Montaneros In Vail — Hotel in Vail

Montaneros must be Spanish for,  "not all Hyatt category 7's are alike".

Don't get me wrong,  this place gets 5 plus stars for location and "value".  You'll pay 2 or 3 times more at a hotel for 2 bedrooms and 2 baths.  Here, you get that,  plus a queen size pull out couch, a kitchen, and a patio with BBQ. That sounded perfect for our 7 night, family of four (kids 18 and 20) vacation in the middle of June.

After that,  I'm not sure what makes this a category 7.  The exterior and common area styling is very dated. As for the unit, we stayed in unit 421 - updated compared to the common areas, but nothing like the contemporary units shown in most of the pix on the hyatt app (during the next reno, we suggest adding plugs to charge devices and investing in larger TVs). The amenities are sparce (more on that). There is virtually no staff - and the staff that is here didn't seem too enthused to help or say hello (let alone recognize any hyatt status and or brand loyalty).

To put the category into context, the Grand Hyatt down the street in Lionshead is a 6.  We stayed there in January.  A ski in ski out, updated, beautiful resort property.  Wonderful staff.   An amazing pool and hot tub area.  Contemporary bars and restaurants with views of the mountains.  The Park Hyatt in Beaver Creek is a category 7.  That too is ski in ski out resort at the base of the mountain.  We walked through there and it was absolutely stunning.  Mantaneros claims to be a 7 but does not come close to either.

As for the amenities,  yes they have "laundry facilities".   There is a room located on every floor with coin operated machines.  Just a heads up, there's no change machines on property, so hit up the piggy bank before you travel.  Yup, there is a parking garage - but I don't think you get more than one spot per reversion.  So if you're coming with another family and have more than one vehicle,  I suggest calling to confirm.

These are not deal breakers,  but other things to keep in mind about the property. There is no gym.  There is no place to buy a coffee.   The is no "general store".  There is no room cleaning.  Last, but certainly not least,  there is no air condition.  This did impact the experience.   With it in the 70's and 80's outside, the nights were really warm on the inside.  The master bedroom in the loft was almost unbearable. It would not have been so bad if you could leave the slider and a window open,  but neither had screens.  (Note: there were two box fans in the unit - they helped but it did make for a noisy night's sleep)

If you're expecting accommodations similar to a hotel,  you might be disappointed.   If you think this is an 80's condo complex under a hyatt flag, BINGO.

Mistakenly, we arrived thinking the former as I booked using the Hyatt app - not the website.  That's probably why the check in was so disappointing.   We arrived shortly after 5p.  There are no clear indicators of where to park or where the "lobby" is.  No one was working and it took several phone calls to finally get some help.   I would hate to think what that experience would have been like if it was dark, late and in crummy weather.

Let me be emphatic and clear,  WE WOULD CONSIDER STAYING HERE AGAIN AS A FAMILY (not so sure for a splurge trip as a couple).  The location and price per square foot are too good to pass up.   We now have a better understanding of what to expect.

It's a matter of utility versus luxury.  I thought a category 7 had it all.  I...

Having stayed at Montaneros in Vail for a ski trip, I am impressed with the amenities. But your mileage will vary with the condo you stay in.

The Good

Facilities: Montaneros gets a gold star for its amenities. The hot tub, pool, and sauna are outstanding and super relaxing. It's the perfect place to unwind after a day on the slopes.

Service: The staff here can only be described as wonderful. The front desk personnel were cordial and attentive, and the daily housekeeping service was top-notch. The overall amicable service certainly helped make our stay more enjoyable.

Storage: As skiers, we appreciated the available ski and boot storage. They had ski racks and boot driers.

Location: Nestled close to the Lions Head gondola, Montaneros boasts an excellent location.

Room for Improvement

While Montaneros shines on various fronts, there are a couple of aspects that didn't quite meet our expectations.

Rooms: It seems luck also plays a part in choosing a room here. Given that these are individually owned condos, the décor and beds vary. Some may be a home run with your tastes, while others, not so much.

Beds and Decor: It's important to note that their décor entirely depends on the condo owner's style and their commitment to upkeep. Our first room had an uncomfortable, lumpy bed. However, the issue was promptly addressed, and we were moved to another unit. The replacement room had better beds but an eccentric Native American theme that may not resonate with everyone's taste.

Aside from these minor issues, Montaneros still manages to provide a comfortable and friendly environment. It's a lovely place, but bear in mind, your experience with the...

Simply the best ski vacation location!

This was our 1st visit to this property and didn't know what to expect but it was just a wonderful experience.

Location & Facility - The condo is only 2~3 minutes walk to the Eagle Bahn gondola and the ski shop is only few steps from the condo. They have a big ski rack room where you can change and store the skis & boots for free (plus free popcorn and hot chocolate). The hot tubs, sauna & pool are kept very clean and well maintained (many towels available at the door to facilities). Everything inside of the condo was in excellent condition and well designed. Housekeeping did a really good job to keep the place clean and organized. The Vail city bus stops right in front of the property so you can travel easily in between Vail village and Lionshead for free. The grocery stores are only few minutes away and other convenient stores are around the corner if you need anything.

The Staff - The front desk staff, Mr. Kent Pesersneyer & Jeff Kahhous, were super friendly and helpful. The check-in was super fast and easy and they offered to help load / take luggage from car to condo unit so we could settle down and start our vacation right away.

We will definably come back to Montaneros in Vail for our next...