The beauty of a staycation is seeing your local stomping grounds through fresh eyes. Oh, and avoiding long security lines and flight delays. Colorado Springs makes a fine getaway destination, especially given that there are three really unique places you can stay there that each have a very different feel – but that all offer relaxation, fun, and beautiful scenery. Here are the three iconic and unique resorts in Colorado Springs that we find to be In Good Taste.
Plan a staycation to any of these unique resorts in Colorado Springs:
Garden of the Gods Resort and Club
3320 Mesa Road, Colorado Springs
The history: The Resort was built by Al and Margaret Hill after purchasing the property in 1949. It opened, officially, in 1951, combining natural beauty with a luxurious getaway. Movie stars, politicians, musicians, artists, and authors stayed there. Over the years, the Resort has passed to other generations of the family.
The rooms: Sure, the rooms are spacious, the bathrooms huge, and the beds comfy. But the biggest perk of the rooms at Garden of the Gods Resort is the view. Each room (and restaurant and fitness facility, looks out over the magnificent Garden of the Gods Park. Wake up early, pull open the curtains and sit up in bed, coffee in hand, and watch the sun cast a golden glow over the reddish rocks. Then plan to be back there again, this time on your patio with a glass of wine, to watch the sunset. There are also Cottages and Casitas on the property that are newer if you want more space of your own or to share with friends or family.
The property: With easy access to hiking via a safe under-the-street tunnel across the street, you really don’t have to leave the property, what with multiple pools, spa, workout facility, golf course, and restaurants right there.
The food: The culinary scene gets a lot of focus at the Resort with a team of culinary pros with impressive lineages. There are three restaurants on-site and even the Starbucks-serving coffee shop serves salads, sandwiches, snacks, and baked goods prepared by the culinary staff. Trust us – get a grilled salmon salad from the Beach & Cable Barista while you’re picking up your Starbucks no-foam, etc., etc. latte.
Good to know: Garden of the Gods Resort & Club’s corporate culture is one of feeling very un-corporate but very warm and inviting. Despite only staying one night, we felt a connection to many of the staff we encountered, personalizing the experience, making us feel more like regulars than first-timers.
What else is In Good Taste? Learn more about Garden of the Gods Resort.
Glen Eyrie Castle
3820 N. 30th St., Colorado Springs
The history: The castle was built in 1871 by the founder of Colorado Springs, General William Palmer and his wife, Queen Palmer. It was remodeled in 1881 to add the tower and was made to more closely resemble a stone castle in 1903. It was the Palmer’s dream home.
The rooms: Guest rooms are elegant and well-appointed. There are a lot of charming details, architecturally and with décor. There are no TV’s in the rooms but Wi-Fi is available. There is also no air conditioning but when we went, late summer/early fall, we didn’t feel the need for it. There are plenty of windows that open and trees surrounding the building that allow for fresh air and gentle breezes. With nooks and crannies and interesting angles, it’s very easy to feel like a guest of royalty in a beautiful castle deep in the woods. How romantic!
The property: You can’t beat the views with the Castle being situated on 700 acres amongst the stunning and massive stones of Garden of the Gods park. There are marked hiking trails of different length and difficulty clearly labelled and accessible right out the front door. A twinkle-light-lined path leads from the castle itself to the Pink House which is where you check in and also where there’s a small café, bookstore/museum and outdoor bistro tables.
The food: Breakfast is included with your stay and is served buffet-style. While there is indoor seating at large tables, you’re encouraged to take your food and enjoy it on the patio with gurgling fountain nearby and views of the grounds and rocks. The buffet was basic but plentiful with different kinds of scrambled eggs, sausages, potatoes, pastries, yogurt, cereal and juices. Restaurants are an easy 10-minute drive away.
Good to know: There is a religious aspect to Glen Eyrie but it’s not a heavy presence. It is an alcohol- and marijuana-free property. Tours and Teas are also available, by reservation, whether you’re an overnight guest or not.
The Broadmoor
1 Lake Ave., Colorado Springs
The history: The Broadmoor opened officially in 1918 with John D. Rockefeller as the first celebrity guest for a private opening. In 1947, the two wings of the main building (NorthEastmoor and SouthEastmoor) were completed. Over the years, the property has been remodeled and reimagined and has only gotten better with age, always retaining the feeling of elegance. Originally owned by the Penrose family (you’ll see their name frequently in Colorado Springs), it was purchased by the Anschutz Corporation of Denver in 2011.
The rooms: Feel like a legend in your own time, a VIP, celebrity, royalty. You can’t help it from the moment you drive in, past the iron guard gate, to the entry way and lobby, you know you’re in for something special. Once you get to your room, you’re sure of it. Elegant but still very comfortable and homey, there’s a variety of style and vibe of room.
The property: Centered on a pretty lake where you can paddleboat in the summer, The Broadmoor was made for leisurely strolls or to be as sedate as you want on a restaurant patio or as active, golfing, swimming, playing tennis or going just off property for hiking. You’re in your own, old-world-with-modern-touches bubble – one you never want to pop.
The food: There’s something for every taste and timeframe. Have a quick nibble and a sweet at Café Julie’s or pub fare at the Golden Bee (where tradition calls for your server to “fling” an embroidered bee sticker at your chest, thereby “bee-ing” you). Enjoy something hearty by the fire on The Grille’s vast patio, or linger over a multi-course, well-conceived meal at Summit, Ristorante Del Lago, La Taverne, or the Lake Terrace Dining Room. You can’t go wrong since everything’s scratch-made, seasonal and delicious. Each of the concepts is treated as its own entity with a lot of thought going into the design of the space, the menu options, wine lists, preparation, and service.
Good to know: Include in your visit to The Broadmoor a hike at Seven Falls, a trip to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, and United States Olympic and Paralympic Museum and a ride on the Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway to get a really varied Colorado Springs experience.
Learn more about the Colorado Springs area on their website.
What else is In Good Taste? Read more about The Broadmoor Hotel on our sister site.
– Story, photos, and graphics by Courtney Drake-McDonough and James McDonough
Please note, we were hosted at Broadmoor Hotel and Garden of the Gods Resort & Club to help facilitate this article. However, as is always the case with the writers and editors of In Good Taste Denver, that doesn’t sway our commitment to providing our readers with an honest and objective opinion of our experience there. To learn more, visit our Partner With Us page.
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