Ski Meets Luxe
]There’s luxury travel and then there’s luxury travel in the American ski fields.
Coloradois home to some of the worlds most sought after slopes and nestled within it's epic mountains are some of worlds most luxurious ski resorts.
The Arrabelle At Vail is one of the best.
Hugging the base of Vail Mountain the property echoes grand European ski resorts complete with castle turrets, shingle roof chalets and cobble stone streets.
Around every corner is another snow covered postcard.
The Arrabelle At Vail is the ultimate gateway to Vail Mountain(the largest in the region) providing a 360 degree hospitality experience that combines snow sports with award winning food and an amazing day spa.
I visited with my family a couple of months ago and this magical place made our trip.
I cannot wait to return (read my Vail Must-Do's Here).
The European village vibes shift when you head inside The Arrabelle At Vail.
Guests are instantly enveloped by the warmth of a classic ski resort with vaulted ceilings, oversized fireplaces and sofas, wooden chandeliers and stone floors.
I'm a huge fan of American chalet interiors and this one is achingly chic.
Understated colour palette (think cream, chocolate wood, marble and stone) with opulent castle-like proportions.
It made me want to change all the furniture in my house and run through the corridors in a ballgown.
So I did.
The Arrabelle At Vail boasts 81 hotel rooms and a wing of private residences which range from one to five bedroom apartments. This is the perfect option for families because it has facilities for cooking and laundry, which when you're skiing with children are the Holy Grail.
Nothing is overlooked with each room beautifully appointed with all the modern functionality that makes a great holiday. Every window offers a snow covered outlook regardless of your position on the property.
We stayed in one of the residences which overlooked the mountain and private ice rink.
Honestly, I kinda felt like Obama
Or Bieber.
Such was the decadence of the space...and I'm talking Vegas big.
Stunning kitchen, dining room, multiple fireplaces, multiple bathrooms PLUS every-parent-that's-taken-a-kid-skiing dream - a drying room for all this wet socks (!!!).
Moving outside and you could hold William's Coronationon on the terraces but really they're for guests who like an apres ski BBQ.
And while we're talking outdoor spaces, the resort is home to one of the prettiest roof pools in the history of pretty roof pools.
Heated and with two large adjacent spas, you're literally swimming amongst snow covered peaks.
Beyond the bed - which was Californian King and soft as a cloud - the markers of a great hotel room are the bathroom, the mini bar and the entertainment system.
The The Arrabelle At Vail scores a TEN in every area.
My bathroom was a floor to celling marble masterpeice.
The uber deep bath was beaten only by the private steam room. If it had all ended for me then and there, I would've died happy.
The residence had four flat screen televisions (all with cable and in-house movies) and a sound system that Dr. Dre would respect.
And then was the in-room iPad which acts more like an electronic butler.
Whatever you need happens via this magical tablet - wake-up calls, weather reports, extra towels, champagne, ski lessons - it's all there at the swipe of a smart device.
The kitchens are lovely (certainly better than my own) and you'll want to cook breakfast some days.
However,The Tavern buffet is well worth a couple of visits. Think stacked waffles with maple syrup, hot cinnamon rolls and eggs made anyway you like.
I drank my body weight in pink grapefruit juice. And also in margaritas which I highly recommend taken fireside once you're done skiing.
A gym and spa is also a really important part of the hotel decision for me.
I prefer to run outside but obviously snow doesn’t permit such lunacy so a treadmill is a must.
The gym at The Arrabelle At Vail is comprehensive (this is America) with plenty of equipment and space.
The hotel is famous for the Rock Resorts Spa At the Arrabelle,a subterranean oasis with separate male/female steam, sauna and spa spaces. We found ourselves there every day (these facilities are complimentary to all hotel guests).
The spa services are carried out in beautiful, dimly lit suites. I had a body scrub and finished with a massage a two hour trip to heaven.
If you don't ski this spa will fast become your best friend – click for full spa menu.
Then there is the ice rink.
Yes the resort has it's own rink which is free for guests and at night twinkles like Christmas.
Open from 1pm-9pm daily through winter, ice skating in the snow is something everybody must try.
The true stars of the The Arrabelle At Vail are the staff. From the bell desk to the ski valet the service was beyond superb.
Nothing was a problem and all delivered with classic Colorado kindness.
We skiied, skated, drank, ate, laughed and left with a suitcase of great family memories.
We shall return to make more.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND BOOKINGS:
The Arrabelle At Vail: 675 Lionshead Pl., Vail, Colorado 81657,
United States (970) 754-7750