Vail 21 Lionshead Village by Berkshire Hathaway

We had fun visiting Vail for our nephew’s wedding, and the location at Vail 21 is handy, with most places reachable by foot or shuttle. We probably will return to Vail, just not here. Unit 601 was a poor fit, despite the view and recent renovation. We specifically booked that unit because we were told it had a washer and dryer inside. If it did, we couldn’t use them. The recent remodel seems to have changed it from a 2 bedroom to a 3 bedroom, with new appliances and modern bathroom fixtures that were confusing. The upstairs sinks are angled, and the weak flow from the bizarre faucets splashed all over us, the vanity, and floor. A steam generator for the upstairs shower was a plus, making it a semi steam room. There’s also a balcony overlooking town and several large windows, but the room gets bright at sunrise around 5 am. There was nowhere for a suitcase, just a built in headboard with shelves and small hanging spaces. The downstairs bedroom had a similar headboard, but its window was on another wall and the room stayed dark. There wasn’t much air flow, and the unit has no AC, so box fans were needed in every room. The toilet kept running. Maintenance came quickly, but the worker said we’d have to turn the water off after each use. He’d never seen a more complicated flush valve, and said his boss would need to look at it. The other downstairs bedroom was tiny, with a Murphy bed and barely any space to move when it was down. There was no closet, only hooks on the door. The baseboard heater was beneath the built-in bed, and styrofoam was taped to the headboard, apparently to keep pillows from falling into the gap. They fell anyway. We didn’t need heat, but I worried it could possibly start a fire. The final bathroom was cramped because a shower had been squeezed in, and water leaked onto the floor. The hot tub was being replaced during our stay. It was amazing to watch the workers haul it over the roof because it wouldn’t fit the tiny elevator. Almost none of their equipment would fit either. The elevator barely holds three adults, and its door would stick, so you had to push it shut. Parking was a mess too. Vail 21 shares a small lot with several buildings, and the assigned spaces are jumbled together with no parking, tow away signs. Even though 601 was listed as a 3 bedroom, 3 bath condo, we got just one assigned space. Our son arrived later and had to pay $35 a night at the public deck across the street, though daytime parking is free. Some may say I’m being too critical, but these are legitimate concerns, especially the possible fire hazard. I work hard for my money, and at these prices I expect the places and products I pay for to meet the same standard. Otherwise I’ll spend elsewhere, and I hope you do too.

It may suit you if the location is your priority. The gondola is two minutes from the door, and Lionshead Village has good shopping and nice food. Still, it’s old, outdated, uncomfortable, and not worth the price to us. Parking was a nightmare during construction. They rent multi bedroom units but allow only one free car, and overnight parking in Vail costs $25. The units are small and dated. The kitchen had been redone and there’s a nice big dining table, but the beds were uncomfortable and the bathrooms tiny. Check-in was awkward because you have to go to another of their sites. The staff were friendly and did an okay job explaining the stay. Unloading was even more of a headache, and the hot tub closed at 7pm, or 9pm in winter. Since it’s on the roof, I don’t see why it has to close so early. They also charge according to the number of people in the room. Many units sleep 8, but they’re still usually just two bedrooms, two small bathrooms, a pullout couch, a bunk bed, and a pullout bed underneath it. That sounds uncomfortable, and it was. You can find better rentals, including with their other brands, for less money and better amenities. If the location matters most, maybe it’s worth it. We won’t be back. We know we can rent a full home for around 70 percent of the price.

A good base for a Colorado vacation, with ski areas and lifts reasonably close by. Works well for skiers and snowboarders.

The food options were amazing, and most places could accommodate vegans. There’s everything you need at this resort, from skiing to shops.