Vail Summer: Patio Living at Manor Vail Lodge

It is officially summertime and that means it’s patio time. Vail is always a good place to spend quality time in the sun, with abundant outdoor play areas available. And Manor Vail Lodge is a good pick for fun in the sunshine.

The property is one of Vail’s originals, but this winter and spring, Manor Vail Lodge underwent a multi-million dollar renovation that has the property looking like something out of a magazine spread.

The pool updates will make any stay a delight, but to enjoy it during the summer will add warmth to a Vail visit. With a waterfall and two hot tubs, the south pool area is an area to relax and make some family memories. 

Just inside, close to the pool deck, the new Ridge + River Mountainside Kitchen boasts views of Golden Peak and has a beautiful outside patio dining as well as space for events. Of course, when it comes to dining, it’s all about the food. Patrons will enjoy artisan charcuterie boards, elk, steak, vegetarian options, shareable butcher cuts and even Colorado-grown mushrooms. 

While there is a new restaurant and upgrades to condominiums, the fitness center, lobbies and spa, Fitz: Elevated Bar + Bites remains a longtime favorite at Manor Vail Lodge. With a laid-back vibe, riverfront patio and approachable menu of burgers and summer succotash, it remains a Vail staple.

Ryan and I stayed this April for Taste of Vail. Our one-bedroom condo with a spacious kitchen and bathroom had magnificent views of the front of the property and the surrounding mountains. At the start of our trip, we jumped in the west pool (yes, there are two pools), and hot tub, and had the place to ourselves.

The comfort level of the condo was top notch and the patio, even in April, was inviting. With a barbecue and seating, it would be the perfect accompaniment to a Vail summer trip. Inside, I especially loved the box-style shelving in the entry of the condo. Everything, including sunglasses and knit hats, had a spot.

Each morning, we enjoyed the complimentary breakfast buffet which included made-to-order eggs and omelets. It was truly one of the best breakfast buffets I’ve seen at a resort hotel in the Colorado mountains. With plentiful coffee and juice, it was the perfect place to get ready for a day of tasting and learning about wine. 

Each morning the buffet included something a little different, and one morning it was hot biscuits and gravy. I heard one little girl exclaim upon leaving, “That was the best breakfast yet!” And she was right. Those biscuits and gravy were delicious.

Vail is a diners paradise, with many amazing restaurants to choose from, and patios upon which to sit and dine. Gore Creek flows through the town and provides a nice cooling effect and provides the wonderful and paved Gore Creek Path that connects Lionshead-Vail to Vail Village. 

Manor Vail Lodge is a stone’s throw from the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, a gem in the area. These gardens have flowers, a creek, waterfall, bridges and lawns for a picnic or just an idyllic stroll. 

Should you visit during ski season, Manor Vail Lodge is just a five-minute walk to Gondola One and the Golden Peak Children’s Ski School. And, with up to three-bedroom condominiums and penthouses available, it’s a good pick for families coming to Vail for skiing or coming to Vail for the holidays. With a free shuttle in-town, whatever the season, Manor Vail Lodge is close to wherever you need or want to be in Vail.

Lastly, the staff at the property, from the front desk to the buffet to housekeeping are genuinely friendly and that makes for an extra pleasant vacation in Vail.