fmpden

Fairy33, I think a much bigger issue will be availability. Christmas/New Years is the most popular time in the mountains. By now most of the better locations will be reserved.

I don't view Aspen as a large town and shopping there is very upscale.

fairy33

thank you all I really apreciate your comments!!!
now... we don´t know where to go!!! ;-)
I think the places and mountains would be awesome!!
and also by this time a lot of hotels would be full, but anyway we will be searching....
As already said we are not very in to skiing more in to the views, the snow, the towns...

Money is not a problem so we are looking for a very nice hotel or mountain, Crested Butte seems very cool but a little small town...

What you said about the hours in Denver airport waiting for luggage and shuttle, so maybe you think would be a better idea flying to Aspen???
How good is Breckenridge??

What other mountains are close to Denver airport? Keystone? Winter Park??...renting a car I think is not an option cause we have never drive in the snow...

ok.. ok ... keep telling us your opinions!! at the end maybe we are gonna hit the beach ;-)
Don´t think so.. we really want to go Colorado!!!!

Thanks!!!

Back2Sabi

Breckenridge would be the same as Vail. You would have to fly into Denver and take a shuttle. It's about 75 miles away instead of 100. I'm not sure how the public transportation is in Breck, so I'd probably check with the chamber about that. It doesn't have as big a "downtown" as Aspen (which isn't saying much!) So there may not be as many lodging options that would allow you to walk to restaurants, shops, nightclubs etc.

The week between Christmas and New Years is indeed the busiest week for the resorts, but I'm not as pessimistic about it being difficult to find lodging. With the way the economy is, I think booking have been slow to come. Judging by the e-mail "lodging sale" offers I get in my inbox every day, I would say that some resorts are even in a bit of a panic. (Though you won't find sale prices during New Year's). Most of the resorts let you check for area lodging. Or for Aspen, there are several hotels (not just condos) so something like hotels.com might give you some ideas, too. (And of course VRBO.)

Wherever you end up deciding on, I'd download a map of the area and plot hotels that you are thinking of and see how far away they are from the town's attractions. Especially if you will not have a car.

Enjoy your planning! (And don't forget to pack your mittens, it's coooooolllllldddd up there in the mountains!)

historytraveler

My suggestions, considering you are primarily interetsed in views,restaurants and a charming location rather than the skiing, would be either Aspen or Beaver Creek.

Vail has a charming ambience but beautiful views are limited except for a few places as the village is located just off I70 and up against the mountains.

I would not worry too much with delays at DEN. They can happen, but you'll encounter the same problems flying into any ski area during the holidays. For Beaver Creek fly to Denver and arrange for a shuttle. You can also get a flight to Eagle which is only a few miles from Beaver Creek. For Aspen fly direct if you can, if not fly to DEN and then catch a flight to Aspen.

One caveat would be the length of your stay. Most places will only book for a week during the Christmas season and even though the economy is having some affect on lodging, if I wanted a top resort or hotel I'd book now.

fairy33

Ok!!!

I will be looking for Beaver Creek or Vail now, maybe in some other time we will try more mountains.
We hope we have luck finding a good place for our stay!

Would you recommend any restaurants in Vail?? or any activities?
thank you all!!

fairy33

thank you!!
I think it´s a good idea, Beaver Creek.
Can anyone suggest a good hotel?

historytraveler

Beaver Creek has a number of good hotels. Here are a few options. Check them out @www. beavercreek.com

Pines Lodge
Borders Lodge
Beaver Creek Lodge
Aspens 18 condominiums
Creekside @ Beaver Creek
Market Square

or The Ritz Carleton at Bachelor Gulch

fairy33

thanks!!!!

mikesmom

The Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch is beautiful.

fmpden

Except that the Rita is not close to anything. If going to the Beaver Creek area I would stay at the Beaver Creek base area.

fmpden

That is Ritz