Built just a few years after Vail Mountain first opened in 1962 with the nation’s first gondola and access to just 876 acres of skiable terrain, Manor Vail Lodge is a classic. With near-instant proximity to all things Vail, it’s about as “in the heart” as in the heart gets. You’re a five-minute walk to to the new ten-passenger Gondola One, and steps from the Golden Peak base area where you can hop the Riva Bahn Chair, one of the fastest routes to the Blue Sky Basin and back bowls. Need to rent gear or drop kids off at ski school? They’re both right there. In-house Ski Butlers staff offers ski valet services, and equipment delivery and pickup. They’ll show up with extra boot sizes for a perfect fit, and prices are comparable to rental shops in the village, with no extra fee for delivery (score!). They even have an impressive 30-minute response time if you need to swap something out on the mountain. When you return famished from a day on the slopes, the Fitz Bar & Restaurant’s fancy take on traditional comfort food and the self-proclaimed “best views in Vail” present a strong case for dining out. The artfully plated entrees, creative cocktails and local Colorado drafts are impossible to resist. (That dinner you were planning to make can totally wait ’til tomorrow.) Opt out of skiing early one day, and head for the spa to try featured treatments like the Rocky Mountain Rejuvenation. Then meet the rest of your crew at one of the two heated outdoor pools, saving the four hot tubs for an after-dinner visit.

Mountain lodge-inspired studios and one- to three-bedroom vacation suites range in size from 700 to 1,400 square feet of tastefully appointed living space. All have fully equipped kitchens for whipping up your famous chili, or making footlong sub sandwiches to stuff into backpacks and take with you on the trails. Your private balcony or patio treats you to knockout views of Vail Mountain, Gore Creek or the Gore Range. And cozy fireplaces welcome you back from the day’s mountain or valley adventures. For an even posher stay, the two-bedroom penthouses (built in 2008) go all out with 1,500 square feet of high-end furnishings and finishes, including vaulted ceilings, private elevator access, a state-of-the-art kitchen, jetted tub in the master bath and Golden Peak views from your private balcony.

Renowned as a ski destination, Vail Mountain and Village’s best-kept secret is summer, chock full of events and festivals. Spend the entire day outdoors on the neighboring tennis courts, soccer fields, volleyball courts and softball fields. Or reserve the house bikes and see where the paths take you. Explore the Betty Ford Gardens, and see what’s showing at the Gerald Ford Amphitheater. The free in-town shuttle makes it easy to get to dinner if you’re taking the night off from cooking. Plus, you’ll want to check out all the local shops – browse window displays, stopping here and there to pick up souvenir hats and t-shirts.