What I Liked

• Our two bed apartment was beautiful
  
• The apartment terrace was massive
  
• Luxury appliances, cutlery and cookware in the apartment
  
• Resort had an amazing location
  
• Service was mostly excellent
  
• Free shuttle to Vail village
  
• Swimming pool and hot tub
  
• Excellent fitness centre
  
• Free daily whisky toast
  
• Free weekly wine tasting
  
• Daily cookies at 3pm
  
• Daily housekeeping service
  

What Could Be Improved

• The manager called me down on the first night, when I wanted to sleep. As she couldn’t take a payment of $55
  

The Booking

I own a timeshare with Marriott Vacation Club. I swapped my week in Mallorca Spain for a week at the Ritz Carlton Vail. This was an excellent deal. Room rates at the Ritz Carlton Vail cost over $1,500 per night.

As I’m an owner with Marriot Vacation Club, I don’t need to pay for parking.

If you want to find out more about Marriott timeshare, then you can book up a sales call. You’ll receive 40,000 Marriott Bonvoy points just for taking the call. And there’s no obligation to buy anything.

If you want to book up a call, then email me. Please provide me with:

• Your full name
  
• Your email address
  
• You telephone number
  
• City that you live in
  

I’ve really enjoyed my membership of Marriott Vacation Club. I’ve been to so many amazing places. That I could never afford otherwise. That being said, the program isn’t for everyone.

I’ve got a bunch of Marriott Timeshare Reviews on my website. Marriott Maui Ocean Club is a mega resort in Maui, Hawaii. Marriott Crystal Shores is a spectacular resort on the gulf coast of Florida. Waikoloa Ocean club is another Hawaii Resort, this time on Big Island. Marriott Lakeshore Reserve is a lovely resort next to Disney World in Florida.

In each of these reviews, I explain how you can book a preview package. Basically a heavily discounted stay at the resort. Where you’ll need to sit through a 1 hour timeshare presentation.

The Ritz Carlton Vail is part of Marriott Bonvoy. In theory, you can use Marriott Bonvoy Points to book a room here. I say in theory, as I’ve never seen a room available for Marriott Bonvoy Points! Realistically, you probably need to pay in cash or have a timeshare.

If you’re not a member of Marriott Bonvoy, you can signup here. You’ll receive 2,000 bonus points for each of your first five bookings. For a total of 10,000 bonus points. Which I value at around $70.

The Location

The Ritz Carlton Vail is located in Lionshead Village. One mile away from Vail Village. In the state of Colorado.

Vail Village is at the base of Vail mountain. Part of the Rocky mountains. 8,000 feet above sea level.

Vail is home to a massive ski resort. In the summertime, Vail is a destination for golf, hiking, biking, cultural festivals and much more.

Lionshead is a delightful village. There’s a gondola, which takes you to the top of the mountain. At the top of mountain is a seasonal theme park. With mountain roller coaster, tubing, climbing wall and other activities. The view from the top of the mountain is spectacular. As you might imagine.

It takes 20 minutes to walk to Vail Village from the Ritz Carlton Vail. The hotel also has a free shuttle bus to Vail Village. We took the shuttle bus on the first day. But didn’t bother after that. Much better to enjoy a leisurely walk!

Vail Village is a really cool place. With some great cafes and restaurants. It’s also home to one of the highest botanical gardens in world. The Betty Ford Alpine Gardens.

The Best Activities in Vail and Surrounding Area

During our holiday, we ventured further afield. We didn’t just stay in Vail. We visited loads of places.

We visited the town of Aspen, which is a two hour drive away. Aspen is another high end ski resort. Aspen is probably more well know than Vail. Aspen Ski Resort opened in 1946, whereas Vail Ski Resort opened in 1962. Hotels in Aspen are a little more expensive too.

I only had a few hours in Aspen, but I think I preferred the town of Vail. Vail has a bit more charm, and is a pretty place to walk around. Whereas the town of Aspen looks very similar to many other towns in the US.

We also visited Independence Pass, which is one of the highest points in the USA. A stunning location with an amazing view. But the drive up the mountain was SCARY! There was a sheer drop on one side and there were no barriers. My hands were sweaty and I drove super slow!

We visited Nottingham lake (photo below). It’s in the town of Avon, which is just 10 minutes drive from the Ritz Carlton. Avon is another ski resort. Although it’s not quite as high end as Vail.

The Check In (nightmare)

I arrived at the resort at 2pm. We drove into the front of the resort. The valet took my name, and said that the room was ready. Given that check-in was at 4pm, this was definitely a result.

Sadly, it went downhill from there. The check-in agent didn’t know how to take my credit card details for pre-authorisation. So she asked for me to input my card details on a sheet. I wasn’t happy to do it, but I didn’t have a choice.

Later on in the evening, I had some drinks with my wife in the bar. We spent around $55.

I got a call late in the evening. I was told that my card was invalid and that I had to come to reception. I explained that I had used my card multiple times in Colorado.

I asked if I could come down in the morning. I had just had a 11 hour flight from London, and was about to go to bed. They refused and said that I needed to come to reception. This pissed me off.

I spoke to the manager and explained that my card was not invalid. I requested that she take a chip and pin transaction. She repeated that my card was invalid. She also said that “I don’t what they do in your country, but we do things differently in America.” That pissed me off even more.

This back and forth went on for a few minutes. Until she finally agreed to go to the bar. I put my card in the machine, and the $55 transaction went through.

This situation was ridiculous for all sorts of reasons:

• For the sake of $55, they should have allowed me to go to bed and come down in the morning. This resort charges $1,500 per night
  
• It’s unbelievable and patronising for the manager to state that “we do things differently in America.” She was also factually wrong. Visa and Mastercard payment systems are universal
  
• I can’t believe that a modern hotel doesn’t know how to take a card payment
  

I can’t escape the feeling that I would have been treated differently if I was white. I hope that it’s not true.

The Resort

The Ritz Carlton Vail is a great base for your vacation in the mountains. Whether you’re skiing or on a summer vacation. It has the following facilities:

• Two, three and four bed apartments
  
• Swimming pool and hot tub
  
• 24-hour fitness centre
  
• Games room
  
• Bar and Restaurant on 1st floor
  
• Free shuttle to Vail Village
  

The resort has 6 floors. The 1st floor has a large restaurant and bar. There’s an outside seating area with a fire pit.

There’s also a swimming pool at the back of the hotel. With two hot tubs.

At level P1 (basement), you have a games room. Which is geared towards teenagers. It has a fussball table, a pool table and computer games.

At level T (terrace), there’s a 24-hour fitness centre. Which is an impressive facility.

The resort has valet parking. The people that worked there were very friendly. I didn’t pay for parking, as I’m a timeshare owner with Marriott.

The resort has regular activities too. Daily cookies at 3pm. Daily whisky tasting at 5pm. And a weekly wine tasting event.

The cookies were fabulous. Large and soft. There was a large queue of people at 3pm. I find it funny that people pay $1,500 to stay for one night, and then rush for a $10 cookie!

While the Ritz Carlton is a resort, you can’t stay at the resort all the time. It’s not like a mega beach resort with all day activities. You’ll need to leave the resort to make the most of your holiday. That’s a good thing though! You’re up in the mountains in an amazing location.

The resort decor was really high end and luxury. Lots of exposed wood. It gave a very homely feel to the place.

The First Floor Restaurant and Bar

There was a bar and restaurant on the first floor. It was a beautifully designed space. It had classy furniture, a pool table and an outside seating area. The outside seating area also had the fire pit.

I visited the bar a couple of times. Once on the first night for the whisky tasting and music. Then a second time for the wine tasting. Frankly, our apartment was so nice that we didn’t spend much time in the bar.

Indeed, when we arrived at the resort, my wife went to the bar. I needed some time to take photos of the apartment before my kids made a mess! She ordered a tea for $8 and juice for my daughter. The bartender told her that there’s no need to buy stuff from the bar. Complimentary tea was available in the room and just as nice. Lesson learned!

The Two Bed Apartment

I was assigned apartment 218, on the second floor. It’s a two bed apartment and was absolutely fantastic. The design was stunning. All of the kitchen appliances, cookware and cutlery were designer.

The apartment had the following features:

• Two bedrooms and three bathrooms
  
• Massive terrace with mountain view
  
• Beautiful kitchen with first rate appliances
  
• Washing machine and dryer
  
• Classy décor
  

The apartment was truly a luxurious place. The furniture and fittings were fabulous. Quartz kitchen worktops, hard wood surfaces and luxury kitchenware. The Ritz Carlton spent a lot of money to kit it out.

The apartment had two bedrooms. One at either side of the apartment. The living room was in the middle.

The two bedrooms were virtually identical. Large bedrooms, with an en-suite bathroom. Each bedroom had a TV, a fixed desk and a walk in wardrobe. The en-suite bathrooms have his and hers sinks, a shower and a separate bath.

There’s also a separate rest room, as you enter the apartment. Just to your left.

 

 

 

The Swimming Pool

At the back of the resort is a swimming pool and two hot tubs. I used the pool multiple times during my stay. It’s a lovely area. I loved it. My kids loved it.

The pool is rectangle shaped and heated. The temperature was perfect. It was really nice to get into.

There’s also two hot tubs. One large one and one small one. The small one was closed during my stay. The large one was very hot! I could only sit in it for a couple of minutes.

In the winter, it would be amazing to get into the hot tub. After a full day of skiing.

There’s a nice lady who would give us towels when we used the pool. They also had a counter with moisturiser, sun cream and aloe vera gel.

 

The Games Room

The resort has a games room. It’s definitely aimed at teenagers! There’s a pool table, fussball and some computer games.

I do enjoy games like this. But I didn’t have anyone to play with! My daughter is too young and my wife isn’t interested!

The 5pm Daily Whisky Toast

Every day at 5pm, there’s a complimentary whisky toast at the 1st floor restaurant. We went to it on our 1st day at the hotel. A lovely occasion it is too!

I was given a small cup of Bourbon whisky. It was pretty harsh! There was then live music at the bar.

We enjoyed ourselves, but we didn’t go back. There’s too much to do in Vail.

The Weekly Wine Tasting

The Ritz Carlton has wine tasting, every Thursday. Between 4pm and 5pm. It’s in the 1st floor bar. A local wine company comes to offer their wines.

I tried three wines. A white, a rose and a red. They were pretty good. I bought a bottle of the white for $25.

The Service

I did mention the upsetting experience I had on the first night. I was really pissed off by the behaviour of the manager.

That being said, in general the service was excellent.

The staff couldn’t have been friendlier. The valet staff called me by my name. The lady at the pool would put a towel over the lounger when I came to the pool.

The Fitness Centre

The Ritz Carlton has a 24 hour fitness centre. It’s pretty good too. There’s three rooms. One room has free weights and cardio machines. The second room just has machines (cardio and resistance). The third room is a studio.

The centre also has classes available for guests.

I didn’t get time to use the gym. I was travelling with my family. Getting my kids ready each day and also doing a review is pretty stressful!

I do regret that a little bit. I would have enjoyed a fitness class. Next time!

Conclusion

The Ritz Carlton Vail is a really beautiful and atmospheric place. It oozes class and luxury.

The apartments are large, spacious and decorated beautifully. The swimming pool and hot tub were lovely and warm. The resort has a great location. Right in Lionshead village. One mile away from Vail.

If you want a luxury mountain experience in Colorado. Then this is it. The Ritz Carlton delivered and then some.

I stayed at the Conrad Maldives Resort. Review here. One of the best holidays I’ve had. The villa had been recently refurbished and was stunning. The breakfast at the Atoll bar was spectacular. We also received excellent benefits as a Hilton Gold.

I also reviewed the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort in Big Island, Hawaii. It was amazing! The view from the lobby was magnificent. The beach was beautiful and sandy. I got an excellent breakfast as a Marriott Platinum.

I flew in Delta One Suites from Dublin to New York. Review here. That’s the name of their International First Class. Pretty great it was too. I had a suite with a privacy door. The TV was large and the crew were friendly. No complaints from me!

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