New MWR Hotel in Utah
The Grand Hyatt Deer Valley, which started booking military guests in November 2024 and officially opened in early 2025, is the first public-private partnership (PPV) Morale, Welfare & Recreation (MWR) hotel in the United States.
Nestled in the East Village at Deer Valley Resort, this upscale hotel emerged from a collaboration between Utah’s Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA) and developer Extell. It replaces Hill Air Force Base’s dated Hillhaus Lodge with a resort-style experience for military families and civilians alike.
Of the hotel’s nearly 400 rooms, 100 are reserved exclusively for eligible military-affiliated guests—including active duty, Guard/Reserve, retirement (20+ years), certain disabled vets, and DoD civilians. Those rooms are booked via a secure military-only portal at a fixed discounted rate, generally around $143 per night, adjusted annually for inflation.
By comparison, public room rates at the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley typically start between $199 and $324 per night, excluding taxes, fees, and resort charges like the usual $46/night resort fee. During peak weekends or ski season, standard rooms often exceed $300/night. These publicly available rates give good context for just how steep the military discount really is.
From chandeliers in the lobby to ski-in access, a bar, lounge, spa, pool, and kid-friendly recreation zones, this resort blends mountain luxury with military-focused amenities. Those eligible for military rates also get access to a dedicated North Star Lounge, concierge services, and discounted ski lift tickets, making it truly stand apart from traditional base lodging.
This hotel marks the debut of a new approach to military recreation lodging, one meant to support four-season tourism. MIDA is already planning future MWR projects in Utah, including an ADA-accessible wilderness lodge at Sundance specifically designed for wounded veterans.
Still, the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley represents a new model. Traditional MWR properties, including Shades of Green at Disney World, Hale Koa Hotel in Waikiki, and Edelweiss Lodge in Germany, remain fully owned and operated by the Department of Defense, with deeply scaled room rates based strictly on rank. They’re not public-private ventures—but they continue to be the benchmark for military vacation affordability.
For now, Grand Hyatt Deer Valley offers a modern, resort-grade alternative—with military perks built in. It remains to be seen if this PPV approach will expand or stay unique to Utah. Either way, it’s an upgrade to the way service members and vets can recharge.
