Val Chatelle III

We own four weeks at this resort--two in winter and two in summer and always have a wonderful time when we do not trade the weeks with RCI. The unit itself is of a townhouse style and has three stories with no one above or below. The main level has a single-car garage, 1/2 bath, kitchen with full-sized Maytag washer and dryer, living room with gas fireplace and plenty of dining space for eight people. There is a private hot tub on the patio that is serviced every day at about 10:00 a.m., so we know it is always clean to use. The second floor has a master with private bath and king- sized bed. There is also a second bedroom on that level with a queen bed and another bathroom. The third level is accessed by a winding, wrought-iron staircase to yet another bedroom with twin beds, but this was a surprise to us the first time we traded into this resort, before we purchased our weeks from the resort, because the paperwork we received from RCI said that the unit had just two bedrooms. All six of us, all adults, have privacy, which is always nice, and no one has had to use the hide-a-bed in the living room.

The place is not rustic, but still has a cabin feel, probably because of the view and surroundings. The furniture nice, the place is very clean and has been recently updated. The most important thing to most vacationers: the beds are comfortable.

This resort is very close to the ski slopes, Dillon reservoir and Breckenridge, so we are going to stay there again this December to attempt Copper Mountain.

There are no resort activities, but the management company had lots of information for boat rentals, fishing, gambling and any other activities you would want to attempt in a mountain resort town. Shopping in Breckenridge, just two miles away, is great fun because most of the shops are in old victorian houses.

This resort is about 1 1/2 hours from Denver's airport and that is the best place to fly into. The interstate is always an easy, beautiful drive.

We stayed there Jan. 2002.

Supposedly the units were reburbished that previous year. Old style furnishings, but somehow it was OK, but nothing to get excited about. The quality of the appliances, etc., was low-end, not like some resorts that use medium-end quality, and not like the Marriott's, which use high-end.

The unit was a 2BD/2.5 BA, with a loft. Total sq. ft. about 2,000, which is quite big, actually. It could sleep 8 with the pull out couch. Although with the pull out couch you had to put the mattress on the floor it was so bad, even for my young boys of 9 & 7.

Complete kitchen, gas fireplace, washer and dryer, and hot tub on patio, which was welcomed after skiing everyday.

The only amenity was the hot tub.

The was a heated garage, which I thought was silly at first, but after all the snow we received, it was appreciated.

We were only 10 miles from Breckenridge, Copper Mtn., Keystone, A-Basin, etc. We actually drove to Vail one day, about an hour away, which is always great skiing. We also drove to Beaver Creek, just a few minutes further than Vail, for one day, which is also great skiing.

The location of the units requires a car.

Check-in was good. They offered free skiing passes in purchased from them, which was great.

All in all, we went for skiing, which was great, but, if you are looking for resort ambience, this is not the place to stay.