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Life is different now, whether we like the new normal or not. Families are traveling differently too, and more cautiously. Families learned to enjoy more “together” time but also still wanting a sprinkle of “alone” time. Say hello to your new BFF hotel, the Antlers at Vail Resort in Colorado, where they say yes to family and yes to pets — and of course, yes to all sorts of Colorado mountain fun. Read on for the details of why you should stay at the Antlers at Vail resort.
I admit it — the pandemic restrictions placed a Debbie-downer-damper on my normally itchy travel feet, so an opportunity to escape to Vail, Colorado, was eagerly accepted. This summer, our first hotel stay in months was the Antlers at Vail Hotel & Condominiums. Their unique mountain lodging offers families a home away from home, with all the amenities of a hotel, plus fully equipped kitchens — and are you ready for this? No resort fees! And it is pet-friendly!
After reviewing both Vail Valley and Antlers at Vail’s new COVID-19 policy, my hubby and I packed the SUV (including masks) and the family dog Tig, picked up our 13-year-old grandson, and headed west on I-70 to Vail for a skip-gen family vacation.
With summer temps scorching Denver’s Front Range, Colorado Rocky Mountain road trips allow us “city-folk” to escape the heat and enjoy the state’s great outdoors. Even on the interstate, Colorado offers stunning scenery, which is a good thing as the traffic is often stop-and-go as others escape the heat for the mountains also.
Located 120 miles due west of Denver, the iconic ski town of Vail consists of three “village” base areas. But beyond the slopes, the town embraces a Bavarian culture, history, and cuisine, beginning with its distinct Austrian-inspired architecture for an Alps in the Colorado Rockies setting.
Arrival at the Antlers at Vail Resort
In the heart of Lionshead Village, the Antlers at Vail resort is a straight shot west of Denver, but depending on traffic, the drive takes between two to three hours, offering convenient access a few minutes off I-70 on the South Frontage Road.
We arrived mid-afternoon and drove through the entrance to the resort, circling around the large sculpture. Parking is limited for checking in and unloading, and the spaces are small (tight to park our large SUV) outside the lobby entrance.
Completed mid-December 2019, the lobby underwent a $5 million renovation, presenting a spacious lobby and front desk with lots of natural light. Check-in was non-eventful and smooth, with the reception desk to the right of the entrance, and the lounging area to the left.
Upon completion of check-in, we were given a map to guide us to the FREE underground parking. Yet again, the parking spots were small, and navigating into one with our over-sized SUV required finesse and a lot of luck. Once parked, luggage carts are available on all levels, so we loaded up and headed to the elevator, which whisked us up to our room on the 5th floor.
And did I mention the parking is free!? And no resort fees either, so the business office, WiFi, pool, amenities — all included in your room rate. That’s a sweet deal.
Accommodations at the Antlers at Vail
The 87 condo lodging options at Antlers at Vail are all individually decorated, ranging from studio suites (larger than the typical hotel room) and one, two, three, and four bedrooms. These are perfect for a family vacation as each are fully-equipped with kitchens, fireplaces, outdoor balconies with gas BBQ grills, DVD players, and FREE WiFi. During the pandemic, no housekeeping service is provided (as most hotels), but the front desk provided everything we needed quickly.
The living room of our 3 bedroom condo at Antlers at Vail.
We stayed in a 3-bedroom condo, one master bedroom with attached ensuite, another bedroom with two twin beds, and a loft with a queen bed & ensuite. My grandson opted for the loft (surprise!) and that gave all of us our privacy. Our dog Tig choose (mostly) to hang out with the grandson in the loft.
What we love about the lodging options at the Antlers at Vail is that we had our own space, but we chilled every evening together in the living area and on the balcony. We travel often with our extended family, and unfortunately, not many hotels offer enough connecting rooms or enough living space. In today’s post-pandemic times, we also feel safer as we are in control of our own “little world” in our condo with all the comforts of home.
Amenities at Antlers at Vail
Located next to Gore Creek and trail, Antlers at Vail offers year-round heated pool and hot tubs. Sweet views! Photo: Antlers at Vail
Located on the banks of the beautiful Gore Creek across from Vail Mountain, the Antlers at Vail is the perfect “home base.” This Vail resort offers a long list of complimentary amenities — with NO resort fees! (Please note, that during COVID-19 times, some amenities are temporarily suspended and/or based on availability. Check with front desk.)
Complimentary Antlers at Vail Hotel Amenities Include:
- NO resort fees
- Daily housekeeping
- FREE WiFi
- Scenic pool deck overlooking Gore Creek, a year round outdoor pool, two relaxing hot-tubs, two saunas
- Convenient fitness room
- Complimentary business center
- On-site ski rental with complimentary ski valet
- Free WiFi
- Free parking in our heated underground garage (1 mid-sized parking spot per condo)**
- Free yoga classes twice a week during winter
- A free shuttle to the grocery store to stock your full kitchen with groceries*
- Complimentary GoPro loaner cameras*
- Sema Electric Vehicle Charging Station complimentary to guests
- Complimentary newspapers
- Hundreds of complimentary movies on DVD are available
- Complimentary bike rentals*
- Free snowshoe rentals in the winter*
- Loaner sleds available*
- Free luggage storage (during your stay, or from year to year)
You can go directly to the hotel website to make your reservation, or compare rates and book at an online OTA such as Expedia or Hotels.com.
Explore Vail Village
Walk the Gore Creek Trail and explore the pet-friendly Vail VIllages when staying at the Antlers at Vail.
In the heart of Lionshead Village, this Vail hotel is a short 150 yards from the Eagle Bahn Gondola at the base of Vail Mountain, as well as 5-10 minute walk to restaurants, entertainment, and outdoor space.
We loved our daily walks along the Gore Creek Trail almost as much as our dog Tig did. And many of the restaurants welcomed dogs on leashes, so we dined often on their patio, enjoying the Colorado sunshine.
Be sure to check out our other reviews of Vail resorts:
Austria Haus Hotel: European Charm in Vail, Colorado
Mountain Life with European Charm at Vail’s Sonnenalp Hotel
Four-Season Luxury at Four Seasons Resort & Residences Vail
Thanks to the Discover Vail and Antlers at Vail for hosting our visit in exchange for an honest review; opinions expressed are my own. Photos courtesy of Diana Rowe and Antlers at Vail.
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