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VAIL VALLEY, Colorado — After struggling through the recession, many businesses in Vail, Colorado have been dreaming of a profitable Christmas this year.
Looks like business is up at several Vail Valley tourist destinations this year, with many hotels booked to capacity for next week and some eateries predicting their New Year's bashes will sell out sooner than last year.
At the Westin Riverfront Resort and Spa in Avon, about 90 percent of the rooms are booked this week, and the hotel is sold out next week, general manager Bob Trotter said. Bookings are up about 10 to 15 percent compared with last year, mainly because the hotel was brand new last ski season and has since become more established, he said.
“The guests who have stayed here had a great experience,” Trotter said. “They love the resort. They're re-booking and telling people.”
The Tivoli Lodge is packed every Christmas, and this year is no different, assistant manager Kim Newbury said. The hotel reports an 85-percent occupancy rate from Dec. 19 through Jan. 2, with the four days leading up to New Year's Eve booked solid, Newbury said. Repeat business has kept the 62-room hotel busy, even during last year's recession, she said.
“We have guests who have stayed with us literally for 35 years,” she said. “They stay with us every year for a week or two weeks. This is their holiday tradition.”
Bookings at the Sonnenalp Resort of Vail have been slightly slower than last year for the week leading up to Christmas, but Christmas through Jan. 2 is just as strong as last year, with nearly 100 percent of the rooms booked, hotel manager Stefan Schmid said.
“It's a little bit softer than last year but we got some last-minute bookings and the second week definitely filled up,” he said.
People are making fewer advanced reservations than they have in past years, he said.
“The economy is definitely slower so people don't really have to book in advance,” he said. “They can see how conditions are, and how things are going. They have a chance to get a good deal or get in last minute.”
The delayed reservation trend has been apparent at La Tour restaurant in Vail as well, co-owner Lourdes Ferzacca said.
“What I am seeing is a lot of last-minute reservations,” she said. “By that I mean, people are calling a week in advance rather than before they used to call three months in advance. I think people have made their decision to travel last minute and are finding themselves in a better position to shop around for bargains.”
Ferzacca said more people are coming to La Tour this holiday season compared with last year, and they're spending more their meals. In particular, customers are ordering more wine.
“We've gotten pretty creative with our menu,” Ferzacca said. “We've tried to evolve. We've lowered our menu prices compared with last year.”
Likewise, business at Larkspur restaurant in Vail and Avondale in Avon have picked up compared with last year, marketing director Sue Barham said.
The biggest surprise was an earlier start to the busy season at Larkspur, she said. Business was already booming the week leading up to Christmas this year, whereas last year the pace failed to increase until the week between Christmas and New Year's.
“That was a nice bonus,” Barham said. “Hopefully the economy is turning around. I think we all want to believe that.”
Tickets to the New Year's Eve parties at both Larkspur and Avondale are selling faster than last year, partly because the prices were set about 25 percent lower.
“We actually did sell out at both locations last year but it was very last minute, whereas this year it looks like we'll be booked a few days ahead of time,” Barham said.
Phil Long, co-owner of the Red Lion, said business over the past five days there has been the same as last year or up slightly. That's a good sign for the rest of the holiday season, he said.
“With the snow not being as amazing as it could be, it makes us feel really good,” he said. “It gives us great hope for when we finally get that dump.”
Staff Writer Sarah Mausolf can be reached at 970-748-2928 or smausolf@vaildaily.com.
Looks like business is up at several Vail Valley tourist destinations this year, with many hotels booked to capacity for next week and some eateries predicting their New Year's bashes will sell out sooner than last year.
At the Westin Riverfront Resort and Spa in Avon, about 90 percent of the rooms are booked this week, and the hotel is sold out next week, general manager Bob Trotter said. Bookings are up about 10 to 15 percent compared with last year, mainly because the hotel was brand new last ski season and has since become more established, he said.
“The guests who have stayed here had a great experience,” Trotter said. “They love the resort. They're re-booking and telling people.”
The Tivoli Lodge is packed every Christmas, and this year is no different, assistant manager Kim Newbury said. The hotel reports an 85-percent occupancy rate from Dec. 19 through Jan. 2, with the four days leading up to New Year's Eve booked solid, Newbury said. Repeat business has kept the 62-room hotel busy, even during last year's recession, she said.
“We have guests who have stayed with us literally for 35 years,” she said. “They stay with us every year for a week or two weeks. This is their holiday tradition.”
Bookings at the Sonnenalp Resort of Vail have been slightly slower than last year for the week leading up to Christmas, but Christmas through Jan. 2 is just as strong as last year, with nearly 100 percent of the rooms booked, hotel manager Stefan Schmid said.
“It's a little bit softer than last year but we got some last-minute bookings and the second week definitely filled up,” he said.
People are making fewer advanced reservations than they have in past years, he said.
“The economy is definitely slower so people don't really have to book in advance,” he said. “They can see how conditions are, and how things are going. They have a chance to get a good deal or get in last minute.”
The delayed reservation trend has been apparent at La Tour restaurant in Vail as well, co-owner Lourdes Ferzacca said.
“What I am seeing is a lot of last-minute reservations,” she said. “By that I mean, people are calling a week in advance rather than before they used to call three months in advance. I think people have made their decision to travel last minute and are finding themselves in a better position to shop around for bargains.”
Ferzacca said more people are coming to La Tour this holiday season compared with last year, and they're spending more their meals. In particular, customers are ordering more wine.
“We've gotten pretty creative with our menu,” Ferzacca said. “We've tried to evolve. We've lowered our menu prices compared with last year.”
Likewise, business at Larkspur restaurant in Vail and Avondale in Avon have picked up compared with last year, marketing director Sue Barham said.
The biggest surprise was an earlier start to the busy season at Larkspur, she said. Business was already booming the week leading up to Christmas this year, whereas last year the pace failed to increase until the week between Christmas and New Year's.
“That was a nice bonus,” Barham said. “Hopefully the economy is turning around. I think we all want to believe that.”
Tickets to the New Year's Eve parties at both Larkspur and Avondale are selling faster than last year, partly because the prices were set about 25 percent lower.
“We actually did sell out at both locations last year but it was very last minute, whereas this year it looks like we'll be booked a few days ahead of time,” Barham said.
Phil Long, co-owner of the Red Lion, said business over the past five days there has been the same as last year or up slightly. That's a good sign for the rest of the holiday season, he said.
“With the snow not being as amazing as it could be, it makes us feel really good,” he said. “It gives us great hope for when we finally get that dump.”
Staff Writer Sarah Mausolf can be reached at 970-748-2928 or smausolf@vaildaily.com.
