The refurbished and reopened hotel celebrates the history of Vail with a blend of modern alpine coolness and modern style from the 1960s.

This winter, Vail has a new and old name. "Hythe" is an quaint Old English word that means a haven or landing site, and this is exactly what the Hayes Hotel aims to provide to travelers. It was indeed a comfortable landing: after a $40 million renovation, the former Vail Marriott Mountain Resort has been renamed and reopened as the latest jewel in the Marriott Luxury Collection, with room rates starting at $699 per night.

Towering above the village of Lionshead in Vail, Hythe is within easy reach of Eagle Bahn Gondola, offering 344 rooms, 22 suites and 16 residences, as well as 29,000 square feet of event and meeting space. A series of new food and beverage concepts will join the already established Well & Being Spa.

The renovated interior decoration of the public space adds delicate colors to the rustic decoration. "Today's Vail is designed to be clean and stylish, while paying tribute to the mountain with its angular design," said hotel general manager Kristin Pryor. "Hythe meets guests' expectations in this latest version, but it also sets a new tone for this tradition, paying tribute to the establishment of this mountain with hints of retro fashion and architecture."

Interior designers Mark Wilson and Yoko Ishihara are the California partners of Wilson Ishihara. They were inspired by the pioneering spirit and friendship of Vail as a resort in the early 1960s. They added fixtures and custom furniture throughout Hythe, aiming to evoke the modern charm of the 60s from the historic ski age.

The designer combines the magnificent mountain landscape with the warmth and comfort of an alpine hut. The designer relies on natural materials including stone, wood, bronze, leather and wool. They chose Calacatta marble from the Colorado Quarry to create a texture reminiscent of falling snow. The new artwork installed throughout the Hayes Hotel hints at the historic Vail story and tradition, and pays homage to the local wildlife.

Although the space is very beautiful, the underlying theme is a playful carnival, a tribute to Weir's early heyday. Pryor explained: “We designed an experience that keeps every guest’s interaction in mind, and includes the game aspects of why people come here.” “From the custom playing cards in Revel Lounge to the every day of The Hythe 10th At the Japanese whisky tasting, we invite our guests to interact with us and each other to ensure that celebrations and memories become the most important thing."

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