The Osprey at Beaver Creek, A RockResort

The Osprey offers plenty of charm with a good dose of contemporary sophistication, though it's character is closer to a hotel than a full-service resort. Once inside the somewhat generic tan buildings, guests are greeted by a cozy lobby, with a stone fireplace surrounded by leather club chairs. Clean, modern designs with vibrant pops of color, like the colorful abstract art pieces throughout the lodge and vibrant throw pillows, look sharp alongside wood-block end tables and reclaimed wood furniture. There are plenty of places for guests to wait or relax throughout, though the space does look a bit like a chain hotel with its neutral striped carpets. The Osprey Lounge has a huge limestone fireplace near the bar, which has a teardrop Italian glass chandelier, and backlit honey onyx providing a warm glow. The bar gets crowded during happy hour and the lobby is bustling during the day, with many guests -- who are mostly couples and families -- entering and exiting to ski. 

The lodge, conveniently situated a five-minute walk from the heart of Beaver Creek village, is the closest resort to a ski lift in North America -- it's a 26-foot walk from the lodge’s ski valet entrance to Beaver Creek’s Strawberry Park Express chair lift. There are plenty of other hotels, resorts, restaurants, boutiques, and galleries in Beaver Creek village, and a ski shuttle service (part of the daily resort fee) transfers guests throughout the village area. The Beaver Creek Golf Club, for enthusiasts passing through during the warmer months, is a two-minute drive from the hotel. Other travel times are as follows:

• Six-minute drive to the Beaver Creek Stables for summer horseback riding
• 23-minute drive to Vail Ski Area
• 40-minute drive to the closest airport, Eagle County Regional Airport
• One-hour drive to the hot springs at Glenwood Springs
• Two-and-a-half hour drive to Denver International Airport

Rooms offer a blend of urban chic design elements with rustic undertones, alongside the more familiar comforts often found in higher-end chain hotels throughout the country. Light hardwood furniture has heavy iron hardware, and burnished metal end tables sit alongside comfy, but streamlined, chairs. Lamps are often crafted from reclaimed wood or natural tree limbs, and wall art is stylish and contemporary, with soft abstract shapes and colors. There is a warmth about the spaces that makes them feel like ski lodge rooms, despite appearances, and tones throughout are soft creams and oranges, with plenty of warm natural woods, including peaked, wood-beam ceilings in some rooms. Other modern elements include padded headboards with leather or upholstery over beds with white duvets, and chunky, flamed granite countertops. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, DVD players, MP3 docks, free Wi-Fi, and Keurig coffee makers with free coffee. Bathrooms are luxurious, with natural oak sink consoles and granite countertops. Elegant pendant lighting with sleek wrought iron frames hang next to large mirrors, and most rooms have shower/tub combos, though others have oversized marble tubs with rainfall showerheads. Larger suites have steam showers, balconies, and fireplaces. Penthouse suites feature full kitchens and private balconies.

The lodge brings a lot to the table. There is a family room to entertain kids. It's filled with oversized couches and chairs along with a flat-screen TV to watch the lodge’s many DVDs, a Wii entertainment system, and plenty of board games. The Osprey’s bar and casual restaurant (open for breakfast, lunch and dinner) offers a good-size wine list, cocktails, a daily happy hour that's quite popular in season, and tapas-style dining. Breakfasts are not included in room rates. The Osprey has a fitness center with a few cardio options, a set of free weights, and a pulley machine. The fitness center also includes a steam room and a sauna, along with a year-round heated outdoor pool plus hot tub. There is an outdoor lounge seating area and a fire pit plus barbecues. Child care is available for a fee, and there’s a concierge desk, room service, a 24-hour front desk, plus free coffee and tea in the lobby. For skiers, Osprey has a ski valet to stow gear and a free ski shuttle service that transfers guests to and from parking lots and to destinations throughout the village area. Free parking and Wi-Fi are available. Guests should know that there is a hefty daily resort fee charged.