Exploring Beautiful Colorado, the Rocky Mountain State
Not only has Colorado long been known as home to the great Rocky Mountains, immortalized in the songs of John Denver, but also as an adventure lover’s paradise. Year-round, there are activities from mild to wild, ranging from fine dining and theater to heli-skiing and ice climbing. If you are looking for lodging in Colorado, there is also something to be found for every taste and price range.
Something for the Whole Family in Denver
As a big city, Denver has everything to offer its visitors, from the most basic motel to the grandest resort, and everything in between.
If you are planning to enjoy downtown, the Magnolia Hotel is both reasonably priced and highly rated by travelers. Just one block from shopping along 16th Street, this charming Denver lodging choice is also within walking distance of the Colorado Convention Center and the Denver Performing Arts Complex. If you are a sports fan, then a Rockies game at Coors Field or an Avalanche game at the Pepsi Center are both less than a mile away.
Inside this Denver lodging gem, a 12-story atrium surrounds a courtyard that includes a waterfall. Complimentary continental breakfast is served each morning, and warm cookies and milk are available at bedtime, making this Denver hotel perfect for the entire family.
If you prefer to travel with Fido, the pet-friendly Loews Denver offers their unprecedented elegance and service at a surprisingly modest price. Dog walking and pet-sitting are just two of many services offered here. In addition, this boutique-style hotel boasts the warmth of Italian Renaissance design. The Tuscany Restaurant has a grand fireplace and floor-to-ceiling wine racks. Other amenities at this hotel include children’s menus and supervised kids activities, making this Denver lodging choice perfect for the entire family, including the furry ones.
If you have brought the entire family to Denver, be sure to check out Six Flags Elitch Gardens, Colorado’s Ocean Journey, and the Denver Children’s Museum, all within a short distance of downtown.
Charming Breckenridge Lodging
Just a couple of hours from Denver is the charming village of Breckenridge. For those staying in the resort towns of Vail, Keystone, or Copper Mountain, then Breckenridge is only a short drive away.
Walking down its streets – particularly during wintertime – makes you feel like you are inside a child’s snow globe, complete with gorgeous architecture. Breckenridge lodging is equally charming. In addition to fabulous resorts, you can also find an array of hotels, condominiums, and private rental homes.
Located just 50 yards from the Beaver Run Super Chair is the Beaver Run Resort and Conference Center, at the base of Peak Nine. It offers immediate access to the talcum powder slopes or to exciting shopping and dining choices on Main Street.
The Freeway Terrain Park on nearby Peak Eight is an amusement park for snowboarders and offers an 18.5 foot super pipe, rails and boxes, and a 1,250-watt satellite surround-sound system. Peak Nine’s Nine Gold Terrain Park offers smaller kickers and rails for the less experienced snowboarders. Ski bases at each peak are conveniently connected by gondola, making it easy for you to take advantage of the soft, powdery slopes.
Taking in the Outdoors with Colorado Springs Lodging
Home to the Air Force academy and sitting at the foot of majestic Pike’s Peak is Colorado Springs. Just an hour and a half south of Denver, The Springs is a great jumping-off point for a wide assortment of outdoor adventures.
Colorado Springs lodging options includes the Cheyenne Mountain Resort, located in the elegant neighborhood of Broadmoor. With easy access from Highway 115, it overlooks an 18-hole golf course and a 35-acre lake. Activities abound here, with tennis, a fitness center, and five swimming pools. Reasonably priced, this hotel is a great value for its stunning location.
Visit the historic town of Monument, just a short drive to the north. There you will also find Palmer Lake, which is equipped with a special handicap-accessible fishing dock. Hike the 14-mile Santa Fe Regional Trail, which follows the abandoned Atchison Topeka Santa Fe Railway right-of-way. The trail allows for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, cross-country skiing and show shoeing.
Adventures Abound in Telluride
There is adventure to be found in this historic 1800’s mining town. Some of the more exotic activities Telluride offers include sleigh rides, dog sledding, paragliding, snowmobiling, snow biking, ice climbing, and heli-skiing. Along with summer come the food and music festivals, such as Blues and Brews or the Telluride Wine Festival. At anywhere from less than $100 per night to over $400 per night, Telluride lodging makes these activities accessible to everyone.
The Victorian Inn is only one block from Main Street, and offers free pastries, coffee, tea, and juices in the reception area, as well as a sauna and laundry facilities. This is a charming Telluride lodging choice that gives your vacation an ambiance of charm and relaxation.
In the center of the Telluride Mountain Village, you can find the Inn at Lost Creek, which is home to Telluride’s only ski-in eatery, the 9545 Restaurant. The elegant rooms include marble baths, jetted tubs, and steam showers. Other amenities include complimentary nightly ski waxing, burr removal, boot drying, and ski storage.
With its varied and rugged terrain, Colorado is an outdoor-lovers paradise. Equally varied, Colorado lodging has something to offer everyone.