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Get Rebranded, Get a First Family Visit, If You're the Sebastian Vail

Where: 16 Vail Road [map], Vail, CO, United States, 81657

The brand new Library, before its Obama baptism

How’s that for a ringing endorsement of your new name? Just over a month after the Vail Plaza Hotel & Club was reinvented as The Sebastian, it swung itself a presidential visit this week. Or, rather, a presidential family visit – while Obama stayed in DC this weekend, Mrs O took the kids on a jaunt to the hotel.

According to the Mail Online, there’s a spot of controversy over the First Family’s trip to Vail following Obama’s advice on saving money – that one might like to cut back on one’s vacations. But hey, it was Presidents' Weekend after all.

Michelle Obama would almost certainly approve of Block 16, the hotel’s brand new restaurant that serves local, organic, seasonal food, as well as the newly dedicated Library (it’s just 10 days old, according to Facebook) – a room stuffed full of books, games and art which the hotel website reckons is perfect for “lively debate”. There’s also a new spa (which offers pop-up services around the hotel) and live music at the new bar, Frost, but we reckon Mrs O is too clever to risk coming over all Marie Antoinette by getting her nails done or throwing back a scotch.

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Hotel Rebranding / Vail Hotels / Preferred Hotels / Timbers Resorts / → All Tags

The Vail Plaza Has Tranformed into The Sebastian Vail

Where: 16 Vail Road [map], Vail, CO, United States, 81657

If this cold weather has you craving a trip to Vail to hit the slopes, you won't be able to shack up at the Vail Plaza Hotel & Club. The hotel has been converted into the Sebastian Vail.

But the boutique hotel is still open for business, and it offers some new features, including a new signature restaurant, bar and spa. That is, just in case you want some post-ski noshing or pampering.

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Bernie Madoff / Vail Hotels / Hotel Art / Hotel News / → All Tags

Want Some of Bernie Madoff's Art? Head to the Sonnenalp Hotel This Saturday

It may seem wrong buying stuff that once belonged to convicted ponzi schemer Bernie Madoff but as an auction last month proved, people are willing to shell out money for the finer things from his former life, like $1,700 for his underwear and socks. Given that small success, we'd say his art collection will probably fetch a lot more money.

The Sonnenalp Hotel in Vail, a swank ski hotel for the rich, will be hosting an art auction featuring pieces that once belonged to Madoff, including works by Marc Chagall, Henry Matisse, Norman Rockwell, Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso and Peter Max. The Colorado Independent reports:

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Four Seasons Vail is Now Taking Reservations From December 11

Where: One Vail Road [map], Vail, CO, United States, 81657

Yes! The chances of Santa Claus bringing ski bunnies a Very Four Seasons Vail Christmas are looking very good indeed, now we've learned that the Vail Four Seasons is now taking reservations from December 11.

Standard rates for a garden-view room start at $375 a night, according to the hotel's website, and there is also a Bed and Breakfast rate from $415 a night.

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Four Seasons Vail to Open in December, Possibly in Time for Santa Claus

Where: One Vail Road [map], Vail, CO, United States, 81657

We had hoped that the Four Seasons Vail would be open this summer but as it turns out, we now have something new to look forward to for the ski season. Four Seasons has announced that their Vail property will open this December.

The 121-room resort, which also includes a Residence Club and Private Residences, features an 11,000 square-foot, spa focusing on high-altitude therapies, an all-season, outdoor pool, and a full-service, dedicated Ski Concierge to ensure guests maximize their time on the slopes.

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Hotel Hype / Vail Hotels / Ski Hotels / Four Seasons Hotels / → All Tags

Four Seasons Resort Vail Aiming For a Summer 2010 Opening

Last time we mentioned the future Four Seasons Resort Vail, we'd heard you could be skiing up to the Four Seasons' door by 2009. Latest reports have the resort opening during summer 2010 (hmm, just not in time for the ski season!) but at least we can see on the Four Seasons Residence Club website that there is definite progress being made.

For the non-residential guest (that means most of us), the Four Seasons Vail will include a choice of 121 rooms, plus tons of amenities like a full service spa and fitness club, a 75-foot lap pool in a sunken courtyard, a ski and snowboard concierge, fine dining restaurant and plenty of parking and gear storage space.

There'll also be the Après Ski Lounge with a dual fireplace and floor to ceiling windows looking out to the Vail Mountain slopes. The resort is pretty much at the main entrance to Vail so it'll be easy to find. No word yet on room prices, but you can buy one of the residences instead if you've got a spare $405,900 lying around.

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Vail Mountain Lodge Appeals to Summer Guests with Food, Free Stuff

Where: 352 East Meadow Drive [map], Vail, CO, United States, 81657

For the ski bunny type, Vail might be synonymous with winter. But summer? Eh, not so much. The Vail Mountain Lodge & Spa, however, begs to disagree. The 20-room boutique hotel, perched on the banks of Gore Creek in Vail Valley, has a few goodies up its sleeves to lure summertime guests.

The Mountain Family Fun package makes the best of the season with rock-climbing access and climbing lessons, spa treatments, and organic fare for re-fueling. The package rates start at $445 per night, which includes three nights lodging (so really, we guess, $1,335 for all three nights), dinner for four at gourmet restaurant Terra Bistro, two semi-private climbing lessons, two spa treatments or two rounds of golf, free breakfast daily, and free access to Vail Athletic Club and classes. The package is available for Sunday through Wednesday arrivals, through Sept. 5.

Speaking of Terra Bistro, the restaurant is introducing a new menu with a small plates focus and more convivial restaurant ambiance (i.e. couches and banquettes). Summer fare flaunts treats like lemon shrimp and heirloom tomato gazpacho, steamed mussels, “sloppy Joe” sliders on toasted focaccia, peppered Amish beef tenderloin, vegetarian chili de arbol, and a cornmeal-crusted Rocky Mountain trout. With the new menu comes a summer calendar of weekly events, which includes a Monday night Grower’s Menu (featuring local farm fare), Tuesday night free cocktail with food purchase, Wednesday Gourmet Taco night ($6 for three tacos), and house-made ravioli on Thursdays.

[Photo via TripAdvisor]

Hotel Deals / RockResorts / Vail Hotels / → All Tags

Low Prices Rock The Lodge At Vail

Where: 174 East Gore Creek Drive [map], Vail, co, United States, 81657

When it comes to riding the rapids, we prefer to avoid sharp objects like rocks. But in the case of The Lodge at Vail, A RockResort, their "Rock the Rapids" package is encouraging the right kind of gouging. Prices, not rubber rafts! Families can save up to 30 percent on their white water adventures.

The "Rock the Rapids" package is available April 20 through September 27, 2009. Prices start at $199 per night for two nights accommodation and include a half-day rafting trip and lunch. Adventure seekers also get a Vail picture frame to nicely capture the experience forever.

And those not feeling the outdoors can zone out inside with the Complimentary Spa Credit package to use at the RockResorts Spa. A two night stay for $555 gives guests $555 worth of spa credit to do a little unwinding while the rest of the family battles rapids.

[Photo: Doc Artemis]

Refereeing Hotel Reviews / Ski Hotels / Vail Hotels / → All Tags

The Cordillera Lodge in Vail is Worth the Hype

Where: 2205 Cordillera Way [map], Edwards, CO, United States, 81632

Whenever we get tips fawning over this or that hotel, we’re always suspicious. So when this review came through our inbox, our BS-radar went on high alert:

I stayed at this place a little while ago and it is just magical. A nice, quite [sic] lodge, away from the town but still pretty close to everything, like Vail and Beaver Creek … I would recommend this place to people who want to get away from the rush, with their partner or for a family weekend.

So what was the hotel and what did we find out?

The hotel is The Lodge & Spa at Cordillera, in Edwards, CO. Its web site professes to be “one of the most luxurious retreats in the world … inspired by a chateau in Belgium.” Its 55 rooms all have patios or balconies, some with fireplaces. Rates start at $207 per night, and on top of that, there’s a total of 12.75 percent in taxes and fees, which includes Wi-Fi, valet parking, ski shuttle to Vail and Beaver Creek, fitness center access and access to the Cordillera Mountain Club at Beaver Creek and the Cordillera Club at Vail.

Now, on to the important part… Is it worth it? Let’s break it down.

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Tuesdays with Arrabelle Cuz It's Free

Where: 675 Lionshead Place [map], Vail, CO, United States, 81657

One Tuesday Night Free in Vail
$197 a night, three-nights minimum over a Tuesday

The new Arrabelle Resort in Vail which just opened last year is offering "Free Tuesdays." Guests booking a minimum of three nights at the resort over a Tuesday will not be charged for the Tuesday part of the stay. The deal is good through the ski season until April 18, 2009. Guests can also find more savings if they book before December 1st.

Additionally, guests looking to experience a ski vacation at the Arrabelle can save even more money this season with the "Baggage Bailout" program, an incentive that gives guests booking four or more nights with four day ski passes a $50 credit each if they book before December 1. The "Baggage Bailout" is offered for up to two people per room and is an attempt to make traveling with ski equipment a bit easier after the new airline checked baggage fees.

From now through December 14th, the hotel has rooms starting at $197 a night for a superior room. Those rates jump up to $330 a night just before Christmas and the holiday season gets insane at $900 a night. So one night free is a nice perk here.

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Third Night Free at Beaver Creek Resort

Where: 136 E Thomas Pl [map], Beaver Creek, CO, United States, 81620

Calling all snow bunnies: Check out the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort & Spa’s package called “Three for Free,” a buy-two-nights-get-one-night-free deal complete with full daily breakfast and a room upgrade. Located in the heart of Colorado ski country, the resort's room rates start at $249 per night. Per our advanced mathematical skills, that averages out to about $167 a night over three nights. Not bad!

In fact, the package sorta has us wishing we didn’t have two left feet when it comes to the slopes. But not too much--after all, klutzes can still enjoy hydrotherapy in the Allegria spa plus hiking and biking in the pretty Colorado mountains. Oh, and toasty s’mores and hot cocoa by a bonfire sounds alright too.

Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort & Spa’s “Three for Free” offer runs through Dec. 19.

[Image: Park Hyatt Beaver Creek]

Westin Hotels / Reader Reviews / Vail Hotel Scene / Vail Hotels / Ski Hotels / Starwood Hotels / Hotel Openings / → All Tags

Reader Review :: First Look Inside the Westin Riverfront Resort in Vail Valley

Where: 126 Riverfront Ln. [map], Avon, CO, United States, 81620

Every so often, we feature a hotel review from one of our readers that we feel should be shared with the rest of you dear hotel guests. These reviews are highlighted because they are timely, about cool hotels in cool places and are relatively level-headed. Think you can submit one just like this? Send it in. Now, we present you with reader (and part-time Vail Valley local) Mark's review of the brand new Westin Riverfront Resort and Spa at the base of Beaver Creek Mountain in the Vail Valley, which just opened up last week. Enjoy.

We had lunch and went on a tour of the newly-opened Westin Riverfront. Apparently, there was a big opening party on Friday, Oct 26 that almost everyone in the area was invited to, but I guess our invitations got lost in the mail.

The hotel is beautiful. Very zen-like, not what you would expect in the mountains, but still very, very nice without the pretentiousness of the Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch.

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