Vail hotels

Walking into the Sonnenalp feels like traveling halfway around the world to Europe – and for good reason. Founded in 1979, the Sonnenalp is designed to look just like a Bavarian ski lodge in the Allgäu Alps. That’s where the hotel’s founders, the Faessler family, opened their first property in 1919 before deciding to hop across the Atlantic and settle in Vail more than 40 years ago.
My two favorite places at the Sonnenalp are the spa and the King’s Club. The sun-dappled spa has a large fireplace, an indoor/outdoor pool and multiple hot tubs along the banks of Gore Creek (I could seriously spend all day relaxing here).
The King’s Club, meanwhile, is the hotel’s cozy lobby lounge, complete with comfy couches and live musical performances. The Sonnenalp’s charm is coupled with a great location in Vail Village – it’s just a short walk to the slopes, as well as bars, restaurants, and shops.

Situated on the tree-lined banks of Gore Creek, Grand Hyatt Vail is a perfect base for a winter ski trip, a fall leaf-peeping getaway, or a summer adventure vacation. A few minutes’ walk west from Vail Village, this upscale hotel is a bit off the beaten path, but that also makes it a little quieter and more serene – plus, it’s right next to Cascade Village Lift 20, which can help connect you to the rest of Vail Ski Resort’s sprawling 5,317 acres of terrain.
The hotel’s 285 rooms and suites are bright and airy, with lots of natural light streaming in through the windows. Many also have private balconies, which I’ve found are the ideal place to sip a cup of coffee and take in the views of the mountain every morning.
If you like to socialize and meet new people when you travel like I do, be sure to take advantage of Grand Hyatt Vail’s fun little gatherings, such as a dog-friendly “yappy hour” and champagne sabering lessons.

Gravity Haus Vail is one of the newest accommodations in town, having opened in December 2020. This modern boutique hotel, situated along Gore Creek in Vail Village, has just 22 rooms, which gives it an intimate feel. Gravity Haus is ideal for digital nomads and remote workers visiting in any season, since it has an on-site coworking space called Starterhaus Vail, plus tons of other handy amenities.
These include group exercise classes at Dryland Fitness and an all-day coffee bar called Unravel Coffee. More broadly, this Vail hotel is unique in that it’s part of a growing network of Gravity Haus locations, primarily in Colorado and California (for now).
The company has a unique membership model that includes perks, such as free gear rentals and nightly rate discounts, but you don’t have to be a member to stay here.

Location, location, location: Vail visitors (myself included) adore staying at Sitzmark Lodge because it’s situated in the heart of all the action in Vail Village. This family-run property, built in 1969, has just 35 rooms, which makes it easy to make new friends while lounging by the rooftop pool or fueling up with the complimentary continental breakfast.
The lodge is also home to The Left Bank, a beloved Vail restaurant serving up authentic French fare, from escargot to steak au poivre. Rooms range from standard guest rooms with two queens or one king bed, all the way up to a posh 2,800-square-foot penthouse with four bedrooms and three bathrooms. All of the rooms have balconies and great views (of either Gore Creek or the mountains).
In the winter, the property offers free ski and snowboard storage. In the summer, guests can borrow the lodge’s bicycles to pedal around town in the sunshine.