Sheraton Steamboat Resort, Colorado Rockies Getaway

When invited to the unveiling of the $16 million renovation of Colorado’s Sheraton Steamboat Resort & Villa, I nearly ran to pack my bags. I’m a long-time fan of this mountain town. Visualize the Old West new again, and you’ll picture Steamboat Springs, where cattle ranchers are as likely to be skiers in cowboy hats; Olympians are as common as Western Wear (the latter still a best-seller in the local store); and summer is a picture perfect Colorado Rockies getaway.

Arrival

Surrounded by three state parks, two rivers, and Routt National Forest, the 3 hour drive (157 miles) northwest from Denver to Steamboat Springs is a breathtaking road trip with mountain scenery nearly every minute and everywhere.

Descend Rabbit Ears Pass on US-40, and the vistas of Yampa Valley opens up to Steamboat Springs, a legendary ski town – and even more amazing summer escape. Continue through the edge of town toward the mountainside village, weaving through the typical ski town roundabouts, to arrive at the slopeside Sheraton, Steamboat Springs’ only ride-in, ride-out full-service hotel.

Enter the Colorado mountain resort through a gate (not manned during my summer visit) to the mountain-lodge style portico. The valet greets me immediately and walks me to the front desk. My mid-afternoon check-in took less than 5 minutes, with the valet pointing me to the underground parking and then unloading my golf clubs.

Underground parking is literally underneath the hotel, with slightly narrow parking spots. I eased into one near the underground hotel elevator, which whisked me to the 4^th floor and my Mountain Villa Room.

Accommodations

The property renovation included upgrades and the debut of 56 new Mountain Suites, one of which were my accommodations for my 2-night, 3 day stay at the Sheraton Steamboat Resort.

My 1-bedroom mountain suite was crazy spacious. Open the door to a small hallway/foyer with storage space to the right to hang your coats (winter time) and table to store other items (like my golf shoe bag), and to the left a closet containing the convenience of a stackable washer and dryer.

A few more steps and to the left is a full kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops, with a breakfast nook separating the living area (with pull-out sofa bed) and kitchen table. The sliding glass door overlooked the front entrance of the hotel, opened onto a double balcony, one side off the living area and the other the master bedroom.

Off the living area is another hallway, one side the master bedroom with a king bed (Sheraton Sweet Sleeper II with crisp sheets that made it difficult to crawl out of bed!), and the other a full bathroom withal the amenities. At the end of this hallway was a door to the adjoining room, which booking that room would make this a perfect extended family getaway.

My home office took up camp on the dining table, and the complimentary WiFi (part of the resort fee, see below) was likely the fastest I’ve experienced at a hotel in quite some time.

Amenities

If you can tear yourself away from the luxurious accommodations, the Sheraton Steamboat Resort offers loads of amenities: outdoor hot tubs on a rooftop spa deck, outdoor heated pool, fitness center.

And for those outdoor adventurers: golf, bike and ski storage; ski valet; award-winning Rollingstone Ranch Golf Course (Robert Trent Jones II-designed); and, of course, convenient slopeside activities within steps: biking, hiking, and skiing. Bonus: this Steamboat Springs resort is also pet-friendly.

Outside the resort, there is plenty to do: fly fishing (year-round), more hiking and biking, hot springs — and I could go on and on.

Dining

Five signature restaurants offer plenty of dining options on-site: Sevens Mountain Grill, Saddles Lounge, Breezeway Café, and seasonally Bear River Bar & Grill (winter) AND Fish Creek Grille (golf course, summer only).

For those who enjoy exploring culinary delights outside the hotel, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the caliber of restaurants in Steamboat Springs, including the newest Aurum Food & Wine.

Summary

The Sheraton Steamboat Resort & Villas already had me at location – as I’m a big fan of Steamboat Springs, Colorado. My last visit to the Sheraton Steamboat was a few years ago in the winter, and they already had me. With the renovations and adding the new Mountain Suites, I’m an even bigger fan, as adding this option to their inventory would be the perfect accommodation for my multigenerational family.

 Rates based on season:

Summer rates start at $169.00 (1 bedroom Mountain Suite $299.00)
Fall rates start at $149.00 (1 bedroom Mountain Suite $279)
Winter rates start at $479.00  (1 bedroom  Mountain Suite $649)

You can also book online through Hotels.com or Booking.com.

Accommodations & photos courtesy of the Sheraton Steamboat Resort & Villas.