Montage Hotels & Resorts, a privately held luxury brand founded by Alan Fuerstman in 2002, consistently generates comparison searches against St. Regis Deer Valley and other ultra-luxury competitors in the alpine resort market. This review evaluates Montage’s standing as the world’s only all-five-star hotel brand—a claim reported by Forbes Travel Guide in 2024—and directly compares its properties to the top alternatives in Deer Valley and beyond.
Last checked: 2026-09-26
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Brand Star Rating: All properties five-star · Founder & Owner: Alan Fuerstman · Flagship Property: Montage Laguna Beach (2003) · Notable Competitor in Deer Valley: St. Regis Deer Valley
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-09-26.
Sources reviewed: Official Montage International and Montage Hotels & Resorts websites, Forbes Travel Guide, Travel + Leisure magazine, Montage International press releases and anniversary materials, and aggregated guest feedback from neutral review platforms.
No on-site visit was conducted. Room rates, current operating status of developing properties, and independent property-level audits were outside the scope of this comparison.
Montage Hotels & Resorts at a glance
- All properties awarded a Forbes Five-Star designation as of 2024 (Forbes Travel Guide)
- Founded by hospitality executive Alan Fuerstman in 2002 (Montage International)
- Montage Laguna Beach, opened February 2003 (Montage Hotels & Resorts)
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand Star Rating | All Montage properties are positioned as five-star resorts (Forbes Travel Guide) |
| Founder & Owner | Alan Fuerstman; company founded in 2002 (Montage International) |
| Flagship Property | Montage Laguna Beach, opened February 2003 (Montage Hotels & Resorts) |
| Notable Deer Valley Competitor | St. Regis Deer Valley |
| Portfolio Size | Seven locations as of 2024 (Forbes Travel Guide) |
| Parent Company | Montage International (announced January 2017) |
| Affiliated Brand | Pendry Hotels & Resorts (launched 2015) |
| 2025 Brand Ranking | 18th in Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards (reader score 94.07) |
What Hotel Chain Is Montage?
Montage is not a single hotel chain in the traditional sense but an ultra-luxury collection of distinctive hotels, resorts, and residences. The brand describes itself as a curated portfolio of destination-driven properties rather than a mass-market chain (Montage International). Its parent company, Montage International, was formally announced in January 2017 and also oversees the Pendry Hotels & Resorts lifestyle brand, which launched in 2015 (Montage International press release).
Montage Hotels & Resorts Brand Overview
The brand’s concept emphasizes a strong sense of place, comfortable elegance, and lifestyle programming built around hospitality, culinary experiences, and spa services. Its portfolio is concentrated in destination resorts and resort communities rather than urban business hotels (Montage Hotels & Resorts). Established properties include Laguna Beach, Deer Valley, Palmetto Bluff, Los Cabos, Healdsburg, and Big Sky.
Ownership Structure of Montage Hotels
Montage remains privately held, founded and led by hospitality executive Alan Fuerstman. A 15-year anniversary release noted that the company opened its first property, Montage Laguna Beach, with the aspiration of redefining luxury for a new generation of travelers (Montage Hotels & Resorts anniversary release). Because it is privately owned, Montage does not operate a global consumer loyalty ecosystem comparable to Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors, a distinction that directly affects how travelers compare it against chain-owned luxury alternatives like St. Regis or Ritz-Carlton.
The trade-off: A smaller, privately owned portfolio can deliver stronger destination consistency and service culture, but it offers guests fewer city choices and no robust points-earning framework.
Is Montage a 5 Star Hotel?
Yes. Forbes Travel Guide reported in 2024 that Montage’s seven locations each held a Forbes Five-Star designation at that time, earning the brand the description of the world’s only all-five-star hotel brand (Forbes Travel Guide). This classification covers Montage Deer Valley, which opened in December 2010 and is explicitly categorized as a five-star resort within the brand’s official portfolio (Montage Hotels & Resorts).
Official Star Rating of Montage Properties
The all-five-star characterization is time-sensitive. Forbes ratings and property operating status can change, so travelers should verify the current designation for any specific property they plan to book. That said, the claim is grounded in third-party verification rather than marketing alone.
Montage’s Claim as the Only All-Five-Star Brand
Travel + Leisure ranked Montage Hotels and Resorts 18th among its 25 best hotel brands of 2025, with a reader score of 94.07 (Travel + Leisure). This independent ranking reinforces the brand’s reputation for quality among a discerning audience.
The implication: Montage’s rating is not an aspirational tagline but a verified, property-by-property standard, though travelers should confirm current ratings directly.
Which Is Better, Montage or St Regis Deer Valley?
This is a top searcher comparison in the Deer Valley market, and the answer depends on what a traveler prioritizes: an intimate, resort-focused experience or a globally consistent luxury brand with loyalty benefits.
| Feature | Montage Hotels & Resorts | St. Regis Deer Valley | Ritz-Carlton (Deer Valley area) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand & Reputation | Ultra-luxury destination-resort collection; owner-operated ethos | Classic luxury chain; butler-service standard | Global luxury brand; consistent service expectations |
| Star Rating | Five-star (Forbes verified, 2024) | Five-star (Forbes) | Five-star (Forbes) |
| Location (Deer Valley) | Alpine resort; four-season orientation | Slopeside luxury; ski-in/ski-out | Deer Valley adjacent; mountain setting |
| Review Highlight | Service described as “absolutely phenomenal” across property areas | Renowned butler service; strong personal attention | Consistent luxury standards; reliable experience |
| Ownership & Loyalty | Privately held (Alan Fuerstman); no major points program | Marriott International (Marriott Bonvoy) | Marriott International (Marriott Bonvoy) |
Comparing Montage Deer Valley and St. Regis Deer Valley
Montage Deer Valley is a mountain resort alternative to coastal Montage properties and is oriented toward a four-season alpine destination (Montage Hotels & Resorts). St. Regis provides the classic luxury hotel model within the world’s largest hospitality loyalty program. For travelers who value boutique service and resort immersion, Montage has an edge. For those who prioritize earning points and accessing a broader network of properties, St. Regis is the practical choice.
Is St. Regis Nicer Than Ritz?
Both St. Regis and Ritz-Carlton operate within the Marriott ecosystem. St. Regis generally occupies the top tier of the Bonvoy brand hierarchy, emphasizing bespoke service and residential-style luxury. Ritz-Carlton offers a slightly broader, more standardized interpretation of ultra-luxury hospitality. In the Deer Valley context, both are formidable competitors to Montage, but their brand experience is shaped by chain-wide standards rather than a single founder’s vision.
Pros of Choosing Montage
- Verified five-star consistency across all properties
- Strong sense of place and destination immersion
- Privately held, founder-driven service culture
- Curated, small portfolio ensures high per-property attention
Cons vs. Chain Competitors
- No global loyalty program for free-night redemption
- Smaller portfolio means fewer location choices
- Primarily destination resorts; limited urban presence
- Lacks the global brand recognition of Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis
The bottom line: The choice between Montage Deer Valley and St. Regis Deer Valley is a choice between a boutique, owner-operated resort ethos and the global infrastructure of a luxury chain. There is no universal winner; the right pick depends entirely on the traveler’s loyalty priorities and preferred atmosphere.
Is Deer Valley or Aspen Better?
This is a common searcher comparison that shifts the frame from individual properties to resort areas. Deer Valley is widely regarded as the more exclusive and ski-centric luxury destination, while Aspen offers a broader town experience with multiple mountains, nightlife, and cultural amenities. Deer Valley is consistently described as more expensive than nearby Park City, reinforcing its luxury positioning. The best choice depends on whether a traveler prioritizes a concentrated, alpine luxury resort or a diverse ski town with a wider range of activities.
What Are People Saying About Montage Deer Valley?
Guest feedback across platforms consistently highlights the quality of service. A review of Montage Healdsburg described service as “absolutely phenomenal” across all property areas, a sentiment that aligns with the brand’s emphasis on hospitality and comfortable elegance. The brand’s own 15-year anniversary release emphasizes that Montage was built around “gracious hospitality and comfortable elegance” (Montage Hotels & Resorts anniversary release).
Review Highlights from Montage Deer Valley
Travelers consistently note the property’s service culture as a point of distinction. Forbes Travel Guide characterized the company as one where “the company has grown to seven Montage locations, each exceptional in its own right” (Forbes Travel Guide). This external validation supports the pattern of positive guest sentiment across the brand’s portfolio.
General Sentiment from Guest Feedback
While individual experiences vary, the dominant theme in guest feedback is service excellence. The brand’s smaller portfolio and private ownership appear to contribute to a high degree of staff training and property-level consistency, a factor that luxury travelers specifically cite when comparing Montage to larger chains.
Location and Getting There
Montage Deer Valley is situated in Park City, Utah. Travelers typically arrive via Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), which is roughly a 45- to 60-minute drive from the resort. The Deer Valley area is part of the larger Park City ski region, one of the largest interconnected ski areas in the United States. For guests traveling from the East Coast, multiple direct flights to SLC are available from major hubs including New York, Boston, and Washington, D.C.
Alternatives in Set
Beyond St. Regis Deer Valley and Ritz-Carlton, several other brands offer comparable luxury positioning for travelers weighing their options. Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts provides a much broader global network including major cities and resorts, making it a strong competitor for those who want luxury consistency worldwide. Rosewood Hotels & Resorts is perhaps the closest conceptual alternative to Montage, emphasizing high-end experiential hospitality and a strong sense of place in a similarly intimate portfolio scale. For travelers seeking a modern urban-lifestyle atmosphere, Pendry is the closer in-family alternative within the Montage International parent company, though its positioning is less about traditional destination resorts and more about design-led luxury (Montage International).
Our Pick: Montage Hotels & Resorts
For travelers whose primary goal is a curated, high-touch resort experience in a distinct destination setting, Montage Hotels & Resorts delivers a level of service consistency and architectural authenticity that few competitors can match. The verified all-five-star claim reinforces a brand-wide commitment to quality that Marriott’s luxury chains, with their much larger portfolios, can find harder to maintain uniformly. The trade-off is a smaller number of locations and the absence of a robust consumer loyalty program. For the Deer Valley ski traveler who values resort immersion over points accumulation, Montage is the stronger recommendation.
“Montage Hotels & Resorts delivers an unmatched experience in the ultra-luxury market.”
— Montage International, Company description
“Montage was created with the vision to build an artistic collection of distinctive luxury hotels, resorts and residences in stunning settings with gracious hospitality and comfortable elegance.”
— Montage Hotels & Resorts, Brand description
en.wikipedia.org, montage.com, montageinternational.com, leadiq.com, nortonmediaenterprise.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What hotel chain owns Montage?
Montage is not owned by a larger hotel chain. It is an independent, privately held brand managed by Montage International, a parent company established in 2017 by founder Alan Fuerstman.
Does Montage hold a 5-star rating?
Yes. In 2024, Forbes Travel Guide reported that all seven Montage properties at that time held a Forbes Five-Star designation, making Montage the only all-five-star hotel brand.
Who is the owner of Montage Hotels?
Montage Hotels & Resorts was founded by hospitality executive Alan Fuerstman, who serves as Chairman and CEO of Montage International.
Is Montage Deer Valley a 5 star resort?
Yes. Montage Deer Valley is listed among the brand’s portfolio of properties that held a Forbes Five-Star designation as of 2024.
How does Montage compare to St Regis Deer Valley?
Both are top-tier luxury properties in Deer Valley. Montage offers a more intimate, brand-consistent resort experience, while St. Regis provides Marriott Bonvoy loyalty integration and a classic luxury hotel atmosphere.
Is Deer Valley more expensive than Park City?
Deer Valley is generally perceived as the more exclusive and expensive resort area relative to the broader Park City base, reflecting its focus on high-end lodging and limited daily lift-ticket sales.
What is the best resort in Deer Valley?
Montage Deer Valley and St. Regis Deer Valley are widely considered the top luxury resorts in the area, with the choice depending on whether a guest prioritizes resort immersion or loyalty-program integration.
How does Deer Valley compare to Aspen?
Deer Valley offers a concentrated, ski-centered luxury environment, while Aspen provides a wider variety of terrain, nightlife, and cultural options. The best choice depends on traveler priorities.