, you are pampered. One valet prepares to park your car while another grabs your luggage, which you won't see until you reach your room. Most of the properties offer those checking in bottled water or even an apple. Many of those helping you immediately learn your name. Most of the properties offer driving services, where visitors are taken to a favorite Park City restaurant or shopping at the factory outlet stores.

"Everyone knows the property and its history and heritage," said Barbara Schmaelzle, director of sales and marketing for the Waldorf Astoria. "The heart of the operation is our employees, who are called team members."

For skiers, the emphasis is on convenience. The Montage's Dan Howard, for example, said skiers hardly even have to touch their own skis and boots. Valets store gear in lockers. Skiers then head down to Compass Sports, where they are helped into heated boots and then find their skis waiting for them on a lift-served slope.

"You can ski in and ski out and not have to touch your skis," said Stein Eriksen's Sarah Myers.

The properties are also surprisingly family friendly. Most offer kids and their parents fireplaces and supplies for s'mores. Kids at the Montage receive a special stuffed animal upon arrival and can enjoy arts and crafts in the Paintbox day-care area.

Outdoor pools are open year-round, most heated to above 80 degrees, and many surrounded by outdoor gas fire pits.

Dining at each of the establishments is a treat. Some of the resorts feature "show kitchens" where it possible to watch a chef such as Scott Boberek at Easy Street adjacent to The Sky Lodge cook your meal or chat with him as he makes rounds to make certain his creations are prepared just right.

At the St. Regis J&G Grill, try the tasting menu where the chef comes up with a six-course dinner of fresh, mostly locally procured foods. Leigh von der Esch, who heads Utah's Division of Travel, recently credited Park City's luxury resorts as one of the reasons tourist spending was up in 2010.

Visitors who want to be spoiled, if only for a night or two, can have a chance to experience properties visited by jet setters who come to Park City from all over the world.

wharton@sltrib.comTwitter: @tribtomwharton Park City's Fabulous Five

Montage: Located in Empire Canyon near the top of Deer Valley Resort, this hotel features 154 rooms and 66 suites and private residences. For information, www.montagedeervalley.com.

Waldorf Astoria: Located in The Canyons Ski Area at 2100 W. Frostwood Blvd., this property offers 175 rooms. For information, www.parkcitywaldorfastoria.com.

St. Regis Deer Valley: Located at the Snow Park Lodge at Deer Valley's base and reached by riding a funicular, this property offers 181 rooms to the public. For information, www.stregisdeervalley.com.

Stein Eriksen Lodge: The oldest of Park City's luxury properties, this lodge is located at Silver Lake Village, mid-mountain, at Deer Valley, and offers 180 rooms, including 68 one bedroom suites. For information, www.steinlodge.com.

The Sky Lodge: Located at 201 Heber Ave. in the heart of historic Park City, this boutique hotel offers 33 suites. For information, log on to www.theskylodge.com. —

Commonalities

The five luxury properties in Park City have some things in common.

Spas

Excellent dining and bar choices

Year-round pools and hot tubs

Valet service

Ski lift access

Rooms featuring fireplaces, elegant toiletries and luxurious bathrooms.

Some have private hot tubs. Many have decks with views of the mountain.

Suites have full kitchens featuring marble countertops.