Colorado Springs hotels

Built in 1918 inside Pike National Forest, The Broadmoor is one of the best hotels in Colorado Springs. A National Historic Hotel, it’s welcomed an array of famous guests, including Clark Gable, John D. Rockefeller and US President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The Broadmoor is also home to the all-inclusive Cloud Camp, set 2,804 metres above sea level. First built in 1927, it’s open from May until October. From Cloud Camp, you can hike to the Broadmoor’s Ranch at Emerald Valley, where fly fishing, soaking in a cedar tub and horseback riding are all crowd-pleasers.

My boyfriend and I particularly enjoyed the morning hikes and archery lessons. What’s more, the hearty meals and lounging and stargazing by the fire pit have all become core memories. But my favourite memory here has to be soaking in the hot tub while snowflakes fell all around me. Truly magical.

When it comes to the best hotels in Colorado Springs, Garden of the Gods Resort & Club is a shoo-in. From the back patio, you have a stunning view of Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods Park, which is home to 34 kilometres of hiking and biking trails.

I’ve been to this park a handful of times, and seeing the rocks turn the most beautiful shade of orange at sunrise never gets old. Be on the lookout for bighorn sheep, deer and red-tail foxes during your stay.

The resort, which opened in 1951, has a major focus on wellness, so you’ll go home feeling rejuvenated, with IV therapy, cardiovascular services, acupuncture and massages all on offer. Add to that a 27-hole golf course, numerous pickleball courts, an infinity pool, falconry sessions and ziplining adventures, and you’ve got yourself the perfect vacation.

Kinship Landing is one of the best hotels in Colorado Springs for outdoorsy types. Located in the city centre, the owner’s M.O. was to create a space for adventurers to gather after epic days exploring the area. The team here can arrange snowshoeing, guided backcountry skiing, mountain biking and snowboarding.

At the end of the day, gather in the greenhouse-style event space to make new friends and enjoy craft beers at the bar. The best part is, there are room options for every budget: suites with soaking tubs, standing desks and fireplaces; shared bunk rooms; and even a camping room where you can set your own tent up on the patio. Unlike actual camping, you have access to a private, heated bathroom.

Make time for the Manitou Incline. My boyfriend and I get stoked about this hike, because its 2,768 steps come with definite bragging rights.

One of the best boutique hotels in Colorado Springs, The Mining Exchange Hotel is located in a historic building once used as a stock exchange for gold miners. Today, it’s a high-design space that welcomes travellers with exposed brick walls, doors reminiscent of bank vaults and marble bathrooms.

The lobby – with a marble fireplace, modern Victorian sofas and antique piano – is a place you’ll want to linger. The carefully-thought-out design extends to the rooms, where white oak flooring, oak desks and custom wingback chairs make for a cozy vibe.

Mornings are for banana s’mores lattes with steamed graham cracker milk and brûlée mallow at the on-site coffee bar. Evenings, meanwhile, call for creative cocktails at the indoor-outdoor bar. You don’t have to go far to find fun; the hotel is walking distance from shops and restaurants galore.

One of the finest luxury hotels in Colorado Springs, The Lodge at Flying Horse is an AAA four-diamond property in northern Colorado Springs. It offers the perfect combination of Rocky Mountain accents and Tuscan style.

Golf is big here thanks to two private championship golf courses. One was designed by Tom Weiskopf, a legendary golfer; the other by Phil Smith, a well-known golf-course architect. Keep the activity levels up with laps in the heated lap pool and a few games on the tennis and pickleball courts.

And don’t forget to save time to practice your slam dunks at the indoor basketball court. Afterward, the Athletic Club & Spa will be calling your name. I recommend the deep-tissue therapeutic massage and the Signature Facial with a facial peel. End the day at the award-winning steakhouse for a petite filet mignon, grilled carrots, corn brûlée and Alaskan halibut.

As one of the best hotels in Colorado Springs, Cheyenne Mountain Resort has plenty to keep the whole family entertained. With 16 tennis courts, five pools, a 836-square-metre fitness centre (classes range from Zumba to yoga) and kids’ splash pad, it’s impossible to be bored here.

Pro tip: drop the kids off at the supervised play space and go get an Advanced Deep Tissue massage and Active Pureness facial at Alluvia Spa & Wellness Retreat. It’s a win-win situation.

Play a round of golf with the jagged Rockies in the distance. Afterward, dine at Elevations restaurant, where you can eat indoors or out by the fire pit. Lunch entrees include filling dishes like herb-roasted chicken and burgers.

The nine-storey Colorado Springs Marriott is one of the best hotels in Colorado Springs for savvy business travellers. For starters, it sits on a hill with panoramic views of Pikes Peak, a famous landmark that’s one of the most visited mountains in the world.

With 2,230 square metres of meeting space, including 15 meeting rooms, an outdoor courtyard and pavilion, this is one of the best hotels in Colorado Springs for those who need to work but also want easy access to the great outdoors.

After a day of meetings, I recommend dining at the Ascent restaurant and bar for sirloin steak and blackened salmon. Then, unwind at the fitness centre (with free weights, spin bikes and cardio equipment) and indoor pool. Added bonus: pets are welcome at the hotel.

At The Academy Hotel, a family-owned, pet-friendly property in Colorado Springs, kids will appreciate the indoor pool tucked away in a lush atrium, Nintendo Switch Station and game room and pizza and burgers at Falcon’s Bar & Grille. Adults, meanwhile, will appreciate the complimentary breakfast with made-to-go omelettes and waffle bar, fitness centre and laundry facilities.

During your stay, you must visit the waterfalls at Seven Falls, stroll around Old Colorado City for galleries, boutiques and restaurants, and hop over to the Manitou Cliff Dwellings Museum, where the ancestral Pueblo cliff dwellings are said to be more than 700 years old.

Aviation lovers will appreciate a visit to the Air Force Academy, where you can take a self-guided tour, engage the kiddos in a scavenger hunt and use the hiking trails – the campus sits at the base of the beautiful Front Range.

The main attraction at Black Forest Lodge, one of the best hotels in Colorado Springs, is the gorgeous natural surroundings. The Black Forest, a combination of thick forested area and rolling hills, is the highest point east of the Rocky Mountains.

With its cozy log cabins, this is one of the most unique hotels in Colorado Springs. You’re 10 minutes away from town, but because you’re tucked away among ponderosa pines and golden aspens, it feels like you’re a world away.

Choose from rustic log cabins or romantic suites with jetted tubs and fireplaces. Cabins come with full kitchens – I love cooking while on vacation, so that’s a big win for me. With the prime location and view of the mountains, it is an ideal spot for a small wedding.

The Cliff House, easily one of the best hotels in Colorado Springs, offers the perfect blend of turn-of-the-century glamour and modern-day style. Dating back 150 years, this well-known hotel was once a stagecoach stop.

Each room is unique in character and comes with a fireplace, Lord and Mayfair bath products and spa tub. For something extra special, ask for the Buffalo Bill Suite, which is decorated with lasso and vintage marquee posters.

No trip to Colorado Springs is complete without a visit to Pikes Peak. Be sure to take the Pikes Peak Cog Train up to the summit for high-altitude donuts. The secret recipe makes them super fluffy, but they’re more dense back down at the bottom. Moral of the story: always eat the donuts right away.