The 1936 Sun Valley Lodge is the place to stay in Sun Valley. From the moment
the pleasant bellman open the grand doors and assist with your heavy ski
equipment – you know you have arrived. The Lodge is elegant and encased in movie
star and
Olympic memorabilia. When Averell Harriman designed the Lodge in 1936
and the Sun Valley Inn in 1937, he wanted a luxury enclosed pool, nightly
orchestras and fine dining – all of which remains today. Of course, now there is
a full service Sun Valley Spa too.
From the beautiful lobby, you can enter the music filled après ski lounge or
dine at Gretchen’s Restaurant named for Gretchen Frasier – our first Gold
Medalist in skiing. The concept of the ski week originated at Sun Valley Lodge
and the Inn as skiers and celebs came by train. A week is still necessary to
enjoy all the amenities at the Lodge from spa treatments to ice skating, to
bowling, relaxing in the enormous outdoor 102-degree hot tub, and viewing the
ice sculptures and the real live swans in the pond out front. Today, there is
valet service, or a Lexus shuttle that will take you to town for shopping and to
the nearby slopes for Bald Mountain and Dollar.
Skaters on the outdoor rink conjure Sonja Henning’s scene from the famous flick,
Sun Valley Serenade. By the way, you can watch Sun Valley Serenade in your guest
suite – it is on continuous loop – trust me – I watched it numerous times. It’s
a classic, and a Sun Valley must in my opinion.
The Sun Valley village is steps
away, dotted with sophisticated ski boutiques like Brass Ranch and Kitzbuhel
Collection where you can shop for Prada, Bogner and Betsy Johnson. Sun Valley
has several eateries from casual Bald Mountain Pizza to the oldest authentic
restaurant -The Ram.
For a special evening, take a horse drawn sleigh ride from
the Sun Valley Inn to the
1939 Trail Creek Cabin for dinner. The ride through
the snowy woods is romantic and the meal in the rustic cabin is warm and cozy –
a Sun Valley treat.
Downtown Ketchum has more diverse dining from western saloons like Pioneer and
Roosevelt to Sushi and Starbucks, plus ski shops and glamorous boutiques to
satisfy the most well-heeled.
Returning to the four diamond Sun Valley
Lodge at night, there is a band playing in the Lounge, and turn down service
has placed chocolates on your pillow in your guest suite. Rest well, for
tomorrow another Sun Valley day awaits.
Olympic memorabilia. When Averell Harriman designed the Lodge in 1936
and the Sun Valley Inn in 1937, he wanted a luxury enclosed pool, nightly
orchestras and fine dining – all of which remains today. Of course, now there is
a full service Sun Valley Spa too. 
Skaters on the outdoor rink conjure Sonja Henning’s scene from the famous flick,
Sun Valley Serenade. By the way, you can watch Sun Valley Serenade in your guest
suite – it is on continuous loop – trust me – I watched it numerous times. It’s
a classic, and a Sun Valley must in my opinion. 
1939 Trail Creek Cabin for dinner. The ride through
the snowy woods is romantic and the meal in the rustic cabin is warm and cozy –
a Sun Valley treat.