The winter season will be in full swing soon, so people will head to the mountains to ski or get away. When I visit Summit County, the main destination for Colorado winter vacations, I like to stay in rentals. This post would seem a no-brainer (and super-short) because rentals outnumber hotels and motels by almost four to one. I would then recommend what to look for in a rental.

But there are a surprising number of hotels to choose from in Breckenridge, Dillon, Frisco and Silverthorne, the main towns in Summit. New ones sprang up in the past ten years, especially along Interstate 70, most likely due to its growing popularity as a travel hotspot. It’s also an alternative for day-tripping skiers who dread heading back on I-70 and the hours of clogged traffic. Instead, They would start their après activities immediately and relax rather than stress out.

So, as a decades-long veteran of traveling to the Rockies, I’ll share some reasons for going with a rental or staying at a hotel. Both are good, depending on your travel preferences.

Hotels and motels

More options—When I moved to Colorado over 20 years ago, there were just a handful of hotels in Frisco, Dillon and Silverthorne and even fewer in Breckenridge. Those existing were primarily independently owned. That has changed. Today, major chains have moved in and built just off the I-70 exits, thus offering more places to stay. If you have loyalty accounts with Choice, Best Western Hilton or Marriott, you can use your points or earn them quickly here.

Great locally owned places - If you’re like me and seek to stay in something independent, Summit County offers plenty of those, too. My favorite is the Frisco Inn on Galena, located in a quiet residential area. It provides easy access to all the ski resorts and is within walking distance of Frisco’s main street. As their website’s home page states, it’s a “boutique hotel, bed and breakfast and spa,” so it’s a nearly complete place to stay.

More interaction with locals – Staying at a hotel often means you’ll talk with the hotel staff, who can offer insider knowledge of the destination. We found some fantastic dining discoveries by asking someone at the front desk. That’s especially important in an expensive place like Breckenridge.

Fewer hidden fees—One thing that drives me crazy about rentals is the addition of expenses on top of the daily or weekly rates. I can accept paying for cleaning and local taxes, but some of these are questionable (like the AirBnB fee - what is that?), and there are so many. Rentals in Summit also have strict cancellation policies, or often none. So, be sure if you’re going.

Rentals

More space and privacy – The most significant advantage of staying at a rental is the space. You will have more, with a separate living room, a fireplace (always lovely after a day outside in the snow) and bedrooms (often with having your bed), plus a kitchen. What’s also great about them is their privacy, which everyone can appreciate, and something you don’t get in a hotel room.

Flexible dining - Having that kitchen, which is often fully equipped, is a fantastic way to prepare your meals. That’s especially true for breakfast, which you can enjoy in your sweats or pajamas without waiting an hour for a table. Of course, if you don’t want to cook and enjoy one of Summit’s many fantastic restaurants, like Hearthstone, Dillon Dam Brewery or Tin Plate.

Live like a local - Something in common to any rental is not being the typical tourist. Staying in a condo or house allows you to relax in an environment as you would in your own home. The difference, of course, is that you’re on vacation, and you don’t have to cook or clean up too much (unless you want to)

Better amenities—While many larger chain hotels have large pools, hot tubs and fitness centers, rentals have even more. You will often have secure storage areas for your ski equipment, which most hotels don’t have or have limited space.