Winston Aldworth checks into Zermatt Resort, Utah.
Location: We're in the town of Midway, a 50-minute drive from Salt Lake City Airport.
Our group perched up there using this resort as a base to explore the Sundance Film Festival, most of which takes place in Park City. Midway, and the Hebery Valley are on the less-crowded southern side of Park City, making this a more affordable option for film fans. The town got the name because it's literally the midway point between Park City and Sundance Resort.
The resort got its name — and aesthetic — because Swiss settlers came to the area in the 1800s. There's even a Swiss festival in the Heber Valley in August.
Check-in experience: Fast and friendly. Everyone in Utah is so damn friendly!
Room: I was in 205, which was — oddly — on the ground floor. It was a spacious standard room; there would be ample room for a travelling couple. Some of the decor is a bit dated and surfaces worn.
Price: In winter, $190-$275. During Sundance, $245-$275.
What's in the neighbourhood: A lift that takes you straight on to the Deer Valley skifield is just 10 minutes up the road, otherwise Park City is a 30-minute drive. In the summer months, this is a very popular region for golfers.
Make sure you take a drive to Sundance proper. Robert Redford's creativity hub still hosts a few screenings in the festival that bears its name, and there's a small skifield attached.
We spent a happy hour wandering around checking out the glass blowers, potters and galleries.
Relaxation: Across the road from Zermatt you'll find the Homestead Crater, a geothermal spring, tucked away inside a 16m tall, limestone rock pyramid. The water stays at a delightful 36C as bathers lie back, floating in lifevests. People practise scuba diving in there. A 40-minute, midweek soak well set you back $22. Worth every cent.
Food and drink: For breakfast each day, we worked our way through the menu options of giant omelettes at Wildfire Smokehaus. Most nights, we perched up at the hotel bar for drinks, knocking back surprisingly good Utahn IPAs.
The bed: I'll say this for American hotels and resorts — they do good bed. This was a whopper and very comfy.
The bathroom: Possibly because my room was near the front of the building, my shower had Thai-massage level water pressure. Perfect after a day of skiing.
Exercise: There's a very good gym onsite, with windows looking out on the nearby mountain ranges. An indoor-outdoor swimming pool looked like fun.
But I reckon if you're in this part of the world, you should really be getting your exercise in the great outdoors.
Wi-Fi: Free and fast.
Online: zermattresort.com
The final word: An excellent choice for an affordable side-door entry to the Sundance Film Festival or a fine roadtrip stopover.