9 Best Hotels in Summit County, Colorado

Copper Mountain Resort manages the majority of lodging in the area, ranging from standard hotel rooms to spacious condos and townhomes. The Center Village is the heart of the action, as it's close to most of the shops and restaurants. Unlike Vail with its Tyrolean feel and Breckenridge with its mining-town roots, Copper Mountain Resort was built from scratch, and has a more modern and function-over-form feel, with concrete towers showing just a hint of alpine architecture. East Village is not as centrally located but provides easier access to the mountain's more challenging terrain.

This artfully restored 1886 hotel is one of the best examples of high Victorian architecture in the area, so it's no surprise that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The columned lobby has brass fixtures, chandeliers, and rich oak paneling, although much of the beauty is hidden behind a rambling antiques and knickknacks store. The comfortable rooms have graceful touches like lace curtains and antique heirloom quilts.

This 1885 stagecoach stop has morphed into a European-style boutique hotel complete with a chalet facade and a garden courtyard. The rooms are cozy, dressed with Victorian wallpaper and trimmed in dark woods. Antique lamps cast a warm glow on the wrought-iron beds draped with beautiful quilts.

Breckenridge's newest crown jewel, the Grand Colorado sprawls at the base of Peak 8, with walk-out access to the Rocky Mountain and Colorado Superchair lifts. With five reservable private movie theaters, an expansive pool and hot tub area, and an ice rink, the resort has no shortage of stuff to do when you're not skiing. Little luxuries like the on-site ski butlers, who bring rental equipment to your door, and the adults-only Grotto hot tub at the resort's Infinity Spa make this place feel like a true escape.

This Main Street hostelry is a great home base for skiers wanting to hit Breckenridge, Copper, Keystone, and Arapahoe Basin. After a long day of skiing you can relax in front of the two-story river-stone fireplace complete with trophy bull moose mount, warm up in the outdoor hot tub, or sip craft beers in the lounge. Staffers are gracious with advice about the best hiking trails and least-crowded ski runs. The rooms are done in cream colors with wood accents and the bedding is plush with down comforters and ultrasoft sheets.

The cinder-block structure gives no hint of the gracious, pampered living inside the door at this lodge next to the tiny lake in Keystone Village, close to several restaurants and shops. Rooms with king-size beds are on the small side, whereas rooms with two queen-size beds tend to be more generously proportioned. Many rooms have terraces overlooking the trees and Snake River. Perhaps best of all, a short shuttle ride delivers you directly to the slopes. After skiing, the resort spa provides a welcome respite.

This lodge more than compensates for its location on a mountainside beyond the downtown area with breathtaking views of the Tenmile Range from nearly every angle. There's regular shuttle service to the town and ski area and the place resembles a cozy chalet. The well-lighted, spacious rooms are comfortable, with fluffy duvets and hypoallergenic pillows. Upgrade to a suite, and you'll also have a fireplace and a kitchenette. Enjoy après-ski or dinner at the restaurant, Traverse Restaurant and Bar.

Opened as a stop along the stagecoach route back in the 1880s, this property was turned into the state's first ski lodge in the 1940s by skiing pioneers Max and Edna Dercum. The rooms in this charming log cabin have been given quaint names like "Edna's Eyrie." Recently renovated rooms include some two-bedroom suites and feature light and bright decor with neutral bedding, vintage skis on the walls in some rooms, and wood trim that keeps the cabin feel. In winter you can relax in the sitting room in front of a wood-burning fireplace. In summer, retreat to the patio for a view of the surrounding mountains. A delicious breakfast is included in the room rate.

You'll be hard-pressed to find better views than at this 1879 inn on the shores of Colorado's largest glacial lake and at the base of Mt. Elbert, Colorado's tallest peak. This rustic, charming inn has a welcoming patio and covered entryway. While some rooms come with private baths, others share a large bathroom. Luckily, the best restaurant for miles resides at the inn.