I'm always poking around on the Marriott website looking for good deals. (Thanks Dad!) And this Autumn I found a great rate at the Ritz Carlton in Avon, Colorado - which is up near Vail. So we decided to do a little weekend get-away with the family.
We had a smooth drive up. The boys were pleasant. Sage spent most of the time looking out the window, despite the Ipad we offered several times. I think that's kind of cool.
He just likes to think....and look....
The Bachelor Gulch Ritz Carlton is a ski hub, with a chairlift right in the backyard for immediate access to all the ski runs. We like to explore our ski towns in summer and fall - thank you! You'll never find us out there in the snow. Scary drives!
If we had been able to stay on property just a few week earlier, we would have seen a STUNNING view of the aspens changing color. But we got there too late, and all the leaves had fallen and blown away.
We checked into the room. Which was a basic suite, but still had some very cool amenities, like its own entry way, complimentary bottled water, marble bathroom (with telephone), and sitting area. Not the 1-room type of accommodations we usually have. This was more like a studio apartment.
The view out our window.
So the first thing we did was explore the grounds and play some lawn games.
Then it was cocktail and pool time. This is what we REALLY came for!
Having a grandpa in the hotel business is pretty cool. Sage is well accustomed to hotel culture.
Gorgeous stone-and-wood lobby.
Warm sunny day for swimming.
Sage was the only one brave enough to do the big pool. It was "heated" but not nearly enough for an adult. Matt and I stuck to the hot tubs.
Room service Saturday night.
Followed by all-you-can-eat smores on the patio. I've never seen so much unguarded Hershey chocolate. We definitely over-indulged.
Day #2
Sage and Kale leading the way down to the breakfast buffet.
Then off to do a hike on the snow-less ski runs.
That's Sage in the red jacket....
Of course, the most interesting part of the hike, to the kids, was a small puddle of mud.
Of course.
Then we explored the game room.
And then.....Swim Time!
Appetizers pool-side.
One more round of smores.
And then a dinner delivered fireside. This was the best meal we had during the trip. Something about a restaurant makes our kids squirm. But out in the lobby by a big roaring fire, in lounge chairs, they just chilled.
So relaxing!
Thanks Bachelor Gulch! Until next time!
P.S. Kale vomited 4 times (projectile style) on the way home. We stopped at several restaurants and visitor centers just to change clothes and wipe down seats. Half of us were sitting on plastic garbage bags by the time we got home. So needles to say, we were all stressed as hell when we rolled in Monday afternoon. Not the best way to end the trip!
