HotelChatter

Blonde hair color aside, we're not space cadets and consider ourselves quite familiar with Vail and Lionshead Village, but there were so many machines kickin' around that we found ourselves surrounded while trying desperately to locate some sort of sign that marked the lobby entrance.

As we attempted to navigate the various stretches of plywood planks (in lieu of concrete), we feared for our flip flops' lives.

Okay, so maybe we're being a bit harsh. It got better once we found the lobby (eventually) and a helpful front-desker, and when we found out that almost all of that construction was happening on Vail Square, not the hotel.

The idea behind the whole development:

Anchoring a new destination called Vail Square, a European-inspired village that will fuse new energy into the region, The Arrabelle will offer guests an exceptional vacation experience with 36 luxury rooms and 50 condominiums, fine dining at Centre V, a RockResorts spa, personalized services such as the Ski Nanny, and a true ski-in/ski-out experience with a location just steps away from Vail Mountain.

Also, the Vail Square complex features an ice-skating rink (which is not finished, but will function as an amphitheater to show outdoor movies during the summer -- eventually), covered escalators (not quite done either) and some shops galleries and restaurants (some are already open).

We're always willing to forgive a few extra construction projects after a property opens, but Vail Square -- probably through no fault of Arrabelle's -- is still kind of a disaster.

And since Vail is a beautiful summer destination for travelers seeking serenity and beautiful scenery, a giant mess outside your $300+ per night hotel is a major buzzkill.

Hopefully the whole thing will be complete by ski season, when rates will jump to a staggering $800+ per night.