Hotel Review: Grand Hyatt Vail
Vail, Colorado, is a premier skiing destination renowned for its magnificent mountainside beauty and incredible slopes. But with the abundance of ski resorts in the area, travelers need to know where to stay when visiting this exquisite mountain town. Fortunately, the Grand Hyatt Vail provides guests with an exceptional level of luxury to elevate skiing experiences to a new level. With abundant resort activities and unbeatable ski services and amenities, my stay at the Grand Hyatt Vail was enjoyable overall, with a few critical hiccups. Here is my review of the Grand Hyatt Vail:
Location
The Grand Hyatt Vail is located in Vail, Colorado, which is renowned for its ski resort, Vail Mountain, offering exceptional skiing and snowboarding opportunities during the winter months. During warmer months, since Vail is nestled in the Rocky Mountains, it boasts stunning natural scenery year-round. The picturesque landscape, including snow-capped mountains, lush forests, and charming alpine villages, provides a beautiful backdrop for visitors. Beyond skiing, Vail provides a plethora of outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and golf during the warmer months. This appeals to tourists seeking an active and adventurous vacation experience.
Lobby & Check-In Review
After a two-hour journey from Denver International Airport, we arrived at the Grand Hyatt Vail and were greeted by a parking attendant offering us the option of valet or self-parking service.
If you have Hyatt Globalist status, valet parking would be complimentary.
The valet had an attractive flat rate deal of $55 per night with in-and-out privileges, while self-parking charged $35 per night. However, the self-parking option didn’t include in-and-out privileges, so we chose to go with the more convenient offer presented through the valet parking service. We dropped off our car and headed inside to check-in. The lobby surprised me with its unexpected size, yet an upscale atmosphere still prevailed thanks to the tall ceilings and embellished chandeliers in the fireplace lounge, serving up drinks and snacks to welcome guests.
The lobby was the central hub for guests to socialize over drinks and snacks.
Taking a left turn from there led to another seating area adjacent to the front desk, and to my delight, I was upgraded upon check-in to an executive suite.
Thanks to my Hyatt Discoverist status, I was upgraded to an executive suite.
As a Hyatt Discoverist, any upgrade was appreciated, and the front desk receptionist provided detailed explanations of all the benefits associated with staying at the hotel. He gave us a comprehensive information sheet detailing a list of resort activities, including axe throwing, Top golf suites, s’mores roast, flow yoga, and even champagne sabering.
The Grand Hyatt Vail provided a plethora of family-friendly activities to ensure guests remained entertained.
With the information sheet in hand, we walked a few minutes to get to the elevators and went up to the third floor, where our suite was located.
Living Room Review
The executive suite had a separate living room, complete with a cozy three-seater couch and a chic oval marble coffee table.
The living area functioned as a gathering spot for my group to enjoy afternoon snacks after skiing in the morning.
Our group used the space for morning coffee and evening drinks. The living room featured a comprehensive workstation with a semi-smart TV with Chromecast functionality and plentiful storage space for clothes.
Although I didn't utilize the work desk, having a dedicated space for remote work was appreciated.
A Bose speaker was available for music, but it could only be connected to external devices using an auxiliary cord. On the work desk, the hotel graciously provided a bottle of Prosecco accompanied by macarons and chocolate-dipped strawberry wafers in honor of my fiancé's upcoming birthday.
The hotel greeted us with delightful desserts and a celebratory bottle of prosecco, and it was truly thoughtful.
We were overwhelmed to receive such kind hospitality from the operations manager Madeline, prior to arrival, and her hand-written card was much appreciated. One of the benefits of a suite was that it had two balconies, and one of them was in the living room.
The living room featured one of the two outdoor balconies overlooking Gore Creek.
The balconies came with a small side table and two outdoor chairs and overlooked Gore Creek along with Vail’s beautiful Snowmass scenery. I truly indulged in the picturesque view of the snowy mountains every time I passed by the balcony.
I thoroughly enjoyed the scenic view of the snow-covered mountains from the balcony.
On my way to the bedroom was a refreshment center with a mini fridge hidden inside a cabinet. The fridge was empty, but we’ve barely used it since storing beverages outside on the balcony chilled them faster than putting them in the fridge.
I didn't need an ice bucket for cooling beverages since placing them outside on the balcony proved to be a faster chilling method.
On top of the cabinet was a Nespresso machine with six espresso capsules and complimentary bottled water.
The Nespresso machine was a lifesaver for my morning coffee fix out on the balcony.
The closet space was very spacious, with many hangers to store our bulky ski apparel. Our ski trip was made more comfortable and convenient thanks to the ample living space, allowing us to spread out our bulky winter gear without infringing on bedroom real estate. Due to its non-carpeted floors, we could also easily clean up any snow tracked inside without worry. In addition, having access to fresh air from the balcony connected us with our natural surroundings for an enjoyable stay experience.
Bedroom Review
While the bedroom was somewhat compact, I didn't mind due to the spacious living area. The room was dominated by a king-size bed featuring an expansive beige headboard flanked by nightstands with lamps. Although the headboard incorporated reading lights, it lacked a master switch for convenience.
After a thrilling day on the slopes, there was pure bliss in sinking into bed, all warmed up from a hot shower.
Nevertheless, the bed itself was remarkably comfortable. In one corner, there was a second TV equipped with Chromecast functionality.
The bedroom included an additional TV and a balcony equipped with outdoor furniture.
Similar to the living room, the bedroom boasted a balcony with two outdoor chairs and a small side table. The balcony provided views of the Vail Cascade ski lift ascending the mountain and the soothing sounds of Gore Creek in the background.
The Vail Cascade ski lift is positioned on the far right of the Vail mountain resort.
Positioned in the hotel's corner, the bedroom benefited from an additional window in addition to the balcony, ensuring ample natural light.
The advantage of having balconies was the opportunity to enjoy fresh air whenever desired.
Unfortunately, the night I spent in the bedroom was uncomfortable as the room was excessively dry. I've encountered dry hotel rooms before, often due to high heater settings, but despite setting our thermostat to 68°F, the room remained exceedingly dry. I frequently woke up with a stuffy nose and scratchy throat, and the dryness affected my friend staying on the fifth floor. I appreciated the presence of a second balcony for its morning charm and the opportunity to step outside and savor the stunning scenery. However, the room's excessive dryness proved unbearable. I requested a humidifier from the front desk, but it was so small and had only a marginal effect.
The excessive dryness in the bedroom significantly detracted from the overall lodging experience.
To mitigate the dryness, I resorted to placing three or four bath towels around the bedroom. The dryness of the room was a significant inconvenience, but an even more pressing issue awaited me in the bathroom.
Bathroom Review
The bathroom was positioned between the living area and the bedroom, featuring a single sink vanity and a walk-in shower.
Although the bathroom was compact, it was crafted with high-quality materials, enhancing its overall design.
The toilet was in a separate water closet, which is always a welcoming amenity for offering enhanced privacy.
The presence of a separate water closet for the toilet is always a welcomed amenity, ensuring increased privacy for guests.
The shower walls and flooring were elegantly finished with white marble. The walk-in shower was notably spacious, complete with a bench and a rainfall-style showerhead that provided adequate water pressure.
Unfortunately, the shower alternated rapidly between scalding hot and freezing cold temperatures.
However, the three body sprays on the wall were non-functional. The hotel provided communal toiletries from Balmain, which had a subtle fragrance, but I found that I needed to use a lot more than usual to create a lather.
The premium toiletries didn't carry much weight when the water temperature in the shower unpredictably fluctuated, with no means of control.
Interestingly, the bathroom setup reminded me of the Fairmont Hotel in Austin. However, the most significant difference was the extreme fluctuation in water temperature. While I typically enjoy a hot, steamy shower, the shower alternated rapidly between scalding hot and freezing cold temperatures. Similar to the extreme dryness in the bedroom, my friend, staying in a different room on the fifth floor, also encountered the same problem. Considering the Grand Hyatt Vail's premium pricing, which exceeded $1000 per night for a standard room during the peak ski season, it was disconcerting to experience such a problem. If I hadn't been upgraded to the executive suite, where the rate would have been over $1500 per night, the inability to comfortably shower would have been even more bothersome. While such an issue might be tolerable in a basic countryside hotel with limited amenities, it was surprising to encounter this problem given the daily rates at the Grand Hyatt Vail, especially in the cold Colorado weather.
Gym & Pool Review
The gym, situated on the first floor, remained open 24/7, offering a variety of fitness options. In addition to a range of fitness classes hosted by the resort, there was an open dance studio and two separate rooms designated for cycling and yoga. While two Peloton bikes were available, more could be found in the main gym area.
The gym housed multiple Peloton bikes for cycling enthusiasts.
Although not the most spacious, the fitness center was equipped with some of the latest exercise equipment. The gym provided two adjustable benches, a dumbbell rack, and neatly organized kettlebells and medicine balls for free weightlifting.
While the gym wasn't particularly spacious, the hotel successfully accommodated a significant amount of equipment in the space.
Several strength machines, including a versatile all-in-one machine for exercises like chest and leg presses, were available in the tight space.
A variety of strength machines were accessible within the limited space.
For those seeking cutting-edge technology, the gym featured Lululemon's Mirror and two Tonal machines.
I was initially skeptical, but I've become a major enthusiast of Tonal and Lululemon Mirror, especially during solo workout sessions.
In my experience, these digital weights can successfully deliver a challenging workout, simulating real weightlifting experiences, and the Mirror served as a motivating workout partner. Further into the gym, a row of cardio machines, including additional Peloton machines, faced windows overlooking the outdoors.
The outdoor deck and swimming pool are easily accessible directly from the cardio area.
Access to a covered outdoor deck with chairs and tables was available from the cardio machine area. Beyond this, there was an outdoor heated pool, surrounded by numerous outdoor sun lounges and even a fire pit where guests could gather and make s'mores.
Even during the chilly Colorado winter, the outdoor swimming pool was sufficiently heated for a comfortable swimming experience.
While the pool was not as hot as I would prefer, it was definitely warm enough for swimming, even in the cold Colorado winter. The standout feature, in my opinion, was the jacuzzi. The Grand Hyatt Vail offered two jacuzzis, one adjacent to the heated swimming pool and another closer to the elevators.
The smaller jacuzzi couldn't accommodate as many people as the larger one.
In my view, the larger jacuzzi was superior as it could accommodate more people, had functioning jets, and maintained a higher water temperature compared to the smaller one.
The larger jacuzzi featured operational jets, providing a soothing body massage after a day of skiing.
These jacuzzis were a true delight after a day of skiing, soothing our tired bodies, rejuvenating us, and helping us unwind for the evening ahead.
Breakfast Review—Gore Creek Market
There are two breakfast choices available at the Grand Hyatt Vail. The first option is to have your breakfast at the Gessner Restaurant and Bar, situated next to the hotel's entrance. The restaurant serves breakfast daily from 7 AM to 11 AM and offers dinner from 5:30 PM to 9 PM. Unfortunately, with my limited Hyatt Discoverist status, breakfast wasn't included, and I was reluctant to pay $45 for the breakfast buffet. There was an option for a continental breakfast at $35, but I opted for a lighter breakfast at the Gore Creek Market, which was open daily from 7 AM to 9 PM.
The Gore Creek Market provided a convenient solution for snacks and essential goods, making it a go-to option for guests' needs.
The Gore Creek Market was a hybrid of a cafe and a convenience store, providing a range of casual, grab-and-go food and beverage choices, as well as medical supplies and local Colorado products.
I found the prices of goods at the Gore Creek Market to be reasonable and not necessarily overpriced.
Since the Grand Hyatt Vail was a resort, the food prices were on the expensive side. I ordered a chorizo breakfast burrito, and my fiancé ordered a sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich. Sadly, the burrito left much to be desired as it wasn't heated properly; one side was still slightly frozen.
I gave the breakfast burrito a try on two occasions, but both times, it was unevenly heated and barely warm.
I decided not to send it back to the kitchen because we wanted to maximize our skiing time. On the following morning, we ordered the burrito again, but it was even less satisfying than the one we had the night before. Considering the small size and the $13 price tag, I couldn't help but feel disappointed with how the item was prepared. While I can't comment on the breakfast buffet at Gessner, I plan to opt for a proper sit-down breakfast there during my next stay at the Grand Hyatt Vail.
Resort Activities
Apart from the inviting heated outdoor pool and jacuzzis, the Grand Hyatt Vail delivers a wealth of resort amenities suitable for various groups. Adjacent to the Gore Creek Market, there was an entertainment room where guests could enjoy a game of foosball or play Xbox games. The playroom was especially popular among young children, and it was a safe space for them to have fun while the adults catch a basketball game on TV.
The entertainment rooms at the Grand Hyatt Vail were fantastic for families with children.
For those seeking more active sports activities, you have the option to reserve Topgolf swing suites that can accommodate up to 12 people. Each suite is furnished with comfortable seating, and you can place food and beverage orders to ensure everyone remains satisfied and content. In collaboration with Wood and Steel Axe, guests can even try their hand at axe throwing, although a reservation is required to participate in this activity.
Reservations for activities like axe throwing or Topgolf suites were recommended in advance.
If you prefer a more laid-back evening, you can join in the champagne sabering ritual, which takes place at exactly 4:30 PM on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays on the outdoor deck of the Fireside Lounge.
Guests had the opportunity to participate in the complimentary champagne sabering ritual on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
I was able to participate, and each guest was given a small glass of champagne. A knowledgeable Grand Hyatt Vail staff member described a brief history of champagne sabering before performing the satisfying champagne bottle opening with a saber.
The performer shared a brief history of champagne sabering, and every guest was treated to a complimentary small glass of champagne.
To cap off the evening, guests can gather around the main fire pit outside for a s'mores roast, and you can even pair it with a comforting cup of hot cocoa.
Roasting s'mores was a popular activity for young children and even adults.
If you're an enthusiastic skier, it might be challenging to partake in all of the resort's amenities and activities, but since these activities are included in your daily rate, I highly recommend taking advantage of those that pique your interest.
Bar Review—Fireside Lounge
On our final evening at the resort, we indulged in a nightcap at the Fireside Lounge situated in the lobby. The bar was open daily from 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM, and although it was possible to savor drinks at the restaurant bar, we opted for the comfort of lounge chairs. The bar's craft cocktails incorporated various winter-themed ingredients, such as maple syrup and cinnamon. However, one particular signature cocktail immediately caught my attention, and despite being the priciest item on the menu, I couldn't resist ordering it. The S'Mores Espressotini was an espresso martini garnished with a toasted marshmallow, a chocolate rim, and graham cracker.
The S'Mores Espressotini stood out as the priciest item on the menu, but it was adorned with glamorous garnishes.
The presentation was over the top, and the balance of sweetness from the chocolate and marshmallow with the bitterness of the espresso was superb. It paved a delightful way to conclude the evening. My fiancé ordered the Cranberry Express, which featured subtle sage undertones from sage-infused Titos vodka, and the tartness of the lemon juice paired wonderfully with the honey sage mint syrup.
The Cranberry Express featured sage-infused vodka, introducing intricate herbal notes to the palate.
We lingered in the Fireside Lounge for an additional hour before retiring to our rooms for the night. I particularly appreciated the lounge's nighttime ambiance, as it wasn't overly crowded. If you happen to be in the area, I would highly recommend visiting the bar and savoring its inventive wintertime craft cocktails.
Ski Shop & Ski Amenity Review
The Grand Hyatt Vail has established a partnership with Venture Sports, delivering a convenient ski-in and ski-out experience for its guests.
The ski valet service for your personal gear ensured that I start my day with warm and comfortable ski boots.
Situated on the second floor near the elevators, the ski shop allows for easy online reservations of ski or snowboard rentals through its website. In addition to rental services, the shop also offers a variety of skiing accessories and merchandise to enhance your overall sporting experience.
Guests at the Grand Hyatt Vail receive a generous 20% discount on their purchases, including ski rentals.
There are two notable advantages to using the Venture Sports ski shop during your stay at the Grand Hyatt Vail. The first perk is the provision of ski valet service for your personal gear, ensuring that you start your day with warm and comfortable ski boots. The second benefit is that guests at the Grand Hyatt Vail receive a generous 20% discount on their purchases, including ski rentals. The ski shop opens at 8:30 AM, and once you're equipped with your gear, all you need to do is collect your ski or snowboard from the stand conveniently located just outside the shop.
The Vail Cascade ski lift added a great deal of convenience to the skiing experience.
The proximity of the chair lift to the hotel made the skiing experience exceptionally smooth, eliminating the need for shuttles or the hassle of carrying your ski equipment after you're done. The ability to access a ski lift just steps from the hotel set a high standard for future skiing experiences, as it greatly saved both time and energy.
Positives & Negatives
Positives
The Grand Hyatt Vail occupied a stunning location, and our executive suite, situated at a corner, featured two balconies overlooking Gore Creek. Whenever we relaxed on the balcony, we were treated to the soothing sounds of a nearby stream. In addition to the resort's picturesque surroundings, the Vail Cascade lift was conveniently located just a few steps from the hotel. With the presence of a ski shop that offered a ski valet service, the Grand Hyatt Vail ensured the highest level of convenience, significantly conserving my time and energy in preparation for a day of skiing.
The hotel provided a wide array of resort activities that I found to be highly enjoyable. Each day, there were offerings such as champagne sabering and yoga classes for the guests' enjoyment. Additionally, the Grand Hyatt Vail featured an outdoor heated swimming pool and two hot tubs, which provided a soothing retreat to relax our bodies after a day of skiing in the mountains.
Negatives
I realize that a heater needs to be on continuously in Colorado in March, but the level of dryness in my room was exceptionally uncomfortable. Despite the comfortable bed, I had a restless night due to the room's excessive dryness. I made a request for a humidifier, but regrettably, the one provided was quite small and didn't provide much relief.
The bathroom was full of luxurious materials, yet the walk-in shower didn't function as it should. The wall-mounted body sprays were out of order, and the water temperature oscillated drastically, going from scorching hot to freezing cold with every shower. Considering the room's premium rate, which could easily exceed $1,000 per night, such issues should not be anticipated by guests.
Summary
The Grand Hyatt Vail offers luxurious amenities to turn your ski vacation into relaxation mode. From the resort activities and ski valet service to the heated swimming pool and hot tubs, you won’t regret spending some time at the hotel. The location was perfect; thanks to easy access to the Cascade Vail lift, our skiing experience was effortless. Even if skiing isn't your thing, its charming heated pool and jacuzzis, coupled with grand scenery, make it a great family getaway destination. Though my room was quite dry due to an improper ventilation system, and the walk-in shower did not operate as intended, the convenience factor for skiing was unbeatable. I would still recommend the Grand Hyatt Vail for its location and convenience factors for avid skiers.
