Penny Parker’s On The Town: Vail beats heat, and bargains abound

July 5, 2012

I much prefer a mountain get-away after the snow melts. Before the full summer season gets going, Vail, Beaver Creek and Avon are great places to visit for savings on hotel rooms, restaurants and shopping.

A gal pal and I recently spent two consecutive weekends in Vail where we beat the heat of the metro area, stayed in places new to us, dined in restaurants we hadn’t tried yet and found bargain shopping and a giant farmer’s market and art show.

“There’s no other experience in the high country like Vail in the summertime with an unlimited selections of activities in an idyllic setting in the shadow of the Gore Range and along the picturesque Gore Creek,” said Kristin Yantis, spokeswoman for the marketing group Vail Summer. “Front Range visitors can escape the heat by visiting Vail where daytime zx 630 temperatures are warm but nights offer perfect sleeping weather with cool mild temperatures.”

On the first weekend adventure, we stayed at The Sebastian, a Timbers Resorts Hotel & Residence Club in the heart of Vail Village. The lobby is lushly decorated with spectacular furniture, sculptures and paintings including works from Mexican artist Manuel Felguerez, whose art was commissioned specifically for The Sebastian.

Especially worth noting were the standard amenities in the hotel including full-sized shampoo, conditioner and lotion, and complimentary soft drinks, water and snacks stocked in the room’s refrigerator.

Tip: Do not miss the bacon Bloody Mary at The Sebastian where they serve it with a full strip of crisp bacon as a garnish.

The second weekend we stayed at the fabulous Four Seasons Hotel Vail where we dined at the hotel restaurant Flame and indulged in ginseng facials and a manicure and pedicure in the spa. The Four Seasons staff and services met the expectations guests should have for a high-class hotel.

On July 6 and 7, Mr. On the Town and I are staying at The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa at Beaver Creek Mountain and are playing golf at Red Sky Ranch and Golf Club where Greg Norman and Tom Fazio each designed an 18-hole course. I will report on the Westin post-visit.

More information: www.redskygolfclub.com; www.westin.com/beavercreek; www.fourseasons.com/vail; www.thesebastianvail.com.

Magnificent Matsuhisa

During our first Vail visit, my friend and I dined at Matsuhisa, the Nobu restaurant I had previously dined at in Aspen several years ago.
At Matsuhisa Vail, in the lobby of The Solaris Residences in Vail Village, food is a work of art. The various dishes look as good as they taste. We feasted on hamachi, shishito peppers, fish, steak and a variety of sushi. It was TDF (to die for)! More information: www.Matsuhisavail.com.
Kudos to Qdoba
Colorado-based Qdoba Mexican Grill is hosting a fundraiser all day July 10 to benefit American Red Cross Colorado Wildfires 2012 to support local families and communities affected by the state’s current wildfires.
Guests that donate a minimum of $1 at any Colorado Qdoba restaurant will receive a coupon for a free order of chips and three-cheese queso as a “thank you.” In turn, Qdoba will match the total funds collected up to $50,000.

Eavesdropping on two women at CU Boulder: “I’m going to hell, but I’m okay with that!”

Did you hear that I have a new column, “Mile High Life,” in Colorado Community Media’s 17 weekly newspapers circling Denver? Be sure to like my Facebook page! Also, here’s where you go to get my column emailed to you Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I’m now the social-media liaison for the Mile High Chapter of the Colorado Restaurant Association, so read my latest restaurant news there. My email: penny@blacktie-llc.com.

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