Colorado's Hotel Talisa Becomes First Ski Hotel in Marriott's Luxury Collection

It takes a lot more than fresh snow to make a good ski resort. Just ask Vail Hotel Partners. It opened Hotel Talisa in Vail, Colo., in November 2017 after investing over $65 million to renovate and rebrand the property, which formerly was known as the Vail Cascade Resort and Spa. Now, less than a year later, the hotel has become the newest member -- and first ski destination property -- in The Luxury Collection, Marriott International's global portfolio of unique luxury hotels, Marriott announced this week.

"Vail is one of the most luxurious and thrilling mountain towns in the U.S., making it a natural fit for The Luxury Collection and our global explorers who seek authentic experiences and connections to all types of destinations," said Anthony Ingham, global brand leader, The Luxury Collection. "This latest addition to our Luxury Collection portfolio marks our first ski destination property in North America as we continue to expand our footprint in captivating destinations across the U.S."

Vail's only true ski-in/ski-out luxury resort, Hotel Talisa is located beside Gore Creek, at the base of Vail Mountain. It features 285 guest rooms, three food-and-beverage outlets that source ingredients from Colorado ranchers and farmers, an alpine spa with an adjoining 58,000-square-foot athletic club, and over 40,000 square feet of meeting space.

Unique services also abound. Along with an on-property ski lift, ski rentals and ski concierge, it offers: a hot chocolate bar; daily champagne sabering and tasting; complimentary "après mini beauty sessions" for guests who need a quick manicure or blowout after a day of skiing; a s'more butler who specializes in gourmet s'mores; a pillow menu that allows guests to choose their own pillow; and regular "Moët Flutes & Frites" and "Mats & Moët" events that pair Moët champagne with house-made pommes frites and yoga, respectively.

"We are excited to combine forces with the prestige of The Luxury Collection brand to welcome guests to experience Hotel Talisa, Vail's newest luxury ski-in, ski-out resort," said John Garth, area managing director at Two Roads Hospitality, which operates the hotel. "Our mantra is 'Moments Worth Collecting,' and as a Luxury Collection property, Hotel Talisa offers guests unique experiences that are authentic to the destination."

Four More Colorado Ski Hotels for Groups

Hotel Talisa may be one of the newest group-friendly ski resorts in Colorado, but it's not the only one. Here are four other hot properties where groups can start the day wearing a suit in a conference room and end it wearing skis on a mountaintop:

• Madeline Hotel and Residences, an Auberge Resort (Telluride, Colo.): Condé Nast Traveler named Madeline Hotel and Residences in Telluride, Colo., as North America's best ski resort in 2017. Located mid-mountain, the ski-in/ski-out hotel is surrounded on three sides by the 14,000-foot peaks of the San Juan Mountains and is connected via complimentary gondola to the historic town of Telluride below. Along with 83 guest rooms and 71 one- to four-bedroom residences, there's an ice skating rink, a year-round outdoor heated pool with two hot tubs, a full-service spa, a fitness studio, an onsite art program, multiple bars and restaurants, and 4,000 square feet of meeting space for groups of up to 200 people.

• Vail Marriott Mountain Resort (Vail, Colo.): Located in Vail, Colo.'s Lionshead Village -- an Austrian-inspired village that's reminiscent of the Austrian Alps -- the recently renovated Vail Marriott Mountain Resort sits at the base of Vail Mountain and is steps away from the slopes. Along with 344 guest rooms, there's a spa, indoor and outdoor pools, an onsite pub, and over 21,000 square feet of meeting and event space for groups of up to 1,000 people.

• The Village at Breckenridge: A former Victorian mining town, Breckenridge, Colo., is as well known for its breweries, art galleries and boutiques as it is for its skiing. Among the most popular venues for groups is The Village at Breckenridge, a riverside ski-in/ski-out hotel and resort at the base of Breckenridge's Peak 9, just steps from historic Main Street. The resort offers 175 guest rooms ranging from hotel rooms and studios to one-, two- and three-bedroom condos. There's also and indoor/outdoor pool, four hot tubs, a fitness center, onsite ski rentals and ski school, a bar and a restaurant, and 18,600 square feet of meetings pace for groups of up to 300 people.

• The St. Regis Aspen Resort (Aspen, Colo.): Aspen has always been one of Colorado's most prestigious ski destinations. And the St. Regis Aspen Resort unquestionably is one of Aspen's most prestigious ski resorts. Located at the base of Aspen Mountain, the resort boast 179 guest rooms and suites, a full-service spa, a 24-hour fitness center, a bar and a restaurant, a heated outdoor pool and 40,572 square feet of meeting space for groups of up to 1,200 people.

Source:  Successful Meetings