Where to Stay in Vail (Best Areas, Hotels, & Resorts)

5 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Vail

The central areas of Vail Village and Lionshead are home to luxury Vail resorts. These properties come with amenities like spas and valets to help with ski gear and other arrangements. Both of these areas also feature adorable cobblestone streets filled with shops, restaurants, winter ice skating, and fun activities year-round. Golden Peak is a convenient home base for families and is close to childcare.

East and West Vail are farther from these villages, and you’ll need to drive or take Vail’s public transportation to get to the ski lifts. However, this also means there is cheaper lodging as well as grocery stores where you can save on food. 

Vail Village

👉 Best Area For Vintage Vail  | ✨ Best Vail Village Hotels: The Sonnenalp • The Sebastian • Tivoli Lodge

You can’t go wrong staying in Vail Village. This is a pedestrian village with plenty of shops, food, and our top recommended stay: The Sebastian. You’ll appreciate being within walking distance of the lifts at Vail Ski Resort.

If you’re staying in Vail for the first time, Vail Village has a small-town feel that makes it easy to get your bearings and find where you’re going.

Pros of Staying in Vail Village Neighborhood:

• Small-town feel
• Shops, restaurants, and skiing within walking distance

Con of Staying in Vail Village Neighborhood:

• Hotels can be pricey

Lionshead Village

👉 Best Area For New Visitors | ✨ Best Lionshead Village Hotels: The Arrabelle at Vail Square • The Hythe • Antlers at Vail Resort

Lionshead Village is another great choice if you’ve never been to Vail. It’s a recently-renovated pedestrian village with lots of shops, restaurants, coffee shops, spas, and other Vail attractions, including the ice rink at Vail Square. Find it right outside The Arrabelle, one of the most posh hotels in town.

Lionshead is home to the Eagle Bahn Gondola and Born Free Express Lift. Guests can easily walk from Lionshead hotels to the lifts to ski in winter or hike in summer. You can also walk from Lionshead to Vail Village in about 15 minutes, or take the free town bus.

Pros of Staying in the Lionshead Neighborhood:

• Skiing, shops, restaurants within walking distance
• Beautiful cobbled streets and scenery
• Close to Eagle Bahn Gondola and Born Free Express Lift

Con of Staying in the Lionshead Neighborhood:

• Hotels are more expensive than in the outskirts of town

Golden Peak

👉 Best Area For Peace & Quiet | ✨ Best Golden Peak Hotels: Manor Vail Lodge • All Seasons at Golden Peak • The Wren at Vail

The area of Golden Peak is a five-minute walk from Vail Village. It’s out of the hustle and bustle of the ski village itself but still close to all the sites. That, and the fact that it’s near Vail’s childcare facilities, makes it a great option for families with young kids. 

Staying at Golden Peak means you’ll be at the base of the Riva Bahn Express Lift – a good spot for watching the ski races that take place at Vail. The Wren at Vail has ski shuttles, as do several other properties in the area, so getting around is a breeze.

Pros of Staying in the Golden Peak Neighborhood:

• Quieter than the more central villages
• Near childcare
• Near the terrain park
• Great spot for watching ski races

Cons of Staying in the Golden Peak Neighborhood:

• Farther from shops and restaurants
• Farther from the more popular ski lifts

West Vail

👉 Best Area For Budget Travelers | ✨ Best West Vail Hotels: Marriott’s StreamSide Evergreen at Vail • Highline Vail Doubletree • Eagle Point Resort

As you get farther from the two main villages, you’ll generally find cheaper lodgings. So, West Vail is where to stay in Vail if you want to save on accommodations. Highline Vail Doubletree is particularly affordable.

Staying in West Vail means you’ll have more of an opportunity to experience what it’s like to live in a Vail community, rather than at a resort. You’ll find supermarkets, inexpensive food – including fast food, playgrounds, and an off-leash dog park.

Pros of Staying in the West Vail Neighborhood:

• Lodging is relatively cheap (for Vail)
• More options for inexpensive food & drinks
• Playgrounds and dog park

Con of Staying in the West Vail Neighborhood:

• Requires driving or the bus to get to lifts

East Vail

👉 Best Area For Living Like a Local  | ✨ Best East Vail Hotels: Vail Racquet Club Mountain Resort • Gore Creek Meadows • Courtside Townhomes

Like West Vail, East Vail is farther from skiing and the cute shops and restaurants of the main villages. It’s also cheaper and feels more like part of the Vail community. 

East Vail also has amazing scenery, thanks to the East Vail Chutes that jut up into the sky. This neighborhood is family-friendly and is home to the Bighorn off-leash dog park, plus a nearby pond and playground.

East Vail also features the renowned Vail Racquet Club Mountain Resort, with a gym and heated pool. There is a small market in East Vail, but you’ll want to head to West Vail for supermarket chains.

Pros of Staying in the East Vail Neighborhood:

• Hotels and rentals are cheaper
• Features community perks like parks, playgrounds, & a market

Con of Staying in the East Vail Neighborhood:

• Need to drive or shuttle to lifts
• Farther from most restaurants, bars, & shops

Tips for Staying in Vail, Colorado

Be Ready For A Drive

If you’re traveling by plane to Colorado, then you’ll more than likely be landing at Denver International Airport (DIA). Vail is a two-hour drive from the airport in good weather with no traffic. If it’s snowing, or you’re headed up the mountain on a Friday afternoon, it can take a lot longer.

Also, be ready for mountain driving – you’ll be on a nice, big freeway, but there are some serious uphill climbs and winding parts. Chains, snow tires, or other traction devices may be required.

There is also an airport in Eagle County, about half an hour away from Vail. This airport is small and has limited flights, but it doesn’t hurt to check your options!

Or Consider Vail’s Public Transit

Not up for driving? There’s a very good chance you won’t need a car during your stay in Vail.

To get to Vail from DIA, you can use a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft. Although the ride is pricey, it could be cheaper than renting a car and paying for parking, especially if you’re spending several days there.

If you’d like to save even more and don’t mind a few road trip buddies, there are several shuttle services like Epic Mountain Express or InterMountain Express that can get you there and back. Plus, if you’re planning to visit Vail Ski Resort and/or other Colorado ski areas, these shuttles offer plenty of room for your gear.

If you’ll be in East or West Vail or want to get to the grocery store or places outside the villages, Vail has an excellent, free bus around town. In fact, they have one of the largest free bus systems in the country. I’ve taken the bus in Vail and it’s clean, easy to navigate, and a great solution for getting around.

Vail is Very Walkable

If you’re staying in one of the two main villages – Lionshead or Vail Village – likely everything you need will be within walking distance. Skiing, restaurants, and fun things to do like ice skating in Vail Square, spa services, or shopping are all right there.

Use Sunscreen Liberally (Not Just in Summer)

No matter what time of year you visit Vail, applying sunscreen is essential. It’s easy to forget about sun protection during a Colorado winter when the weather is cold, but thanks to the sun reflecting off the snow, sunburns can happen. 

Drink Lots of Water 

High-altitude areas like Vail have low humidity, so it’s important to stay hydrated. Drink more water than you would at sea level, and be aware of your caffeine and alcohol intake – those drinks can make you feel less thirsty, but they don’t keep you hydrated.

Take Time to Acclimate

If you’re coming to Vail from a low elevation, give yourself a day or two to adjust. Consider spending a day exploring the many fun activities in Denver before heading into the mountains. When you do get to Vail, allow yourself some time to acclimate before any strenuous hiking, skiing, or other activities. 

FAQs About Where to Stay in Vail, CO

Is it better to stay in Vail Village or Lionshead?

Vail Village is the best place to stay in Vail. It’s near everything visitors need, whether they’re skiing in winter, hiking in summer, or visiting to see the gorgeous fall foliage or spring flowers. Ski lifts, shops, restaurants, and other amenities are all within walking distance, and the cobblestone streets invoke the charm of a Swiss alpine village.

Does Vail have a downtown?

Vail Village is considered Vail’s downtown area. Travelers will find upscale shops, along with souvenir shops, a candy store, an ice cream shop, restaurants, cafes, and much more.

Is Vail the same as Beaver Creek?

Vail is not the same as Beaver Creek. Beaver Creek is a separate ski resort located 13 miles west of Vail and has its own lifts, as well as a village with shopping, restaurants, and an ice rink. 

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Thanks for reading my guide to Vail’s best neighborhoods and areas! Whether you want an all-inclusive, upscale resort or a condo in a Vail neighborhood that makes you feel like part of the community, where to stay in Vail comes down to personal preference.

And while you’re here, be sure to check out my guide to where to stay in Colorado.

Have fun staying in Vail!