We are trying to decide where to stay in Vail in September. I thought the Lion Square Lodge looked nice buy DH doesn't think it is in the 'village' and we will have to ride a shuttle. Help? Thanks.

Lion Square Lodge is located in Lionshead at the base of the gondola. I think I've stayed there years ago. It's not in Vail Village. It's adjacent to it - the next major ski lift over towards the east. Most people take a shuttle to Lionshead, but my recollection is that you could walk it - wouldn't want to walk it in ski boots though

We are going to be in Vail this September and I did some homework and think the hotel we've picked is pretty central (I hope!)

Its called the Sitzmark lodge and from the photos etc looks smack in the centre of town.

It got some pretty good reviews on trip advisor as well, so fingers crossed its a good un..

Thank you. I still think it looks like it is in a pretty area. Big pool. Ann, you will have to write a review when you get back. Looks good.

We have often stayed in Lionshead when we ski Vail. There are shops and restaurants in that area, and the excellent bus service in Vail runs frequently. It's only a few minute ride to the heart of Vail Village.

While it is on one "end" of Vail, it is still very accessible to the main part of Vail via the shuttle, or walking.

There's a lot of construction work going on in Vail right now, primarily in the Lionshead area. You might want to check on whether any work in Lionshead is either finished, or not near where you'd be staying.

For a late summer visit, I'd probably stay in the main Vail Village area. While Lionshead is pretty close, most people take the (free) shuttle between the two areas (even we do, and we walk A LOT). There are more summer activities in and near Vail Village.

We have stayed at the Sitzmark. The location is unbeatable - smack in the center of town. Excellent value and the rooms overlooking the river are great. The rooftop pool is nice too.
Lionshead is close enough to the main village to not be a concern. The free buses run back and forth on a regular basis and as someone mentioned the distance is pretty walkable too.

Phew, am glad we booked the sitzmark, sounds just what we're looking for.

I have spent months planning our september holiday touring Colorado from UK, so lets hope all my other choices turn out as good.

Yes, Ann, the Sitzmark sounds lovely. How many in your party? There are possibly 4 in ours. We will be there Sept. 10-14 which I have just discovered there is an 'Octoberfest' on the 13 & 14 and also something going on the weekend before.

Found this really nice site with lots of info on Vail including interactive map showing hotel locations, events, lodging, dining, nightlife:

http://vail.snow.com/summerhome.asp

Nice pictures, too.

Ronda,

There are just the 2 of us hubby & me.

We will there for 1 night the 9th Sept, we are then going onto lake Dillon for 2 nights in a condo overlooking the lake.

We will be visiting other places on route from Ouray to Glenwood springs and all in between.

I'm sure wherever you decide will be good as Vail looks lovely don't you think.

I'm sure you will enjoy it Ann. Talked with my sister in Colorado yesterday and she said she prefers Aspen over Vail and so it seems everyone else does as the lodging is pretty full even for September (at least in my price range). We intend to take a drive through Leadville (sp?) and over to Aspen one day as it is a beautiful drive.

Haven't been to Ouray but it should be very scenic. Enjoy your trip!

Anne, A condo overlooking Lake Dillon would be my choice too. It's really beautiful. I recommend breakfast one morning at the Arapahoe Cafe. Their eggs benedict are my favorite.

Ronda, if you can you should avoid Lionhead. It is ungoing MASSIVE reconstruction. I think I counted ten construction cranes in the Lionhead's area recently. While the old gondola building has been replaced with a new hotel and shops, the reconstruction has spread to surrounding areas with most shops, restaurants either closed or under construction. The area isn't very pretty and tore up.

While some postings seem to imply that there is a big difference between Lionhead and Vail Village. IMO there is not. The distance between the two village centers is less than mile and serviced by a bus running from one end of Vail to the other. Loinhead is hardly at the end of Vail. Vail goes on for a few miles after that.

Unfortunately the reconstruction is spreading to the center area. The theater, grocery store, and some of the original building in that area are now a big hole in the ground. The center part across the covered bridge is uneffected.

The Sitzmark is one of the original properties in middle of the village. It is a good location.

I second the comments from grassshopper and fmpden.

The Arapahoe Cafe is a great stop for breakfast. Service can be occasionally spotty when they are busy, but the food is always good and the location is fantastic. We stopped for breakfast on the way to Vail last weekend.

Vail is a construction mess. We had thought about staying two nights, but one night was enough for us.

Am a bit concerned as to whether Vail is worth visiting if its looking like a building site!

My hubby is a Site Manager who builds houses for a living so will Definately NOT want to be on or near one on holiday...

Its a long way to come (from UK) so what do you all advise?

http://www.lodgeatlionshead.com/newlodge.cfm

I believe some of you are living in the past......

AA, don't know what you are referring to other than one lodge has completed its renovation while there are a half a dozen more underway. The Lodge at Lionshead is not Lionshead. You don't know the territory and I am not living in the past, I was there less than a month ago.

Ann, it is fine. The village center is find and you will not see much from that location. But there is a lot of construction underway and most of it is centered in Lionhead with one major project in center Vail.