Steamboat Resort Villas

Apart from the surrounding mountains, the hotel's cement and stone exterior is a bit short on charm and natural greenery. Once inside, though, everything is predictably pleasant, and there's even a bit more personality than is found at most Sheraton properties. Interiors have an upscale ranch vibe, with split log tables, lots of leather chairs and ottomans, and a rich, masculine color scheme of mahogany, tobacco, and rust. Expect to see plenty of families and couples coming and going, especially in the winter months, when the resort is jam-packed with skiers and Sheraton brand loyalists. There are two restaurants and a lobby bar with massive leather club chairs and a rustic wood communal table overlooking a large flat-screen TV. Outside on the large, sunny terrace, a double-sided fireplace is surrounded by contemporary sofas and chairs. In summer, there's a small "beach" at the foot of a stepped wading pond with rock ledges. It won't be surprising to know that almost all guests here are vacationers, and for them the location right at the base of Steamboat Mountain is the main draw.

The hotel is nestled at the base of Steamboat Mountain, right next to the gondola that leads uphill. It's one of the most enviable spots in Steamboat Springs, especially for skiers. There's enough to keep people busy aside from the mountain as well, and the resort is in front of a small town square filled with shops and kid-friendly amusements. The actual town of Steamboat Springs is about nine minutes away by car or via the free shuttle service provided by the hotel. Aside from this, it's a 15-minute drive to Fish Creek Falls, a popular local sight, and Strawberry Park Hot Springs are 30 minutes away by car. There is a local airport, though flights are only from select cities. It takes about 15 minutes to reach by car. It's a three-hour drive to downtown Denver and Denver International Airport, depending on the weather. Both Vail and Breckenridge ski resorts are within a two-hour drive.

Rooms at the resort range from Traditional Rooms and suites to one- and two-bedroom condos. All units are spacious, and have a bit more personality than most Sheraton rooms. This is accomplished by details meant to evoke rustic lodges, like bolts over ceiling beams, chunky leather furniture, and black-and-white pictures of the mountains and winter sports. The color palette is mostly brown and white, including striped carpets, and simple dark wood furniture has clean lines (though we don't necessarily love the orange accents in some pieces of furniture).

Standard features in all rooms include Sheraton's trademark Sweet Sleeperbeds, private balconies, flat-panel TVs, Wi-Fi, and mini-fridges. Beds are made with white duvets and sit under handsome wood headboards. Tiled storage areas with open cubbies are convenient for peeling off wet jackets and boots. Studios have kitchenettes and fireplaces or gas stoves, while Village Inn Condos have full kitchens and washers and dryers. Bathrooms are fine enough, though nothing to write home about, with shower/tub combos or walk-in showers. They are done in an abundance of neutral tones and have a decent amount of counter space. 

In addition to skiing, the Sheraton Steamboat Resort Ski offers winter activities including snowshoeing, scenic gondola rides, sleigh rides, and a variety of events and activities. Summer offerings include golf, horseback riding, and alpine water slides. Directly outside the hotel is the Steamboat Springs Promenade, a recently installed year-round pedestrian walkway with snow-melt pavers in the winter and a waterfall in warmer months. 

The hotel has several options for dining and drinking, with most menus offering a mix of grill fare and bar food, plus staples like pasta. Food gets pretty solid marks from past guests, though no meals will be included with standard rates. However, free afternoon hot chocolate is a nice touch. The hotel has a heated outdoor pool as well as hot tubs -- the latter stays open year round. There is also a spacious fitness center with a good amount of modern cardio and weight-training equipment. Yoga is also available. A game room houses a pool table and foosball as well as chess and other games. 

The hotel has a shop selling tourist good and there are lockers for storing ski gear. Free shuttles into the town of Steamboat Springs are available in season. There are coin-operated washers and dryers on each floor, and the hotel has a proper business center with multiple computers. Parking and Wi-Fi are both included in the hotel's resort fee.