UPDATEDEC 2007 New management, no breakfast buffet, no welcome note. Staff still amazingly helpful and had great scrub and massage.
Nestled in the Green Mountains we had a clear view of the ski slopes at Pico from the balcony of our King Room. Now granted the price for that view was that we were on the parking lot side of the hotel instead of the mountain side but it was a price we didn’t mind paying.
We have stayed here several times before so when we arrived in our room we were welcomed by a note from Innkeeper Ted Bridges, this was no surprise but the Vermont candies were. We also got a nice little bag with granola bars and several unusual toiletry items.
Our room was located on the second floor, was non smoking, and had a king size bed. It also had a nice wooden dresser, two night stands with wicker lamps. There are two wingback chairs with a table between. The ice bucket and two glasses are on the table. The remote control TV has about 30 channels and there is a nice selection of books and magazines.
The room has Wi-Fi but you must ask for the voucher ID and the password at the front desk. The bathroom is large and includes the usual amenities as well as a blow dryer. The closet is huge and has two suitcase holders, iron, and ironing board as well as extra blankets and pillows, one of them was down.
The Cortina is more than just a hotel, it is a resort. You can enjoy the pool, the whirlpool, sauna, the health club, or get a massage. Take a ride on a sleigh in the winter or play tennis or enjoy their hiking trails in the warm weather. On the lower level there is a game room off of Theodore’s Tavern.
There is a book room if you are looking for a computer or a book to read. The Centre Court at the Conference entrance has plenty of tables, chairs, and couches and is the location of the afternoon tea between 4:30pm and 5:30pm. If have your choice of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate as well as five or six types of cookies.
Breakfast in Zola’s Restaurant is included in the room rate. It is a buffet with a chef who will make omelets or fried eggs. There are lots of other choices including make your own toast from four or five different types of bread, bagels, and English muffins. Belgian waffles, fruit salad, scrambled eggs, sausage and bacon, french toast fingers, oatmeal, and granola. Coffee and juice are delivered to your table. On Sunday you can upgrade to the Brunch which is served from 11am to 1:30pm for $6.95 each.
The resort has two restaurants, Zola’s which offers an upscale American menu and Theodores which is a pub in the lower level and is a casual family restaurant. On Friday and Saturday evening they have an all you can eat pasta bar for $24 for 2.