Lakeside Village: Keystone's Hidden Gem? (Unbelievable Views!)
Lakeside Village: Keystone's Hidden Gem? (Unbelievable Views!) - My Honest Truth!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from a trip to Lakeside Village in Keystone, and let me tell you… it's a whirlwind. Trying to wrap my head around all the “features” and then actually living them? Forget about it. Let's dive in, shall we? And trust me, I'm not going to hold back. This is MY review, and it's going to be, well, me.
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- Meta Description: Discover Lakeside Village in Keystone, CO: a stunning mountain retreat! Unbelievable views, accessible options, and a range of amenities – from spa to dining. Read our honest review, from the good to the…well, you’ll see.
First things first: The Views. Seriously. Unbelievable. I mean, the marketing material isn't lying. You wake up, pull back the curtains, and BAM. Majestic mountainscapes. The lake shimmering below. Okay, I’m already getting a little dreamy remembering it… But, uh, let's keep it real.
Accessibility: This is where it gets interesting (and, in my case, a little exasperating). They say they're accessible. They list "Facilities for disabled guests." And yes, there's an elevator (thank God). But navigating some of the public areas with a walker…well, let's just say I felt like I was auditioning for a slalom course. The signage isn't always clear, and those "convenient" ramps? Sometimes they felt like they were designed by someone who’d never, you know, actually used a wheelchair. So, thumbs up for trying, but room for serious improvement, Lakeside Village!
On-site Restaurants/Lounges: Okay, this is where they truly shine. I'm going to make this a messy ramble - I'm having to work through some stuff.
- The Bar – Right away, it's like, "Happy hour!" (which, naturally, I took full advantage of. That said, the bartenders were fantastic. Actually engaging, cracking jokes – you know, not just robotic drink-slingers. Top marks for the staff. I’m easily won over by good service.
- Restaurant A la Carte/Buffet: Breakfast. This is a major mixed bag. Breakfast [buffet] is there (which, if you're hungry and not picky, is fine.) I wanted a decent Asian Breakfast and… well, no. I gave up. The coffee? Mediocre. Coffee/tea in restaurant – technically correct, but more an obligation than a delight. The Western Breakfast fare was decent, though. I can’t say bad things about the breakfast sausages. My Breakfast takeaway service consisted of me grabbing a muffin and running.
- Poolside Bar: Did not use it.
- Restaurants [International Cuisine in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant]: A little more hit-or-miss. (The soup? Divine. The salad? Meh.)
- Desserts, Coffee shop, Snack bar, Room service [24-hour], didn't try or use.
Wheelchair Accessible? (Back to this, because it kept coming up): See above. Half-baked.
Internet Access, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas: It's 2024, people! Thank GOODNESS for the Wi-Fi [free] in the rooms. It works. I’m used to it now.
Things to do, ways to relax: Okay, here's where they really get you. They have the goods.
- Spa/sauna: A must. I had a Body wrap that was pure bliss. And the Steamroom? Heaven. The Body scrub? Worth every penny. This is where Lakeside Village understands the assignment. I was even tempted to take a nap in the Massage room… They even had a foot bath! The only tiny problem? They’re not huge, so you might have to book ahead—a good problem to have I suppose.
- Pool with view, Swimming pool [outdoor], The pool is… gorgeous. Again, the view. Again, the staff. I spent an afternoon getting a little too much sun. This is a win.
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness: Okay, so I tried. I attempted to hit a Gym/fitness session - because you know, the guilt of all the bacon. The Fitness center was… adequate. Nothing to write home about, but it had the basics. I did not use the sauna immediately after, however.
Cleanliness and safety: Okay, this is where things get slightly neurotic, because, well, the world right now…
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Rooms sanitized between stays, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: All boxes checked. The staff were also all wearing masks, etc.
- Hand sanitizer, was EVERYWHERE.
- Cashless payment service. fine by me.
- Room sanitization opt-out available. Fine by me too.
- Staff trained in safety protocol. Cool.
- Individually-wrapped food options. A bit of overkill, but I get it.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter. They try.
Dining, drinking, and snacking: This section. Is. Extensive. See above.
Services and conveniences: Okay, I'm going to breeze through some of these, because honestly, a lot of this is standard. But here are some of the highlights/lowlights:
- Concierge: Actually helpful, despite the sometimes confusing layout. Cash withdrawal – handy.
- Dry cleaning, Ironing service, Laundry service: All available. Used none.
- Doorman: Present.
- Elevator: Bless.
- Luggage storage: Useful.
- Convenience store: Overpriced.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Meh.
- Invoice provided, Facilities for disabled guests, did I already mention it?
- Food delivery, didn't use.
- Front desk [24-hour]: Always someone there, which is reassuring.
- Shuttle/Airport Transfer, not used.
- Security [24-hour], good.
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Valet parking, Car power charging station: Parking… ample.
- Pet friendly (ish): Did not have a pet, but did see some.
- Family/child friendly, Babysitting service, Kids facilities, Kids meal: There were a TON of kids. (They all seemed to be having a great time!)
Available in all rooms: Gotta be quick, or I'll be here all day!
- Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
- The room? Comfortable. The Bed? Firmly average. The Shower? Could have used a little more water pressure. The Blackout curtains? Essential for sleeping off the happy hour cocktails.
The Quirks: The things they don't tell you.
The signage can be a little eccentric. I spent a good ten minutes trying to find the "Poolside Bar" only to realize it was right next to the (closed) "Snack Bar." Go figure.
The service is generally excellent, but even the best staff can get overwhelmed. One morning, my breakfast order got lost in the ether – but they were quick to fix it (and bring me extra bacon!).
Final Verdict:
Lakeside Village is… a mixed bag. Those views? Worth the price of admission. The spa? A lifesaver. The accessibility? Needs some serious work. Overall, I had a good time, though. I'd go back. But I'd also bring my own signage
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Alright, buckle up buttercup, because we're not just visiting Lakeside Village, we're experiencing it. This isn't some sterile, pre-packaged "adventure." This is a raw, unfiltered, possibly slightly chaotic, and definitely opinionated dive into Keystone's jewel. Prepare for the emotional roller coaster, folks. Drinks are on me (maybe).
Lakeside Village: Keystone, CO - A Messy Itinerary (Or, My Attempt at a Week of Semi-Functioning Fun)
Day 1: Arrival and Anxiety (and Pizza, Thank God)
- Afternoon (ish): Land in… Denver! Ugh. Denver. Fine. The drive up to Keystone is supposed to be beautiful. Let's be real, after the ordeal of airport security and the rental car shuffle, pretty much anything outside of the airport is looking good. Cross fingers the "pre-booked" rental car actually exists.
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Arrive at Lakeside Village. Right, so where are we going again? Checking into the place. Okay, the view… breathes deep… lake. Mountains. I guess I can tolerate this. The sheer panic of unpacking and realizing you forgot the good socks sets in. Did I pack enough snacks? This is crucial.
- Evening: Pizza! Thank god for pizza. I'm starving after the travel. Found a place, haven't got the details. This is the part where I start to feel human again. The joy of carbs, and the promise of a beer or two, is almost enough to drown out the faint tremor of "did I pack enough layers?"
- Night: Crashing. Glorious, uninterrupted crashing. Attempt to read a trashy novel, fail miserably. Conclude that jet lag is a worthy adversary.
Day 2: Frustration, Failure, and… Skiing?
- Morning: The big day! Skiing! Or, let's be honest, "attempting to ski without breaking multiple bones." Gear rental. Oh, the choices! The boots. The skis. The sheer, overwhelming pressure of picking the "right" equipment. Did I get the right size? Should I have gone shorter? Don't want to look like a total kook, either! Well, whatever, let's just get this over with.
- Late Morning: On the slopes… Okay, the beginner's area isn't AS humiliating as I feared. Mostly. Fall down. Get up. Fall down again. Swear under my breath. Curse those damned ski poles. The sheer physical exertion. The cold. The burning in my legs. But… the sun on my face, the crisp mountain air, the sheer joy of… not dying. Yeah, it's sort of worth it.
- Afternoon: The Après-ski ritual. Hot cocoa and a chat with the others in my party. The feeling of accomplishment (mixed with a little panic) as the day winds down. Realize I'm sore everywhere. Start planning the next day's escape route (skiing is rough!).
- Evening: Dinner, followed by a cozy evening by the fireplace. Ah, this is the life. No, wait… I'm already obsessing about the snow conditions for tomorrow. Okay, focus. Enjoy the moment. Maybe a glass of wine?
Day 3: The "Almost Conquered" Run (and a Near-Disaster)
- Morning: Today's mission: at least try a slightly advanced run. This is where the "near-disaster" part comes in. I almost make it. I had dreams of actually getting on the gondola and actually skiing down the mountain! It felt like I was there! I'm pretty sure that's what it's called. I almost did it all, except for the crashing. A lot of crashing.
- Afternoon: Ice cream. Because pain deserves to be rewarded. Found a little shop in the village, and got a huge scoop of something ridiculously chocolaty. Worth it.
- Night: Dinner and games night. We played a board game, I was terrible, I lost, and I was good with it. Wine and friendship make everything better. It's a much needed change of pace from the mountains.
Day 4: Lakeside Village Exploration - Let's Get Lost!
- Morning: Morning hike. Walk along the lake, get some fresh air, and enjoy the peace and quiet. Okay, maybe not peace and quiet. There's always a snowplow buzzing around somewhere. But still. Really, really breathtaking scenery.
- Afternoon: Explore the shops in the village. Cute boutiques. Candy stores. Souvenir shops. Resist the urge to buy all the overpriced "I ❤️ Keystone" gear. (Mostly.)
- Late Afternoon: THE ICE SKATING! Okay, this deserves its own section. I'm terrible at ice skating. Like, Bambi on a Zamboni. But it was so much fun. The laughter, the wobbling, the near-miss collisions with children who clearly had more coordination than I do. Pure joy. I'm pretty sure I spent more time on my butt than on my skates, but I don't care. It was one of my favourite things to do.
- Evening: Dinner at a restaurant near the lake. A warm, delicious meal with a beautiful view. The perfect cap to a day of pure, unadulterated fun.
Day 5: Relaxation and Reflections
- Morning: Sleeping in. Because, after all the chaos, sleep is a necessity.
- Afternoon: Spa day! Relaxation is the name of the game today. Massage. Facial. Whatever makes me feel less like a crumpled, over-worn ski boot.
- Evening: Last dinner in Keystone. Try to soak it all in. Appreciate the beauty. The mountains. The fresh air. The fact that I'm still mostly in one piece.
Day 6: Packing and Preflight Anxiety
- Morning: Packing. The biggest hurdle of the trip. The dreaded packing. Did I bring everything? The snacks? The extra layers? The anti-itch cream?
- Afternoon: Final lakeside walk. One last deep breath of mountain air. A moment of quiet reflection. This is a place I'll never forget.
- Evening: Drive to Denver. Airport. Security. Travel anxiety.
Day 7: Home and Hangovers
- Morning: Made it home! Exhausted, and a little bit battered, but with a heart full of memories and a camera roll bursting with pictures. Worth it.
- Afternoon: Recover from the post-vacation blues.
- Evening: The dream of ski returns, and maybe I will return.
And there you have it. A messy, emotional, real-world itinerary for Lakeside Village. Don't expect perfection, expect adventure. And pack extra socks. You'll need them.
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Lakeside Village: Keystone's Hidden Gem? (Unbelievable Views!) ...or Just a Really Pretty Rental? My Thoughts, Honestly.
What exactly IS Lakeside Village, anyway? I'm picturing something...villagy.
Okay, so imagine a bunch of condos and townhomes clustered around a GORGEOUS lake. That's it. Lakeside Village is, frankly, a collection of rentals, not a bustling European-style village. Don't show up expecting cobblestone streets and a blacksmith – you'll be sorely disappointed. You're getting a *residential* area, and that's important to keep in mind. It's not the core of Keystone's action; it's the *side* action, the chill zone. Which, honestly? Sometimes, that's exactly what you need.
Okay, the views. Everyone raves. Is the lake *really* that amazing?
Listen, the views ARE pretty spectacular. I'm not going to lie. Picture this: You wake up, crack open the blinds (hopefully, you remembered to *close* them the night before, unlike *some* people I know...ahem, ME) and BOOM! Lake. Mountains. Reflections. It's postcard-worthy. Seriously, I took, like, a hundred pictures and sent them to everyone I knew. My mom, my ex, my dog (who, by the way, hates being facetimed). But. And this is a big but, the views are weather-dependent. One day it's sunshine and rainbows, the next... a blizzard. It’s still pretty, but it’s a different kind of pretty. That moody, "I'm probably going to freeze to death" kind of pretty.
Are the condos actually *nice* inside? Or just...functional?
This is a total crapshoot. Some are *glorious.* Updated kitchens, fireplaces, plush furniture… You'll feel like you've landed in Architectural Digest. Others? Let's just say they haven't been updated since the late 80's, and the "rustic" charm comes with the faint smell of…well, something. And who *knows* what's living in the carpet? I'm not judging, but I always bring Lysol wipes. Actually, scratch that. I *am* judging if the carpets look like they've been fighting a war of attrition with spilled red wine. Honestly, read the reviews *carefully*. Very, very, very carefully. And if the photos show anything other than gleaming stainless steel, you have been warned.
What about getting around? Is it ski-in, ski-out, or will I need a 4x4?
Okay, so, there's often a shuttle service. It's better than nothing, but it can be a bit of a cluster. And let’s be real: waiting for a shuttle with a snowboard strapped to your back, in the freezing cold, after a long day on the slopes? Not my favorite thing. There *are* a few places that might be a short walk, but mostly, you will need to get around, so factor in the shuttle or driving. And parking... well, that can be a hilarious, stressful free-for-all, especially during peak season. Don't expect to waltz in and find a spot easily. That's where the 4x4 *might* come in handy...
Is there any... *actual* village life? Restaurants? Shops? Activities?
Okay, here's the thing. The *main* amenities (restaurants, shops, apres-ski bars) are *not* in the immediate Lakeside Village area. You'll need to hop on the shuttle or drive to the main resort area. Now, Keystone's not exactly a bustling metropolis, so don't expect a ton of variety. There are a few decent restaurants, a good brewery, and some shops to get your gear. BUT, I did once wander around looking for a late-night snack and ended up with nothing but a bag of stale chips from the convenience store. Lesson learned: *Plan ahead.*
Okay, let's talk about *my* experience. One thing that REALLY stood out?
Alright, alright. So, I went to Lakeside Village with a friend. I booked a place, saw the pictures, and thought "Wow, this is it." It was a winter trip, so the promise of a cozy fireplace and stunning views sold me. We roll in, the place... it was okay. Not *amazing*, but fine. Cozy enough. The view? GORGEOUS. That first morning, I was all "WOW, look at the mountains!" But here comes the messy part... The fireplace? *Didn't work*. Seriously! We called the rental company. They sent someone. He fiddled with it. Nothing. We were freezing our butts off. We spent the rest of the weekend huddled under blankets, watching terrible movies and eating instant ramen. Romantic? No. A disaster? Kind of. Funny? In retrospect, absolutely. It was one of those "misadventures" you remember. The views were stunning, but the practicalities of the place were another story. So, you know, bring layers, a portable heater if you can and don't expect too much.
So… should I stay in Lakeside Village?
Look, it depends. Don't go expecting perfection. Embrace the possible wonkiness. If you value the views, the slightly quieter vibe, and the potential for a cozy, "Netflix and chilly" kind of getaway – then YES. Absolutely give Lakeside Village a shot. Just do your homework! Read reviews, look closely at the photos (and don't be afraid to ask questions!). And, maybe, pack a spare blanket. Because you just never know.
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