Solaris Residences

I’ve stayed at the Solaris more times than I can count, partly because it’s so conveniently located. This visit, though, brought the worst service I’ve ever experienced. While I was waiting for an Uber, a Russian valet told me to leave. When I asked another valet, whom I’ve tipped thousands of dollars over the years, about it, I was treated like trash. For somewhere that can cost $7,000 a night, that was awful. I can’t wait to stay again and give them a dap up instead of a $50 tip.

We loved the pool and hot tub, and the location made it easy to walk to restaurants and shops around downtown Vail. The free private SUV shuttle around town was handy too. Valet parking costs $60 a day, but seemed worth it compared with the alternatives. The property itself is beautiful for a family stay. Housekeeping was the main frustration. They came in twice a day and reset the thermostats, humidifiers, blinds, pillows, and other things to their own preferences, while brushing off ours. At other luxury resorts, staff have been more mindful of what we like. We also noticed that Vail restaurants seemed to be struggling with staffing. Looking back, we could have hired a local private chef and made better use of the great kitchen in our residence.

I was charged $45 for an hour and 15 minutes of parking. The lot is right beside Free Vail Public Parking, but the signs aren't clear, and by the time you realize where you've pulled in, you're already there. I spoke with both the garage manager and the hotel, and neither would refund the charge. This has apparently been going on for a long time, judging by the many one-star reviews. The Vail public parking manager said they'd asked Solaris to make the signs clearer, but Solaris refused. The Village of Vail needs to fix this. It feels like a dishonest little scheme.

The apartments are generally really well decorated and maintained, and you're near the mountain without being right by the busier main street. Chasing Rabbits, the ice rink, and the bowling alley are nearby too. Rooms facing the plaza can be noisy during events, though those usually end before 10 PM. One catch: “Public Parking” is very, very expensive compared with other options.