As someone who visited Europe every summer with her British mother and three sisters, I long for the European charm and service I experienced in the Alps as a child. Thankfully, Colorado has a few five star hotels and Sonnenalp Hotel in Vail is one of them, bringing Bavaria to the Rockies. Bavaria, for those who don't know, is one of Germany's most beautiful regions. A favorite of ours, we keep going back to the Sonnenalp Hotel, Vail every fall.
The image in my mind of Sonnenalp Hotel in Vail was imprinted years ago when my husband and I joined our friends for their annual tradition of celebrating Mother's Day over brunch in the glassed-in Terrace of Ludwig's. The image is of our friends bathed in beautiful natural light at their table with heaping plates of crab claws, salmon and cured meats, and this was just the beginning of a marvelous brunch fit for a Queen, or for mothers who should be treated as one in the same. This image is what prompted us to return to the Hotel this past October to have a romantic interlude and celebrate our 27th Anniversary.
Sonnenalp Hotel provides an exceptional experience for travelers year round in the heart of Vail Village, Colorado. Five generations after the family’s humble beginnings in Bavaria, the Sonnenalp in Vail, which opened in 1979, offers guests a unique blend of European charm and Rocky Mountain hospitality from its 112 elegant suites and 15 hotel rooms to its world-class dining and extensive amenities, including its own Golf Club located in Edwards. The hotel is the first LECS Certified Hotel in Colorado. Sonnenalp Hotel received One MICHELIN Key hotels in 2024 and is a member of Leading Hotels of the World.
Sonnenalp Restaurants
The Sonnenalp offers dining options, and can make arrangements and recommendations for you anywhere in town.
- Ludwig's - Lavish European breakfast sourced with healthy, organic locally grown ingredients.
- Treff Cafe (NEW): A European Street Bar. Treff, meaning 'meet,' in German, is symbolic of the vision of the café which is a quaint, casual meet-up place for quality food and drinks. A perfect place to gather with friends and family before or after a day of adventuring for coffee, fresh pastries, authentic German fare, wine, creative cocktails and more.
- Bully Ranch - Steaks, burgers, salads and specialty drinks for lunch, dinner and everything between with a beautiful outdoor patio.
- The Swiss Chalet - Fondue, raclette and alpine specialties in a charming, Swiss-style setting.
- King's Club - Live entertainment, comfortable seating and renowned hospitality create a perfect stop before or after dinner. (CURRENTLY NOT ACCEPTING RESERVATIONS)
- Harvest - True American cuisine and expansive views at the Sonnenalp Golf Club. Also available for private parties.
Sonnenalp Hotel Spa
The Sonnenalp Spa has 2 outdoor hot tubs and one in the spa, as well as a heated indoor/outdoor pool. Similar to the dining room of Ludwig's, the Spa is cheerful with beautiful natural light filtering in through the glass covered veranda, accented with splashes
Having just returned from a trip to Europe, we felt immediately transported back with the serene Bavarian architecture; soft white arches contrasting beautifully with dark wood accents and Alpine furniture. The spacious bathroom, with its heated marble floors, double sinks and oversized jacuzzi tub, was a dream after a long day. Even the bright hallways charmed us with their curved, troweled walls and classic Bavarian motifs. Every detail, down to the crisp linens and cloud-like pillows invited rest and comfort.
After a fabulous evening of dining with our friends who we met in Italy, we slept in, waking up absolutely ravenous. Downstairs at Ludwig’s, our favorite sunlit breakfast room ensconced in glass windows, we savored our breakfast of Eggs Benedict paired with rich Lavazza coffee before slipping back into the hot tub for one more indulgent soak.
October might just be the perfect time to visit Vail; peaceful, golden, and unhurried. Experiencing “the other ski resort” without the crowds was a rare treat. The air was filled with the earthy scent of wet leaves and the faint smoke of wood-burning fireplaces, and for a moment, I was transported back to those early ski-bum days when I used to ski the bowls of Vail. A time when life was about how hard you could ski and how gracefully you could stumble home in your boots. I reminisced... just enough for Wade to handle.
Sonnenalp Hotel Vail Chef
The Executive Chef of Culinary Operations at Sonnenalp Hotel is Joshua Marshall. A graduate of the Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Program and Scottsdale Culinary Institute, Josh has over 15 years of experience working internationally at top luxury hotels
A well traveled foodie, Joshua has sharpened his knives at many luxury properties including the Waldorf Astoria in Naples, Florida, St Regis Resort, Dana Point, CA, W Hotel in Taipei, Taiwan, Sofitel in Guangzhou and the Four Seasons in Denver and Jackson Hole. The new menu at Ludwig’s features locally sourced ingredients and regionally inspired items with little twists of tastes from the American Southwest and Asia.























