Steamboat’s big, flashy hotel right at the base of the mountain, the Steamboat Grand, is great simply because of its awesome location. It’s only a couple blocks from the gondola, so getting out early for one of Steamboat’s legendary champagne powder days is easy. Even though the hotel breakfast is boring after a few days of the same thing again and again, the rooms are incredibly comfortable. The beds have a ton of pillows to flop onto after dropping your skis and boots at the Grand’s storage locker on the mountain and grabbing complimentary hot chocolate and cookies in the lobby. After resting up a bit, hop onto the hotel’s free shuttle to town for a bite to eat, if your room doesn’t come with a kitchen with nice granite counter tops. The shuttles run every half an hour or so, so you won’t wait long in the cold. If you want to stay in, head to The Cabin, located in the hotel, for dinner. The lobster macaroni and cheese is a delicious combination of fine dining and what mom might make for a special occasion. After dinner, hit the outdoor hot tub to relax those muscles before another killer day.
www.steamboatgrand.com;(970) 871-5500
