Washington School House

More Information

The NEW Washington School House. An exclusive Park City boutique hotel where you can expect… well, the unexpected. Built as a school in 1889, Washington School House has just graduated to a new level of luxury with the completion of its stunning renovation. Original quarried limestone exterior. Twelve spectacular rooms/suites. Historic living space with 16ft ceilings. Roaring fire. Chic ski lounge. Heated pool terraced in the hillside. Wine, aspen trees, stars. You get the picture. School is out but the hotel team is in… providing unprecedented service for an unequaled experience. The new Washington School House. Where old school is the new cool.

Experience

Prepare to be surprised and delighted. The historic building itself is an indulgent retreat. Our carefully curated collections are inspiring. Be overwhelmed in the living room by the 10ft tall antique mirror from an opera house in the south of France and the VERY large antler chandelier – lacquered in white and layered with crystals. And we haven’t even mentioned the views. Or the location – walk out to the town lift, ski in (well, within a few hundred yards). Immerse yourself in Park City history – and our pool, cut into the hillside amid aspens and blue spruce. Enjoy original culinary dishes from our private chef. Luxuriate in your room, piled in white Pratesi linens, down feather bed and pillows. Have a drink in our chic ski lounge. Fireside. Let us wait on you. Don’t get up. Really. We got this.

Accommodations

Built in 1889 with locally quarried limestone, the Washington School House has been a Park City icon for well over a century. The recent renovation to restore its historical authenticity while re-imagining the stunning interior was a brilliant feat of design savvy. The result? Nothing short of genius. The design team crafted twelve suites and rooms within the original structure, creating space that is truly breathtaking. The team’s vigilant attention to finish detail coupled with the pursuit of all things excellent is a welcome relief. The concept is simple, really. Total luxury. Good taste. A judicious use of color. Exquisite fabrics, fine artwork and a carefully curated collection of antiques. Don’t let the sighs of superb satisfaction and quiet exclamations of “Oh, thank goodness” surprise you. It’s just that perfect.

History

OK. Everyone is asking. How did we pick the name? We'd like to think that we are extraordinarily clever, but we can't take the credit for this one. Built as one of the three original schools in Park City, Utah, the school was named for George Washington. Yes, of the cherry tree fame. Though close to going up in flames in Park City’s Great Fire of 1898, the hammered limestone façade of the school house survived. So did the name. After the stock market crash of 1929, enrollment declined and the school house was sold in 1936 to the Veterans of Foreign Wars. It was used for dances and social events until the 50s (hmm... we like where they were going with this). In 1984 the building was purchased and renovated into a bed and breakfast, The Washington School Inn, which served its visitors and community well until a new idea for the iconic landmark took hold. Nearing completion of a total interior renovation (think gutted to the studs), this fabulously preserved 1889 limestone gem will reopen in December 2011. In 1889, the editor of the local paper, The Park Record, wrote that the school building was “one of the finest in the territory.” He was delighted that, “elegant furniture is being installed.” Washington School House, he said, “will lack for nothing.” We are happy to report that well over a century later, this property is one of the finest in the territory. And elegant furniture is being installed. Oh, and of course, it will lack for nothing.

Location

Located in Historic Park City, steps from Main Street’s best bars, restaurants, galleries and boutiques.