Lodging

While my two girlfriends and I spent a quiet autumn weekend in the ski resort mountain town of Keystone, Colorado, staying at a SummitCove vacation rental, we took one afternoon to pamper ourselves with body treatments at the Keystone Lodge & Spa.

The spa was recently totally renovated in 2007. The vibe is decidedly soothing, with a number of thoughtful amenities, like eucalyptus in the steam room, and trail mix and cucumber-infused ice water in the relaxation lounge. But it’s environmentally friendly too, with staffers sporting uniforms made of hemp, recycled tires in the floor of the fitness center, and 100 percent wind power running the entire spa.

Guest Room at Keystone Lodge & Spa

The outside of the Keystone Lodge & Spa is nothing to write home about — it’s a nondescript, multi-level building just off of Highway 6. The resort is not a ski-in/ski-out property; shuttles every eight minutes take skiers to the lifts. But it is considered a AAA Four-Diamond resort, and rooms feature “elegant alpine decor” with all the amenities you’d expect from a luxury property: complimentary Wi-Fi, cofeemaker, turndown service, deluxe bedding, complimentary use of robes (nice for the trek to the year-round outdoor pool), and a humidifier (also ideal for flatlanders visiting the high-altitude, dry air in the Rockies).

Keystone ski area opened last weekend with plenty of snow and top-to-bottom skiing. By Christmastime, ski conditions should be stellar. And surprisingly, even though Christmas week is one of the busiest times for Colorado ski resorts, the Keystone Lodge & Spa has a holiday promotion where guests can book three nights and get the fourth free. This package applies not only to the dates surrounding Christmas and New Year’s, but also Thanksgiving, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents’ Day and Easter Sunday.

You really don’t even have to be a skier and snowboarder to enjoy wintertime at the Keystone Lodge & Spa — more leisurely pursuits include ice skating on a five-acre, outdoor rink, snowshoeing and tubing. Of course, it’s always nice to curl up with a good book around the community fireplace.

Photo courtesy RockResorts’ Keystone Lodge & Spa.

Colorado’s Keystone ski resort is bustling in the wintertime, particularly over Christmas through spring break. Summertime in the Colorado mountains also brings vacationers who like to hike, mountain bike and otherwise enjoy glorious weather in the “high country.” In the autumn, however, the resort town of Keystone is closer to a ghost town, and that’s when you can find great deals on lodging.

View from the condo balcony of the ski mountain.

For example, Keystone’s Summit Cove Vacation Lodging rents a centrally located, three-bedroom condominium for a whopping $879/night (three-night minimum) over Christmas and New Year’s Eve; it goes for $609/night from February 15 to March 31.

But if you visit during the late spring, summer or fall — April 17 to November 6 — the price per night drops to $199! (I’m actually surprised it’s so cheap in the summertime, but Keystone — unlike Aspen, Breckenridge and Vail — must not attract as many summer travelers as these other mountain towns.) And now through November 25, SummitCove is offering an additional 50% off all lodging rates!

Earlier this month, two girlfriends and I spent two nights in the three-bedroom condo I referenced above: #8893 in the Springs condo complex. I’d highly recommend this particular unit in River Run Village. It’s on the 4th floor, overlooking the pretty outdoor pool (with slide!) and Jacuzzis. The full kitchen/dining/living area was huge, and we each had our own bedroom and bathroom! The decor was quintessential “rustic mountain lodge,” and I thought it was perfect — though Cheri, the friendly SummitCove owner tells me she’s having the condo redecorated soon.

Two Jacuzzis and freeform pool - with slide!

With so few fellow guests staying at the condo complex, walking down the quiet, empty hallways was a bit reminiscent of The Shining. (That said, when we tried to take a nap one afternoon, naturally, there was a family of loud kids frolicking in the pool below!) We passed just two other groups of hikers on our trek up the ski mountain — just steps away from our condo. And we only saw a few folks at the nearby Inxpot coffee shop!

We made the 15-mile drive to Breckenridge for dinner one night, eating at Relish, a restaurant I’d highly recommend. With its bistro-style dining, huge wine list and decadent desserts, it was perfect for three ladies out of the town. Plus, since it was off season, we enjoyed a discounted prix-fixe menu, and again, few crowds.

Our girlfriends getaway in Keystone was quiet and peaceful, and just what three tired moms needed to feel refreshed and recharged and ready to return home after a weekend away from the family.

Photos by Kara Williams.