Lorenky1

Hello again. I'm calling around trying to get an ideas of lodging and prices for our trip to Breckenridge next July. I guess what I'm experiencing is really foreign to me. Typically when we travel we either just a rent a nice little cabin from a resort like we did in Estes Park a few years ago, or a hotel, or national park type lodging. But every number I have called for Breckenridge is a time share or vacation club where they seem puzzled about what I want. I really just want a hotel, or something that rents like a hotel, with a simple cancellation policy without a huge penalty and no sales pitch to buy a timeshare. We don't need a huge apartment or amenities like we are living there. We just need a nice place that is clean and quiet, a separate sitting area is preferred, kitchenette is always nice but not a necessity. We actually really like rustic, mountain lodge type places the best, though modern is fine too. Can anyone help with suggestions, I really real like I'm on the wrong track somehow. Thanks.

Lorenky1

Or if this doesn't exist in Breck does it exist in Vail, we could stay there just as easily?

Hez

Have you tried vrbo.com?

5alive

Hi, lorenky, maybe you're just not looking in the right place. We considered overnighting one night in Breckenridge, but ended up making it a day trip and staying the whole time in Colorado Springs. I do know there were some nice looking lodge type places.

You can look under the "Destinations" tab on this website, then click USA, then Colorado, then Summit County. Or, hopefully this link will work:
http://www.fodors.com/world/north-am...oc:659389.html

One Fodor's particularly likes: http://www.thelodgeatbreck.com/

There is a trip report under my name for our trip from last summer.
Good luck!
Five Alive

fmpden

I am guessing but I think there could be 20 or 25,000 condo units or maybe more in Breckenridge. Only a few time shares so I don't know where you have been looking. Just google Breckenridge. There is a central reservation. And the vrbo is an excellent starting point. Other than the July 4th weekend, Breck will be pretty dead in July.

Gretchen

Agree with fmpden totally. There are numerous rental agencies for these condos. Breck probably doesn't have a lot of "hotels" as such. We rented for several days after son's wedding off season (not July). Reasonable.
Have you just googled Breckenridge real estate?

spirobulldog

Breckenridge is the one town that VRBO type lodging is King. In my opinion, you definately want to rent a house/cabin/whatever from an individual here. You can rent from Beaver Run and other places on VRBO.com as well. I haven't been to Breck in the summer, just skied there several times. There are many house directly on or very near the slope, making ski in/out with a nice place to stay very easily done.

mikesmom

Have you looked into Marriott's Mountain Valley Lodge in Breckenridge? This could be what you are looking for. Google it.

fmpden

Marriott has big time share facility in Breck and I believe the Mountain Lodge is that facility. I don't think lorenky1 has a good concept of what Breck is since she compared it to Estes Park. Breck is a major ski resort and not a sleepy tourist trap.

breckgal

fmpden is correct. There are many, many condos in Breckenridge available for rent and no clusters of cabins such as you find in Estes Park. Perhaps fmpden hasn't visited Breckenridge lately, but the town is far from dead in July.

Attnymom

I googled "condo management company breckenridge" and came up with several options of websites to try. I agree with Breckgal - the town will be far from dead in July. While I love to ski, I actually prefer the Colorado mountains in the summer. We've been going in the summer for years and there is a lot to do (hike, horseback ride, golf, raft ride, bicycle, etc. . . )

Have fun!

Lorenky1

Wow, thanks for all your replies. I am not expecting Breck to be dead in the summer, anyway, we are planning on spending most of our time in the outdoors and not in town except in the evening. But then, I didn't think Estes park was a "sleepy tourist trap" either, I rather liked it, at least up in the Fall river area. I guess your replies do confirm that Breckenridge is different from what I am used to in that it is almost all condos, I'll look into the options that exist instead of looking for something that doesn't exist. Yes, I looked into the Marriott yesterday and that may be the best option for a "hotel like" situation if I want to go that way. I'm also re-thinking whether we will stay in Breckenridge at all, perhaps a different town would be a better fit. And I am a bit concerned about the elevation, since my husband can get affected by the altitude. I wonder if staying at or below 9,000 feet is a better idea. Everything in the area is very high elevation of course but perhaps a couple of hundred feet makes a difference, not sure. Still working out the itinerary. Thanks again for the many replies.

spirobulldog

If you are prone to Altitude Sickness, then Breck and Keystone area might not be a fun trip. I haven't really been there in the summer(just a short pass thru), but Breckenridge is my favorite place in the winter. If you are wanting the typical Hotel experience then perhaps it isn't your best spot, but because it is different is what I like about it. Keystone and Winterpark are somewhat like this(but not nearly as much VRBO type lodging, but they don't have the downtown area to go with it. If you are wanting the traditional lodging it would be Vail, Apsen, Beavercreek. I wouldn't worry so much about the lodging if I had some things planned outdoors that I wanted to do at any of these places. I wouldn't change my plans, you will find good lodging in Breck. Have you looked on www.vrbo.com??? tripadvisor has over 500 vacation rentals in Breck, most of the same thing that vrbo has.

Gretchen

For the altitude, DRINK DRINK DRINK WATER. Do not go anywhere without a water bottle in hand. Take it easy a day or so. There are some meds you can take, and aspirin may help also. I suppose you could stay in Frisco, but it is all pretty "high" up that way. I think moderation will help you enjoy this gorgeous area.

fmpden

"Dead in the Summer" is probably a relative term. It is certainly more laid back, less crowded, and less other activities in summer than winter. But the hiking, especially biking, boating,etc., are all available.

Altitude sickness is not well understood either cause, prevention, or treatment. The condition is mostly related to lack of oxygen in the blood stream. I could give a longer medical explanation but it would be boring. A person can be fine for four trips and sick on the fifth. A couple hundred feet will not make much difference but a thousand feet or two would. The body adjusts at about a 1000 feet/day so if coming from near sea level to 9000 feet you would need at least week or more to become adjusted.

fmpden

Just had a thought. If you are looking to repeat your Estes Park lodging experience but deeper in the mountains you might try the Minturn Inn (minturninn.com) Minturn is a quirky little town in the gap between Vail and Avon (Beaver Creek. Love the Country Club (no golf course and no club) for steaks. You could easily base out of Miniturn with day trips as far as Glenwood Canyon and Springs, Leadville, etc.

Lorenky1

fmpden, that Inn looks great! That's just the kind of place we like. Thanks for suggesting it, I'll give them a call. Prices aren't bad either. I think we are going to try to get something like that, and though I'm still looking at Breck I think odds are much better in the Vail area. We're looking at Tivoli too, which is in Vail of course. 9600 elevation just seems like it may be a bit much for my husband who seems to get tired and headache above around 8,000. We're thinking about staying in Vail area after all and spending a day over at Breckenridge and Dillon lake, etc. We'll keep you posted, but you are right on the mark, that's the kind of places we love.

fmpden

Is or was your husband a smoker? Does he have any medical condition that would decrease the efficiency of his lungs? Problem is you are looking at the heart of the Rockies and it is a problem to find low ground.

Lorenky1

Not a smoker and no medical problems. We just notice that he wants to sleep more and gets a mild headache at above 8000 feet. Nothing we have had any problems with, he did fine coming over Trailridge Drive last time, but we are at sea level so coming straight up to 9600 started to get us thinking, and I've heard that it's really sleeping at that elevation that can make it tough. I'm still working on the itinerary and will post a separate post for feedback on that, but for now I think we may do this: First day - Estes Park(we've been there before, but loved it so much I just wanted to be there again briefly), day 2 - drive over Trailridge Drive to Vail, stay in Vail(or nearby area, still have to call the Minturn Inn). Third night Vail. Day 4, drive Independence Pass to Aspen, Nights 4 and 5, Aspen. Day 6 - Frisco(a little lower elevation than Breck, less complicated lodging, and it's right on the lake for a relaxing last day), Day 7, drive back to Denver. I think that plan brings the elevation up slowly and gives us a sampler of all the places we wanted to see. Anyway, thanks again.

jd_denver

Not to confuse you more, but you might consider Steamboat Springs. The elevation is lower, @ 7,000 feet. Tons to do in the summer there - hiking, tubing, hot springs etc.

http://www.steamboat-chamber.com/info/facts.asp