Recommend February 2012 - (Page 55)

Opposite page: The boutique resort features mountain chic decor. pull Beaver Creek away from the dazzling light that Vail exudes and it still would merit being tagged as one of the country’s premier resorts. It is approximately 30 minutes from Vail/Eagle County Airport, serviced by American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and US Airways (some airlines only offer seasonal ﬂights). The thin mountain air, crisp weather, magniﬁcent scenery and unparalleled atmosphere make Beaver Creek Village one of the most alluring resorts in Colorado. Within the village one ﬁnds entertainment, shops, nightlife, restaurants and art galleries. The Vilar Center for the Arts periodically hosts ﬁlm festivals, Broadway shows and a theater festival. Former president Gerald Ford once owned a chalet nearby and his presence is felt in the meeting hall that bears his name. the lodge At Beaver Creek Lodge guests will pleasantly discover a newly renovated, all-suite property where the storied Western hospitality is underscored with modern and luxurious touches. The lodge sits in the heart of Beaver Creek Village, a charming alpine town from where the view, in summer or winter, is one of the most spectacular in the Rockies. The village itself is rightfully ranked as one of the world’s top 50 skiing destinations and known for the attention that has been paid to elements that make life easier for visitors, details like covered escalators that whisk visitors from the village to the mountaintop. Beaver Creek Lodge, an ochre-colored complex in the heart of the village, is a magniﬁcent boutique retreat of mountain chic comfort. Its superior 72 guest suites (prices during spring begin at approximately $199 per night, dbl) scream of elegance. There are sitting areas full of plush appointments and Western-style furniture covered with rich leathers. The soft pillow-top beds are conducive to deep sleep and few experiences will rival the unparalleled luxury of sitting in front of a warm ﬁreplace in a private suite during a blustery Colorado dusk while looking up a mountain with clouds hovering over its crest. Eco-conscious guests will delight in the fact that a large portion of the resort’s electricity is generated by wind-powered plants, thus making Beaver Creek Lodge one of most earth-friendly properties in Colorado. In addition to the use of energy efﬁcient light ﬁxtures, the lodge practices extensive recycling and paperless procedures. Upscale chic exudes from every corner—from the art-ﬁlled lobby to stylish rooms warmed by the glow of ﬁreplaces. Guests arriving by car roll up to a luxurious porte-cochere from where valets take the vehicles to a heated garage. The resort’s signature bistro, “Rocks Modern Grill”—honeycombed with warm nooks with mountain views from where guests enjoy superlative dishes—is one of Colorado’s top restaurants. The patio outside the restaurant is pleasantly garlanded with red accents, market umbrellas and warmed by a gigantic ﬁre pit. According to Bruce Ruggs, Kessler Canyon general manager and current interim general manager at Beaver Creek Lodge, the resort stands head and shoulders above others in the area because it is “buzzing with endless entertainment.” Indeed, this is a place where all the senses will be sated. Original art works throughout rival those found in ﬁrst-class galleries, an elegant touch found in most Kessler properties. According to Ruggs, the artwork alone is worth a visit. “Guests love to explore the resort’s atrium-style Grand Bohemian Gallery spotlighting the work of local artists who have works in the Kessler family art collection,” he says. “We strive to offer a luxurious and intimate atmosphere to make every guest feel like a VIP, whether in their private suite or at the frequent art receptions and exhibits held in the Grand Bohemian Gallery.” Adding to the allure is one of the most spectacular golf courses in the Rockies. Robert Trent Jones Jr. mapped it and its challenging holes, along with the imposing scenery, makes golﬁng there a memorable experience. To relieve the aching muscles produced by such activities, the luxurious Struck Spa, approached by a shuttle ride from the lobby, offers a menu that delights and pampers guests. The aromatherapy treatments feature balms and lotions made from local plants and the salon treatments are extraordinary. Winter is a particularly active period and it’s a time favored by those who come to indulge in various activities like dog sledding, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and even ice-skating in a sparkling rink just steps away from the lobby. Summertime, meanwhile, offers the opportunity to get an up-close look at a rodeo that is pure Colorado, as well as go white-water rafting through some of the most spectacular scenery in the U.S. package it Skiers can sample Beaver Creek Lodge’s “luxurious and intimate atmosphere” with its Ski & Fees package (from $353 per night, dbl in a queen suite to $933 for a larger double suite), a tempting offer for winter sports lovers. It includes a suite, complimentary ski rentals, breakfast and other amenities. The Alpine Rodeo Adventure highlights summertime, from June 30 to Aug. 18. With rates similar to the ski package, this is a fun experience for families and children who are given the opportunity to participate in the rodeo. There are also golf and white-water rafting packages; prices are in the same range as the Ski & Fees package. n Archived related articles (available on recommend.com): Paws Up Ups “Glamping” to New Heights (October 2011) contact information Beaver Creek Lodge: (800) 525-7280; beavercreeklodge.net february 2012 55 http://www.recommend.com http://www.beavercreeklodge.net

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend February 2012

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk: The Lodge at Woodloch
Tour Talk: Swain Tours
Celebrity Silhouette
Savoring the Zulu Kingdom
The Falkland Islands-Nature's Last Stand
Asia
One Bal Harbour, Florida
Las Vegas Spa Retreats
Beaver Creek Lodge, Colorado
Bliss Springs Eternal at Esperanza
The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun
Time to "Czech" Out Moravia
Caribbean Uber-Luxe

Recommend February 2012