This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Much to the delight of state tourism officials, four Utah resorts and hotels have been ranked among the best in the United States and Canada by Travel + Leisure magazine.
The highest reader accolades went to Deer Valley's Stein Eriksen Lodge, which was rated the second-best resort property in the two countries in the magazine's 16th annual reader survey by the magazine, according to the August issue of the magazine.
Two other Utah lodging establishments joined Stein Eriksen in the rankings.
The St. Regis at Deer Valley came in 10th, while Sundance Resort off of Provo Canyon tied for 18th. In a global ranking of resorts, the magazine put Stein Eriksen in 28th place, St. Regis 71st and Sundance 99th.
Travel + Leisure's survey also ranked Salt Lake City's Grand America Hotel as the 32nd best large hotel (100 or more rooms) in a U.S. or Canadian city.
Leigh von der Esch, managing director of the Utah Office of Tourism, said the state will benefit from receiving such attention in a publication as well-respected as Travel + Leisure.
"It's a premier destination magazine," she said, "with as much credibility among the luxury travel group as any publication."
Tourism industry officials have long known that Utah's scenic beauty is its strongest selling point. But to take full advantage of it, von der Esch said, the state's "Life Elevated" campaign has striven to emphasize that luxurious accommodations, fine dining and high culture can be found here, too.
"Beauty and a five-star ranking are a wonderful combination," she said. "For Travel + Leisure to say they both exist in Utah pushes the campaign even more."
mikeg@sltrib.comTwitter: @sltribmikeg