Montana’s Big Sky resort has long been known as a world-class ski destination. But it’s also been known for its lack of upscale accommodations. 

That’s changed. 

The Montage Big Sky hotel opened in late 2021 as the mountain’s first five-star property, the same year the four-star Summit at Big Sky underwent a massive renovation.

And this winter, One&Only will open its first U.S. property, at Big Sky’s Moonlight Basin. And during a March visit during the spring break season, I was able to check out both the Montage and the Summit at Big Sky.

Montage: New levels of luxe at Big Sky

The $400 million, ski-in/ski-out Montage brought a new level of luxe to Big Sky. The 150-room property has its own chairlift onto the slopes, a snow-tubing run, indoor and outdoor pools, several dining venues and bars and an 11,000-square-foot Spa Montage.

I found the Montage buzzing at night while offering a variety of ways to spend winter days.

Alpenglow, the resort’s primary bar, with floor-to-ceiling windows, gas fireplaces and named for the hue of Big Sky sunsets, hosts live music and draws a crowd of hotels guests and those vacationing nearby. A winter homeowner who came with her two dogs to meet friends said this type of lively and stylish space had been lacking in the area.

Dining at the Montage

The Montage’s onsite restaurants were both packed. The spacious Italian eatery Cortina was busy with groups big and small, its open kitchen showcasing a variety of homemade pastas and open-hearth wood-fire oven. Cortina blends a rustic Italian menu with Western, mountain offerings like venison and dry-aged steak.

Families and groups of friends were especially drawn to Beartooth Pub & Rec, a restaurant with a game room and two-lane bowling alley. Despite having a waitlist most nights, the space almost goes unnoticed to casual visitors, in its tucked away location on the property’s lower level. It’s essential to make a reservation, both for a table and a lane. A jumbo soft pretzel and pizza are among the casual menu offerings, as are eight Montana beers on tap.

Ski rentals and spa time

The Montage has an onsite location of Compass Sports that offers ski and snowboard gear rentals. Its doors lead right to the short path to the Big Sky lift. I found the Montage the ideal spot to take a day off from skiing to enjoy a massage and take advantage of the steam room, indoor pool and hot tub at the Spa Montage. 

A stay at the Summit

The Summit hotel is situated in Big Sky’s Mountain Village, the main base area with four hotels and a variety of restaurants, bars and shops.

Room options at the Summit range from doubles to five-bedroom penthouses and various suites with full kitchens. 
Our one-bedroom suite had a gas fireplace and views of the Big Sky slopes from both the bedroom and living room, which had a very comfortable (and easy to pull down) Murphy bed.

With two bathrooms and a full kitchen, the suite is perfect for those on extended stays who want to have breakfast in the suite before hitting the slopes. Being right at the base of Big Sky, it’s also an easy stop for a lunch break.

The Summit’s 2021 upgrade included the renovation of all its 213 rooms and public spaces, giving it what the property describes as a lighter and sleeker “alpine luxe” aesthetic.

Lounges, restaurants

The remodeled Carabiner Lounge has a fun, casual atmosphere with a gastropub menu. It’s popular spot for live music and apres ski gatherings; dinner reservations are needed.

Both Carabiner and the property’s signature, seasonal restaurant, Peaks Chophouse & Wine Lounge, offer views of Big Sky’s slopes, and their window seats are hard to snag. Peaks also underwent an overhaul and reopened in 2022. Its Wine Spectator award-winning wine list and impressive service are standouts here, as is the bison steak. Peaks is part of the Western Sustainability Exchange, sourcing ingredients from local farms that practice regenerative agriculture. 

The Summit’s sanctuary: Refuge

A recent, and big, addition to the Summit is the Refuge, which opened last year. The property calls it “a sanctuary designed to elevate your alpine experience.” A midday visit enabled it to be just that: A relaxing spot to undergo a sequence of rituals: the Himalayan salt sauna, a cold shower and warm tiled benches. It’s part of a complex with a huge, heated indoor/outdoor hot tub looking at the mountain. 

Around 4 p.m., Refuge became an apres-ski adventure for the scores of kids coming off the slopes and loving the challenge of who could stay the longest in the cold shower, knowing they would quickly be in one of three heated areas. 

For adults and kids alike, the huge outdoor hot tub was the place to be for a soak or a drink as the sun set and snowflakes swirled, portending a great ski day ahead.

With advances in technology, there is a possibility that such videos could be digitally altered or even AI-generated, says official

Luxury
hotels draw travelers looking for high-end pampering or a unique escape
that includes not only posh accommodations, stunning pool or elegant grounds,
but an impressive lobby and lobby bar as well.

Lobby bars not only provide respite after a busy day of
travel or local exploration, but they are places to chill, relax or socialize
with a cocktail in hand. A hotel bar may be just a place to get a drink at some
destinations, but others offer a myriad of amazing historic, cultural,
artistic and creative experiences that accompany that libation. Here are some
top extravagant hotel lobby bar choices. 

The Carousel Bar & Lounge, Hotel Monteleone, New Orleans

New Orleans’ Hotel Monteleone is renowned for its famous
rotating Carousel Bar. Installed in the 1940s, it features a large, circular
counter that slowly revolves, giving patrons a constant changing view of the
surroundings. The bar turns on 2,000 large steel rollers pulled by a chain and
powered from a one-quarter horsepower motor at a constant rate of one
revolution every 15 minutes.

The bar features 25 seats adorned with luxurious, vibrant
upholstery, giving it an elegant, throwback feel. Patrons can enjoy a wide
selection of cocktails, including classic New Orleans drinks like the Sazerac
and the Vieux Carré (old square).

Peacock Alley, Waldorf Astoria New York

Following a meticulous restoration, Peacock Alley remains
the heart of the luxury hotel where guests will find the historic Waldorf
Astoria Clock and Cole Porter Piano. Restored to its former glory and
positioned in the center of Peacock Alley, the Waldorf Astoria Clock was
crafted in London for the 1893 World’s Fair.

Cole Porter was a longtime resident of the hotel and his
Steinway piano, gifted to him by hotel staff, has been carefully restored and
relocated to its permanent home in Peacock Alley.  Signature drinks include the Waldorf Cocktail
and 50th St Martini.

SkyHigh Lounge at Four Seasons Philadelphia

Located atop of Philadelphia’s tallest and newest
skyscraper, the Four Seasons Hotel’s accommodations span the 48^th to
60^th floors of the Comcast Technology Center in the heart of
bustling downtown Center City.

The Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s signature restaurant
Jean-George and the lounge sit on the 59^th and 60^th
floors, offering guests sweeping, breathtaking, unobstructed 360-degree views
of the city from every angle.

Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel, Chicago

The Lobby Bar at Lockwood is the perfect place to sip
curated cocktails and enjoy shared plates. Guests raising a glass at Palmer
House can toast under a canvas of 21 Greek mythological frescos lit by the warm
glow of Louis Comfort Tiffany Winged Angel candelabras. The awe-inspiring
living, breathing piece of history was fully restored to its original beauty
with careful attention to the intricate details, down to the most important
matters, a perfectly prepared cocktail.

The Wright Bar, Arizona Biltmore

Opened in 1929, the Arizona Biltmore has seen an impressive
list of historical figures and celebrities staying in its confines, ranging
from presidents to musicians.

Centrally located in the lobby, the elegant Wright Bar is
the home of the famous Tequila Sunrise. Concocted in the 1930s by bartender
Gene Sulit, the drink has remained a favorite cocktail of many, along with
entertainers who performed like Frank Sinatra and an impromptu performance by
none other than The Piano Man, Billy Joel in the bar.

Palma at Santa Monica Proper

Relaxed elegance meets thoughtful nourishment at this
stunning bar located on the ground floor of the Southern California venue.
Guests are greeted with an impressive art-filled lobby, then head to the
welcoming sculptural bar for small plates, cold-pressed juices, small-batch
spirits and crafted cocktails.

The beauty of the bar lies in the palm trees that surround a
magnificently crafted monolithic bar along with carved out niches for comfort
and relaxation. There’s nothing like taking in those California-cool vibes with
a SoCal cocktail in hand.

Trifecta at Four Seasons, Boston  

Inspired by the New England coast, this vibrant restaurant
and Back Bay cocktail bar are a delightful nod to Boston’s vibrant culture and
character. A curated collection of cocktails pay homage to the city’s most
celebrated neighborhoods and legendary baseball park.

Some of these creative concoctions include The Green
Monster, Boston (Un) Common, Joy Street, Ciao Bella! and New Berry Street.
Tools of the Trade is a classic twist on a Manhattan with of course…that famous
accompanying smoke.

The Lobby Bar, The Lincoln, Maine  

This design-centric hotel located in downtown Biddeford is
set in a luxuriously reimagined mill that was once the beating heart of Maine’s
booming textile industry. The star of the show is the unique lobby that greets
each patron with an amazing bar.

The Lobby Bar features a grand ‘40s and ‘50s nightclub vibe
with opulent cocktails such as the Lincoln’s twist of a French 75, a classic
libation enhanced with Peach Combier, and other curated beverages.

The lobby’s eccentric design draws the eye in every
direction, mixing colors, patterns, materials, and original artwork from a
talented local artist. Throughout their stay, guests can enjoy plush velvet
seating flanked by exposed brick walls, a hint at the hotel’s historic roots.  

The Bar, Auberge du Soleil, Napa

Imagine enjoying a glass of Napa wine or a cocktail while
taking in the sweeping vineyards and olive trees from a sun-drenched terrace.
Somehow that libation tastes all the better in these unforgettable picturesque
surroundings.

The views are stunning and so easy to just relax and
rejuvenate at this luxurious yet laid-back wine country favorite serving drinks
and small plates.

The St. Regis Bar Bal Harbour Miami  

Rising 27 stories over fashionable Collins Avenue and a
stunning white sand beach, this luxury hotel in Miami Beach represents a
wonderful combination of art, fashion and design.

The St. Regis bar invites guests to unwind and relax
offering an exclusive collection of the world’s finest champagnes, select
vintages and hand-crafted cocktails in a tropical, timeless and modern setting.

For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.

Topics From This Article to Explore