Review of the Beaver Run Resort, Breckenridge, Colorado

Business trips aren’t always just about business. For example, business travelers to Denver might want to add an extra day or two to their trip and head just west of Denver to Breckenridge for a ski trip. Or even host a business event at conference center like the Beaver Run Resort.

The Beaver Run Resort and Conference Center in Breckenridge, Colorado is a large, business-oriented resort with ski in/ski out access. With a range of accommodations, a handful of hot tubs and pools and restaurants and bars, as well as a grocery store, and ski rentals, Beaver Run is a one-stop vacation shop for a Colorado ski trip.

The Beaver Run Resort and Conference Center, at the base of Breckenridge peak 9, is a great option for the business traveler that wants a one-stop short vacation, or the business person who wants to hold a business meeting slope-side. More than a hotel, Beaver Run includes meeting and conference facilities, a business center, and the infrastructure to support a wide range of group or meeting sizes. The complex includes multiple restaurants and bars, ski rentals, conference rooms, and a range of accommodations.

One of the key benefits of staying at Beaver Run is the amenities—it has a handful (or more) of hot tubs and pools, located in different buildings, many with views of the ski lift or mountain. As you would hope, the ones I tried were all warm and toasty. The resort has a game room for kids (large, with a (somewhat minimal, but real,) miniature golf course), rooms with full kitchens, and even free shuttle service around town (although its close enough to walk, if you want).

There’s a good Mexican restaurant just down the street (spring for the table-side guacamole), a great brewery (Breckenridge Brewery) with really unique (and good) vanilla porter up the road from the Mexican restaurant, and plenty of other eating and drinking options as well.

On the down side, Beaver Run isn’t going to impress someone looking for the hip, trendy interiors or design that you might find in a brand new hotel. Instead, Beaver Run’s architecture and rooms are slightly dated—like a nice late 1980s or early 1990s-style resort. My room had a nice, but small bathroom, although it did include a separate room with a Jacuzzi tub. From what I saw, everything was well-maintained and the rooms and common areas were definitely nice—just not cutting-edge trendy, if that’s what you’re looking for.

Elevators seemed to work well and fast. Rarely a wait, although the resort was only about 70% full during my visit. The housekeeping service was fast and efficient, and provided a quick response to my special requests—I was surprised, because those types of things usually take longer at a larger resort like Beaver Run.

Beaver Run has a decent deli and small supermarket on site. While the items aren’t cheap, they’re about the price I would expect that at any similar type resort. I did appreciate that it at least had a good selection of groceries and prepared foods. Of course, it’s always cheaper to find a regular grocery store in town, which you can do in Breckenridge.

My room did have smaller, old-style TVs, and the one in the main living room had a problem with its tint control, so the picture was yellow. Luckily, I wasn’t planning on spending a lot of time watching TV when I was there—I’d rather be on the slopes or in town. After all, that’s what a mini ski vacation is all about.

As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary services for review purposes. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our Ethics Policy.