I had been touring the Olympic Peninsula all week. I flew home late that night, did laundry, repacked and then jumped in the car with my family the next morning. Upon arrival at The Broadmoor’s sculpted grounds, I was frenzied and sleep-deprived.
The moment we pulled up to the security gate, all my worries were whisked away faster than the Calgon commercials of yesteryear. I gave the guard my name, received a parking pass and drove to the valet. I was greeted by Alex, a Romanian bellhop with a damsel-wooing accent: “Mrs. Johnson! How nice of you to join us again.”
I wondered how he knew I had stayed at The Broadmoor once before. Did he also know my favorite color is blue and that I have no intention to pay that unmerited parking ticket I received downtown?
In the end, I didn’t care. The Broadmoor does that to you. It doesn’t matter if you are promenading around Cheyenne Lake or pairing luxurious accommodations with gourmet dining. If You’ve Been Here, You Know.™
Cradled at the base of Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado Springs, this Five-Star, Five-Diamond hotel set on 3,000 acres has added a new feature to secure its place in the annals of The Ultimate Colorado Family Vacation: cottages.
Staying here is reminiscent of a Hansel and Gretel fairy tale. Only instead of being made of gingerbread and candies, these cottages feature spacious parlors with high-beamed ceilings, natural stone fireplaces, heated bathroom floors, surround sound systems, large flat screen TVs and the latest in-room technologies that blend seamlessly into the comfortably elegant design.
Nothing like living your own modern-day fairy tale.
The Broadmoor’s one- to eight-bedroom cottages are perfect for family gatherings and so when the Broadmoor offered to host us, my parents made a special trip from Canada for the occasion. Set along the legendary East Course, only a pristine creek separated us from the 18th fairway. I knew this would even impress The Mother Who is Impressed by Nothing.
We kept most of our activities simple. We lazed around the zero-entry infinity swimming pool, water slide and whirlpools, soaking in the turquoise water and golden sun. We watched a fawn skirt across the grounds as we lawn bowled behind our cottage. We strolled 0.8 mile to nature’s Nirvana–North Cheyenne Canyon Park–and admired Starr Kempf’s graceful steel wind kinetic sculptures, an unexpected residential treasure en route. We went to Sunday brunch, a gastronomic feast that features Eggs Benedict, crepe and smoothie stations.
Sound idyllic? Not quite. Our travel drama occurred when my parent’s Explorer died in the valet parking garage. To The Broadmoor’s credit, they immediately sent a technician to ascertain the problem and gave my parents one of the resort’s vehicles to use for the day while they had the car towed to the nearest dealership.
For those keeping track: this is our second glorious destination on our Tour de Colorado. And this is the second time a vehicle has died, leaving us stranded at Said Glorious Destination.
The good Lord loves me.
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Psttttt: good news! Don’t have enough money to spring for the cottages? Check out The Broadmoor’s summer lodging deal: $125/per person, double occupancy. Kids (10 and under) stay and eat free. Go to broadmoor.com for more information.
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Don’t miss:
Colorado Springs has some of the state’s best activities for families that include a cog ride to the top of 14,110-foot Pikes Peak. Manitou Springs’ Arcade Amusements Inc. boasts one of the West’s oldest and largest amusement arcades and Acacia Park’s comical Uncle Wilbur Fountain is the perfect cool down for the kids.
I was absolutely ecstatic to explore Garden of the God’s 25,000 square-foot Trading Post. Try their delicious fudge, check out the large collection of Colorado artists and dine on the Balanced Rock Café’s expansive outdoor patio while watching the children pan for gold.
A few more of my family’s favorites: the Cave of the Winds’ 45-minute Discovery Tour and the North Pole’s family-themed amusement park. Top your evening off with a touristy ho-down at Flying W Ranch’s Western village, complete with a chuck-wagon dinner and stage show. Get there early to try their to-die-for Dutch oven buttermilk biscuits dripping in honey. Tell ‘em I sent you. I promise they won’t disappoint.
Visit http://www.experiencecoloradosprings.com for additional information.
Kari
I can honestly say I have never stayed anywhere like the cottages (the video was AMAZING) but that $125 deal? THAT I can do!
Monica
I hope you had a good time despite the car problems!
One Mom's Opinion
Looks like a great time. Are the cottages somewhat reasonable?
Beckie
Wow!Now I am interested in taking the family for a trip to the Broadmoor, $125 and kids eat/stay free sounds like a good deal!That was nice of them to let your parents use their car as well.
Lori in Denver
Wow! That gives new meaning to the quaint word “cottage” — so luxurious!
Amber's Crazy Bloggin' Canuck
Rates vary at the cottages; central reservations will quote specifics. The great thing about the cottages is you can go in with other family members or friends to split the cost!
JoAnn
Wow, that looks amazing! It looks like it’s definitely worth the splurge!!
Guinevere Meadow
Sigh. It looks like heaven.
You did an excellent job of not capturing yourself on video in that gigantic bathroom with so many reflective surfaces. 😉
Rosey Pollen
Amber,
Are you saying I have no life if I comment? You may be right. 🙂
I like the way you put things, makes me smile.
Amber Johnson
I am very talented at avoiding bathroom reflections, especially when filming. 🙂
And yep, definitely worth the splurge!
Jennifer Carroll
OHMYGOSH. I fell in love with that video. My folks are coming into town in the fall and I have been struggling to find a really nice place that would accommodate us all. I think I just found it!
Jennifer Carroll
P.S. Their car seems to break down everywhere, too. Sounds like they’ll be in good hands. 🙂
lynn @ human, being
We’re going to do the $125/adult deal in early August. We can’t wait.
Amber Johnson
Great news, Lynn and Jennifer! The pool alone makes it worth it. The only bummer about our visit is it was chilly on our pool day so we spent a lot of the time bundled underneath our towels!
diana/sunshine
sounds like you had a good time, even with the car breaking down. i love colorado springs – there’s so much to do down there as you’ve mentioned. the broadmoor is one i haven’t been able to indulge in, but would like to some day. maybe i’ll plan some romantic getaway for just me and hubby.
Beth Partin
What a beautiful place to stay! I’ve been looking for a good place to splurge.
The site looks great. Good redesign.
Manisha
Love the Broadmoor! I would also recommend a trip to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, just 5 mins up the Cheyenne Mountain Road from Broadmoor.
FFG
How do they feel about people moving in & never leaving? 🙂
Amber Johnson
As we were leaving, Hadley asked, “So…can we buy this place?”
She’d be first in line. 🙂
I had many people recommend feeding the giraffes at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo!
garage doors colorado
This is the ultimate treat, and the Broadmoor’s service is impeccable. I love their Victorian style bedrooms!
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