An Epicurean Sensation at Sonnenalp Hotel in Vail

sonnenalp vail colorado bavarian resort

Escape to Vail in the Colorado Rocky Mountains to a family owned and operated hotel that exudes the warmest European hospitality. One of Vail’s signature Alpine ski resorts is Sonnenalp Hotel. Sonnenalp, which means sun on the mountain, is a getaway destination for the whole family and an ideal resort to stay at year round.

Sonnenalp’s roots stretched back to the early 20th century. It began as a small bed and breakfast in Germany. Then, its founders envisioned bringing their legacy to the United States. So, in the 1960’s, Sonnenalp Hotel was established in Vail Village. The resort features unique, cozy rooms, a luxurious spa, an eclectic range of restaurants, and much more.



sonnenalp vail room cozy interior colorado travel

Rooms & Suites

The Sonnenalp Hotel features 112 luxury suites and 15 hotel rooms. Each room and suite has a view of either Gore Creek or Vail Village. In addition, each has a bedroom a well-appointed living room area with custom-made Bavarian furniture.

A gas-log fireplace, plush bathrobes, and large bathrooms with heated floors and luxurious bath amenities complete each suite.

sonnenalp vail interior bedroom
Credit: Joe Thomas

Restaurants at Sonnenalp

The food scene in Vail may very well begin and end at Sonnenalp Hotel. There array of dishes across the board at each restaurant is unparalleled!

Below find a selection of dining options while staying at Sonnenalp Hotel:

restaurant at sonnenalp hotel in vail
Courtesy of Sonnenalp Hotel

Ludwig’s Breakfast

Ludwig’s offers an elegant breakfast in their glass-enclosed atrium with gorgeous, peaceful views of Gore Creek and Vail Mountain. Their breakfast buffet recently reopened over the summer.

Breakfast selections at Ludwig’s include:

ludwig's sonnenalp vail
Ludwig’s
  • Huevos Rancheros
  • Eggs Benedict
  • Sonnenalp Signature Muesli
  • Acai and Peanut Butter Smoothie Bowl
  • Avocado Fancy Toast

Treff Café

Come and enjoy a cappuccino or latte at this quaint European-style coffee bar. Their all day menu includes pastries, mason jar snacks like Duck Confit Rillette and Roasted Garlic Hummus, and German-inspired plates.

fondue swiss chalet sonnenalp vail

Swiss Chalet

Taste hearty and authentic regional Bavarian favorites. These include deliciously creamy fondues and schnitzel. Please note that the Swiss Chalet is closed until winter 2021/2022.

vail village restaurant sonnenalp hotel colorado interior

Bully Ranch

Bully Ranch offers a southwestern and American menu for lunch and dinner as well as happy hour. The restaurant even has a dog-friendly patio! Top picks are:

  • Hawaiian Tuna Tostadas
  • Signature Truffle Tots
  • Elk & Barolo Bolognese
  • Bully Bourbon Burger
  • Frontier Farms Rainbow Trout

King’s Club

A perfect place to unwind after a day on the slopes, the roaring fireplace at King’s Club serves up specialty drinks, small plates, and delectable desserts. King’s Club also features live entertainment from local musicians.

Pool & Spa

sonnenalp vail spa pool

The Sonnenalp Spa offers a variety of treatments as well as an Oxygen Bar, a Fitness Center with state-of-the-art equipment, as well as yoga and Pilates classes. In addition, the spa has an onsite shop to browse and purchase several beauty and wellness products recommended by the Sonnenalp team.

Sonnenalp Hotel is home to a connecting indoor and outdoor pool, as well as indoor and outdoor whirlpool tubs for an added spot of relaxation.

sonnenalp vail indoor spa pool colorado
Credit: Joe Thomas

Kids Club

The Sonnenalp Kids Club offers structured activities for children ages 3-12. Most activities take place in the Kids Club, a dedicated room with toys and art supplies in the hotel. Outdoor activities may include guided hikes. Activities are offered year round with daily activities during peak summer and winter months.

Peak seasons are June 21st to Labor Day, and December 18th to April 1st.

Nearby Activities

Activities throughout the seasons include:

  • ATV Tours
  • Goat Yoga
  • Shopping in Vail Village
  • Mountain Bike on Vail Mountain
  • Hike with Llamas with Paragon Guides
  • Explore Piney Lake
  • Hop on the Eagle Bahn Gondola
  • Hike through Rocky Mountain National Park
  • Nature Walk at the Vail Nature Center
  • Attend one of Vails signature events. These include: Taste of Vail, Gourmet on Gore, Vail Wine Classic, and more.

Getting to Sonnenalp Hotel

Sonnenalp Hotel in Vail is located just over thirty-five minutes away from Eagle County Regional Airport. There are direct flights to and from Chicago, Dallas, and Los Angeles, to name a few.

It is best to hire a taxi or take a shuttle, like the Colorado Mountain Express.

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Vanessa Gordon
Vanessa Gordon is the Owner and Publisher of East End Taste Magazine. Vanessa is regularly called on as a family travel, personal finance, and Hamptons lifestyle expert. She has been featured in Reader's Digest, Condé Nast Traveler, The New York Times, New York Post, The Daily Beast, The Daily News, and many other publications. Vanessa is also the Founder of the annual Hamptons summer event, the Hamptons Interactive Brunch.