Accommodations advice for Sun valley-never have been there

Due to a recent death in the family, I am thinking of surprising my wife with a last minute trip to Sun Valley. I have always heard great things about the area but have never been there. We would be flying from Seattle directly into Sun Valley on Sunday, Feb 15th and leaving the 18th. We would like to stay within walking distance of where most of the action is (restaurants, bars, etc.) as well as convenience to the ski lifts. First of all, what town should I be looking at, Ketchum, Sun Valley, etc??? Also, does anybody have any last minute accommodations advice, which properties (hotels, condo complexes)I should be looking at, which websites to look at? Don%26#39;t necessarily want to pay much more than $200/night if that is even possible due to it being over the Presidents Day Weekend. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Accommodations advice for Sun valley-never have been there

Skiing is great and the town is a blast. Ketchum is only 2 miles from SV but it is closer to the mountain. If you want western flavor and walk to every place their are 2 nice hotels on main street in Ketchum. I like both of them and it should be less than $125 per nite. When in Ketchum eat at the PIO. Sun Valley is cool, if you stay their stay at the SV Lodge... classic and may see movie stars. It will be more expensive, you will have to decide if it is worth. The ski mountain (Baldy) has been great this month...have fun

Accommodations advice for Sun valley-never have been there

Thanks for the advice.. What are the names of the two main hotels in Ketchum? Also, if we stayed in Ketchum, is there a shuttle to the lifts?

There are many shuttles everywhere, and they run until late at night. The hotel on main street, which i think is a bit noisy, is the Kentwood. The other, that the NEW poster from SV is talking about is the Clarion, i believe. Wouldn%26#39;t stay there for a suprise for the wife. I would definitely look at the sv lodge. the ambience and character is the best. They also give you lift tickets in the room price. The charm just can%26#39;t be beat, and the history. You can either walk the 1 mile to town, or ride the bus.

The pio is over rated in my opinion, for good food there are so many other options. If you are interested in any kind of food, just let us know. The sunday brunch at the lodge is something to write home about. there are hot springs just 8 miles from the lifts, snowshoeing right outside your door, endless things to do..

OK%26lt; i would go to the pio for a drink, but dinner, no.we have an abundance of fabulous places to eat.

The lodge is offering a Valentine%26#39;s Day Special, as are several other places in town, so you should be able to find reasonable lodging. Check out www.visitsunvalley.com/webspecials or www.sunvalley.com

For dinner, try the Roosevelt Grille, the Sawtooth Club, or Il Naso.

Enjoy your weeked!

I second the Sun Valley Lodge -- no place like it! If the weather%26#39;s good, you might consider a sleighride. I went on the sleighride out to Trail Creek Cabin for dinner last year -- maybe not the highest class food in town, but oh, the ambience!

Pug

I really appreciate all of your advice. My only concern re: the Lodge would be that we really wanted to be in town near restaurants, bars, coffeshops, etc. Am I wrong assuming that the Lodge is geared more towards families w/kids? Also, are there any nice lounges, bars, restaurants in the Sun valley resort complex? Does anybody know if there are shuttles into town from the resort and do they run late? The prices I have found are as follows: Sun Valley Lodge Standard Room for $209, Sun Valley studio condo for $189 and Best Western Kentwood for about $166/night. The Sun Valley Inn rooms are running at a minimum of $260 or so/night. My wife and I love nice resorts, but we also really like to get a feel for the area where we are staying, and it seems like most of the recommended local restaurants are in the town of Ketchum, not at the resort. Any other insight would be appreciated. Also, the sleigh ride and dinner would be fabulous. My wife would love that. Do they do that from the Sun Valley Lodge or is that somewhere else? Thanks again for all of your help!!

mscoug, it%26#39;s best to make your reservation for the sleighride before your trip if possible. It starts from the Sun Valley Inn (at least, it did last year). This link has the number to call: www.sunvalley.com/SunValley/info/act.sr.aspx

The feel of the Sun Valley Lodge is Old World elegant, not specifically geared to kids or young families.

I%26#39;ve stayed at the Best Western Kentwood and it%26#39;s a nice place, more of a rustic feel (log furniture, Western decor.) The room I was in had a wet bar, little fridge and microwave, and a gas fireplace.

Hope you and your wife have a great trip.

Pug

The Kentwood is in a good location-right downtown and central to walking around town-close to restaurants and bars. It%26#39;s a Best Western and a nice hotel. When you call for reservations, ask them what the best deal they can give you is. I think right now everyone is willing to give a deal.

For restaurants, the sleigh ride to Trail Creek Cabin is wonderful. Vintage is quite romantic (cute little cabin in the woods), Il Naso is a great upscale Italian restaurant. The Sawtooth Club and Roosevelt Grille are right downtown and both have great bars and dining rooms. For really casual, try Grumpy%26#39;s or Lefty%26#39;s Bars, Johnny G%26#39;s for sandwiches, and Java for coffee (get the Bowl of Soul!.

Have a fun weekend!

mscoug,

i will PM you about the resturants...hopefully, you enjoyed your stay.LEt us know where you ended up.