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February 6, 2009 —
I have a business associate coming to Vail and Beaver Creek for the President’s Day weekend, so I decided to call around and see what room prices would be during that time.
I knew prices would be high – but I was pleasantly surprised at some of the deals I found.
President’s Day weekend is traditionally the second-busiest weekend (and week) of the year, after Christmas and New Years.
Spring break in March is also a busy time, but spring breaks are spread out over a month or so, whereas President’s Day is a flood of people all at once.
I made some calls on Feb. 6, 2009, looking for a room for one person.
I was also on the lookout for affordability over luxury, and I found two pretty good deals in Vail and two pretty good deals in Avon (at the base of Beaver Creek, FYI).
The Roost Lodge in West Vail:
This is the ultimate in affordability within Vail city limits. Definitely don’t expect a luxe property, and don’t expect much beyond a bed to sleep on and a roof over your head (and possibly some new friends to have beers with) but anyway how much time do you really want to stay in your hotel room?
Rates: $159 + tax per night
Location: 1783 N Frontage Rd W Vail, CO 81657 (about 10 minutes from the slopes and right on the Vail bus route).
Phone: (970) 476-5451
Holiday Inn Apex in West Vail:
It’s important to remember that this isn’t your typical Holiday Inn … this is a Vail Holiday Inn, with a beautiful lobby replete with a fireplace in the round, leather chairs, attentive staff, a sushi restaurant and the Valley’s best breakfast joint (West Side Café) all under one roof. It’s about 10 minutes from the slopes and right on the Vail bus route.
Rates: Night of Feb. 14 $299, Feb. 15 $239, Feb. 16 $199
Location: 2211 N. Frontage Road, Vail CO 81657
Phone: (877) 863-4780
Christie Lodge in Avon:
This hotel was super cool in the 80s, but now feels a bit like an old episode of Miami Vice. It’s still clean and very centrally located however in Avon at the base of Beaver Creek, and the rates are reasonable. Access to Beaver Creek is by free shuttle which picks you up right at the front door (about 10 mins to the slopes) and access to Vail is by the $3 county bus (about 20 mins to the slopes).
Rates: Feb. 14-16 $169 per night
Phone: (970) 949-7700
Comfort Inn Vail/Beaver Creek:
This hotel is pretty standard-looking on the outside, but very comfortable and well-decorated on the inside, with a pool and high speed wireless and other trappings. I find the people there to be quite nice and the whole place has a kind of Americana, bed-and-breakfast feel.
Rates: Feb 14 $169.99 + tax; Feb 15th-16th $159 + tax
Phone: (970) 949-5511
Downvalley:
It may seem that Eagle is fairly close to Vail, but I’m not such a big fan of staying downvalley if you’re coming to Vail and Beaver Creek for a ski trip. By the time you rent a car and deal with parking you’re looking at spending more than you would at an upvalley hotel.
Anyway here’s a look at the rates for President’s Day Weekend, 2009, for a couple places down in Eagle, about 30 minutes from Vail.
Americ Inn: $179.90 + tax per night
Holiday Inn Express: $129.95 + tax per night
Comfort Inn: $119 + tax per night
4 Comments on "A quest for President's Day lodging at Vail and Beaver Creek"
Jesse from Kansas — February 7, 2009
Are the hotels in Avon accessible to the new Westin Gondola? Can anyone ride up that way rather than taking the bus?
Thanks!
Powder Predictor — February 8, 2009
Jesse, most of the hotels in Avon ARE close to the new gondola at the Westin. With only a short walk. However, Avon can be a nightmare to walk around as there are many side streets and the like. The beauty of the new Westin gondola is that it is adjacent to a bus stop that has service to anywhere in the Valley. So if you want to ski Vail, its a $3 bus ride right to the Vail Transportation Center. Also, the gondola is available to the public, so you need not stay at the Westin. Hope this info helps, and when you arrive, have a great time.
Reid Griebling
David O. — February 9, 2009
If you do stay at the Westin (see their February couples deal in our Real Lodging section), you'll be blown away. It is an awesome property, and Avondale restaurant is off the hook. I just did the Riverfront Express gondola on Saturday and it's actually a great way to get onto the mountain. It's a free three-minute ride over the river, then you have to get a lift ticket at Beaver Creek Landing. But from there you're into Bachelor Gulch on the Lower Beaver Creek Express chairlift in minutes (and the ski down past the Ritz is no big deal, either). You can warm up with some cruisers in Bachelor Gulch or head up to the top of the Beav' on the Upper Beaver Creek Express. I was initially a skeptic of the multi-lift approach (instead of one long gondola) but have to admit it's pretty slick. And it truly does make a lot of Avon lodging lift accessible.
David O. — February 9, 2009
PS, be sure to check out the RealVail's last minute lodging deals page (or click through the ad and link on the top of our site) for last-minute deals on every price range of lodging. You may wind up with a luxe room at the Antlers (one of our faves in Vail) or even the Westin in Avon, for that matter.
