Four Seasons Resort, Vail

Pulling off a new resort within this compact alpine village was no easy feat. But while the footprint of the Four Seasons is relatively modest, the hotel is anything but. The ground floor is home to a 14,000-square-foot spa, as well as the hotel's centerpiece: a heated, 75-foot-long saltwater pool around which the 121 guest rooms are arranged. Public spaces reflect a restrained mountain-chic aesthetic (studded leather chairs are in; antlers are out). But what ultimately sets the Four Seasons apart are high-altitude extras: walk-in closets to handle bulky ski gear; free hand warmers at the slopeside ski club; and an armoire filled with heated robes by the central, outdoor pool.