In the heart of Vail Village is the boutique mountain enclave of Sitzmark Vail, formerly Sitzmark Lodge, originally built in 1969. In summer 2024, the hotel re-opened its doors following a multi-million-dollar renovation by the hotel’s new local owners. The result: an irresistible, intimate, luxury, Rocky Mountain destination for year-round outdoor activity with posh indoor amenities.
The Sitzmark Vail’s 36 rooms and suites were all completely renovated along with all the public spaces incorporating fun design features celebrating the history and surrounding area. The redesigned logo has a slalom “S” Sitzmark curve and the shower tiles look like ski moguls that are inspired by the Highline ski run. Wall detail is reminiscent of groomed corduroy, the lobby chandelier is shaped to mirror sled and toboggan runs, and the Gore Creek influenced wallpaper and granite countertops. There’s also a nod to the forest with Aspen tree-inspired light fixtures, wooded mountain range carpeting and custom mountain modern furniture pieces.
“Our goal from the beginning has been to celebrate the history of Vail and embrace the location, river and mountain with sophistication and style,” says Steve Kisielica, managing partner for Sitzmark Vail. “This includes incorporating a certain whimsy that follows the Sitzmark name while elevating the interior design with a mountain modern look and feel.”
Guest rooms offer private balconies with views of Vail Mountain or Gore Creek. The pet-friendly rooms include daily continental breakfast with a nuance of Euro-gourmet including house-baked pastries, fresh fruit, cereals, yogurt, cheese and Lavazza coffee service. There is also the Sitz Bar après ski bar with wine, select craft cocktails, beer, coffee, fresh baked cookies and cocoa. Don’t worry about altitude ailments at this high-elevation hotel, because located in the Sitz Bar is an oxygen bar to aid with acclimation. There are whiskey, wine and ski lockers, the Sitz Market, on-site parking, heated outdoor pool and hot tub, summer cruiser bikes and winter skates and snowshoes to borrow from the lobby.
Amongst the dozens of boutique Vail Valley destinations, Sitzmark Vail stands out as an icon, seamlessly aligning past and present through its artful and creative design, which pays tribute to the resort town’s ski and European history, family traditions and the beauty of the Rocky Mountains and Gore Range. And most importantly carrying the baton that was passed from the Fritch family to the Kisielica’s and the long-standing commitment to “doing things right.”