Recommend October 2011 - (Page 19)

“True luxury will always prevail. A person with all the money in the world can replace anything except time. Saving guests time and effort unobtrusively, rather than gilding the lily frivolously, is what luxury at this resort is all about.” Hans Willimann, General Manager, Four Seasons Resort Vail fortable bedding and spacious bathrooms with free-standing oval tubs. All rooms have wide-screen HDTVs with all of the customary U.S. stations and many international stations designed to satisfy the many international guests Vail is famous for serving. Complimentary services and amenities at the resort include all meals from the kid’s menu in the Flame Restaurant for children ages 5 and under; morning coffee, tea and muffins in the lobby; morning coffee, tea, sports drinks and fruit in the spa; Internet access and printing in the business center; and children’s toys for the room, pool and dining. Twice-daily housekeeping, with evening turndown service, personal coffee maker with gourmet coffee and tea, L’Occitane bath products and iHome docking station and clock radio with MP-3 adapter are provided in all rooms. Even though the resort is not a true ski in/ski-out facility based on its off mountain location, it’s located close enough to the lifts, that guests can take a short, enjoyable walk through the village, or ride on one of the regularly running resort shuttles—both of those features, combined with the comforts of the ski concierge located at the base of the mountain in Vail Village, give visitors pretty much the same convenience and comfort associated with a ski-in/ski-out facility. Hotel guests, too, have exclusive access to the resort’s own ski concierge, located at the Vista Bahn chair lift. Indeed, the resort staff is so prepared to maximize guests’ comfort and enjoyment, they can take expert measurements and details in the resort lobby, and transmit them to the ski concierge facility. Overnight, perfectly fitted boots can be placed in a guest’s personal locker while skis are waxed to suit their needs and the daily conditions on the slopes. At the ski concierge, guests are greeted with hot cocoa and muffins and given secrets on the best runs of the day, based on conditions and grooming. After the last run, equipment is dropped off to be dried and prepared for the next day, and snow lovers are free to head to Vail Village’s apres ski scene or the resort’s own Flame Restaurant and Fireside Lounge. apres ski The Fireside Lounge and Bar is an incredibly spacious and relaxing environment for apres ski, with its soft and comfortable lounge chairs looking through floor-to-ceiling windows at the awesome mountain peaks. Here, guests can sip on specialty mountain cocktails, signature martinis or micro-brewed beers as they transition from an active day on the slopes into the evening. The lounge serves sushi “with a twist” featuring classics, as well as some unique dishes made from seared elk and buffalo. Recommend the creative rolls and other items on the bar menu, because they’re both unique to the area and excellent, both in presentation and taste. The Flame Restaurant, meanwhile, offers a casual, yet chic setting for fantastic food at a great value, something that’s not often seen in upscale resort venues. The restaurant serves regional, seasonal and slow cooked mountain fare sourcing the best ingredients from Colorado’s finest farms and ranches. Many dishes are prepared table-side, adding drama and activity to the dining experience. The restaurant carries an extensive wine list, both by the bottle and the glass preserved by a unique preservation system. Among the resort’s amenities is a stunning outdoor pool with two whirlpools on a sunken, sheltered, outdoor terrace, fully heated yearround with attendants at the ready with plush, comfortable robes and steamy mugs of cocoa. A first class, fully equipped fitness facility is available to stretch out and prepare for the day’s activities or engage in a full workout according to one’s own schedule. Also available is a library, game room, teen center and in-room spa services. But of all the resort’s many first class amenities, nothing compares to the spa at Four Season Vail. Its men’s and women’s spa facilities provide over 13,000 sq. ft. of the ultimate in mind, body and spirit relaxation. The spa design is a soothing and relaxing zen, Rockies-style, that immediately quiets the mind and sets you on your way to relaxation and escape. A full menu and wide variety of treatments designed to relax and soothe tired or tight muscles provide the ultimate spa experience. Special facilities include private couple’s suites and a spacious, beautifully appointed relaxation garden with a large, warm fireplace surrounded by the snow-covered village and views of the mountains. The spa provides a thoroughly trained, knowledgeable and fully prepared staff that can provide luxurious treatments designed to address the effects of the Colorado climate. Both yoga and Pilates classes are available, either on a private or couple’s basis. Private personal training is also available upon request. There is simply no comparison to Vail. Snowcapped peaks, legendary slopes, unparalleled back bowl, open terrain, snow riding and sparkling, sun-drenched days in the bluest of skies make Vail regularly the top-rated ski destination in the world. The rate for a standard king (garden view) guestroom ranges from $375 to $865 during ski season depending on the date. n Archived related articles (available on recommend.com): Jackson Hole, Wyoming (November 2010) contact information Four Seasons Resort Vail: (800) 819-5053; fourseasons.com/vail october 2011 19 http://www.recommend.com http://www.fourseasons.com/vail

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend October 2011

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk: Coworth Park, London
Tour Talk: Cox & Kings
Paws Up Ups "Glamping" to New Heights
"Alpine" Adventure at Four Seasons Resort Vail
Hotel Beaux Arts Miami
Out & About in New York City
Adventures on Hayman Island
It's the Good Life at The Leela Kovalam Beach
Peninsula Shanghai & Hong Kong
Silversea's Silver Spirit
Thailand Travel Planner
Luxury in the Wilderness, by Best of Patagonia
Savoring St. Vincent & the Grenadines
CuisinArt Resort & Spa, Anguilla
Luxurious Egypt
A Good Turn for Bern, Switzerland
Mexico's Luxury Trail

Recommend October 2011