Based on our June 2005 stay at Puerta del Sol Hotel (which shares facilities and management with the Valle Nevado Hotel) the Valle Nevado resort area is not ready for prime time. Four examples:

One: We arrived at about 1 pm and asked about early check-in. We were told that no rooms were available but that something might open up by 2:30. We went back to the desk at 2:30 and spoke to a different person. That person reiterated that check in was at 4. When we said the person we spoke to earlier had said that rooms might be available at 2:30 the response was 'well, I didn't say that.' Nevertheless, we were told to check back at 3. As it turns out we didn't get rooms until 4:25.

Two: The rooms we were given were on a floor that was otherwise occupied by a group of unsupervised teenagers. We began calling the hotel operator at 11:10 p.m. to try to get someone to get the teenagers to quiet down. As near as we could tell nothing was done until 12:20 a.m., by which time our blood pressure was soaring and a good night's sleep was lost. When we complained to the front desk the next morning the attitude was 'it sucks to be you.' When we complained to the front desk manager the attitude was 'it's not our problem.' When we complained to the assistant manager for the hotel later in the day we were told it was the first she'd heard of the problem but that she'd investigate and get back to us. We heard nothing more for two days and then we asked for her at the front desk – she had left for two days off. We contacted her by email after our departure and her response was 'we did what we could' (nothing??) and it is too bad for you that it was not enough.

Three: Internet access was $6 for 30 minutes – and, by the way, you forfeit any minutes not used within two hours. A sure way to make your 'guests' feel ripped off.

Four: There was a snowstorm the day we arrived and, four days later, the full hill was still not open. The 9 a.m. start time applied to only a couple of short lifts, the others opened whenever. The 5 p.m. closing time, however, was sacrosanct – indeed, closing a few minutes early seemed to be rule. In short, the Valle Nevado approach to its ski hill is similar to its approach to its lodging: 'we don't really care about you.'

In stark contrast to our stay at Valle Nevado was our visit to El Colorado, where we stayed at a small, quirky and very friendly suite hotel: El Colorado Apart Hotel.