Editors' Picks

Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch

Grand, traditional, secluded, ski-in-ski-out

130 Daybreak Ridge Road, White River National Forest, Edwards, CO 81632, USA

970-748-6200

See Website

At a Glance

Designed to evoke the splendid National Park lodges of the American West, the full-service, secluded Ritz manages to be both timeless and completely up to date.

Indagare Loves

  • A gate attendant who calls up to the front desk, guaranteeing a friendly greeting and speedy check-in
  • Stunning valley views from the odd-numbered rooms on the club floor
  • Direct access to the ski slopes of Beaver Creek Mountain

Review

Though the Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch is not in the heart of the base village, its many fans couldn’t care less. The mere thought of staying in a club floor room at the Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch brings a smile of anticipation. The pleasures of this place are so numerous it’s hard to know where to start, but one must begin with the building itself. From the outside, as you wind your way up the road from the gated entrance into the Bachelor Gulch side of Beaver Creek, the structure doesn’t just echo the great National Park lodges; it seems to have sprung forth from the same era, its massive timbers framing interior spaces both intimate and grand. Grand would be the bar and lounge area, the left side of which boasts a small, casual restaurant. To the right is WYLD, all sleekly modern with pony-skin chairs, John Fiedler photo murals, and perfectly-executed contemporary cuisine. The bar, Bachelor's Lounge, has a speakeasy vibe and offers hookah and craft cocktails including the signature vaportini, which has zero calories. Intimate spaces include the 26,000-square-foot spa, with its dimly-lit rock-walled grotto and waterfall and a wide array of treatment options.

A few steps outside is the Bachelor Gulch chairlift, a casual grill/café, plus a big heated pool perfect for swimming laps. This west-facing area is the ideal place for après ski drinks, a dunk in the hot tub, and serious people-watching. Upstairs, the club floor lounge and guestrooms (which are truly worth the upgrade) are cozy and spacious.The friendly, helpful staff in the lounge only adds to the feeling of well-being. The two- and three-bedroom residences (complete with kitchens living rooms) are ideal for families looking for more space, and pets are more than welcome; the in-room dining menu has a section devoted to canine companions. What you gain in romance and privacy, though, does cost in convenience as the resort is a shuttle-ride away from the village of Beaver Creek so if you want off-property action like the shops, ice skating and dining of Beaver Creek, you are a drive away. During busy times, the Beaver Creek Ski School does pick-ups from the hotel but otherwise, it can be a hassle to shuttle little ones back and forth between the village so be forewarned.

Who Should Stay

National Park lodge fans and families (the hotel has a Kids' Club and nannies) with an appreciation for contemporary hotel luxury. Anyone who wants the amenities of the base village close at hand will prefer staying elsewhere as Bachelor Gulch is about a ten-minute shuttle ride away.

Written by Tom Passavant

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