Lodging

JW Marriott Denver at Cherry Creek.

On a recent long-weekend trip to Denver, my family spent just one night — literally about 15 hours — at the JW Marriott Denver at Cherry Creek. We sure wish we had more time to enjoy the hotel’s on-site amenities and services, such as the two rooftop hot tubs and the cozy Second Home Kitchen + Bar; I didn’t even have time to browse some of the hundreds of boutiques and galleries  in its Cherry Creek North neighborhood, Denver’s premier shopping area. But, to quote California’s movie-star governor, “We’ll be baaaack.”

The JW Marriott Denver at Cherry Creek rolls out the red carpet for pint-sized guests with its complimentary family-friendly perks. Available to all young guests at the property are:

• Child-sized robe and slippers for use during their stay
• Stuffed teddy bear for use during their stay
• Family Fun Guide and a Kids’ Fun Book, each with a different scavenger hunts (one inside the hotel, one that takes kids out to explore the Cherry Creek neighborhood)
  
• Access to kids’ DVDs, books and games lending library (we’re talking family favorites like Toy Story, Mary Poppins and Shrek, and classic games such as Operation, Life, Chutes & Ladders, UNO and Yahtzee)

Families can also book the Family Vacation Package — available only on the weekends starting at $225/night — which includes not only the above, but also:

• Four tickets to the Denver Zoo (open year round)
• Milk & cookies at turndown (we tried the warm, soft cookies and they are YUMMY)
• One complimentary in-room movie
  
• A “Passport to Savings” card offering discounts at nearby kids’ stores, a children’s hair salon and frozen yogurt shop.

Mountain View King Room at JW Marriott Denver.

Families might also consider booking a room on the Concierge Level — starting at just $30 over the standard room rate. Stay on the top-level floors with access to the Concierge Club, offering a plentiful hot-breakfast buffet (my husband and I couldn’t get enough of the Southwestern Breakfast Quesadilla, mid-day snack, evening hors d’ouevres and dessert, as well as complimentary soft drinks, water and juice all day long, and wine and beer (plus plenty of liquor bottles and mixers) at night. Since everyone staying in a Concierge Level room can enjoy these food and beverage perks, it’s nearly the deal of the century for a family of four.

Other fun packages include a “Ladies Night Out,” with credits at the on-site Spa at Cherry Creek, “Affordable Weekend Shopping” with a Cherry Creek North gift card, and half-price rooms for teachers (through December 31, 2009). Check them all out on the hotel website’s packages page.

Note that the JW Marriott recently completed $2 million in hotel-wide enhancements. This includes technology upgrades in each of the 196 guest rooms, with new 37-inch flat-screen televisions and iPod docking stations. The Second Home Kitchen + Bar is brand new with classy urban decor, dramatic glass-enclosed wine wall, exhibition-style kitchen and outdoor patio with fire pit. (It’s cozy and upbeat at the same time, and I do wish we had time to eat here to fully experience it!) The lobby and adjacent great room has a homey feel, with multiple seating zones for guests to relax around the fireplace, read the morning paper in an oversized chair or play a board game at an expansive table.

Lobby Great Room at the JW Marriott Denver.

My family had plenty of room to spread out in our double-bedded room with a mountain view on the ninth floor. The bathroom was particularly spacious with a separate tub and glass-enclosed shower. We liked the plush terry robes and appreciated the complimentary wireless Internet in our room.

With its family-friendly amenities and services, I wouldn’t hesitate recommending the JW Marriott Denver at Cherry Creek to visiting families with young children — even tweens and teens would appreciate its location just steps away from Denver’s popular shopping mall. With the on-site spa — and easy shopping access — the property also makes a great location for a girlfriends’ getaway.

Photos courtesy JW Marriott Denver.

Classy exterior of the Hotel Teatro.

For out-of-towners attending a world-class production at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, the Hotel Teatro is the place to stay. While the hotel is just 10 years old, it’s housed in a wonderfully restored 1911 building that’s just a block from the performing arts complex in downtown Denver. Ornate costumes and fun props from the Denver Center Theatre Company adorn the walls in the hotel’s public spaces, and framed playbills, photographs and posters are found in the hallways and guest rooms. The relevant decor just adds a feeling of festivity to the hotel, especially for theater lovers.

While I didn’t get to attend a DCPA performance when I was in Denver a couple of weekends ago (Wicked was sold out), I did stay at the Hotel Teatro with my husband and two children (courtesy of the property). This upscale hotel is not necessarily designed for kids (no indoor pool, no game room), but we found it perfectly suitable — albeit sophisticated — for my two children, ages 7 and 9.

We stayed in a Junior Suite, whose rack rate is $299 for a Saturday night in November (smaller rooms start at $159/night). With about 550 square feet, the warmly decorated suite afforded us plenty of room, as well as separate sleeping areas: the kids bunked in the living room on a sofa sleeper, while we had the king bedroom. I appreciated the two full bathrooms, so we didn’t have to share with the kids, and each room — separated by French doors –  had its own TV set, too. Plenty of privacy for a family of four!

Deluxe Corner King Room at the Hotel Teatro.

Other room highlights: the classy marble bathrooms and Indonesian sandstone floors, rainforest showerheads, Aveda bath products and Frette towels (including two oversized ones that I loved), free Fiji water and included wireless Internet. I think the only bummer with our room (#700) was that it was located next to the elevators. While my husband and I couldn’t hear any ringing bells or foot traffic after bedtime, my kids in the sofa sleeper could since it was against a wall closer to the elevator bank. It was nothing that a little iPod music couldn’t drown out — our suite came with an iPod docking station, too.

Again, my older kids were perfectly content to stay at the Hotel Teatro, even though it didn’t have a bunch of gimmicky bells and whistles for children. One nice service for families with babies and toddlers: if you’ve forgotten diapers or want to borrow a crib, the hotel has many baby items on hand for your complimentary use — from a bottle warmer to a highchair to baby shampoo.

While we didn’t dine at Hotel Teatro, acclaimed local chef Kevin Taylor operates two restaurants there: Restaurant Kevin Taylor, offering French-American cuisine in a sophisticated dining room, and the more casual Prima Ristorante and Enoteca, serving Italian food and a huge wine list. I also didn’t use the small basement fitness room (hey, I walked a lot during our downtown Denver adventures), but it is open to guests 24 hours a day. Guests can also use the fully equipped Denver Athletic Club up the block for $20/day.

Even for non-theatre-goers, the location of the Hotel Teatro  is great — just two blocks from Denver’s bustling 16th Street Mall, a pedestrian-only zone with a trolley that runs up and down the strip filled with tons of kid-friendly restaurants. We walked with our kids to the Wazee Supper Club and to Dixon’s Grill, each about six blocks away and two restaurants I’d highly recommend for families.

For special promotions that include dining or tickets to local attractions or other amenities (think champagne, chocolate and strawberries for an “Amore Package”), click on the specials and packages section of the hotel website.

Photos courtesy Hotel Teatro.

Suite at the Warwick Denver (#1018)

The Warwick Denver finished up a $25 million renovation this summer, so if you’ve stayed at the property in the past (or frequented the site in the 1970’s when it was the home of the local Playboy Club!) you might not recognize the hotel after an impressive face lift. My early September overnight at the Warwick Denver was my first, so I have nothing to compare it to, but I certainly appreciated my room’s elegant brand-new furniture, imported Italian window treatments, two flat-screen TVs and out-of-this-world 300-count satin-striped sheets on the ultra-comfortable king bed. Indeed, all of the 219 rooms received complete overhauls in the renovation.

The building originally served as luxury condominiums, and a warm and welcoming residential feel is surely intact. The rooms are oversized — my one-bedroom accommodations (#1018) featured a separate large living area with separate bedroom behind French doors, plus a large closet and two bathrooms — one with a full bathtub/shower and one with a shower. I suppose that’s a bit of overkill unless you’re traveling with kids and everyone wants to get clean at the same time, but I did appreciate all the space — even though I was on my own. The floor-to-ceiling windows allowed for plenty of light in my room, which also featured a private, walk-out balcony.

Rooftop pool at the Warwick Denver

One nifty amenity is the hotel’s rooftop pool, which offers views of neighboring skyscrapers and plenty of lounging space. It’s an oasis, if you will, in the middle of “uptown” Denver. I suppose since the property is east of Broadway, just a few blocks north of the State Capitol, it’s not technically in “downtown,” but it’s literally just five blocks from the 16th Street Mall, and the free trolley that runs up and down the mile-long pedestrian promenade. I think the location is excellent — a bit removed from the hustle and bustle of downtown or LoDo, but close enough to all the action (shops, bars and restaurants) if you want it.

Speaking of dining, Randolph’s full-service restaurant and bar is on site, with a classy but comfortable, open-air ambiance. It does have a kids’ menu, if children are in tow. Note that Randolph’s has been named among Denver’s best happy hours, so grown-ups would be perfectly happy (pun!) here on their own, too.

The Warwick Denver offers advance-booking deals for best rates, as well as a number of specials and packages that include admission to many of Denver’s top attractions.

Photos by Kara Williams.

Bear Creek runs alongside the Highland Haven property in Evergreen, Colorado

Sitting alongside a long stretch of Bear Creek and surrounded by forest in Evergreen, Colorado, is Highland Haven, a treasure in the mountains that’s just a 30 minute drive from bustling downtown Denver. A simultaneously sophisticated and rustic spot for rest and relaxation, Highland Haven welcomes guests who appreciate excellent customer service and simply want to “get away from it all” without having to travel too far from civilization.

I love staying in properties that have interesting stories behind them, and Highland Haven sure fits that bill. The main building, the Dailey Cabin, was named for its first owner John Dailey Sr., who co-founded the (now sadly defunct) Rocky Mountain News. This 19th-century cabin — fully updated with 21st-century comforts — is where guests check in to Highland Haven and enjoy a sumptuous (included) breakfast spread.

Breakfast recipes come from owner Gail Riley, an accomplished chef (and cookbook author), whose other role as interior designer is to decorate the rooms with perfectly chosen antiques and her “Colorado chic” style. Her husband Tom is the craftsman behind the marvelous woodwork, cabinetry and tile design. Together they’ve owned and updated the property since 1979 (note the impressive 30-year anniversary this year). Their daughter and son-in-law are managers of the B&B. The fact that this property is family owned and operated by multiple generations simply adds to its charm.

Warm accents in Highland Haven's rooms

The inn has been the recipient of dozens of awards and accolades over the  years, including “Most Romantic Hideaway,” “Best Small Inn” and “Top Place to Pop the Question” by hospitality experts and local and regional magazines. That’s no surprise it’s noted for its romance — couples can relax with a glass of wine in comfortable chairs by Bear Creek, which runs alongside the property; sit at a table for two at breakfast; or get cozy in any of the property’s rooms, suites or cottages.

Accommodations range from standard guest rooms with queen or king-size beds that start at $150 a night. I loved my Creekside Cottage accommodations, with a gas fireplace, four-poster pine bed, and unpretentious decor with log-beam accents. Families can stay in the Evergreen Suite or the Hillside Cottages with two bedrooms each. The most commonly booked is the Gardener’s Cottage, with a pretty king canopy bed and Jacuzzi tub. Each room type has its own private entrance and, again, is decorated in a non-fussy style: no lace and no delicate antiques, just comfortable furniture and warm accents that blend in perfectly with the log-cabin exteriors.

Creekside Cottage One at Highland Haven

Breakfast is included in the room rate at Highland Haven. When I stayed there, the morning spread consisted of veggie strata, raspberry ricotta blintzes, potatoes, bagels, granola, fruit and plenty of hot coffee and tea. Everything I tasted was excellent, and I enjoyed mingling with the other guests in the Dailey Cabin as soft jazz played in the background.

Coming in the second half of 2010 is an 850-square-foot “luxury cottage in the trees,” the Tree House, built with the environment in mind. The owners are taking care to use sustainable materials for these accommodations nestled between two 60-foot blue spruce. The three-story interior will feature a magnificent chandelier over a king-size bed, custom iron and stone fireplace, a two-person steam shower and a third-floor hot-tub spa cupola.

For more details about the new Tree House, or to reserve your romantic Colorado getaway, call 800-459-2406. The inn is open year-round, with holidays (especially Valentine’s Day) booking quickly.

Photos: Interior courtesy Highland Haven; others by Kara Williams.

The Arrabelle is steps from the Eagle Bahn Gondola.

Lately when I’m frazzled with work obligations or the kids are driving me nuts, I close my eyes and go to my happy place; I think back to my two-night stay at the unparalleled Arrabelle at Vail Square earlier this month. To call The Arrabelle just a hotel is like calling the Alps just some mountains.

After all, the entire property is comprised not only of four towers of hotel rooms and condominiums, but also a rooftop pool, a 10,000-square-foot spa and a spacious restaurant, Centre V. Then there’s more than 33,000 feet of retail space, plus an outdoor ice rink in the winter and a plaza for concerts and activities in the summer. The Arrabelle at Vail Square is reminiscent of an Old World Alpine village — with plenty of upscale details and thoughtful touches that make it one sophisticated spot eat, dine and play, no matter what the season.

My girlfriends and I thoroughly enjoyed our weekend at The Arrabelle (many thanks to our hosts). Here are just a few highlights of the property:

Butler Service: The staffer who showed us to our room was no typical bell boy (that was a different guy), but a butler. He showed us our menu butler services, which included having complimentary coffee delivered to our room in the morning (no cheap plastic Mr. Coffee in the bathroom here), ice replaced, clothes unpacked, baths drawn and more. They work in tandem with the concierges who can make dinner reservations (including romantic in-room dining) and recommend area activities. We were tempted to put our butler through the ringer, asking him to do jump through hoops for us in some silly way just for kicks (to see if the Arrabelle promise of personalized service really delivered), but in the end, we just asked for morning coffee — two carafes, three cups, one container of skim milk, one side of cream.

Outdoor dining at The Arrabelle's Centre V.

Breakfast at Centre V: While dinner at The Arrabelle’s brasserie-influenced restaurant was quite good, we especially loved our morning meals at Centre V. We sat outside on the patio, literally a stone’s throw from the Eagle Bahn Gondola at the base of the mountain. The Eggs Benedict Duo with ham or crab, as well as the Arrabelle Omelette with caramelized fennel, boursin and truffle oil were out of this world. Other options we didn’t sample, but should have: French Toast with Warm Banana Chutney and Candied Pecans and Lemon Ricotta Pancakes.

The RockResorts Spa: I’ve been to a lot of hotel spas in my adult lifetime and The Arrabelle’s ranks right up there in at least the top 5. What impressed me most was the huge sunken Roman tub in the woman’s locker room surrounded by comfortable chaise lounges. I sampled the Vin Chaud (Hot Wine) Indulgence. After full-body scrub with Dead Sea salts, I rinsed off and my therapist applied hydrating moisturizer and wrapped me in a heated blanket while she massaged my scalp. Then there was a full-body massage with oils rich in antioxidant wine extracts and a mini-facial. And a glass of wine to top it off! A scrub, a rub and a glass of wine. What else does a girl need?

Rooftop pool at The Arrabelle.

The Rooftop Pool: Sure, it would be amazing if The Arrabelle had a spacious pool area like the Westin Riverfront in Avon or the Vail Cascade, but its prime location next to the gondola and in the heart of Lionshead Village just doesn’t allow for such a ground-floor amenity. So, the pool area is on the roof of one of its four buildings. With a heated, narrow lap pool, two hot tubs and about a dozen lounge chairs, it’s not that big, but you cannot beat the views of Vail Mountain from here. It’s a cozy little respite from what can be a bustling plaza below.

The Beds: The Arrabelle hasn’t been open long — only since January 2008 — so everything on the property is brand new. That’s evidenced in the rooms, where all of the furniture, the unique local artwork and the decor accents were in tip-top shape. But the beds really stood out for their luxurious qualities. They were about as close to perfect — with high thread-count sheets and not-too-firm, not-too-soft mattresses, and cozy comforters — as you can get in a hotel bed. Come to think of it, I think the bed and its bedding were way nicer than what I’ve got at home. No wonder we all slept so well.

Guest room at The Arrabelle.

Well, except for Friday morning. The one huge downfall of our stay at The Arrabelle was that our mountain-facing room (#230) was adjacent to next-door construction. We woke to jackhammers and other very loud banging and drilling noises at 7:30 a.m. The Arrabelle is a luxurious and upscale showpiece for Vail’s Lionshead Village, so older surrounding properties built decades ago appear even more dated than ever before. These buildings are getting spiffed up, and renovating could be ongoing for a while; just ask when you book your room to be kept away from any construction noise. If that means you might not get your mountain view, it’s really no big deal. The views into Vail Square are equally intriguing; plus, how much time are you spending in your room anyway? Most visitors are out hiking, biking or skiing in the mountains during the day, not looking at them from afar.

With its stellar location, rock-star service, excellent dining, pretty pool area and top-notch spa, The Arrabelle is not cheap, especially in the peak winter season. However, RockResorts brand is known for running seasonal specials at all of its properties. Check out the “get a free night during the holidays” promotion that includes Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, President’s Day and Easter — and many holidays in between. If you want to head to Vail soon, consider the Arrabelle Advantage deal with superior rooms starting at $265/night, including a buffet breakfast and a $50 resort credit per night through September 26, 2009.

The off-seasons, spring and fall, will bring you the best deals — and that’s typical at most Colorado mountain resorts. This autumn, rates drop to $145/night — but you get that deal only when you also purchase a $75 half-day biking trip down Vail Pass. See the Fall Foliage special through October 25, 2009.

Note that the resort charges a hefty resort fee of $45 per room per night. This does cover internet access, butler service, valet parking and in-town transportation. We thoroughly took advantage of the included private car service to neighboring Vail Village; and we surely appreciated the fast pick-up at 2 a.m. (after a fun night out on the town), when we were ready to return to our cozy beds at The Arrabelle for a good night’s sleep.

Photo credits: Exteriors, Kara Williams; Pool, Room: Robert Miller for Vail Resorts.

Last month Keystone Lodge & Spa served as my family’s home base during our Vail Resorts Epic Summer trip. (This is a fabulous all-inclusive, activity-filled summer trip for families, by the way; it’s a great introduction to some of Colorado’s mountain resorts). The conveniently located lodge — just minutes from Interstate 70 and some of the state’s best outlet shopping in Silverthorne — offers some fabulous amenities and services if you’re traveling with kids, no matter what time of year you visit. Here are some highlights:

Comfortable Alpine decor in Keystone Lodge room.

Condominium Accommodations: We stayed in a two-bedroom/two-bath condominium across Keystone Lake from the main hotel lobby. Condominiums are my family’s choice of accommodations because we like to spread out (read: Mom doesn’t love sharing a bedroom with teeth-grinding kids) and have a kitchen refrigerator to store snacks and drinks. Our condo complex at Keystone Lodge had its own hot tub, and we were steps from the indoor pool (there’s also an outdoor pool in the main Lodge building). Of course, standard hotel rooms (see photo right) are also available: 152 rooms with one king or two queens, or loft suites with living room and king bed.

Keystone Lake: The main Lodge building, the retail storefronts and restaurant patios, and the condominiums all skirt Keystone Lake, where the kids got a kick out of feeding the fish (25 cents for a handful of fish food). Paddleboating on their own (at ages 7 and 9 they were tall enough to reach the pedals) was another hit. Canoes are for rent, too, though swimming is not allowed. Boat rentals are $15 a half hour, but this summer the resort gave out coupons for $5/rentals at hotel check-in. In the wintertime, the lake is transformed into a 5-acre ice skating rink — the largest Zamboni-maintained ice rink in North America. With twinkling lights and piped-in music, it’s a festive place to tie on some skates and make some turns with your kids.

Rent a canoe or paddleboat on Keystone Lake in the summertime.

Adventure Center: In the summertime, the Adventure Center on Keystone Lake is the place to rent paddleboats and canoes, as well as mountain bikes. There’s also a few arcade games and air hockey table and a full bar (grab a brew while the kids play).

Awesome Breakfast: Three buffet breakfasts at the Lodge’s Edgewater Cafe were included in our long-weekend Epic Summer trip, and I thought the spread was excellent (kids did, too). The daily offerings included special items like banana pancakes, as well as scrambled eggs (with just the right amount of cheddar cheese on top), sausage, French toast, pastries, cereal, fresh fruit, yogurt and more. Dine inside or on the patio right next to the lake.

Access to the Ski Mountain: While the Keystone Lodge is not a ski-in/ski-out property, free shuttle buses run regularly to bustling River Run Village, where skiers and snowboarders can hop on the River Run Gondola to access the mountain trails. In the summer, take a scenic gondola ride to the top and hike around a bit or just take in the amazing panoramic views.

Lakeside Village Arcade and Pizza Restaurant: We didn’t play video games or eat at Pizza on the Plaza, but I liked that these options are available for families, just steps from the Keystone Lodge lobby. The yummy Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory is a fun place to take the kids for a special treat.

When it’s time for Mom to take a break from the family, I highly recommend the on-site hotel spa. It’s in a funky spot (its basement location made me feel like I was descending to the bowels of the hotel), but the pampering service I enjoyed (last year when I was in Keystone for a girls’ getaway) was sublime.

Photo credits: Robert Miller/Vail Resorts.

Historic main building and lush summer landscaping at The Broadmoor.

The tagline for The Broadmoor, the venerable AAA Five Diamond and Mobile Travel Guide Five Star resort hotel, is: “If you’ve been there, you know.”

Ever since I moved to Colorado, and first learned of the luxurious and historic “Grand Dame of the Rockies,” I’ve wanted to stay at The Broadmoor. Just last week — fifteen years after landing in the state — my family and I had a chance to overnight at the resort. While I can confidently say that just one night isn’t near enough time to fully enjoy all of the amenities, dining options and fun activities The Broadmoor offers, the hotel more than lived up to my (longtime) expectations. And, indeed, like the slogan implies, The Broadmoor a property that you need to experience to fully understand and appreciate.

Classy cottages set beside a meandering creek.

Even the chock-full-of-information website simply doesn’t do the elegant property and beautifully manicured grounds justice. You need to pull up to the ornate porte-cochere with its mosaic-tiled entryway, where valets and bellman dressed in tailored uniforms and black caps of yesteryear greet you by name (the security guy at the gate radios ahead). Step into the lobby with its marbled curved staircase, old-fashioned key slots behind the front desk, ornate chandeliers and narrow brass escalators, and you feel transported to another time and place. (Stroll the campus for just a few minutes, and it’s easy to envision the Great Gatsby leaning against one of the old-time streetlamps that light the pedestrian walkways at night.)

While the property is steeped in history – the 3,000-acre resort dates back to 1918 – it’s absolutely moved forward with the times. Through the decades, rooms have been upgraded (most recently with wireless Internet access), golf courses added (now totaling 54 holes), and fabulous services and amenities introduced, such as a zero-depth infinity pool adjacent to pretty Cheyenne Lake (kids love the two water slides into the pool and paddle boats on the lake), a full-service spa, a first-run movie theater, a modern and colorful “Bee Bunch” kids’ club, and a myriad of shops and restaurants (I can recommend firsthand the atrium Garden Room of the Tavern, featuring a steaks and seafood menu).

Parlor in a Broadmoor Cottage.

The latest addition to the resort: The Broadmoor Cottages, 44 bedrooms in six different buildings along the 18th East Coast fairway. Various rooms can be locked off to create one- to eight-bedroom accommodations — the larger cottages are ideal for extended family reunions. In true “cottage” fashion, each room configuration has its own porch with wicker furniture, and inside you’ll find wood floors with pretty area rugs, high-beamed ceilings, white beadboard and woodwork throughout, and pretty parlors with stone fireplaces. Close and open window draperies with state-of-the-art, button-touch technology.

Few expenses were spared in the spacious bathrooms, with separate soaking tub and large glass shower with dual showerheads (including one “rainshower” style). A commode behind a closed door provides privacy, while a small flat-screen TV brings in-bathroom entertainment. Showering on a chilly morning? Flip on the heated tiles to warm your tootsies. Plenty of fluffy white towels, generous spa toiletries and dual sinks round out the amenities in the bathrooms.

Cottage bathrooms are 150 square feet.

Of course all of these luxurious appointments come at a price: rack rates for the cottages range from $1,400 to $7,650 a night. The Broadmoor is offering a 50 percent off introductory special for the Cottages through the summer.

Prices still too steep? Through September 30, stay in run-of-house accommodations for just $125/night per person double occupancy (kids under 10 stay and eat free). With the “spectacular summer savings” special, other extras include complimentary paddleboat rental, entry to the Broadmoor movie theater and discount on retail purchases. With standard summer rates typically starting at $420/night during the week, this is a great deal for the top-notch service and spectacular surroundings you’ll find at The Broadmoor.

Photos courtesy of The Broadmoor.

While I live just down the road from the mountain resort of Aspen, I’ve actually been getting to know the neighboring Vail Valley pretty well this summer. First, I had an incredible meal at the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek earlier this month, then my family spent a couple nights at the Westin Riverfront in Avon. Just last week, a few other travel writers and I toured around Beaver Creek (including two nights at the newly renovated Osprey) and Vail, which featured a stay at the Vail Cascade, on the western end of town.

This wasn’t my first trip to the Vail Cascade; four girlfriends and I rented a couple of rooms here a few years ago for a quick weekend getaway. We chose it because of its renowned Aria Spa (one of the most popular spots for locals to enjoy a massage and a steam) and its easy access to Vail’s fabulous restaurants and shopping options in nearby Lionshead and Vail Village (just a free shuttle ride away).

Atwater on Gore Creek restaurant at Vail Cascade.

This latest trip to the Vail Cascade revealed some resort improvements — to the tune of a $30 million renovation, most of which was unveiled this winter. Here are a few new-construction highlights:

• The resort’s new Atwater on Gore Creek restaurant features seating in a window-filled dining area with rock-star views of the slopeside stream that flows past the property. In nice weather, guests are served on an outdoor patio, as well. We enjoyed a hearty weekend buffet breakfast (hot items included brioche French toast and ham & cheese frittata), as well as a yummy lunch, with a menu offering soups, salads, sandwiches and light entrees. (The crispy-thin nachos with a side of chili and topped with sour cream and guacamole were a big hit.) Dine off of “small plates” in the more casual “tavern” area, or sit down for the full menu in the more formal dining room (think rack of lamb, rib-eye, and striped bass).

• The entire back deck of the property, also facing Gore Creek, was totally renovated to include a pretty infinity pool that blends effortlessly into the natural environment. Guests can now gather in outdoor hot tubs or on rocking chairs around fire pits to enjoy views of the towering pine trees and the sound of rushing whitewater.

• All guests rooms now have air conditioning; there’s a new Cascade Market with coffee service, snacks and quick eat-on-the-go items; and the cozy Fireside Bar/Lounge — a popular place for apres-ski festivities — was given a face lift.

New infinity pool at Vail Cascade.

Outside of these enhancements, the 292-room Vail Cascade (which also houses guests in 80 condominiums) already had a lot going for it. In the winter, skiers and snowboarders are literally a few steps from the Cascade Village Lift, whisking them up to the trails on Vail Mountain in minutes. In the summer, cyclists, inline-skaters, strollers and runners flock to the Gore Valley Trail, the paved path that leads west to Donovan Park (with a huge playset for kids) or east toward the charming shopping and restaurant centers of Lionshead or Vail Village.

The Vail Cascade is no boutique property. It’s a major player in the wedding and groups market, with tons of meeting and ballroom space. Again, the Aria Spa is fabulous; I especially like the eucalyptus steam room and its lovely “sanctuary” for resting on comfortable lounge chairs in front of a gas fireplace before and after a treatment. Activity-filled Camp Cascade for kids ages 4 to 12 is open year round ($15/hour for first child), as is the 78,000-square-foot, top-of-the-line fitness center (strength-training equipment, outdoor tennis and racquetball courts are free for guests; fitness classes are $15/each).

But even though the Vail Cascade does cater to many hotel guests at a time (not to mention wedding receptions and professional meetings), I found the service to be quite good. The front desk staff was friendly and accommodating (they opened the Market for me after hours because I craved a Diet Coke), and our lunch server was super outgoing and happy to share personal favorites on the menu.

Finally, my spacious, ground-floor, king-bedded room (#85) was a treat since it opened onto its own patio and grassy area leading to the Gore Valley Trail and Gore Creek. ‘Twas fun to go to sleep to the sound of the late-spring runoff!

Photos courtesy Vail Cascade Resort & Spa.

Minus the incident where my husband set off our condo’s smoke alarm while cooking dinner, my family had a delightful stay at the Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa in Avon last weekend. Just an hour from our house, it was a convenient way for us to be “on vacation” at a lovely property — without the hassles of having to travel too far away.

Spacious living room in two-bedroom suite at the Westin Avon (note the classy modern furniture).

The Westin Riverfront opened last fall and was promptly named to Conde Nast Traveler’s annual “Hot List.” The resort was built “green” from the bottom up, with recycled building materials, sustainable landscaping and minimal external lighting to eliminate light pollution. It sits at the bottom of Beaver Creek Mountain, technically in the town of Avon, across the Eagle River. In the winter, a gondola connects guests with the ski mountain; in the summer, you cannot beat its location literally steps away from the Eagle Valley recreation trail for biking, running, strolling and in-line skating along the river.

With a two-bedroom suite, comprised of a spacious living area and full kitchen, double-bedded room with bathroom and king room with bathroom, my family of four had plenty of room to spread out. The adjoining rooms absolutely have a condo-like feel, with the dining table for six, sitting area, flat-screen television and all the cookware and dishware you need to feed yourselves or entertain — whether you want to make martinis or bake a pie (literally, martini shaker and pie plate, among other thoughtful items, were found in the cabinets). We ended up making not only the aforementioned dinner with smoke-alarm accompaniment, but also two breakfasts and a lunch in our condo — I love full kitchens for saving money by making meals over eating out!

Love the Westin Riverfront location by the river and recreation path, and in the shadow of Beaver Creek Mountain.

Our kids also took full advantage of the lap pool (too cold for mom on cool June days, though the pool is heated) and the  infinity hot tubs (perfectly toasty). Other amenities we didn’t use, but checked out and can recommend for appearing to be ggreat: the huge, chock-full-of-equipment fitness center (seriously, it’s big and beautiful); the Westin Kids Club, with its own colorful “Discovery Room” (child care does cost extra, starting at $55 for three hours during the day); Restaurant Avondale, which features a West Coast organic menu with seasonally fresh ingredients; Market Avondale, where you can pick up any grocery items you may have forgotten to pack, as well as to-go sandiwches, breakfast items and prepared entrees to eat in your condo; and Spa Anjali, a full-service spa that has an Asian-Mountain fusion feel going on.

We absolutely appreciated the friendly bell staff, who patiently retrieved our bikes two mornings for family rides on the recreation path along the Eagle River (I cannot recommend this activity enough; great exercise, pretty trail toward Edwards). Everyone we encountered on the bell staff was friendly and accommodating.

The Heavenly Beds that Westin is famous for didn’t disappoint; nor did the “White Rain” scented spa amenities in our huge bathroom (The Westin brand is certainly a favorite of mine.) I also loved the huge lobby, with so many cozy spots for resting in front of the massive gas fireplace or enjoying a drink from the adjacent Wine Bar. My kids found the supply of board games in the filled bookcases, and they managed to eek out a couple games of Connect Four while we were checking out and packing the car to leave.

I’d say the only negative aspect of our Westin Riverfront stay was the slightly pushy concierge who tried to get my husband and me to take a tour of the Starwood vacation-ownership villas next door. I declined, but she pursued, “You could take a tour before driving out Sunday morning…” One firm, “No, we’re not interested,” and that was that.

Overall, however, my family very much enjoyed the Westin Riverfont, our fabulous accommodations and the pleasant front-desk and bell staff (bit props to Margie in the kids club who patiently answered my questions and who genuinely seems to love taking care of guests’ children). While we enjoyed being hosted by the resort for the weekend, all the nice perks, services and amenities do come with a price. On the Westin Riverfront website, a summer Saturday-night stay for a two-bedroom suite starts at $349, with a nightly resort fee of $20.

Photos by Kara Williams.

Twice in the past seven years I’ve spent the night by myself at the swanky Park Hyatt Beaver Creek in the Colorado Rockies (just an hour from my mountain home). I think of it as my sophisticated respite away from “real life,” where I can go and get pampered in its incredibly luxurious Allegria Spa and recharge my batteries with a hike up Beaver Creek Mountain.

Animal-print carpet and nifty chandeliers at 8100 Mountainside Bar & Grill.

I enjoyed my third off-season visit to the Park Hyatt just last weekend (note that I stay at the property when rates drop in the late spring and fall). This time hubby came along to enjoy the spacious accommodations, the rock-star location in the heart of Beaver Creek Village, the outdoor hot tubs (one with a waterfall), and the top-notch service. We also had a stellar meal at the resort’s 8100 Mountainside Bar & Grill that opened just seven months ago.

The decor of the new restaurant is airy and modern. I smiled at the irreverent, animal-print carpet and the nifty square-shaped chandeliers that support what look like dozens of lit, stout candles. Choose from booth or table seating; we liked our central, cozy spot right next to the gas fireplace.

All guests pass by the open kitchen, where a sous chef might be preparing meat or fish on the wood-fired grill. This massive, 66-inch grill is fed only by mesquite and oak (no gas assist), so staffers must, in effect, build a “campfire” to turn out meals every day.

Open kitchen with massive wood-fired grill.

The menu here changes each season and focuses on fresh, organic and all-natural ingredients. Chef de Cuisine Reese Hay personally selects the produce, dairy, meat and fish from state- and country-wide sources. I think it’s especially clever that each menu item lists the location from which it came. For example, my husband sampled the Tagliatelle with Lobster, which was flown in from Maine. I had the Wood-Fired Grilled Halibut that was “Alaskan Line Caught.” The Soft Goat Cheese in the Arugula Salad comes from Haystack Dairy, the Marinated Elk Loin from Lombardi Brothers, and the Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes from a Palisade farm — all Colorado based.

A couple of highlights of our tasty meal: the Colorado Charcuterie Tray, which is an assortment of handmade pâté and cured meats. Chef Reese himself prepares, salts and cures the elk sausage, pancetta and prosciutto in his refrigerated and humidified aging case. None of the items on the tray were duds; the pâté was especially yummy when spread on hot, crusty bread fresh from the oven. And the dessert beignets — also piping hot, just out of the deep fryer — were melt-in-your-mouth amazing. Fried dough never tasted so good.

8100 Mountainside Bar & Grill, open to the public, has a children’s menu and small-plate bar menu. The bar features an extensive wine list with offerings from local and organic wineries. I’d expect the spacious bar area, with scenic mountain views, is a festive place to enjoy a hot toddie (or two) in the late afternoon for once the lifts close.

Photos courtesy Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort & Spa.