Tucked away in the middle of the mountains of Colorado, Vail has always been a popular destination for winter sports aficionados and it almost always has epic ski conditions and access to 5,289 acres of skiable area. Yet summers are beautiful too, the flowers are in bloom and looking gorgeous, plus there is no shortage or adventure sports for the adrenaline seekers or leisurely trips for the ones looking for a more relaxing time.
Stay at The Sonnenalp Hotel. With a name that literally means “sun in the mountains”, the hotel is full of warmth, from the decor to the staff and to the wonderful rooms and services. To make it even cozier, there is a library, a full-service spa, and a heated indoor-outdoor pool, as well as a golf course. The hotel also boasts five different restaurants, including the Swiss Chalet and the contemporary-American Ludwig’s. All in all, a fantastic choice for a 3-day stay in Vail.
Day 1
Start your day off with a bountiful European style buffet at Ludwig’s. Breakfast is served on the beautiful glass enclosed terrace surrounded by Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Take a moment to sit back and relax by Sonnenalp’s Tranquility Pool and enjoy Vail’s iconic views and crisp mountain air.
Then head out to explore the town and shop through Vail Village, before enjoying a meal at Pepi’s Restaurant, a place that has been opened for over 50 years and offers unique meats such as boar, elk, venison and caribou, all carved tableside for those looking to enjoy some local delicacies. And it being adventurous with your lunch just isn’t your cup of tea, you can always opt for one of the classics.
Stop by the Sonnenalp Spa to rejuvenate your mind and body with an array of unique treatment options. You can choose between the Bavarian Body Polish, which incorporates a full body scrub and a relaxing moisturizing treatment or the 80-minute Detoxifying Mud Wrap. Freshen it up with a Vitamin C Fresh Peel that leaves your skin immediately softer and smoother with noticeable improvements in skin tone and texture.
Relax at the hotel before enjoying a classic-Swiss style setting at the Swiss Chalet, offering guests the ultimate alpine dining experience. Try the traditional Käse Spätzle (homemade Swiss dumpling topped with cheese and crispy onions) or the delicious cheese fondues, but make sure you save room for freshly made desserts like their Austrian apple strudel and chocolate fondue.
End the night at the King’s Club offering nightly live entertainment. Enjoy a specialty drink from the top shelf selection, a glass of wine or German beer while you relax by the fireplace and listen to great music from local musicians.
Day 2
Begin the day with a sweet treat at Big Bear Bistro like a nutella and banana crepe or try something savory instead like the delicious wild-caught, smoked sockeye salmon served freshly on a toasted bagel.
Explore the mountain on foot. Take a hiking tour with Sonnenalp’s trusted guides who can give you access to some of the most beautiful trails in the Vail Valley.
For lunch, head over to Bully Ranch for a fun casual, western-style lunch. The Southwestern and American menu includes their signature chicken wings and famous Bully Burgers.
Continue the day by taking a horseback tour of the Rockies with one of Sonnenalp’s guided adventure tour guides. With miles of trails and flowers in bloom, this epic trail ride will be a beautiful way to see the scenery.
Come back to the hotel and unwind from the day with a specialty cocktail by the fire at the Kings Club before heading out to dinner at Mountain Standard. Enjoy some shrimp and grits and rocky mountain trout at this gastropub boasting a lively crowd and open kitchen. Then head over to the Vail Ale House to sample over twenty local beers on tap and enjoy the evening with live DJs.
Day 3
Fuel up with a cup of coffee and an Alpenrose’s biscuit and gravy dish, complete with their famous house-made sausage gravy, before heading out for some golf time at the Sonnenalp Club’s 7,100-yard championship links style course. Or, if golf isn’t quite your thing – try Sonnenalp’s morning stand up paddle-boarding class followed by a riverside lunch.
Turn on your creative genius with a poolside pottery class, where you can paint outdoors and decorate your own personalized souvenir to take home, then head to the Sonnenalp’s Oxygen Bar for a refreshing fix. You can choose one of the many scents such as eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, wintergreen and lemongrass and feel all renewed by this unique offering.
Treat yourself to a fancy private dinner at the Game Creek, where you will be treated to a multi-course tasting menu featuring unique and tasty international fare such as lamb tartare, rabbit with purple potatoes and venison with red onion jam, then stop by Root and Flower for a nightcap before ending your journey.
