Review: Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa in Avon, Colorado

We don’t like hanging around most guestrooms at ski resorts, considering them places just to change and sleep. But, we were happy to hang around the Studio Suites at the Westin Riverfront Hotel and Spa in Avon, which opened last fall. And, every time we walked through the lobby during apres-ski hours, we saw guests relaxing on leather couches in the into attractive seating areas on opposites sides of a large see-through fireplace. The new Westin Riverfront, built “Green” from the bottom up (and aiming for LEED certification), is a comfortable, casual place to stay. It’s situated in Avon along the banks of the Eagle river, and the new Riverfront Express Gondola, is right outside the door. Step in a gondola car and within four minutes you’re at the base of Beaver Creek Resort’s lowest chairlift.  

 

 

 

There are 210 residences, including studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom residences. We stayed in on of the studios, and quickly discovered that the firm that designed them seriously considered guests’ comforts, instead of just making the room look attractive (which it is). There’s a comfortable sleeper couch and an upholstered chair, where you can hang out watching the flames in the gas fireplace or the flat-screen TV above. Along one wall in our unit, there was very compact kitchenette, with a two-burner stove top, and cabinets hiding dishes for four, a refrigerator and a microwave. If you want to save money by having breakfast – and apres-ski drinks in your room – it’s easy to do. The roll-down shades are designed so you can look out, but people can’t look in, so you still get the views with putting yourself on display. (The rooms also have backout drapes.) The large bathrooms, with separate shower and tub, had double sinks, lots of shelves for your toiletries, and good lighting for shaving or putting on makeup.

 

 

Popular Vail Valley chef Thomas Salamunovich oversees the kitchen at Restaurant Avondale, which focuses a West Coast organic, ingredient-driven menu. Prices are mid-range for this region ($18-$36 for entrees). Before dining, have a drink sitting at the circular table wrapped around an open fire in an alcove in the bar. If you want the chef’s fare but don’t want to sit in the restaurant, pick up one of his chicken pot pies, pasta dishes or other prepared entrees and a dessert in the adjacent Market Avondale.

 

 

This 23,000-square-foot Spa Anjali has a large fitness center and an outdoor heated lap pool, which are open to hotel guests. The Spa also has a private area open to guests having treatments, where the decor and the choice of treatments should make this spa competitive in a market that’s filled with luxe spas. In keeping with the hotel’s overall commitment of to being Green, the products are environmentally friendly and the robes are made from bamboo.

 

 

The Winter Ski Package, which includes studio accommodations, two lift tickets and complimentary valet parking, starts at $49 per night for two people, through March 16. (Keep in mind, if you buy a day pass at the lift ticket window it costs $92.) Ask for rate plan: NADSKI1. The Powder Package includes three nights accommodations for two in Studio Suite, daily breakfast for two, two 80-minute spa treatments at our Spa Anjali, two days of Performance Ski packages from Beaver Creek Sports for two, two adult lift tickets and complimentary valet parking, Valid for stays through April 14, 2009. The package starts at $1,633; ask for rate plan: WESWIN.   To make a reservation go online to ski offers or call 1-866-716-8137.

 

Women who want make a quantum leap in their skiing skills, while having a good time, should investigate The Westin Riverfront Ski & Spa with Kim package, March 12-15. Kim Reichhelm, a two-time World Extreme skiing champion, has been guiding ski adventures around the world for 20 years. The Ski& Spa with Kim package includes two days of skiing and instruction with Kim, two days lift tickets, three nights lodging, a welcome reception, a $150 credit to Spa Anjali, a $20 daily breakfast credit, and more. For details, visit the Westin Riverfront. or call 866-949-1616. For more information about Kim Reichhelm, visit Ski with Kim.