We've stayed there twice and are going back again next week with our family. The first time was in 1990 and the hotel in my opinion had a much warmer, wood-inspired, mountain lodge theme. Our second stay was over February vacation in 2005 with our two boys, ages 10 and 11 at the time and the decor and vibe of the hotel had changed quite a bit. The hotel, mountain, and restaurants in the village were an absolutely packed madhouse....overrun with people and kids. I'm generally a very patient person but it truly was a mess. Very difficult to get in the restaurants and the ones that were available were pretty expensive.

The upside is that the PH Beaver Creek has unbelieveably family-friendly service - pull up to the hotel and the valets will unload the car, bring your skis and poles to the ski valet storage, and will help with whatever else you need. When it's time to ski, head downstairs, buy your lift tickets inside, walk over to the indoor ski valet and exchange your walking shoes for your boots and skis. They'll even carry your skis out the door to the snow if you'd like. When you're done for the day, return your skis to the valet at the base of the mountain, return your boots inside where they'll put them on heaters for the night, and retrieve your shoes to go back to your room. So the on-mountain location and ski valet convenience can't be beat IMHO. One warning, if you intend to try the afternoon smores, it'll be a madhouse there too - lots of people with poles trying to get a spot in the fire.

Despite all the "negatives", we're heading back for another Feb vacation stay. We're combining it with Breckenridge (a nice family location) and Aspen that week.

One tip on food, if I remember right there was a pizza place not too far away by car called, I think, Zappa Za which had great food and allowed the young kids to make their own pizzas. Kind of a nice idea and keeps them occupied at the same time! We also ate at the minturn country club - similar idea - cook your own steaks on their indoor grill. Only OK in my opinion. Our favorite mexican place, Chilly Willy's, close last year.