The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa, Avon, Vail Valley

That taco truck is a must for dinner. We also made good use of the excellent gym, and swimmers should pack a suit and goggles for lap swimming. The bus and shuttle service was super convenient. We were there with family for skiing at Beaver Creek over New Year's, and the location and facilities were great. We had two adjoining rooms, but the keys wouldn’t open both doors.

The Riverfront Express Gondola is right outside, which made it easy to get out and explore. We loved the heated pool and hot tubs, and the fitness center and spa were top-notch. Our room was spacious, spotless, and beautifully designed, with lovely views of the river and snow-covered peaks. Staff were warm and attentive, and the dining options were excellent. The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa in Avon sits beside the Eagle River and has easy access to Vail and Beaver Creek. It combines a luxury feel with Colorado mountain charm. A relaxing, scenic stay, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone visiting the Vail Valley.

The elevator situation made this stay especially stressful. Only one of the two elevators was available to hotel guests, and I was told it had been that way for weeks. Lines and waits were very long. The doors shut almost as soon as they opened. A staff member even warned us to be careful, and I saw them nearly knock over an elderly woman, then hit me while I was with my small children. The hotel said the doors were within spec when I raised it. My children cried whenever they had to ride. It was a nightmare. I also found the rooms dated and falling apart, and the extra charges were shocking: expect around $100 a day on top of the rate you booked. They said that covered amenities, but those seemed pretty low-rent and like things many hotels include. It felt like a way to tack on another $100 daily. When I brought up these problems, the response felt unsympathetic, almost argumentative. I wouldn’t stay here again. There are plenty of other hotels in the area that do a much better job.

The breakfast service was great, and the hotel is nice and well located. The rest of the service was a mess. I waited nearly an hour and a half at the marketplace Starbucks for coffee, then left without anything. The attendant made the same drink three times and still got it wrong, and some of our other drinks never arrived. The front desk staff seemed untrained and couldn’t answer basic questions. When I went to complain about the coffee, they didn’t seem to care and offered the excuse that the staff were “new.” If you plan to spend time at the hotel and expect decent service, I wouldn’t stay here. Avoid.