This Luxury Road Trip Helped Me Find Stillness in Motion

Two things about me: I don’t do nature, and I don’t do “sitting still.” So when the opportunity presented itself to do both at the same time—at Utah’s Stein Eriksen Lodge on behalf of Lincoln—my initial response was… absolutely not. No, thanks. Not for me. But in an effort to push myself (and make my therapist proud), I reluctantly agreed. After all, there are significantly worse things one could have the privilege to do than drive a luxury car around a luxury mountainside retreat.

More about the Stein Eriksen Lodge

The Stein Eriksen Lodge is a sprawling oasis in the middle of another sprawling oasis (Deer Valley, Utah). If you’ve never been to Utah—like I hadn’t—it feels like a place where magic happens. It’s breathtakingly gorgeous, and that says a lot coming from me, a certified nature-hater. It’s one of those places where you just keep saying “wow” on repeat. The lodge itself is an outdoor person’s dream, with skiing in the winter and, well, virtually everything else in the summer (biking, golfing, horseback riding, swimming, tennis, you name it).

Some features include:

• A mix of luxury suites and bedrooms, each uniquely decorated with amenities like oversized soaking tubs, fireplaces, private decks, and hot tubs. Rates range from $700 to $4,400 depending on season and size. (For example: A 3,300-square-foot, three-bedroom, four-bathroom loft suite can cost $4,400, while a 375-square-foot deluxe king bedroom might be $800.)
• Year-round outdoor pools and fire pits
• Theaters, media rooms, and bars
• A decked-out spa with a wellness studio, a salon, an outdoor heated pool, fitness center, saunas, hot tubs, cold plunges, and more

We were lucky enough to stay in a luxury suite, which came equipped with two fireplaces (one in the living room and one in the main bedroom), a massive kitchen, massive bathroom with a separate tub and shower, a private deck, and a hot tub. My only “complaint,” if you could call it that: We didn’t get to stay long enough to fully zen out and experience every aspect of the suite. So if you’re going to spend the money, do yourself a favor and book at least three nights to truly soak it all in.

My Utah highlights

I was invited to Stein Eriksen on behalf of Lincoln to experience their new wellness-focused Lincoln Rejuvenation Package. The gist: Guests can opt-in to the three-night package and receive a $200 resort credit (think: massages, fitness classes, etc.), lodging accommodations for two, and access to a Lincoln Navigator SUV for the duration of their stay.

I know, I know; wellness and SUVs don’t sound like an obvious match, but Lincoln has essentially tricked out its 2025 Navigator and 2025 Nautilus models to be a “spa on wheels,” with the sole goal of bringing a sense of peace and calm to drivers and passengers.

To be fully transparent, I didn’t actually think that a car would be one of my top highlights of a wellness trip. No hate to cars; I have a car! Cars are cool! But, still—a car is a car, right? I figured I would politely nod and do the correct number of “ooos” and “aahs” and move on. Instead, I spent half the trip googling how much a 2025 Navigator costs (ahem, it’s not for the faint of heart/wallet), while my partner scoured the internet for used Lincolns. Because the truth is, the experience really was that good.

Yes, a Lincoln is a luxury vehicle, so obviously it’s going to be better than your average rental. But every aspect of the Navigator felt designed to soothe and coddle. From cooling-and-heating massage seats (even in the back) to a curated set of in-cabin fragrances that mist at your chosen intensity (sans headaches), every detail was intentional and meticulous. 

But the standout feature? The “rejuvenate” mode, which essentially turns the interior of the car into a tranquil, meditative space. The dashboard display switches to a panoramic visual (think: cascading waterfall or mountain sunrise), and there’s an option to play a five- or ten-minute guided meditation via Lincoln’s partnership with Calm.

And listen—this isn’t sponsored. I can’t afford a Lincoln now or probably ever, so you can trust me when I say: this feature alone did something magical to my brain. As my partner and I drove through Utah’s quiet reservoirs and sweeping mountainsides, I found myself able to sit still for the first time in a very long time. My nervous system began to unfreeze. My body was quite literally kneaded to putty by heated massage seats. I took deeper breaths, my adrenaline slowed, and I found myself earnestly able to enjoy the experience in a way I never would have expected.

When we reached the final mountain overlook on our mapped-out route, my partner and I were too blissed out to get out of the car. We reclined our seats, closed our eyes, and did two back-to-back guided meditations while snackin’ on treats we picked up from local shops. For the first time in my adult life, I was actively enjoying a “road trip”—not just enduring it.

And yes, I’m fully aware that we flew to Utah… and then spent most of our time in a car. But I have absolutely zero regrets, and I would do it again. Out of all the highlights of Park City and Stein Eriksen—including a deep-tissue massage, two incredible dinners, and the general vibe of the lodge—my partner and I both agreed: the Navigator drive was one of the most unexpected highlights, and we felt genuinely bummed when we handed back the keys (sadly, we were not given a free Lincoln as a parting gift). 

Final thoughts: 

If you're planning a visit to Stein Eriksen Lodge—or even just curious about Lincoln’s new wellness features—opt for the Rejuvenation Package. Seriously. Yes, the whole thing is a luxury experience, and the room cost alone can range from $800 to $4,000 (if, you know, you want to rent a suite the size of a mini mansion). But if you’re already budgeting for a high-end trip and want to skip the usual travel logistics (rental counters, Ubers, shuttles), having a “spa on wheels” built into your stay is genuinely worth considering.

You’ll still get the mountain views and the five-star massages—but the quietest, calmest part of the trip might actually be the drive.