Review: Manor Vail Lodge
Vail is the ultimate mountain getaway, and the Manor Vail Lodge offers a convenient location right on the slopes with fantastic amenities for visitors to the area. The family-friendly condominium resort is located at the banks of Gore Creek, overlooking Vail’s Golden Peak Base area. It’s at the end of Vail Village and remains quiet and peaceful despite being minutes from Vail’s world-class shopping, dining and nightlife.
The property was fully renovated in 2008, and has a modern feel with vintage-inspired and rustic touches like leather rocking chairs and stone-façade fireplaces. Unwind after a long day of skiing or outdoor excursions in one of four hot tubs and two heated pools, or book a relaxing service at the in-house spa.
The Manor Vail Lodge’s lounge, The Fitz, is also a great place to cap off your day with a cocktail during daily Happy Hour from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Overlooking the creek, The Fitz also offers casual fare, nightly specials and live music on Saturday evenings.
For fine dining, head to Lord Gore Restaurant, which reopens Dec. 11 and boasts stunning mountain views and award-winning cuisine including lamb, duck, steak and several fish and vegetarian options along with fine wines, Colorado craft beers and cocktails.
The perfect “in between” local dining option is Mountain Standard, an “upscale casual” eatery located right on the creek that serves rustic American dishes prepared over an open wood fire. Eat your fill of their Colorado Lamb Sirloin with truffle fondue or Rotisserie Chicken n’ Biscuits with coal roasted carrots for comfort food in a relaxed yet elegant setting.
One of the best things about Manor Vail Lodge is its variety of accommodations, from large two-bedroom units that can sleep up to eight to one-bedrooms and studios for couples. Since each condo is privately owned, décor varies from one to the next but they all feature full kitchens, furnished living rooms and balconies with stunning mountain views. Room rates range from $400 to $800 in peak season, and from $150 to $400 during the off season.
Vail might be known best for its skiing, but Vail Manor Lodge is in a prime location for outdoor adventure all year round and the concierge is happy to arrange anything from hiking to fly fishing and horseback riding.
One way to get your fix of sunshine and feel one with nature is yoga at the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens. Offered Mondays and Fridays at 9:00 a.m. for $12, the Vinyasa yoga practice is set in a beautiful public botanic garden situated high in the Rocky Mountains.
For more of an adrenaline rush, head to Adventure Ridge at the top of Vail Mountain for zip lining and a ropes course. There’s no better view of the Vail Valley than the one you’ll get on the 1,200-foot Zip Runner zipline, or on the aerial ropes that are even higher. To get there, you’ll have to buy a lift ticket and take one of the gondolas.
Hiking on Vail Mountain is always enjoyable, with an array of great choices for scenic trails suitable for all ability levels. During the spring and summer you’ll see plenty of blooming wildflowers, but you’ll also want to keep your eyes peeled for a glimpse of wildlife, and of course the incredible 360 degree views of surrounding mountain ranges. For a challenging route, take the Ptarmigan Loop, a scenic trail through shaded woods that heads to Ptarmigan Point and back. It’s four miles total and takes anywhere from 2.5 to 3 hours to complete.
Carri’s Catch: For some of the best food in town and in one of the best spots, check out Mountain Standard.
