Club Wyndham Resort at Avon

Club Wyndham Resort at Avon is in Eagle County, CO the area reminds me of Big Sky Montana or even the Tahoe area. A mountain area with great skiing, mountain views, and amazing properties.

Video by Vail Daily

Day One Arrival

As with most mountain locations that I travel to (and all in the Western United States) I arrived by plane. I arrived at Eagle County regional airport without much hassle or fanfare. I arrived on my United Flight a little before noon so I had time before checking in to look around and spend some time near the airport before making my way to the resort.

The drive itself from the airport is not far, only about a 30-minute drive. The airport is a smaller regional airport with just 7 gates, with one being a double gate for 6 and 7. This is not an airport you can get lost in. There is no need for shuttles, trams, or trains. Which is nice compared to experiences like international airports.

This is a very upscale area. You get that feeling from the moment you land and look at ground transportation options. Here there are more limo services than anything else. The other options are available and covered, but it is 4-1 limos.

I chose a rental car so I could see more of the area, and also because it was summer. Had it been the winter, and I was with the family, I may have chosen the limo since the cost of limo service to nearby Eagle County was much less than a drive to Denver or Vale. At most limo providers, it looked to be 1/3 of the cost. So not cheap, but a fun way to splurge for a group or family since the limos can hold 6 people at least.

Also, if you are going with friends share a limo instead of a cab or the hassle of renting 3 cars especially if you are here for skiing and will spend time at the resort and the slopes 80% of your vacation. If the charge is $150 let’s say split that three was for 3 couples even adding a tip that is affordable. Even two couples could just split the cost with one couple paying and another couple paying for the return trip if your flight times are the same.

Arrival at the resort itself was simple and easy. They made checking in easy. The resort itself seems over the top. It is impressive when in mountain towns the resort seems to come up to the main road European style. Real Estate here is a premium and with only so much space in the valley it just makes sense to design things this way, but it does make for an impressive presence.

Some site helpful hints.

Ski-Valet service and secure ski storage.

Avon city ordinance prohibits smoking within 25 feet of any building entrance.

Valet parking on-site is available for $20 per night. Self-parking on-site is available for $15 per night. The resort is unable to accommodate parking for oversized vehicles, RVs, or trailers. Parking rates are subject to change without notice.

With the virtual same price for the valet service plan on using the valet.

Here at this resort the indoor spa/pool has its own waterfall of sorts, and it is over the top in elegance.

The fitness room is nice but with all the outdoors has to offer, not sure why someone would use it here. There are ample locations for outdoor dining or sitting, which is great for the summer months, and for those who love the cool and sitting in the amazing snow-covered mountains in the winter.

I was here in the summer just because I never mastered skiing to the point where it was truly enjoyable. I am more of the small slopes of West Virginia kind of guy. I think this stuff is out of my skill range.

Skiing for me is a bit like golf, amazing sports, just ones that I had access to most of my life but never got into. But for ski lovers, this area must be insane. At the resort, the Concierge services include many things like special ski storage and shuttle service to all the local ski slopes via the Town of Avon shuttles.

There is also light dining on-site and a bar, and a deli snack bar option as well.

The town and area boast plenty of ski and equipment rentals available too, so you do not have to travel with all of your gear.

My room was a one-bedroom Presidential, which did make me feel a bit like a President of a small country. It was large, modern, and had tremendous views. From my balcony, I felt like I could reach out a touch the mountain, amazing.

You have heard me rave about bathrooms before. This was one for the books it felt spa-like with a big shower complete with a teak bench seat. It also was a good size and had nice double sinks. The bedroom too had great views, and the bed was great. I would later forget to ask about the kind of mattress but I meant to. (It was that comfortable).

Here they offered 1-2-3, or studio units available. The one-bedroom presidential was 1,000 square feet, which felt like more.

Villa Amenities

Then the resort itself offers all of these options.

Resort Amenities

The layout of the room was simple, but it really worked. I made a mental note to copy the room layout if I ever had the money to build my own resort. I could see these 20 stories high or more somewhere like Myrtle Beach and they would still work amazingly. The master bedroom shared the view of the balcony or Lanai, which was clever.

After checking in and having toured the resort, it was time to grab something to eat. Normally after traveling some, I am starving, but instead, I was hungry but also interested in the area. So, I left the resort and took the shuttle towards some spots in town.

I ended up at Bob’s Place which is more than it sounds. It is a smaller spot with character and seems to have a good sense of humor. I picked the country-fried steak dinner. I would have liked to try some other items, but parts of the menu are truly only lunch or breakfast items. That makes it easier on the cooks and prep work, which I get. But some other menu items were things I was sorry to miss.

After lunch, I was curious about the whole cannabis scene. Not a smoker myself (I prefer an adult beverage or two) I was interested in the mystery of that place in the law that has states doing their own thing, and the Federal Government is still against it all. So, I went to a local shop to check things out. This place was named after ice cream since I hear the stuff gives you the munchies (which I do not need more of) it kind of made sense.

It was clean and seemed well run. It also seemed less like a shop of its kind would have in Virginia, or else ware if the counter-culture shops of the home were any measure. I have always enjoyed unique people. Not to live around 24-7 but to appreciate the mindset from a distance, mostly.

Interesting that the product comes with a 21.2% sales tax (no wonder they made it legal). That is almost as high as the highest state gas taxes, and they are likely not paving any roads with this money.

To me all the stuff was interesting, but I did not partake since I thought as a non-user it would put me through the floor and embed me into the Earth if I tried it. I almost got some brownies or edibles, but once they started telling me how much THC was in them, I chose to mentally fool myself into thinking I might one day still run for political office.

After that, though I did go to Beaver Liquors and picked up some Jefferson’s Reserve, my favorite bourbon. I figured there was no way I would finish even a bottle on the trip, but I did think sharing would be possible so I chose to treat myself.

I noticed one of my favorite things to do was in the area. That is a float spa. The location was only available until 8PM and it was booked up for today, but tomorrow this was on my list.

Day Two waking at Club Wyndham Resort at Avon

I woke up with breakfast and then the float spa on my mind. Why when traveling would you go to something you could do at home? (I could hear my sister ask me in my head.)

I chose to go to the float spa because I have not been in a long time and I enjoy them a great deal. If you have not been to one whether you go on vacation or not, it is something to try for certain. I would not visit Rocky Road or somewhere like it beforehand if you have not floated before. Since you have no sense of self when you fully relax, your mind can run wild on your first float. I have heard for some it is too much, but I think most people will like how refreshing it is to take all the pressure off of your joints and muscles for 1 hour.

These days I hurt now doing just about anything. So, the float tub is a mental break but also a physical one as well.

Before the float, I had breakfast at the Avon Bakery and Deli. I had asked the concierge for a recommendation and this is what she mentioned. I enjoyed the Full Monty, which did not involve me or anyone getting naked, but instead was 2 eggs with home fries, sausage, and toast. For a resort town, it was a steal at less than $10. It also hit the spot.

After breakfast and the float, it was time for some scenery. For me today, this meant taking off on a ski lift to see the local mountains and view the area. This is a very affordable and fun thing to do in the summer. This helps them keep the ski lifts in tip-top shape and keeps the maintenance and safety staff busy during the summer months. Clever, really.

After a day of great views, short hikes, and moments of deep contemplation. I was ready for a relaxing dinner. For dinner, I chose a Hawaiian restaurant. Ekahi Grill is interesting. It feels authentically Hawaiian, but completely out of place. Almost like eating Hawaiian on the moon might feel to me. But the food was great.

I have had the honor and privilege of traveling to Hawaii, and you can even read about a few of my adventures on this site. When I say these tastes are authentic, I mean it. This food was dead on for flavor, texture, and enjoyment.

The only thing that threw me was the volcano fries having seaweed on them. Not because they might not do that in Hawaii, but because it felt wrong to put seaweed on cheese fries. I am a explode your heart food purist I guess.

I tried like 3 of their dishes just because I love Polynesian food and the first item was so good. I knew I would be leaving some or taking some back to the resort with me, but I did not care. I wanted to try a little of everything. I think neat places like this should do sampler-plater kinds of offerings. But I guess that would drive the chef or kitchen staff crazy.

After a huge lunch, I did take some back to the resort kitchen refrigerator later. My guess was the BBQ would just get better over time. Some things just do.

Day Three Historic adventure time

After too much food, I again headed out to another place to chill and relax. This was only about 30 minutes away. It was the Yampah Vapor Caves. These are underground caves that are heated by local hot springs. Since they are underground, they are hot but not too hot even in the summer. I was told there are only vapor caves of their kind in the USA. The caves are now owned and operated as a spa, and it is amazing.

From their website we learn: Cave temperatures average 110 -112 degrees F., allowing repeated visits of 10-12 minutes separated by brief rests in a nearby cooling room, or upstairs in the spacious solarium. Cold water and small tubs are also available for cooling off in the caves.

I am not used to the heat these days,, but it is in me to have a high tolerance. I worked for about 18 months one time in a manufacturing building that in the summer would reach over 100 degrees most of the time due to the running equipment and the fact they could not provide an HVAC due to the manufacturing processes.

So the heat did not get to me much. But it had been a while, so I made sure to hydrate and take frequent breaks during my trip, anyway. It was a neat experience and I could understand why the Native Americans would have found this a special spiritual place.

The spa itself is 120 years old, so as far as the United States goes that is one heck of a seasoned and historic spa. In 1887 famed gambler and gunman Doc Holiday came to these very springs in hopes the springs would provide comfort from TB. He would die in this area at the age of 35.

A year later in this same area, one of the first hydro-electric dams is put in place and puts that area on the map as one of the first communities with electric lights in 1888.

When you visit the caves and related spas it is hard to imagine that they were purchased in 1938 for only $165,000 but that was like many millions today so I guess it makes sense.

I love history and this spa and the surrounding area have it all. Old West, Native American, American History, and much more. This has to be a stop for anyone who loves history and some restorative springs.

After a positive experience like this, I wished I would have more time in town and at the resort. But tonight, I would return to the resort, enjoy another local meal, then sleep and wake up early to move to the next resort on this trip.

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