I have really mixed feelings about the Christie Lo...

I have really mixed feelings about the Christie Lodge, but enough negative experiences that we will not return. The staff was friendly and super-helpful over the phone, and when we ran into issues as soon as we checked in, the Front Desk Manager Adam tried his best, given what our situation was, but it fell below service levels I am used to. I came with my mom, my two bff's, and our dog Tucker, a chihuahua pug, the quietest dog you'll ever meet. lol

I used to be a front desk agent at a well regarded Sheraton, and this hotel would have violated so many of our policies, not to mention possible legal issues. Since I have history as front desk, I try to be really understanding during difficult situations. In the end, we just dealt with all the issues, but I was so unhappy with our hotel pick.

The facilities are dated, but they are currently renovating. We were able to enjoy lunch at the Vietnamese restaurant located on the facility. We also used the laundry room, parking, hot tub, and table tennis equipment. The laundry facility is clean and the machines accept credit cards, though they do have a change machine too. The parking was ample (though we came during low season) but far from our room. The table tennis paddles need replacing. Hot tub was fine, and much appreciated for being indoors. We didn't get to enjoy the indoor pool, but it looked of decent size for families with small kids. The water splashed everywhere though when kids were in it, so I'm glad we didn't stay in any of the rooms right in front of the pool.

Our room was located in the very back, in a separate building from the main one, used for guests with pets. Only until we arrived were we told the pet policy (i.e. no pets in the main building ever) even though we called and asked about it before hand. Actually, this was the reason we picked the Christie Lodge. Disappointing when you claim you are "pet-friendly" but you really mean "your dog can stay in only your room". Also, when we came in to do our laundry, we did hear a dog in the main building, so apparently their "firm" no dog policy in the main building wasn't as firm as it seemed. The pet/dog policy needs to really be hashed out, especially in an outdoors centered destination like the Vail Valley.

Secondly, I also called a week before arriving about needing a room easily accessible by my mother in a wheelchair with a roll-in shower (as opposed to a raised-edge tub), and unfortunately that back building is not ADA friendly. There was no ramp to the room (only a half flight of stairs), and we got a tub. Actually, we were completely downgraded from what we booked, which is the opposite of how we were treated in the Marriott Las Vegas hotel with the same requirements just a day before (their pet policy was awesome and they upgraded us to a 2 bedroom suite with a roll-in shower). At the Christie Lodge, we went from two beds to one (for four people), which meant my mom and I had to sleep on the sofa pull out. We dealt with the issue because Adam's only options were to put our dog in a dog hotel or pay for a second hotel room. Neither of those options made sense for us because we brought Tucker to keep my disabled mom company while we were away on our longer outdoor trips. Also, as my mom's caregiver, I wouldn't separate her in case she might fall or get injured.

Finally, to add insult to injury, during our 7 night stay, the housekeeping staff only came by to clean our room once, and only after I called 2 days into our stay asking them to come. Instead they came the next day, and never again while we were there. Needless to say, we won't return. Avon was beautiful, but there are certainly a lot of options for better hotels in the area.