This property is a full-service resort in Cascade Village, straddling Gore Creek at the base of Vail Mountain. It is a resort for all reasons, offering the copious meeting space of Marriott's Mountain Resort, the recreational facilities of Vail Mountain Lodge, and the high culinary standards of The Lodge at Vail and Sonnenalp. Indeed, the only competitor in this respect is the Hyatt Regency in Beaver Creek.
Quick, obliging service is forthcoming from everyone here: doormen, bellhops, valets, housekeepers and waiters. The hotel has embarked on a large-scale renovation, though only a small portion of the work had been completed in spring 2008.
The U-shaped, four-story main building embraces a courtyard, and a quad chair lift rises directly from the hotel to the slopes, allowing guests to ski straight to the mountain. Upon return, the staff takes charge of ski gear and prepares it for the next day's runs. A library-theme lounge faces the front desk, while a larger lounge at the hotel's entrance features a double-sided gas fireplace, a nightly pianist and soaring floor-to-ceiling windows with myopic views
of the mountains.
The entrance to Chap's Grill & Chophouse lies to one side of the lounge, and all meals are served here. For dinner, the kitchen offers an eclectic American menu, with its signature dish a savory combination of lamb, elk and venison. The winter-only Blue Tiger, with its Vietnamese and Thai-accented menu, provides popular Asian-fusion cuisine to skiers. In winter, an espresso outlet perks up the morning with coffee and pastries. A general store is on the premises, as is a two-screen movie theater.
Two heated outdoor pools, and three outdoor and two indoor whirlpools, are on the premises. The main pool was under the knife at inspection, but it should be entertaining swimmers by October 2008. The tremendous roster of facilities at the athletic club includes three indoor tennis courts (the fourth court was sacrificed for expansion of the spa), nine outdoor courts, squash and basketball courts, an aerobics room, a track, a steam room and child care. The gym features more than 48 pieces of cardio equipment.
Found within the health center, the Aria spa offers 14 treatment rooms, a couple's spa suite, fancy locker rooms, a spa boutique, a heated outdoor pool, and indoor and outdoor whirlpools. Skiers appreciate Cascade Chairlift 20, located outside the resort's side door. The massages, facials and other salon services are reasonably priced.
Meeting facilities can handle groups of up to 800. They comprise two ballrooms, an auditorium, an exhibit hall and smaller conference rooms along with seasonal garden pavilions for up to 280. A shuttle runs frequently to the village. Self-parking in the garage is free, whereas valets exact charges.
Accommodations in rich jewel tones employ quality fabrics and carpeting. Air conditioning and large 47-inch flat-screen TVs have been added. All rooms have refrigerators, coffeemakers, irons and ironing boards, hair dryers and ceiling fans The cordless phones are a nice touch as is the addition of Wi-Fi.
Rooms in the main building, at only 300-350 sq ft, 
are small for guests struggling with ski gear and clothing. They are fitted with king or queen beds, large desks and combination baths with granite counters. Geraniums trim some of the furnished balconies. Terrace Wing rooms, which cost slightly more, are the better deal, as these are 30% larger, are closer to the chair lift, and feature oversized sitting areas with bay windows and dining tables, and double vanities in the baths.
Mountainview units fetch higher rates than those overlooking the courtyard. Deluxe Suites are again 30% larger than Terrace Wing rooms, and have separate bedrooms, sofa beds, fireplaces and easy chairs with ottomans.
Room service runs nonstop. Pets are not permitted.
Demanding clients will be hard pressed to find fault here, provided that they are happy within a self-contained universe.
