Introduction
The Lodge at Cordillera (pronounced core-dee-air-ah) sits on top of a ridge overlooking the Eagle River Valley, better know as Vail Valley. 2000 feet above the level of I-70 interstate this hotel gives unbelievable views of the valley below. Surrounded by $10,000,000 "trophy" homes you are completely removed from all the traffic and commercialism that seems to be multiplying along the interstate.

Getting There
A couple of years ago Eagle/Vail airport surpassed Denver International Airport in the number of skiers coming to the fabulous Colorado ski resorts including Vail/Beaver Creek/Aspen. No wonder since multiple major airlines fly
757's into Eagle/Vail airport from many of the major airports in Texas, California and East Coast. The schedules to Eagle/Vail keep growing with more and more flights and competitive fares.
From Eagle/Vail airport the Lodge at Cordillera is a mere 15 miles east. Ground transportation is very effecient
with CME (Colorado Mountain Express) being the most popular
company providing a comfortable ride to your favorite resort hotel.
The road to Cordillera is a very obscure unmarked turnoff before you get to Edwards. From there you wind your way up the mountain 2000 feet through some pcituresque valleys.

Hotel
The lodge is constructed with the atmosphere of a hunting lodge with a small but warm and luxurious lobby, complete with fireplace, comfortable leather chairs and a wall of windows allowing the guest a wide view of the mountains. The personel is very attentive and helpful in
getting you to your room.. The hotel is build with all rooms facing out over the valley and all rooms having a balcony. There are only 50 rooms giving a very relaxed and
comfortable feel to the hotel. There may be some walking to get to your room even though it is only three storie high it extends along the ridge. All details of the hotel were meticulously thought out with hall ways and meeting rooms tastefully decorated.
We came to the hotel for a meeting in February 2001
and there was plenty of snow covering the grounds. Our room
was very large as was the bathroom. Decor was fitting a hunting lodge with pine trim and upscale furniture. We had two overstuffed chairs, refrigerator with food, and an ironing board. The king sized bed was first class as were linens. A writing desk was a convenient feature to the room and each room had a fireplace. Beside the spa there is a great indoor pool and jacuzzi.

Service was spotty. The lobby and spa personel were excellent but maid and room service was slow. We did enjoy the spa and there was an superb exercise area. Pool and jacuzzi was next to the spa. A feature that I have not encountered previously was a "relaxation room" with soothing music and pleasing aromas.


Restaurant
The Picasso restaurant has received many awards for its great food and wonderful views. Our dinners were wonderful with the food outstanding. Service was excellent also with entrees $20-30. The restaurant also looks over the pool and out into the valley.

Cons
It will take you a day or two to acclimate to the altitude 2000 feet higher than the vase of Vail. Sleeping may be a problem until you fully adjust to the thin air.
The hotel provides transportation to the ski areas but their pick up times are limited. A car may be a consideration.
There are several other restaurants around the hotel but they were not open past 9PM and closed some days. The meeting kept us occupied but for any nightlife you will need to drive to the valley, a ten minute drive down a mountain road.

Summary
The hotel is best viewed as a "mountain hideaway" from alll the suburban sprawl that litters the valley from Eagle to Vail pass. As a romatic venue it is unrivaled by any hotel in this part of Colorado but it is not convenient for a family that wished to ski at Vail or Beaver Creek. If you have an opportunity to attend a meeting here don't let it pass you by and be sure to bring your wife/girlfriend/ significant other.

Recommended: Yes