Viceroy Snowmass

Viceroy Snowmass, a Michelin Key Selected property, offers a luxurious and modern retreat at the base of Snowmass Mountain, providing an exceptional ski-in/ski-out experience. The resort is praised for its sophisticated design, extensive amenities, and attentive staff, though some guests have noted areas for improvement.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Viceroy Snowmass is overwhelmingly positive, with many guests describing their stays as "exceptional" and highly recommending the resort. It holds a "Wonderful" rating on several platforms, with high scores for location, cleanliness, comfort, and staff. Many guests express a desire to return.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud the Viceroy Snowmass for several standout features:

• Ski-in/Ski-out Access: This is a major draw, offering unparalleled convenience to Snowmass Mountain, the largest of Aspen's four ski areas. The hotel also provides ski valet, storage, and rental return services to enhance the skiing experience.
• Design & Ambiance: The public spaces, designed by Kelly Wearstler, blend modern-Zen aesthetics with Alpine-inspired elements, featuring bare wood and a stylish, not overtly rustic, feel. The hotel underwent significant renovations and expansions prior to the 2024-25 ski season, reimagining the lobby and lounge areas.
• Amenities: The full-service Ute-inspired wellness spa, year-round heated outdoor pool, and three soaking tubs (some with mountain views) are frequently highlighted as exceptional. Poolside cabanas are a unique touch that work surprisingly well in the wintry climate. A fitness center is also available.
• Shuttle Service: The free private shuttle service to anywhere in Snowmass Village and complimentary airport transfers (when booked 24 hours in advance) are highly appreciated for convenience.

3. Room Quality

The accommodations at Viceroy Snowmass are described as residentially appointed suites, ranging from studios to massive four-bedroom units. Designed by Jean-Michel Gathy, the guest rooms are stylish and tasteful, often outfitted more like apartments than typical hotel rooms.

Key features include:

• Comfort & Design: Rooms are comfortable, spacious, and feature modern designs. Many include gas fireplaces, high-definition flat-screen TVs with DVD players, and wireless internet.
• Kitchen Facilities: Suites come with either full or convenience kitchens, featuring custom Italian cabinetry, polished black granite counters, premium appliances, cookware, and coffee/espresso machines. This is particularly convenient for families.
• Bathrooms: Well-appointed bathrooms often include granite counters, signature robes, and deep soaking tubs in most residences. Some guests have praised the "fantastic" showers.
• Additional Comforts: One-bedroom residences and larger typically include washers/dryers and private balconies offering mountain views. Humidifiers are also a thoughtful touch to combat the dry mountain air.
• New Cirque Building: The recently opened Cirque building offers brand new, comfortable, and spacious rooms with nice entry areas.

4. Dining Experience

Viceroy Snowmass offers imaginative dining options, with the main restaurant being Toro, which recently pivoted to globally-inspired Latin cuisine under Executive Chef Richard Sandoval.

• Toro: Guests generally find breakfast at Toro to be good, though some wished for more sweet options. Dinner reviews for Toro are mixed, with some finding it not great and questioning the quality of certain dishes, like a Wagyu steak.
• Nest Public House: This Colorado beer house and gastro pub is known for its selection of craft beers and casual dishes, with a terrace overlooking the slopes and pool.
• Café V: Serves specialty coffees, house-made pastries, and sandwiches.
• In-Room Dining: While available, the in-room dining menu has been described as limited, and a $10 delivery charge applies. It also closes relatively early, around 10:30 pm.
• Overall Food & Drink: Some guests have found the on-site food and drinks to be overpriced.

5. Service & Staff

Guest feedback on service and staff is generally positive, with many highlighting the staff as "amazing," "very nice," "welcoming," "courteous," and "attentive". The ski valet service is particularly appreciated.

However, some recurring criticisms include:

• Wait Times: Long wait times for shuttles and other requests have been reported, even during less busy periods.
• Staff Knowledge: Some guests noted that a number of the foreign staff members lacked detailed knowledge and often had to consult a manager to answer questions.
• Valet Service: While generally good, some experiences with valet service have been inconsistent, with reports of being hung up on or no-shows.
• Automatic Gratuity: A 22% tip is automatically applied everywhere, which some guests find convenient, while others complain about it.
• Housekeeping: While room cleaning is generally satisfactory, some guests observed that small luxury hotel details like wrapping chargers or turndown service were sometimes missed.

6. Location & Accessibility

Viceroy Snowmass boasts an "impeccable" and "wonderful" location, being a true ski-in/ski-out property at the foot of Snowmass Mountain.

• Ski Access: It offers direct access to some of Colorado's best skiing and 91 powder-snow trails. There's an on-site ski lift, though it may not always be operational early in the season.
• Snowmass Village: The hotel is located in the heart of the new Snowmass Base Village, with various restaurants and cafés nearby.
• Proximity to Aspen: While in Snowmass Village, it's only minutes from downtown Aspen, which is within a 20-minute drive.
• Airport Access: Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) is approximately 7-8 miles away (a 15-minute drive), and the hotel provides complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport.
• Accessibility: The hotel offers special facilities for disabled guests, with wheelchair access in all public areas and adapted rooms.

7. Value & Pricing

Viceroy Snowmass is considered a luxury property, and its pricing reflects that. While specific daily rates fluctuate, a 1-night stay for two adults can start from around $950, excluding taxes and fees. Other quoted prices for standard rooms range from $344 to over $1,600, depending on the room type and time of booking.

Guests have mixed feelings about the value, with some feeling it's "not luxury or remotely worth the price" due to various issues and high costs for on-site food. However, many still find the experience "fantastic" and a worthy investment for a luxury ski vacation. It's worth noting that the resort fee is typically included in the rates.

8. Common Complaints

While generally highly rated, some recurring issues and criticisms include:

• Service Inconsistencies: Despite generally friendly staff, there are complaints about slow service, particularly for shuttles and room requests, and a perceived lack of knowledge from some foreign staff members. Valet service can also be hit or miss.
• High Ancillary Costs: The prices for on-site food and drinks are frequently mentioned as being expensive. In-room dining has a limited menu and a delivery charge.
• Maintenance Issues: Some guests have reported problems with hot tubs, showers (e.g., only very hot water), and non-working fireplaces in rooms. There was also historical speculation regarding settlement around the pool area, though a renovation was planned to address this.
• Construction Noise: One guest reported loud, constant construction that ruined their view.
• Hidden Fees/Billing Issues: One reviewer mentioned being charged without receiving a bill or invoice.
• Ski-in/Ski-out Not Always Operational: While advertised as ski-in/ski-out, a guest noted that the lift was closed during their stay, making access less direct.

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