Hilton is expanding at Utah’s Deer Valley Resort near Park City, signing a contract with Extell Development for a luxury Waldorf Astoria hotel and residential property at the ski destination.
Waldorf Astoria Deer Valley Resort and Residences will span 132 hotel rooms and 105 one- to six-bedroom branded residences available for purchase across two towers. The new resort will also offer luxury amenities, including ski-in, ski-out access; a 15,000-square-foot spa with a snow room; an outdoor pool and hot tub; multiple dining concepts; and 11,300 square feet of meetings and events space.
The Waldorf Astoria joins a Canopy by Hilton lifestyle hotel already underway at Extell’s Deer Valley East Village project, which is expanding the Deer Valley ski resort by more than 3,700 acres of skiable terrain and adding 250,000 square feet of retail and commercial space as well.
Over the last year, several hotel companies have flocked to the revitalized Deer Valley to capitalize on the ski market’s rising popularity. As Hilton brings its second brand to the destination, Kara Randall, Hilton’s vice president of North America luxury and mixed-use development, shared with Hotel Dive how this move aligns with the company’s 2026 growth strategy.
A highly sought-after destination
Deer Valley East Village will be North America’s newest luxury alpine village to be developed since 1981, according to Extell. Amid its enhancements, the resort “has emerged as one of the country’s most sought‑after luxury and lifestyle mountain destinations,” Randall said.
The destination’s “year‑round outdoor recreation and strong demand for premium hospitality” makes it “a natural fit for both Waldorf Astoria and Canopy by Hilton,” she added. “This market provides a chance to deliver an exceptional retreat for discerning travelers and outdoor enthusiasts, fully aligned with what luxury guests are seeking today.”
Travelers are increasingly seeking moments of calm and reflection, Randall explained, and Deer Valley’s “mountainside escape is the perfect setting to unplug.”
Additionally, as Hilton continues to see momentum for multigenerational travel, Deer Valley “offers the ideal environment to create intentional, meaningful itineraries that connect all ages year‑round,” Randall said.
The luxury segment is poised for significant growth in 2026 amid a widening wealth bifurcation in the hospitality industry, experts shared with Hotel Dive earlier this year. Executives also said outdoors-focused hospitality could hold strong growth opportunities.
Among competitors such as Marriott International, Hilton has focused on expanding in top outdoor destinations through a strategic partnership with AutoCamp as well as the launch of Outset Collection in October. And the company’s growth in Deer Valley is no exception.
“With ski‑in/ski‑out access, year‑round recreation, and design that embraces the natural environment, Waldorf Astoria Deer Valley exemplifies our strategy to expand into adventure‑forward, immersive locales,” Randall said.
A growing hotel ecosystem
Hilton’s Waldorf Astoria and Canopy properties will “deliver two distinct yet complementary ski experiences within Deer Valley East Village,” Randall said. The 180-key Canopy will offer an “elevated, boutique lifestyle stay” with more than 9,600 square feet of food and beverage space across multiple concepts, while Waldorf Astoria “introduces a new benchmark of luxury alpine hospitality.”
It was important for Hilton to bring a branded residential concept to Deer Valley, specifically, to meet a growing demand in the market from buyers who “want long‑term luxury living paired with seamless access to service, amenities and recreation,” Randall said.
Four Seasons is also underway on a luxury hotel and residential project at Deer Valley East Village. Meanwhile, the 436-key Grand Hyatt Deer Valley Resort opened in 2024.
Waldorf Astoria Deer Valley Resort and Residences is expected to debut in 2028. Beyond Deer Valley, Waldorf Astoria will see upcoming openings in Miami and Texas Hill Country, Randall shared. Additionally, the brand is planning for its first stand-alone Waldorf Astoria residences to open in the U.S., in Pompano Beach, Florida, which is just north of Fort Lauderdale.
