Vail Cascade Resort & Spa Review

The Vail Cascade Resort & Spa is located in Cascade Village at the base of Vail Mountain in Vail, Colorado, and offers ski-in/ski-out accommodations in addition to great dining and a full-service spa. The resort features 292 guestrooms and 80 condominiums and private residences. Chair #20 runs directly out of the resort, providing a true ski-in/ski-out experience for the resort's guests. Two outdoor pools, three outdoor hot tubs, a 78,000 square foot fitness center, a 10,000 square foot spa with 14 treatment rooms, and The Atwater on Gore Creek restaurant round out the resort's offerings.

Having just undergone a two-year, $30 million dollar renovation, the Vail Cascade Resort & Spa is a beautiful hotel surrounded by gorgeous views of Vail Mountain, Gore Creek, and the Vail Valley. Wintertime visitors are greeted by a roaring fire in the lobby that is flanked by opulent leather chairs. Just through the lobby is the Fireside Bar and Lounge, where tired skiers and riders can relax with an après-ski drink at the end of the day before heading elsewhere.

At the Cascade, "elsewhere" can mean any of several places - a luxurious room or condo, the 10,000 square foot spa, the 78,000 square foot fitness center, or one of two heated outdoor pools, three outdoor hot tubs, or three outdoor fire-pits. The hotel rooms are well-appointed, with 42-inch flat screen televisions, pillow-topped mattresses, and breathtaking views of the surrounding area.

The Cascade offers true ski-in/ski-out accommodations in every sense of the word. The Cascade Village Lift (Chair 20) runs out of the hotel's courtyard, leaving skiers and riders with a quick jaunt down to Vail's Lionshead Village. At the end of the day, the novice Cascade Way trail provides direct access to the Cascade, where a ski concierge awaits to hang your skis and place your boots on a rack to dry overnight. The service is available regardless of your accommodations at the Cascade - hotel or condominium - and is something I highly recommend taking advantage of.

The Atwater on Gore Creek restaurant opened in December 2008 as part of the Cascade's $30 million dollar renovation. Much like its namesake - Gore Creek, which flows past the resort - the Atwater provides diners with a relaxing atmosphere that showcases the best the Vail region has to offer.

Executive Chef Richard Beichner has put together a menu filled with contemporary American dishes that use locally grown ingredients whenever possible. A member of the Slow Food movement, Beichner was involved in the design of the Atwater from the start, and his influence shows in the details - the decor, staff, and, of course, the food are all top-notch.

With two distinct dining areas - the tavern and the fine dining area - guests are able to choose from the get-go the kind of dining experience they desire. My fiancé and I opted for the more intimate fine dining experience, and we were rewarded with a fantastic meal! From the tomato bisque soup that arrived with an olive-oil smiley face floating on its surface to the waitstaff-recommended scallops and rack of lamb entrees, everything about the Atwater was pleasing. The restaurant's wine list reflects the Cascade's multiple Wine Spectator Awards of Excellence, with extensive offerings at every price level.

The Atwater is moderately expensive; appetizers range from $12-$18, entrees are between $24-$38, and sides, soups, salads and deserts available from $6-$12. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

For more information about the Atwater at Gore Creek or to make a reservation, visit the restaurant's website.

The Aria Spa at the Cascade offers 14 treatment rooms and is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the winter and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the summer. An inviting fireplace graces The Sanctuary, where spa guests are invited to relax before and after treatments. If I was smart, I would have availed myself of one of the Aria's many treatments...In fact, I've written about the benefits of massage therapy for snowboarders in the past...but I'm a young snowboarder intent on squeezing as much action and adrenaline out of my vacation as possible, so I instead popped a few Advil and soldiered on.

If you'd rather let a professional handle your aches and pains, check out the Aria Spa & Club website for more information.

For more information or to book a stay at the Cascade, visit their website, or call 1-800-282-4183.

Disclosure: As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary resort services and amenities for the purpose of reviewing this resort. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.