Avon, Colo.: Westin Riverfront Resort and Spa

By MICHELLE AUERBACH
The New York Times
Published: Dec 07, 2008

THE BASICS

For better or worse, Vail — one of North America’s most popular ski destinations — is in the midst of a billion-dollar upgrade. Sprawling resorts and condominiums are sprouting, and new luxury hotels are opening. Among the newest is the Westin Riverfront Resort and Spa, a 210-residence hotel in the nearby town of Avon. Opened in September, the Westin is part of a mixed-use village that includes vacation condos, a full-service spa, retail shops and a gondola. The Westin also strives to be green by offering such amenities as preferred parking for hybrid cars, an organic garden and biodegradable detergents.

LOCATION

Down the hill from Beaver Creek Mountain, Vail’s sister mountain. Instead of requiring guests to hop on a shuttle bus, the hotel complex has its own high-speed gondola that whisks skiers to Beaver Creek Landing, where there are connecting lifts to the ski trails. It’s not quite ski-in, ski-out, but it certainly beats having to wait for a bus or packing the car.

THE ROOM

As you enter the room, the first thing you see are large windows that frame the snow-covered mountain. The pine trees look close enough to touch. The room itself was modern and crisp, decorated like a plush mountainside cabin with dark wood floors, beige walls, fluffy white linens and cream-colored upholstered chairs. Larger residences also have fireplaces, terraces and kitchenettes. Despite the hotel being green, there are plenty of energy guzzlers at your disposal, including a coffee maker, a flat-screen TV, a Bose iPod-docking stereo, a cordless telephone, Wi-Fi and a humidifier. But at least there’s a recycling bin in the room.

THE BATHROOM

Warm and spa-like, with white marble floors, shiny chrome faucets, dark wood cabinets and a large walk-in shower with low-flow shower-heads. A separate bathtub is deep and has built-in water jets.

ROOM SERVICE

An abbreviated menu from the Restaurant Avondale is offered 24 hours a day. Like the hotel itself, the Avondale strives to be green and serves simple, West Coast-inspired fare like braised Colorado lamb shoulder with vegetables ($25). A fantastic chicken soup with pastina ($12), ordered at 11 p.m., arrived fast enough to still be steaming.

AMENITIES

Plenty of four-season perks. Depending on the time of year, you can go fly-fishing with a guide or do yoga on the wedding lawn. The 23,000-square-foot Spa Anjali offers a Zen-style interior and a variety of treatments. There is also a fitness center that overlooks Eagle River. Other amenities include a minimarket stocked with imported Italian meats, an outdoor lap pool and three big riverside hot tubs.

BOTTOM LINE

Another luxury hotel in the Vail Valley, but this time with an environmentally friendly twist. Rates during the ski season start at $249 for a studio suite, $519 for a one-bedroom suite and $1,499 for a three-bedroom. Westin Riverfront Resort and Spa, 126 Riverfront Lane, Avon, Colo.; 970-790-6000; www.westin.com/riverfrontavon.

© The New York Times. All rights reserved. This article originally appeared in The New York Times.