Writing this post in part because the Starwood forum gets so little discussion about ski weeks. A few people might be interested in this...
Spending a week at SMV skiing Beaver Creek. Deposited a Silver 1 BR Deluxe at WKV and placed an ongoing request for several top ski resorts in CO and Utah for MLK week last spring. 2 BD L/O at SMV was confirmed mid-summer 2014. This is the second year in a row that we've confirmed a 2 BR L/O at SMV for a 1 BD Deluxe Silver WKV over MLK week (friends used the trade last year).
Have now stayed at both SMV and WRF. Not surprisingly we prefer WRF, but primarily for the onsite access to the Westin Riverfront Gondola. The gondola is steps from the onsite ski valet (free for villa guests). At SMV, you need to take the complimentary Avon shuttle - the shuttle stop is right in front of the resort.
Rooms at SMV are very nice. As expected, finishes are not quite at the level of Westin, but nothing wrong with them. I believe they were refurbished within the last 2 years. Leather couches, full oven in the large 1 BR, larger than usual dining table in the small 1 BR side, fire places in both bedrooms and both living rooms.
The vacation gallery on the 8th floor has been renovated into a large game room (sales are all at WRF). TV viewing area, pool, ping pong, arcade games and Wii and Xbox (games can be checked out for free). This amenity is not available at WRF.
Fitness and pool facilitates are average...WRF is superior in this regard. SMV guests have complimentary access to ski lockers on the lobby level so you don't need to keep skis in the room.
Charter Sports outlet connected to the lobby. Sheraton guests get 30% off regular equipment rental rates.
No complaints about SMV. Gondola access is nice at WRF, but with kids in ski school, would need to take the shuttle to Beaver Creek Village to start the day anyway. Just not as easy to go back to the villa for lunch. With less than 40 units at WRF, I have found it to be nearly impossible to do a StarOptions trade during platinum ski season (same for the Sheraton Steamboat), so SMV is really the only Starwood resort accessible during ski season if you don't own at one of the three resorts.
Spending a week at SMV skiing Beaver Creek. Deposited a Silver 1 BR Deluxe at WKV and placed an ongoing request for several top ski resorts in CO and Utah for MLK week last spring. 2 BD L/O at SMV was confirmed mid-summer 2014. This is the second year in a row that we've confirmed a 2 BR L/O at SMV for a 1 BD Deluxe Silver WKV over MLK week (friends used the trade last year).
Have now stayed at both SMV and WRF. Not surprisingly we prefer WRF, but primarily for the onsite access to the Westin Riverfront Gondola. The gondola is steps from the onsite ski valet (free for villa guests). At SMV, you need to take the complimentary Avon shuttle - the shuttle stop is right in front of the resort.
Rooms at SMV are very nice. As expected, finishes are not quite at the level of Westin, but nothing wrong with them. I believe they were refurbished within the last 2 years. Leather couches, full oven in the large 1 BR, larger than usual dining table in the small 1 BR side, fire places in both bedrooms and both living rooms.
The vacation gallery on the 8th floor has been renovated into a large game room (sales are all at WRF). TV viewing area, pool, ping pong, arcade games and Wii and Xbox (games can be checked out for free). This amenity is not available at WRF.
Fitness and pool facilitates are average...WRF is superior in this regard. SMV guests have complimentary access to ski lockers on the lobby level so you don't need to keep skis in the room.
Charter Sports outlet connected to the lobby. Sheraton guests get 30% off regular equipment rental rates.
No complaints about SMV. Gondola access is nice at WRF, but with kids in ski school, would need to take the shuttle to Beaver Creek Village to start the day anyway. Just not as easy to go back to the villa for lunch. With less than 40 units at WRF, I have found it to be nearly impossible to do a StarOptions trade during platinum ski season (same for the Sheraton Steamboat), so SMV is really the only Starwood resort accessible during ski season if you don't own at one of the three resorts.