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Sonnenalp Resort of VailSpa-Tacular Luxurious IndulgencesBy Martha HollisMuch of the joy of a vacation is stepping out of your ordinary life and experiencing new adventures—especially if they are extravagant and indulgent. Then there are surprises, happenings totally unexpected.
The totally luxurious accommodations put me in an elegant frame of mind. Our two level suite, decorated with Bavarian carved wood pieces and European furniture, gas fireplace, stash-everything-away downstairs closet and a king size sleeping room with giant closet upstairs, had a windowed balcony peering out on the town of Vail below. The suite sported the dream bathroom that I would love to have at home—two-person bathtub, glass-enclosed shower, separate privy, heated marble floor, two sinks and miles of countertops and drawers. The ski mountain was still open and I had shussed through the small, albeit concentrated Colorado Ski Museum that delightfully chronicles the shift of skiing from just a sport to a lifestyle. The shops were full of tempting items and I did buy a fleece Sonnenalp logo headband. But I was not going to spend these days on shopping, I was here for a Spa-Tactular adventure in the Inn built by the Fassler family. The Fasslers came from Bavaria where Johannes parents ran Sonnenalp, a resort in Bavaria not far from Fusen, Germany. The other son, Michael, continues the tradition by overseeing this popular original property. The lasting impression of Sonnenalp was not for its physical structures, which are impeccable in every sense of the word, but for the genuine warmth of the staff. This is a place where seldom is heard a discouraging word. It was always “let me find a way” with a dedicated desire to make the guests whims a reality. This attitude of caring permeated all phases of Sonnenalp—from the esthetician in the spa who tailored treatments to our needs and quirks, to the waiter in the restaurant ensuring that everything was to our satisfaction, to the bellhop greeting us at arrival BY NAME, to the turn down lady with her freshly baked cookies, to the activities director tailoring sports to our abilities and interest, and to the golf pro at Sonnenalp Golf Club radiating warmth at the Scottish link-style course. The executive chef, Mark Berger, explained why the staff was so hospitable, “here we are treated like family. I would never work for anyone but the Fasslers. They care about you.” One example was the richly spun Sonnenalp-logo wool blanket presented to each employee last year. While other employers might simply share a monetary bonus, the Fasslers carefully selected a special item, one that would wrap their extended family of hospitality givers in old-fashioned warmth during the cold winter nights. Chef Berger said, “It is the warmest blanket I’ve ever had. They always give you something unique, something that shows how much they care.” The Spa has two separate facilities. In the Sonnenalp resort, I began explorations clad in the thick white logo robe and matching slippers by trying out the ladies’ Finnish sauna and Turkish steam room. I love to swim, but hate to be cold so I gingerly slipped into the heated indoor pool and taking a deep breath did a powerful frog kick to the outside portion.
For the next two mornings an approachable yoga class eased us into the day of relaxed luxury and adventure. Years ago I had religiously embraced Yoga and eventually burned out. The Yoga for Athletes’ session, Cross Training with Yoga led by Prisca Boris gently reintroduced yoga geared to the individual’s level of ability. The goal is to gain balance, flexibility, strength and stamina with payoffs promised as improved performance, reduced risk of injury and quicker recovery rate. Who could ask for anything more helpful—except for the incredible video tape to take home for practice and reinforcement until our next lesson with Prisca? We opted for fine dining, at Ludwig’s restaurant, for the first evening of luxury. Foie Gras, Swiss chard and caramelized Granny Smith apples in a port reduction in addition to a Chilean sea bass carpaccio gratinated with curry mousseline started us off knowing our culinary needs were in careful, talented hands. For entrees we delighted in the grilled antelope chop with braised red cabbage, glazed chestnuts and gnocchi as well as the roasted Colorado lamb loin wrapped in string potatoes with thyme jus. Homemade breads, one an awesome whole grain with hazelnuts, were difficult to resist—so we didn’t. I had heard about the artist’s palate made of chocolate filled with a selection of sorbets as paints and was totally enthralled both by the presentation and the tastes. The chocolate volcano filled the bill for chocolate lovers.
Rosenberg drove us to the bright blue-sky movie scenery, high into the National forest, away from everything except tiny animal tracks. The initial climb she said, would be the hardest. At 10,000 feet we stopped frequently for rests, drank water and nibbled energy snacks. It was almost as easy as walking, while adding a new freedom and way to be with nature. Another benefit was aerobic conditioning. Rosenberg said that now the locals are even power “walking” and racing with these. I can imagine the exhilaration.
After all this relaxation we sat for a spell in the outdoor Jacuzzi sipping a cool drink then somehow managed to pull on casual clothes and saunter to the Bully Ranch, the southwestern casual restaurant for arguably one of the country’s most famous burgers (daily ground sirloin steak lightly seasoned and grilled served on house-baked bun with more choices of bacon, cheeses, mushrooms, avocado) and an order of baby back ribs in a tangy sauce. Naturally, the SnickersTM chocolate cake filled with peanuts, caramel and nougat, made it over to our table, but without the whipped cream. We substituted vanilla bean ice cream instead.
Contact: Sonnenalp Resort of Vail, 88 suites and Spa are open year around, at the base of the World’s largest ski mountain, 800 654-8312, http://vail.net/sonnenalp. Ludwig’s Fine Dining Restaurant is a recipient of DiRONA and Wine Spectator’s awards and open from November to April. Bully Ranch is open year around. Frontier Airlines serves the Denver airport. Sonnenalp is about 2 hours drive. During the winter season flights are available to the Eagle County Regional Airport. Colorado Ski Museum,Vail Village, http://vailsoft.com/museum Cross Training with Yoga, the 60 minute exercise videotape by Yoga for Athletes, Inc. is $29.95 plus $4 shipping, 888-Y4A-YOGA, http://www.y4A.com Images: copyright 1999 SearchWrite |
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Order up what you want at Sonnenalp Resort from spa
treatments, golf, fitness and outdoor adventures, and cuisine. That is the menu
Sonnenalp had for me and truly did it my way.
“No problem,” I thought
“if I am freezing outside I will run and hop into the 105 degree Jacuzzi.”
But the water was perfect outside. I even stood up outside in a swimsuit and
water jogged. The mountains in the background had small forms of the early
morning skiers and boarders.
Ruthie Rosenberg, started with the Fassler family in a
concierge position, and ecstatically assumed the position of activities
director when it became available. Snow shoes were our activity of choice.
Today’s lightweight aluminum devices are smaller platforms which strap on to
your own sturdy shoes, such as hiking boots or other waterproof shoes, and have
cleat-like metal breaks on the bottom to enable one to walk straight up and
down icy glaciers or snowbanks. I tried a vertical and promptly ate a bit of
snow. There was still some skill required in this sport.
After this exertion, a simply luncheon with the spa’s famous
spicy simmered vegetable soup readied me for pampering. This afternoon I had
scheduled a massage as well as a facial. Pure botanical products by Pevonia are
featured. For my sensitive skin I was cleansed with lavender (calming) and
safflower (revitalizing and hydrating) oils, chamomile (more calming and
anti-inflammatory), corn flower (decongesting and softening), calendula
(antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, desensitizing) and linden (calming, soothing,
moisturizing). Next the gentle lotion of more lavender oil, aloe, chamomile,
lettuce (softening, smoothing, hydrating) and allantoin (healing) pushed my
stress-onmeter quickly to zero. I was masked in lavender, corn oil
(anti-irritant, anti-inflammatory, sedative), kaolin (tightening and
purifying), chamomile, lettuce, Vitamins E, A and B complex (repair,
desensitize, moisture). The skin care cream of lavender, hazel nut oil
(nourishing and postponing the aging process), corn oil, Vitamin B complex and
chamomile brought me back to reality while giving my skin a fighting chance
against the ravages of the environment.
Tomorrow would be an easier day—golf, manicures,
pedicures, yoga and breakfast of Benedict Bavarian (Black Forest ham, toasted
pumpernickel, poached eggs bathed in Choron sauce) and Belgian buttermilk
waffles with warm maple syrup and fresh berries. Totally and truly spa-tacular!