With ski season fast approaching in Vail on November 11, 2022, it’s currently the off-season or what’s commonly referred to as “shoulder season”. You might not be thinking about a visit to this ski resort during October, but now’s a surprisingly beautiful time to visit with fall foliage at its peak. The Vail foliage undoubtedly provides some of the best leaf peeping in the state, and there’s a place to stay that will show off those colors for you without ever having to leave the resort.
As a local Coloradan, I drove up to Vail and stayed at the Four Seasons Vail Resorts and Residences for my first time. The hotel was recently named the “top hotel in the Mountain West” according to Condé Nast Traveler readers. And so I wanted to see what all the hype was about.
Vail Four Seasons Resort and Residences has 121 total rooms and 28 private residences. A weekend getaway in October ranges in price depending on the room. For example, a mountain premiere room on an upcoming Saturday night with a view of Vail mountain is listed on site for $1,070 on average before the addition of a resort fee of 7% plus taxes, which adds up to $1,262.82 at checkout. By comparison, a resort-view room with a garden or pool view is listed at $695, and adding the resort fee plus taxes brings the cost to $820.24. Currently on site, the hotel is running a promotion of 20% off the room rate if you book your stay at least seven days in advance.
My room was the mountain premiere room, which included two beds, a fireplace, a smart TV, an espresso machine by Nespresso, and a bathtub outside the shower.
Walking in and being greeted by chocolate was a sweet welcome!
While many hotels are skipping on room service these days as they are facing pandemic staffing shortages, housekeeping came twice in one day here.
My room had the mountain view, and it did not disappoint. Step on the balcony, and the views of the mountain are breathtaking.
Waking up to this sight was unique, but one of my favorite parts about this hotel is that you can take in the scenic views from other areas of it as well. Whether you’re eating breakfast at Flame, grabbing a drink at The Remedy Bar or at the heated outdoor pool, you’re leaf peeping.
At Flame, I opted for the breakfast burrito and it was very filling. The green juice (“green machine”) — a mixture of green apple, kale, cucumber, pineapple, celery, lemon, ginger and parsley — caused me to go out and a buy a juicer when I returned home.
And let’s just say that I’m still missing these views with my coffee in the morning.
The Remedy Bar also provides these outdoor views with fire pits at night for when it gets cold. My drink was called “Fall Back in Thyme.” It’s a combination of Roku gin, St Germain, lemon, thyme syrup, pear and prosecco. For a non-alcoholic choice, I’d recommend the “famous haut chocolat” with house-made marshmallow, chocolate tuile and Chantilly Creme.
To further keep you warm, the hotel has an outdoor heated pool and two spa tubs. While it might feel chilly to get in, it’s worth a dip at this time of year. There’s also a fireplace by the pool at night.
To make you feel even more at home, the hotel is pet-friendly. If you have a pet that weighs less than 25 pounds, the hotel will allow it to stay with you. When I was there, there was a wedding overlooking the pool. The couple’s dog was happily included as he wagged his tail down the aisle in a little suit too.
Located at One Vail Road, the hotel’s location is right in the middle of it all for exploring Vail, because it’s walking distance to both Vail Village and Lionshead Village. If you’d rather not walk, the hotel offers complimentary use of a Mercedes-Benz SUV house car to get around. To park your own car, it’s valet only and costs $55 per night.
In preparation for ski season, the gondolas that take you up the mountain weren’t open at this time. But hiking is a part of the full, fall experience. The trails are easily accessible from the villages. Getting up close to the yellow leaves, feeling the crisp air and seeing the slopes so full of color is what this season is all about.
In Colorado, there’s a tendency to want a season to happen more quickly. In winter, we’re ready for the warmth of spring and summer. In summer, we get tired of the heat. In fall, we can’t wait for winter to ski and snowboard. Fall in Vail is a reminder that there’s beauty in waiting for a new season and that we should focus on the present instead of only thinking about what’s to come.
