Fettle debuts The Inn at Sundance Mountain Resort

International design and interior architecture firm Fettle has unveiled The Inn at Sundance Mountain Resort, a new build that pays homage to the enduring legacy established by the late Robert Redford – as discussed in Hotel Designs‘ podcast, DESIGN POD, last year with Co-founders Tom Parker and Andy Goodwin. Nestled at the base of Utah’s iconic Mount Timpanogos, the 63-room hotel represents a thoughtful evolution of Redford’s original ethos that honours nature and preservation, while anchoring the next chapter for Sundance Mountain Resort.

The design for The Inn at The Sundance Resort is rooted in the origins of the existing Sundance Mountain Resort, first discovered and developed by the late Robert Redford in the 1960s as a collection of small cabins nestled into the wooded hillside. Drawing upon the charm, scale, materials, and sense of seclusion that define the Sundance Resort, The Inn advances the resort’s design language with sensitivity and restraint, much like Redford himself who introduced innovation to the resort with new ideas and subtle nods to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West. Original design principles remain central, including respect for the natural topography, preservation of tree lines, and uninterrupted views of Mount Timpanogos.

Image credit: Pablo Enriquez

The interiors reflect the site’s layered cultural history, from Native heritage to the Scottish ownership of the Stewart family, alongside influences from the 1970s and 1980s – a period when Robert Redford was most actively developing the resort, that shaped much of Sundance’s visual identity through emerging modernism, minimalism, and pop art.

“Five years in the making, it has been an incredible honour to be a part of Sundance Mountain Resort’s evolution with the opening of the new Inn,” says Tom Parker, Co-founder of Fettle.

“This project represents a defining milestone for our studio: an opportunity to honour Redford’s ethos while thoughtfully evolving it for a new generation. Every design decision was guided by respect for the land, the history, and the values that have made Sundance so enduring.”

Image credit: Pablo Enriquez

Situated at the base of the ski slopes, the new Inn anchors the heart of the Resort Village, comprising two distinct wings connected by a footbridge spanning the North Fork Provo River. Guests enter through a glazed vestibule leading to a reception area defined by a tartan-fronted desk and a signature Sundance Resort stone fireplace – the focal point of the space. Reclaimed timber flooring, rustic ceiling beams, hand-distressed tongue-and-groove walls, Western-inspired patterns, leather stitch details, and curated art works create an atmosphere of warmth and authenticity. Beyond the reception lies a small library framed with custom millwork and character pieces that encourage quiet reflection.

From the library, guests cross the picturesque footbridge to the adjacent wing, which houses a gallery space featuring rotating exhibitions by local and international artists. The inaugural exhibition, Watercolour Diaries from the Green River will appropriately feature the work of British artist Tony Foster, which depicts the artist’s journeys alongside the Green River, a perfect reflection of the Sundance Resort ethos.

Image credit: Pablo Enriquez

The centrepiece of this second wing is the Living Room, a relaxed, residential-inspired gathering space centred on a communal dining table and open kitchen area. At one end lies a private dining room, while the other is anchored by a cosy fireplace nook framed by custom stained-glass windows by Holdman Studios. Above, a concentric tree-ring mural by local artist Izzi Ballstaudt further validates Sundance Resort’s connection to art and nature. The furniture and lighting throughout is a mix of custom designs with thoughtfully selected vintage pieces, creating a balanced dialogue between Western, Scottish, and 1970s cabin design influences.

The guest rooms continue this thematic narrative, offering stream, ridgeline and mountain views. Ranging from king rooms to one-bedroom suites, all share a cohesive design language featuring Ultrasuede-clad walls, patterned window daybeds, and inviting atmosphere.

Image credit: Pablo Enriquez

Main image credit: Pablo Enriquez