“Not many hotel employees would personally deliver the ski goggles you left in your hotel room to you on the slopes when you realise you forgot them. The Four Seasons Vail did just that when I did.” Rachael Oakes-Ash reviews her hotel stay.
As a travel journalist it goes without saying that I get to stay in some pretty amazing places. It also goes without saying that some of these amazing places are let down by bad service, tardy housekeeping and breakfasts more worthy of economy on a long haul budget airline.
Upon arriving at the Four Seasons Resort & Residences in Vail Colorado I was greeted at the front desk by a team member just as excited as I was that Vail mountain was opening over 1000 acres of skiable terrain on their opening weekend. So much so he immediately pulled out a ski map and started marking where the best powder stashes would be found.
I fell in love immediately and breathed a sigh of relief.
Having spent August in Vail I was well aware of the resort’s impressive Four Seasons hotel. I had daily walked past the grand building that rises skyward from a swanky swimming pool worthy of 1940s Hollywood and secretly wished they were my legs reclining on the day beds under the summer sun.
A season and a half later and I got my wish booking into a king deluxe room with mountain view and balcony. The Four Seasons lobby can be confusing, one steps from the valet parking driveway straight into the open space of the hipster Remedy Bar. I could easily have found myself downing prohibition style cocktails before even checking in if the bell boy hadn’t steered me towards the inner sanctum that is the front desk.
Not that I was complaining. Remedy wasn’t going anywhere and my seat at the bar was secured.
Like most Four Season properties it is the service level that sets the hotel apart and cements their brand worldwide. It helps that guest rooms have classic understated interiors and that the communal areas have a tongue in cheek design appeal that caters well to a ski loving clientele.
Add mountain views, ski concierge and the best stand alone bath tubs in town and Four Seasons Vail are onto a good thing. Here’s ten reasons why I would return.
Breakfast
If a hotel doesn’t get breakfast right then they’ve lost you for the day. Enter the breakfast room here (it’s within Flame Restaurant) and prepare to pig out. Choose from a la carte or hit the buffet for bespoke omelettes and eggs, quaint puddings, green juices, freshly baked gluten (and non gluten) goods and an array of condiments you’ll want to take home.
Ski concierge
The Four Seasons is not slope side but do not fret. Ski concierge has thought it all through. The ski valet club house is found near the Lift One gondola. The hotel will drive you to the club and you’ll find your skis and boots already waxed, tuned and warmed and set up in your own private locker. There’s also hot chocolate, coffee, tea, muffins, cookies and more to fuel you after skiing and if you’re lucky the fluffiest malamute house dog in all the land, Jackson, will be outside on the balcony waiting for a pat if you are so inclined.
Oh and when you ski down at the end of the day you’ll find a Four Seasons ski concierge waiting to take your skis and boots from you, so you don’t have to carry a thing.
Bathtubs bathtubs bathtubs
I am a sucker for a bathtub. Not only are the standard bathrooms large (very large) they also boast a stand alone bath tub that is deep and comfortable and ready for soaking. I literally sunk my weary ski bones into this tub twice a day.
Hot chocolate
Regular readers will know I love a hot chocolate. The hot chocolate at the Four Seasons in Vail is poured from a copper pot filled with full cream goodness through a fine doily hand made from chocolate by the hotel pastry chef. I do not know the chef’s name but may his/her family live a long and prosperous life.
Everything poolside
Wander down to the pool in your fluffy white robe and slink into a hot tub. Blink and you’ll miss the super slick pool attendant who arrives with freshly warmed pool towels. Yes, freshly warmed. Then hit the fire side for complimentary brownies. Seriously, I could live here.
More agua
If the pool isn’t enough then know that water is everywhere in this hotel. Iced water filled with lemons, oranges and other exotic fruits is waiting for you in the lobby to stay hydrated. Jump into the hotel car for a jaunt around the village and there’s complimentary water bottles inside. Head to your hotel room for more complimentary bottles of water on your bedside or simply head to the hotel day spa for water hydrotherapy.
Kids for all seasons
I don’t have kids but if I did I reckon I’d book them into the complimentary Kids for All Seasons childcare program for 5 – 12 year olds with dedicated fun filled games room. I can’t really comment on much more because, well, as I said, I don’t have kids.
Remedy Bar
Now this I can comment on. Remedy opened earlier this year and was an immediate hit with the locals. A streamlined interior with full three sided bar to make full use of the mountain view plus a soothing lounge just begging for folks in stylish attire to recline themselves in. Add a playful menu of tasteful bar style flavoured snacks including bison pizza. Did we mention the cocktails? They pack a punch.
Thumbs up
And then there’s the service, yes, yes, I know I have mentioned it at least once. But seriously, everyone remembers your name, they can’t do enough for you and if you drop a ski glove there’s always someone there to pick it up.
Thumbs down
Hard to find something to fault. I would say the classic interior of the rooms don’t match the contemporary flare of the communal areas, especially The Remedy Bar and Lounge.
Deals for days
The good news is the Four Seasons in Vail also offers some ripping deals throughout the ski season. Right now they have 40% off room rates between December 13 and 21.
Their ‘stay longer’ deals offer the third night free from March 27 to April 16 and 5th and 7th nights are offered free on various packages throughout the season.
Check out the hotel website for more.
SnowsBest was hosted by Four Seasons Vail Resort & Residences
