Globetrotting

• SEEING STARS. Mobil recently announced winners of its prestigious rankings: Here are results for Utah:

Mobil Four-Star Lodgings: Grand America Hotel (Salt Lake City); Stein Eriksen Lodge (Deer Valley)

Mobile Four-Star Restaurant: Riverhorse on Main (Park City)

Mobil Travel Guide began reviewing hotels and restaurants 49 years ago and is the originator of the star rating system. This year only 53 hotels and restaurants in the United States and Canada will reach the 5-Star level; these properties represent the best of the best in North America. Reviews are done through an undercover, on-location evaluation that analyzes over 750 factors for hotels and 250 factors for restaurants. For an entire list of this year's rankings, go to www.mobiltravelguide.com

• YELLOWSTONE VIA WEST YELLOWSTONE. The west entrance to Yellowstone National Park at West Yellowstone, Mont., will open Dec. 20. The park's west entrance is perhaps the easiest to access in the winter. With few exceptions, Yellowstone's roads are closed to motorized vehicles in the winter season, which this year is Dec. 20-March 12. West Yellowstone also has groomed snowmobile and cross-country trails outside the park. Information about accommodations and snowmobile rentals at West Yellowstone: www.destinationyellowstone.com; 406-646-7701.

• CITIES IN A NUTSHELL. The "10Best" e-commerce company (www.10best.com), which has made a name by picking the top 10 places to eat, stay and visit in major cities around the world, is venturing into print. It has launched a travel book series profiling the top destination cities. The first five books are Dallas, Miami, Atlanta, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. The slim pocket guides are sized so they fit snugly into your purse or backpack, or perhaps, even your pocket. Information is at www.10bestsolutions.com

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E-mail: kclayton@desnews.com