The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch: 10 Fun Facts
What comes to mind when you think of The Ritz-Carlton hotels and resorts? Luxury, fine dining, unwavering service? That’s all fine and dandy—and quite accurate—but The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch is a step beyond its upscale reputation. With rustic, mountain lodging, pet-friendly (and –encouraged) amenities, Naturalist programs, and a super-cool history, it’s definitely worth a second look as a Colorado staycation opportunity.
Test your knowledge of the high-end mountain location with these little-known facts.
1. Tucked away on a quiet mountainside between Beaver Creek and Arrowhead in the majestic Rocky Mountains, Bachelor Gulch is a village aptly named for its original settlers—7 pioneering single men who came in search of a better life through the Homestead Act, after working as miners in Leadville.
2. The structure is literally built into the side of the mountain, including the award-winning spa, which makes the pampering stay even more quiet and tranquil.
3. The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch is one of the largest freestanding log “cabins” in the contiguous United States.
4. The building was inspired by “Parkitecture,” a style of architecture that developed in the early and middle 20th century in the United States National Park Service due to its efforts to create buildings that complemented the natural environment and surroundings.
5. The WWII soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division trained on the rough, ungroomed terrain surrounding the Bachelor Gulch area in preparation for navigating the mountains in Italy. After his stint in combat, one notable soldier, Pete Seibert, returned to the mountain and eventually founded Vail Ski Resort.
6. Bachelors Lounge, the resort’s contemporary indoor/outdoor lounge, is Vail Valley's only cigar lounge and now offers the world’s most expensive cigar at $2,000 each.
7. The resort serves a hand-crafted, barrel-aged bourbon called “Bachelor’s Bourbon” that is used in signature cocktails in Bachelors Lounge.
8. In January, 2016, The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch introduced Anderson’s Cabin as an exclusive private dining venue. Originally the home of John Anderson, one of the 7 settlers, the cabin is one of the few remaining log cabins historically owned by a founding bachelor.
9. The pet-loving resort has its own resident pup, “Bachelor,” an adorable Saint Bernard. The resort obviously loves its four-legged guests—they even offer the “Bachelor’s Pack,” a lodging package that includes all-natural pet food available for in-room orders, special treat deliveries, “Pampered Pooch” in-room doggie massages presented by The Bachelor Gulch Spa, premium dog bowls, overstuffed beds, and more.
10. During the off season, the resort’s Summer Naturalist Programs offers a variety of activities for warm-weather guests—daily guided hikes, Painting & Pinot, Whiskey & Woodburning, birdwatching, fire-building and s’mores.
