Gasthof Gramshammer

An Austrian-born couple -- one of whom is Pepi Gramshammer, a professional skier whose racing heyday was in the early 60s -- opened Hotel Gasthof Gramshammer in 1964. The duo continues to live on-site in apartment above the ski shop, and they often say hello to guests. The endearing exterior was designed to look like a Bavarian chalet, with a yellow facade and wood trim, and the lobby has an alpine ski-lodge feel, with a stone floor and wood-beam ceilings. Furniture is homey and traditional -- think: upholstered chairs, antique wood wardrobes, and floral drapes. It verges on outdated, but overall the vibe is charming and quaint. A lively crowd often gathers at the bar, with a coffered wood ceiling and exposed brick, for nightly entertainment. Guests of the hotel tend to be vacationing couples and families, with winter skiing a popular draw. 

The hotel is situated on a pedestrian street in the heart of Vail Village, with the back of the property facing Gore Creek. It's hard to beat the location, within walking distance to shops, restaurants, and outdoor activities ranging from skiing to fly fishing. It's also just a few minutes' walk from the gondola. Gerald Ford Amphitheater and Betty Ford Alpine Gardens are about a 13-minute walk. Denver is roughly a two-hour drive, with the airport about 15 minutes farther. Guests of the hotel are permitted to drive on the pedestrian street to access hotel. 

Guest rooms have dated decor, but units are well-maintained and comfortable, with traditional, country style. Walls are a basic off-white, and there's wall-to-wall carpeting and wooden wardrobes, often painted in pastel shades. The floral bedding and drapes look particularly stuffy. A range of room options is offered, including a penthouse apartment, family suites, and studio apartments, some with fireplaces or kitchenettes. Most units have balconies, and some overlook the creek outback. All have desks, flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi, but there are no mini-fridges. Bathrooms are similarly dated but they're spacious, with wide vanities, shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and toiletries. 

The hotel has a nice array of extra amenities for a small property at this pearl level. Pepi's, the hotel's restaurant and bar, serves Austrian-inspired dishes for lunch and dinner, ranging from venison to caribou to wienerschnitzel. The restaurant features two dining sections and outdoor seating on the street. There's also a spacious bar with an extensive drink selection and draft beers, and nightly entertainment is offered. The daily European-style continental breakfast is free, with cold items like hard-boiled eggs, sliced meats, cereal, oatmeal, and fresh fruit. 

The hotel's gym has a handful of modern cardio and weightlifting equipment, a rack of free weights, and lounge chairs, and there's a small sauna, steam room, two indoor whirlpools, and a massage room (24-hour advance booking required), but there's no pool. A boutique and ski shop with ski gear rentals is on-site, and guests are given a substantial discount. While there's on-site parking, it costs extra in the small garage, and larger vehicles aren't permitted. Wi-Fi is free throughout.