Every day at 4 p.m., you can hear the sound of horns across Steamboat Square, the bustling base area of Colorado’s Steamboat Resort, signaling the end of a day of skiing.
Each day, a guest is chosen to blow the property’s whistle. Photo courtesy of Sheraton Steamboat Resort Villas outdoor lounge overlooking the slopes.
The sound actually comes from a brass whistle installed on the deck overlooking the slopes of the Sheraton Steamboat Resort Villas. Each day, a guest is chosen to be the “ship’s commodore” and pulls the lever that sounds the whistle.
Following this moment, members of Sheraton’s activities team will share the story behind the town of Steamboat Springs’ name. Spoiler alert: As the story goes, explorers in the 1800s mistook the stirring sound of a geyser about to erupt for the sound of a steamship engine.
This tradition is one way the 198-key Sheraton pays homage to the city’s Western heritage while offering guests a deeper understanding of Steamboat’s place in Colorado’s history. More than any other bar, the Sheraton’s base-level indoor-outdoor bar, Timber & Torch, is a huge after-hours favorite and honors Steamboat, known for its tree skiing, and the many Winter Olympians that Steamboat and his Springs have produced. It was named. A town in the United States — its name carved into the beams of the bar’s ceiling.
The connection between the Sheraton and the ski resort is also simply close. The Sheraton is a major ski-in, ski-out facility and one of the very few that seems to have every convenience a visitor could want during a ski or snowboard vacation.
Steamboat lifts and gondolas are right next to the Sheraton. At night, guests can hear the sounds of snowmobile engines that maintain the trail. At the end of the day, my family and I skied to the edge of the snow and walked just a few steps to the ski valet at the bottom of the property. A ski equipment and rental shop is conveniently located on the lower floor of the hotel.
The hotel’s Saddle Lounge is located on the lobby level facing the slopes. Photo courtesy of Sheraton Steamboat Resort Villas outdoor lounge overlooking the slopes.
This property bills itself as a “family retreat,” and after spending three nights there during spring break, we found this to be a well-earned title. In addition to its convenient location, this property has plenty for kids to enjoy.
There was an outdoor heated main pool and hot tub, which was very popular in the afternoon and evening, so we sometimes avoided it. But those in the know will find one of his two other locations with hot tubs around his three towers of hotels. There, guests will find a more secluded bathing area on the upper floors with stunning mountain views.
The game room with a pool table, foosball, and video games was also a hit with the kids, and s’mores were also available by the fire pit every night from 7 p.m.
The living room of the Sheraton Steamboat Resort Villas property. Photo courtesy of Sheraton Steamboat Resort Villas outdoor lounge overlooking the slopes.
Marriott Vacation Club Properties
This property is part of the Marriott Vacation Club, a portfolio of more than 90 properties with privately owned properties, but you can book it like any other hotel.
Marriott Vacation Club promotes the fact that renting a unit is different from renting from Airbnb or other home rental platforms. All rooms are designed and managed by the facility and have a unified feel and look. Guests have full access to a concierge desk (which recommended great Vietnamese restaurants), Sheraton brands, and assistance in earning and redeeming Bonvoy points.
Sheraton calls its one- to four-bedroom accommodations villas, which provide an experience similar to renting a condo. Each unit features a washer/dryer, kitchen, living and dining area, multiple bathrooms, and ample closet space.
Our two-bed, two-bath villa had a pull-out sofa bed in the spacious living room that comfortably seated two more people. The kitchen was fully stocked with appliances and crockery, which was a definite bonus for a family on a full week vacation. Laundry, ample closet and drawer space was appreciated on vacations that require so many layers. It was too cold to spend time on the balcony, but we were still able to enjoy the views of Steamboat Square and the mountains.
The entryway has storage for boots and helmets, hooks for ski jackets, and a rubber mat to catch dirty snow.
Kitchen and living room in a three-bedroom villa.Photo by Joanna Jaynchill
Meals inside and outside the hotel
Some aspects of the guest experience differ from traditional Sheraton hotels. For example, house cleaning is provided to him only twice a week, unless requested more often.
There is also less on-site dining than you would expect for a hotel of this size, as guests prefer to use the kitchen and explore Steamboat Springs, which is known for its lively dining and bar scene. The town’s free bus system leaves frequently from just outside the property to the main strip.
Timber & Torch serves food until 6pm and is known for its Ski Town USA Burger. The main restaurant, Saddles Lounge, is located on the lobby level facing the slopes. The menu is extensive and the portions are enough to eat several times during your trip. The accompanying Saddles Market is also a popular spot for grab-and-go breakfast and lunch, coffee, limited-edition groceries, wine, beer, and general merchandise.
This property was perfect for a winter family vacation, but it’s also a great place for summer fun, including mountain biking from the Steamboat lift and nearby hiking, horseback riding, fly fishing, and kayaking.
