As German photojournalists we travelled to the other side of the world, looking for a "Once in a lifetime - experience" - to write a report for a german travelmagazine about skiing in Aspen and Snowmass. Well, we were paying 220$ for a room facing the street and the parking area, enjoying the Snowmass traffic and the Caterpillars, which where grooming the parking area from 2am until 6am in the night - no sleep at all - really a "Once in a lifetime - experience"!? But the worst: Four days of really polite requests to get a more quiet room facing the pool area, where simply ignored by the really arrogant Manager, Dave Mercatoris. In his words: "You have booked over the travelagent Hagen Alpin Tours, so you get the room 10$ cheaper... the better rooms facing the pool are reserved for the americans, who come up to Pokolodi Lodge directly and pay cash... - well, no comment on this one! But one is fore sure - it´s time to say "thank you" to this kind of guys - so: "Thank you, Mr. Dave Mercatoris for having us at the Pokolodi Lodge, giving us such a great time, while skiing one of the most beautiful skiing areas in the world..."! However - never again Pokolodi Lodge!!!!

Well, this lodge had a magnificent view. Other than that it was a dump. I always stay at value places so I did not expect much for the $99 price. The room was stifling hot with one ceiling fan. The screen had holes in it but it was better than sweating. A positive is that Pokolodgi is so convenient to RAFTA the Village Mall and the Shuttle and Fannie Hill. So convenience is superb. It is meant for skiers, lots of places to store your ski equipment. Nobody to help you carry your luggage if you are on the 2nd floor. In short I would never go back and would pay an extra $40 for a nicer place. Lots of unhappy people in the AM coffee area.

I traveled with a group to Snowmass and this was the only hotel out of our group negotiated rates that had availability left. Prior to arriving my expectations were very low. I was pleasantly surprised by my room. It was very clean, obviously updated and had several extra amenities. The bathroom had been recently updated with granite countertops, new towel racks and a convenient medicine cabinet. The bedroom had a comfy couch in a alcove, flat screen tv, fridge, microwave and nice thick blankets. The staff was pleasant, helpful and accomodating. Their continental breakfast on the other hand leaves a lot to be desired. They were frequently out of simple things such as spoons....it is a bit hard to eat cereal without a spoon!

A couple of suggestions if you stay here; first you need to book airport shuttles at least 24 hours in advance, make arrangements for a late check-out way in advance and head to the Village Market your first day and pick up breakfast food to keep in your room.

Suggestions to hotel: it would be quite helpful for you to have a hotel specific ski rack transfered to and from snowmass, upgrade your breakfast just a bit, and allowing guests to keep their luggage in the ski equipment storage room would be preferable to your cramped office.

Stayed at this hotel in Feb. Orbitz gave us a rate of $164 and confirmed 4 people. When we arrived, we found that we had to pay $10 extra for each person over 2, and the base rate was $179, not $164. Ended up paying over $200 for one night. Hotel blamed Orbitz; Orbitz would not acknowledge that the booking stated 4 people even tho it was printed on our confirmation. Hotel had a nice location, but was very small. A heavy person would have hard time in the bathroom, which had enough space for a toilet and bathtub right next to it. Real tight. Would probably not go there again nor recommend.