The Broadmoor

The Broadmoor has been the signature luxury address in Colorado Springs for more than a century. Spencer Penrose, the mining magnate who also built the Pikes Peak highway and the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, opened the Italian Renaissance hotel in 1918, and the pink stucco main building, its lakeside terraces and its flower-filled courtyards still set the tone. The resort spreads across a large campus at the base of Cheyenne Mountain, with several wings of rooms, cottages and suites, three championship golf courses, a big spa, tennis, pools and shopping arcades. Guests stay for the setting as much as the service: the mountain rises behind the lake, deer wander the grounds and the whole estate feels like a world of its own.

Rooms vary by building. The historic main house has classic furnishings and a sense of old-world grandeur, while the lakeside and mountain-side wings offer larger rooms, balconies and more modern layouts. Suites and cottages suit families and groups, and some rooms look over Cheyenne Lake toward the mountain. Dining ranges from casual pubs and cafes to refined restaurants, with afternoon tea, a lakeside terrace and several bars.

The resort also runs a collection of outdoor activities, including fly fishing, falconry, archery, e-bike rides and guided hikes, which are available to guests and often to day visitors. The spa is among the largest in the region, with treatment rooms, pools and fitness facilities.

The location is a major advantage. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is a few minutes away, Seven Falls sits in the canyon behind the resort and the Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun overlooks the area. Downtown Colorado Springs and Garden of the Gods are a short drive, and the Pikes Peak Cog Railway is about fifteen minutes away. The resort is large enough that you may spend a day walking between buildings, so ask for a room close to the dining and spa areas if mobility matters.

Prices are high and vary widely by season and event, with resort fees possible, so check the total cost when you book. For a special occasion, the Broadmoor offers a true sense of place and history that few American hotels can match.

Timing your stay changes the experience. Summer brings golf, pool days and long evenings on the lake, while fall adds gold aspens on the mountainside and calmer crowds. Winter has a quieter, cozier mood, with fireside drinks and snow on Cheyenne Mountain, and holiday decorations are a local tradition. Spring is a good time for lower rates and blooming gardens. Whichever season you choose, reserve dining and spa times as early as possible, ask the concierge about the resort's guided outdoor programs and leave time simply to wander the grounds, which is half the pleasure.