We expected the Sitzmark to be similar to the Sherpa in Val Thorens where we stay for our winter ski-ing, and we were right with one major difference - the rooms a three times as big!

Having never been to a US ski resort Vail was an interesting experience - especially the highly entertaining and confusing road system! It took us a while to work out where the hotel was, but once we found it we were not disappointed. The actual location is good - very central and in the ski season it would be a very short walk to the lifts. The lobby and common areas are good, and the rooms are (for European expectations) huge. We had one overlooking the creek, with a large fire and huge bed. It was very comfortable and would have been very welcoming after a day's ski-ing.

The hotel has limited parking underneath (essential I would think in winter) and a very good selection of restaurants in walking distance.

Definately worth considering for an independant traveller going ski-ing in Vail.

The Sitzmark Lodge is a small hotel on the south end of Vail Village, a mere block from the ski lift. I stayed in a non-smoking king-bed room and loved it. The entire hotel was impeccably clean. The bed was comfortable, and the room had an armchair, a small table with two chairs, a balcony, and an armoiur. In addition, there was a small refrigerator, kitchen sink, coffee maker with supplies, and wine glasses and a corkscrew. The bathroom was great - excellent water pressure, plenty of hot water, and soaps and lotions that were pleasantly scented without being overpowering. The rooftop pool was clean, and the rooftob hot tub had a lovely view of the mountains.

The front desk staff were pleasant and able to give recommendations for places to eat or visit.

In fact, the only problem I had with the Sitzmark was the construction. There's always a lot of construction in Vail Village during the summer, and I specifically asked about how the hotel was affected by the construction when I booked the room three weeks before arrival. I was told that there was a small amount of sewer work on the street in front, and that was it. When I arrived, I discovered that "small amount of sewer work" meant that the entire street for a full block in front of the hotel was torn up from door to door, that there were new sidewalks and landscaping being installed behind the Sitzmark, and the hotel next to it was being gutted and renovated. It was impossible to sleep past 7 am when construction began, and afternoon naps were hopeless.

I would happily stay in this hotel again - for the price, it can't be beat. But I would avoid it until the start of August 2006 if you wish to sleep in or relax at the hotel during the day.

I've stayed at the Sitzmark every winter for eons, and it remains the same reliably friendly place that has always welcomed guests back year after year. In fact, it can be difficult to book a room unless you've stayed there before. The people are warm and courteous, the rooms are very comfortable, and it is unquestionably the best value in Vail. Why would I want to spend twice as much money so that I could walk three times the distance to the lifts? It's my hope that many travelers will decide to stay elsewhere so that my family and I will have an easy time getting a reservation.

Didn't actually stay there, but did talk to them on the phone. They were not helpful at all just wanted to stay they were full and tried to get me off of the phone. I asked 2 questions and was told I needed to make individual calls. If they don't have time to even talk to me on the phone and answer a few questions I would hate to see how they treat you once they get your money. It was bad enough to make me never want to stay there!