It's also a growing wealth enclave where celebrities such as Tan France and Post Malone have purchased estates. In January, I left my home in New York City to visit the area, also known for its high-end ski scene. I expected to find luxury hotels and homes, active ski slopes, and tech offices with startup vibes. I found all that β but there were nine surprises during my three-night trip exploring Salt Lake City, Park City, and Draper.
It wasn't my first overnight Amtrak train ride. The biggest difference between these two rides was the views. In , I had decent views of the East Coast, from towns to shorelines. But the sights between Colorado and Utah were on another level. I rode through Rocky Mountain National Park and watched the snow-capped forest landscape transition into red rocks and canyons as the train made its way to my destination.
My train trip to Miami was on an Amtrak Viewliner , a one-story train. On board, I was surprised and excited to find a communal car on the top floor designated for sightseeing since the Viewliner didn't have one. The car had two rows of windows and an array of seating options, such as booths and swivel chairs.
Most major cities I visit have an array of luxury accommodations, so when booking my trip to Salt Lake City, I was dumbfounded when I found only a couple of five-star hotels. I selected the Grand America Hotel β the city's first five-star hotel built in to serve the Olympics.
Since its opening, the hotel has been known for hosting A-listers. While hotel representatives declined to reveal any celebrity guest names, one told BI that Grand America had hosted visiting NBA teams.
