As a Colorado resident, what can be better than a staycation in the Colorado Rockies? We have a wonderful city, busting with events and things to do. Denver is the place people thrive. However, when the weekend comes, it is nice to take a short drive into the hills and get away from it all to enjoy fresh mountain air, beautiful scenery and a relaxing hotel stay.
I did just that this past weekend by escaping to The Westin Riverfront Resort& Spa in Avon for a little girls getaway. Not only was the drive remarkable in the fall, it only took us a little under two hours to drive up from Denver.
Once we arrived, we pulled up to valet and were greeted by the friendliest employees. They offered to help with our luggage and got our car situation taken care of right away. Upon entering the hotel, I was blown away by the view right as you walk in. It literally took my breath away and I felt vacation mode begin to settle in my body. My shoulders relaxed, my muscles loosened and I took a deep breath of that mountain air with contentment.
The thing that stood out the most about The Westin Riverfront, was how homey it felt. It didn’t feel like a cold stark hotel. The lighting and the furniture, paired with the toasty fireplace in the atrium really made me feel at home. There are several large seating areas with plush and sunken sectionals to cozy up on. There were even a man and a woman reading books by the fire as if they were enjoying an afternoon together at home. Right outside of this sitting area, was a large wrap-around balcony with several fire pits and ample seating around them. It was so inviting both inside and out!
The other thing I found very welcoming was the simple touches for children. There were a couple of families there wandering about and there were places for kids to sit and color and plenty of seating that catered to families. They also are very dog-friendly here. We saw at least three dogs within the first 5 minutes and loved this fact. There is a path that runs along the river that any dog would enjoy. You could tell this hotel was about luxury but also inclusiveness for the entire family.
We made our way to our room which had a lovely balcony and a magnificent view. I don’t think you can go wrong with any view up here. The room was complete with a plush king bed with a down comforter, a pop-out swivel TV, a kitchenette, a huge wardrobe and a bathroom with ample counter space. This is the type of hotel where you could just come to sleep, or you can spend lots of time in it. It was like a miniature vacation apartment. They even had dishes and a cooktop in the tiny kitchen
We vowed to never leave this hotel again, so we made our way to Maya Modern Mexican, located on the main floor of the hotel. This is a Richard Sandoval restaurant that prides itself on fresh Mexican flavors. We enjoyed shrimp and calamari as a starter, two different kinds of enchiladas and some tableside guac. However, our favorite was the lengthy margarita list, which we made sure to explore. My favorite was the prickly pear margarita. This restaurant is one I have visited on several previous trips to Vail Valley, so don’t feel like you have to be staying at the hotel to take advantage of the dining experience that is offered at Maya.
The following morning, we slept in. It was so nice and relaxing and was made possible by the blackout curtains that come in every room. We enjoyed some complimentary coffee in the room. If that is not your jam there is a Starbucks located inside the hotel as well. We then mosied into Spa Anjali for massages. This spa is on the bottom level of the hotel, so you can just throw your robe on and go down there. It is a beautiful spa with a lovely relaxation room complete with tea, infused waters, and snacks. They also have a steam room and sauna if you want to take some extra time before or after your service to relax. The little things are what made this place extra special. Towels outside of the steam room with ice and cucumbers make for a refreshing pat-down after a good sweat. They also let you choose your essential oil smells before the massage. I especially loved my therapist Tiffany, who made me feel more comfortable and relaxed and did a damn good job rubbing all my stresses away.
After our spa treatments, we thought it would be delightful to take a mid-day dip in the hot tubs. There is a huge pool that is heated year-round as well as three infinity hot tubs that face the river and the mountains. It is so beautiful up there with the fall leaves changing. It felt good to soak our freshly rubbed bodies and take in the sunshine. This may have been the highlight of the trip for me. Next time I will have a mimosa in hand.
If you want to get your workout in while on vacay, there is an amazing gym. It is large and spread out and faces the river as well. There are several pelotons if you have been wanting to try out a class, as well as an array of other equipment. There are also classes offered in a studio, you will just need to check in on the schedule.
Ultimately, this staycation is just what the doctor ordered. I think the rooms here are very reasonable and the hotel is perfect for any type of family or couple. I would even feel great coming here alone to get away from the world and relax. I highly suggest making it a priority to visit The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa in the 2019-2020 season.