The Lodge at Vail opened in 1962 as Vail's first hotel and sits at the base of Vail Mountain in the middle of Vail Village. It is a Vail Resorts RockResort with 165 rooms and suites, a spa, an outdoor pool, a steakhouse and a ski valet, and Vail Resorts calls it ski-in/ski-out and steps from Gondola One. That combination suits guests who want the Village and the lift outside the door and a full-service hotel behind it. Lionshead has a close counterpart in The Arrabelle at Vail Square.
Check Lodge at Vail availability on Hotels.com
| Detail | The Lodge at Vail |
|---|---|
| Location | Vail Village, at the base of Vail Mountain; 174 East Gore Creek Drive |
| Size | 165 rooms and suites, including 46 one- to three-bedroom suites |
| Lift | Steps from Gondola One; ski and bike valet and a ski concierge |
| Dining | Elway's (steakhouse) and Cucina (breakfast and bar) |
| Parking and transport | Valet parking, a free local shuttle and a bus route |
| Pets | Limited pet-friendly rooms, $100 one-time fee; condo units are not pet friendly |
| Front desk | Open 24 hours; (970) 754-7804 |
Location and getting to the lift
The lodge is in the heart of Vail Village at the base of Vail Mountain, close to Gondola One, and it runs a ski and bike valet and a ski concierge for guests. The Village's restaurants, shops and events are on the doorstep. If you are weighing Village hotels against one another, the guide to hotels in Vail Village covers the alternatives.
Rooms, suites and condos
The room list runs from a Lodge Studio and Lodge King Room to a Lodge Room with Two Beds, a Lodge One Bedroom, an Executive King Suite and a Luxury Suite. The 46 suites have one, two or three bedrooms, each with a wood-burning fireplace and a private walk-out balcony, and the decor leans toward a European chalet, with mahogany and marble accents. Housekeeping runs every other day starting on the third day, and a grocery shopping service is available for longer stays.
The lodge also has condo units. Those are not pet friendly, so a stay with a dog means one of the limited pet-friendly hotel rooms, at a one-time $100 fee that does not apply to service dogs.
Pool, hot tubs and fitness
An outdoor pool and lounge with a poolside bar anchors the courtyard, and two outdoor hot tubs, fire pits and a wet and dry sauna round it out. The fitness center is a 3,500-square-foot complex above the spa, open around the clock, with treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, a rower, weight machines, free weights and a studio for yoga, recovery and Pilates.
RockResorts Spa
The RockResorts Spa at The Lodge at Vail has 11 treatment rooms: a couples room with a soaking tub for two, a wet treatment room, two facial rooms and seven massage rooms. The men's and women's locker rooms have steam rooms and whirlpools, with relaxation lounges. Book through the spa page or call (970) 754-7828. Other options around town are in the Vail spa roundup.
Where to eat: Elway's and Cucina
- Elway's is the steakhouse, serving USDA hand-cut prime steaks, Colorado lamb and fresh fish, with a wine list of more than 350 selections and a lively bar. It serves dinner nightly and après ski in season, and reservations go through Elway's own site or at (970) 754-7818.
- Cucina is the breakfast room, with a bar and a fire pit where you can start the morning with coffee and come back in the evening for a craft cocktail. Its schedule changes with the season, so call (970) 754-7872 before planning around it. Room service is seasonal.
Parking and getting around
The lodge has valet parking, a free local shuttle and a bus route. The Town of Vail runs the Vail Village Parking Structure at 241 S Frontage Rd E, and the in-town buses are free. Ask for the all-in nightly rate, including parking, before you compare it with another hotel.
Who the Lodge at Vail suits
| If you want | The Lodge at Vail | Compare with |
|---|---|---|
| To walk to the gondola from a Village hotel | Steps from Gondola One; ski and bike valet | The Arrabelle in Lionshead, steps from the Eagle Bahn Gondola |
| A steakhouse and spa in the building | Elway's; RockResorts Spa with 11 treatment rooms | Other on-site spas in the Vail hotel comparison |
| Space for a group | Suites with one to three bedrooms; a 5,500-square-foot ballroom for events | Condo-style stays in the vacation rentals directory |
| To bring a dog | Limited pet-friendly rooms, $100 one-time; not in condo units | Ask which room types are available |
Vail Resorts calls the ballroom Vail Village's largest. Current room types and prices are on the booking page.
