HotelChatter

Check-In and Service
First, check in. We'd been flying west all day, then grabbed a 75-minute shuttle from Salt Lake. Admittedly, we weren't in the best mood. But the front desk staff acted like they were doing us the favor by checking us in with sighs and a less-than-pleasant reception. Later that night, we asked for a local bus map at the concierge stand. We got our map, but no explanation of how to read it nor offer to help us with transportation.

The next day, we reported to the front desk that our morning copy of USA Today didn't arrive. After an admirable "You just have to let us know what's wrong so we can fix the problem," we expected our paper the next morning. It didn't show up, though we saw them in front of other rooms. A couple service miscues are no big deal; the Yarrow seems to embrace them.

Room Reaction
Is this it? The in-room materials looked a little dated, the bathroom had nothing going for it and the TV wasn't the newest model off the shelf five years ago. Still, the beds looked inviting and a big window onto the hotel courtyard provided some good light. A small table in one corner was big enough for our laptop, some notes and a coffee, which is about all we need.

The in-room fridge is a nice touch, allowing you to stock up on breakfast and lunch goodies from the grocery store next door. We don't use in-room coffee pots anymore, but there is one for you brave people. An in-room safe is also available.

The Bathroom
Again, is this it? Amenities were no-name shampoo, body wash, bar soap and lotion. There was an extra roll of TP, which was the height of luxury in this WC.

Internet Access
Only wired access was available in our room, though the hotel let us borrow an ethernet cable for a $25 deposit. (It was promptly refunded when we returned the cord.) In the lobby, the wireless access is next-to-effortless.

Bar and Restaurant Scene
Scene? Not exactly. But the bartenders in the lounge were very accommodating. Drinks were pretty cheap and there were a couple TVs, which lonely road warriors should appreciate.

The restaurant looked like a Cracker Barrel, so we didn't try it out. There are undoubtedly better spots to eat in Park City. (We liked El Chubasco.)

Bottom Line
The Yarrow is a utilitarian hotel built to handle snowboarders and skiers who care about one thing: proximity to the slopes. And for that, it serves its purpose, with durable materials, baseline service and decent prices. But if you want something with a bit of personality--and better service--keep looking.

Tags: Hotel Video Tours / Park City Hotels / Sundance Hotels

by pbb