Colorado Real Estate Journal - December 17, 2014
The oldest hotel in Vail completed a renovation of its rooms, corridors and lobby in November, about a month ahead of schedule. Vail Resorts did not release the cost of the renovation of the Lodge at Vail, a RockResort. The latest renovation, however, was in addition to almost $1 million it spent on a massive pool renovation, which the ski resort company unveiled in the summer. The 52-year-old hotel was part of the agreement between Earl Eaton and Peter Siebert when they first opened Vail Mountain for skiing. The agreement called for a hotel and the Lodge at Vail opened in 1962, coinciding with the opening of the ski mountain. The latest improvements to the hotel were in time for the Thanksgiving break, when Vail received more than 30 inches of snow. “The Lodge at Vail is a favorite spot among Vail visitors for its location, just steps from the new Gondola One, as well as its alpine chalet charm and impeccable service,” said James O’Donnell, Vail Resorts senior vice president of Lodging and Real Estate. “This transformation will bring the iconic boutique hotel to the forefront of Vail’s evolution, providing guests with modern comfort and chic alpine décor,” he added. The Lodge at Vail’s International Wing of hotel rooms underwent renovations in 2008, and now the renovation of the hotel’s remaining 56 hotel rooms, corridors, main stairways and lobby complete the hotel’s transformation. NeoStudio, which designed the Elway’s restaurant and the pool renovation, were responsible for the architectural design, and OZ Architecture handled the interior design elements. “Given The Lodge at Vail’s prominence in the Vail market, from both a historic and location perspective, we needed to balance the history and quirkiness of the iconic building with the demands of today’s luxury traveler,” said Michael Noda, NeoStudio founding partner. “That meant creating a design concept that paid homage to the existing historic structure and integrating soft alpine tones, natural materials and modern technology,” Noda said. The renovation includes interior finishes, furnishings, soft goods, lighting and the installation of air conditioning. In addition to the guest rooms and corridors, the lobby renovation includes a new chandelier, framed by a circular form in the ceiling as a centerpiece, as well as a large built-in monitor above the check-in desk that can display artwork, as well as guest-centric messaging like events, snow reports and group welcomes. There also is a new bell desk and concierge desk, including technology that enables guests to print their tickets in the lobby before heading out for a day of skiing. In August, as renovations got underway, The Lodge at Vail donated everything from the 56 hotel rooms to Habitat for Humanity of Eagle and Lake counties, including lamps, artwork, mirrors, chairs, minirefrigerators, beds and more. The donation filled six trucks and marked the largest-ever resort donation to the nonprofit. Last summer, the hotel’s pool area was renovated, including two large side-by-side, inground hot tubs with a gas fireplace; furnishings; stonework and landscaping; two additional gas fire pits; a sound system with the ability to cater music to guests’ needs; heating for year-round access; and a full-service bar and commercial kitchen. Last winter, one of the two on-site restaurants, Cucina at The Lodge at Vail, also received a face-lift to its bar area. In 2011, Elway’s Vail, opened at The Lodge at Vail. Named for former Denver Broncos quarterback and NFL Hall of Fame Inductee John Elway, Elway’s Vail is the restaurant’s first location outside of Denver and the third location in the collection. “Adding to our revitalizations of the pool area and the Cucina bar this year, as well as the International Wing guest rooms and ballroom, and new RockResorts Spa and fitness center in 2008, this final phase of renovations completes the Lodge at Vail’s makeover, enhancing the overall guest experience,” said Ben Tutt, the recently appointed general manager of The Lodge at Vail. He is extremely familiar with the hotel and the ski resort. “I am thrilled to be back in Vail, walking the halls where I played as a child when my father ran the hotel,” Tutt said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to walk in his footsteps and see this beloved property be beautifully transformed with modern amenities, while also maintaining the authentic charm and cozy ambiance our loyal visitors have come to love.”