The surprise here is the staircase. Vail Lionshead Circle Nest is only two bedrooms, but it's a two-story Ritz-Carlton residence, which immediately makes it feel different from a conventional hotel condo. You get actual separation between living and sleeping spaces, three bathrooms and room for six, then all the shared Ritz amenities downstairs: pool, hot tub, gym and resort services. I like this for a smaller family because you aren't paying for bedrooms you don't need just to get a proper residential experience. And you're still in Lionshead. The mountain is close. Restaurants and shops are close. Vail Village is easily connected. Sometimes the right luxury house isn't the biggest one. It's the one that's exactly big enough and puts you somewhere you actually want to be.