The Christie Lodge - All Suite Property, Vail Valley/Beaver Creek

The building's design is striking whether or not you're into architecture. After skiing, we liked having plenty of ways to unwind: comfortable rooms, indoor or outdoor hot tubs, a pool, gym, pool and foosball, or just space to relax in the roomy hallway. We also ate at Pho 20 almost every night. The meals were tasty and inexpensive.

For at least $300 a night, I expect some hospitality and comfort, but we won't return or recommend this hotel. The staff weren't very helpful or friendly. When no one offered help with luggage, we were just told, “there's a dolly in the corner.” Parking is a maze, and staff weren't much help with that either. The rooms felt old and weren't very clean. We could hear every footstep overhead, and everything creaked. The location was okay, but I wouldn't bring an infant or toddlers here. Maybe it used to be a nicer hotel with friendlier staff, but it isn't now.

Calling this place a lodge may be misleading, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who struggles with stairs. We visited in fall, when many amenities were being worked on, so reaching the pool and hot tub meant walking to the far end of the property. The fire pits weren't working. There are few on-site food options beyond Subway and a pho place, and the beauty bar is ridiculously overpriced. The rooms were okay and had what we needed, but the setup was odd. There were huge air conditioners in the way, even though it wasn't hot. With fireplaces in the rooms, it seemed like a missed chance to add electric or gas fireplaces for some ambience. Our room wasn't serviced all week. We asked for more towels and never got them, and had to call about the trash, which was collected only once. The TV was tiny. I didn't know they made them that size. Please put proper TVs in the rooms.

Good price, a well-equipped room, and a handy location just off the highway, about a five-minute walk from Avon station. The in-room TV had a voice-control remote and so many channels there was no chance of getting bored. We came to ski and were very happy with the trip. For the Vail/Aspen area, you can't ask for much more at this price. Definitely worth it!