Sonnenalp Hotel

If you want to experience everything the Sonnenalp has to offer, DO NOT go before 'the season' starts. Half of the hotel is closed, including the breakfast buffet. Not even the hotel bar is open. (What does it cost to pay a bar tender for a couple of hours so that the guest can enjoy a nice drink in your library after a day in Vail?) Unfortunately the hotel does not inform you about those facts at the time you make a reservation or not even a few days before your arrival. When I was asked a few days before my stay to inform the Sonnenalp about my time of arrival, it still gave me a list of restaurants, WITHOUT mentioning that some of them were closed. Only AFTER check-in I was informed that some restaurants and even the hotel bar (!) were closed. The same message pointed out LUDWIG'S as an alternative, their (breakfast) restaurant. When I clicked on the link for LUDWIG'S, it showed me nice photos of a beautiful breakfast buffet.... A buffet that did not exist, even so my reservation confirmation does say "Complimentary buffet breakfast for 2 daily for the duration of your stay in Ludwig's Restaurant". I made my reservation several months ago to celebrate my wife's special birthday. The Sonnenalp was quick to ask for and take a deposit. Yet, despite it being possible with today's technology, the hotel did at no point inform me, that it does not offer half of the amenities it advertises on it website. After I contacted the hotel and voiced my disappointment, Victor, the concierge at least organized a cheese fondue at the Bully Ranch (we paid). When we checked in at 3:30pm, our room wasn't ready. The front desk offered my a slightly larger room (+25sqft) for an extra $25 daily. Despite the hotel not being full and instead of comping this charge because of the missing amenities. When we got to our room there was a nice and excellent little birthday cake and an envelope from the hotel. On the back of the envelope it said 'birthday'. When my wife pulled out the card, it said in large letters: "Happy anniversary!" Those little, careless things bother me as much as the scratched plastic in the elevator, that normally protects the inspection certificates. Does not a single employee or member of the management see that or is bothered by it?? The Sonnenalp should be up front and honest with their guest. That does not only include the reservation process, but at breakfast, when we were offered orange juice. "Do you want pasteurized or freshly pressed orange juice?", we were asked. Only when the check arrived we found out that the fresh orange juice costs $14! Why??

Having just returned from trip to Europe, we felt immediately transported back with the serene Bavarian architecture; soft white arches contrasting beautifully with dark wood accents and Alpine furniture. The spacious bathroom, with its heated marble floors, double sinks and oversized jacuzzi tub, was a dream after a long day. Even the bright hallways charmed us with their curved, troweled walls and classic Bavarian motifs. Every detail, down to the crisp linens and cloud-like pillows invited rest and comfort. After a fabulous evening of dining with our friends who we met in Italy, we slept in, waking up absolutely ravenous. Downstairs at Ludwig’s, our favorite sunlit breakfast room ensconced in glass windows, we savored our breakfast of Eggs Benedict paired with rich Lavazza coffee before slipping back into the hot tub for one more indulgent soak. October might just be the perfect time to visit Vail; peaceful, golden, and unhurried. Experiencing “the other ski resort” without the crowds was a rare treat. The air was filled with the earthy scent of wet leaves and the faint smoke of wood-burning fireplaces, and for a moment, I was transported back to those early ski-bum days when I used to ski the bowls of Vail. A time when life was about how hard you could ski and how gracefully you could stumble home in your boots. I reminisced… just enough for Wade to handle.

We’ve been visiting Sonnenalp for 30 plus years for our anniversary. Always looking for the best accommodations between the facilities and staff, and we’ve tried almost every hotel in Vail at various times of the year. However, we always end up back at Sonnenalp. There are no matched accommodations and they truly are world class. Looking forward to 30 more years of spending our special celebration with Sonnenalp and their family.

Everything was perfect. 10 star hotel . I travel all the time and stay in hotels all around the country. There’s none better then this hotel.

Fantastic stay at Sonnenalp. The hotel is stunning and one of the cleanest hotels I have ever stayed at. I cleaned for a living and I can't help but notice when things are not cleaned. I'm sure this hotel would pass a white glove inspection. The breakfast was wonderful. Since we went during mud season (slow season) they no longer had the buffet option but they did give us a $84 credit ($42 dollars person) toward the breakfast, which was delicious. Staff was so attentive and friendly, and the Spa was amazing. Would stay here again and again.