Dakota Mountain Lodge has 20 reservations already on the books for their opening at the beginning of July.

The resort had hoped to open in March, and allow some guests to enjoy the ski-in, ski-out feature of the resort, but now they’ll be able to enjoy the landscaped pool area at the center of the facility instead.

Cindy Lawrence, director of public relations and marketing communications for Dakota Mountain Lodge, said the resort is the first and only property in the Waldorf Astoria Collection to be built from the ground up. The brand, owned by the Hilton Hotels Corporation, will have 20 properties by the end of 2009, mostly acquired.

The original concept by DuVal Development was for the spot just north of the Miners Club at The Canyons to be condominiums. Under the Waldorf Astoria Collection, Dakota Mountain Lodge will be a combination of vacation condos and a hotel. The units (all or most) are owned by individuals who can turn them (or even just rooms) over to the hotel to be rented out. Anyone may stay at the lodge in a small one-bedroom or a six-bedroom suite, but room availability will depend on owner preferences.

Units have large locked closets for owners to store personal items when they’re not there. Lawrence estimated that about 80 percent of the 170 units have committed buyers already.

In those units, the total number of rentable rooms is 201.

The lodge is more than a hotel. The resort has its own destination spa, prestigious restaurant and the Frostwood gondola to The Canyons is about 100 yards from the entrance. If all goes as planned, it will also be encircled by an 18-hole golf course within the next few years.

Its Golden Door Spa is the newest location of the company that developed the “destination spa” or spa vacation concept, Lawrence said.

The two-level 16,000-square-foot spa will include lounges, treatment rooms and a tea room in the basement with a hair and nails salon on one side of the top. The other side is a fitness gym with areas for Pilates, yoga and meditation classes.

Visitors can sign up for individual services, or can register for multi-day salon experiences with daily schedules or itineraries full of wellness-inducing activities.

“It’s a physical activity and wellness destination,” she said. “It addresses mind, body, soul and spirit.”

With Park City resorts focusing on enjoying the outdoors, the Basin is the perfect place for a Golden Door, she said.

Across the hall from the spa is the Spruce restaurant. The original in San Francisco was named one of the best new restaurants by Esquire magazine. It also received reader’s choice awards in San Francisco as a favorite new restaurant.

Executive Chef Mark Sullivan will oversee the Park City location. The wine list has over 1,400 names, she said.

The courtyard of the resort, around which it is built like a horseshoe, will have patio space for the restaurant, but also includes a pool and fine landscaping, she said.

The resort will feature executive lounges and meeting rooms that promote a more intimate setting, seating about 25 people. The largest is 600 square feet. In the future, the resort may add on a ballroom.

A one-bedroom suite has two bathrooms, a full kitchen, a fireplace, small deck or balcony and a 42-inch high definition television.

A two-bedroom unit is two stories, has three baths, two entry ways, and a larger deck. One of the rooms can be locked out and turned into a guest room or even placed in the rental pool.

Every unit is furnished the same, but each lay-out is different.

“They didn’t want each room to be cookie cutter. Each is unique, and has a unique view,” she said.

A few even have outside fireplaces on the decks.

The largest unit is six bedrooms with high ceilings and large bay windows with a view out the east-end of the resort. Eventually the golf course will be its immediate view.

This unit will also serve as its VIP or Presidential Suite.

The interior design is more cosmopolitan than rustic with natural color schemes but no rough-hewn timber, she said.

The resort is scheduled to open July 1 and will be open for the July 4 weekend.

A showroom is open at 354 Main Street, she said.

The Dakota Mountain Lodge at The Canyons by the Waldorf Astoria Collection will open July 1. Reservations are being taken now and ownership opportunities are still available.