Highlights: The Broadmoor

•A landmark in Colorado Springs, this beautiful grand old hotel is classically elegant and has made renovations to keep up with the times

•Pleasant and professional staff anticipate guests’ every need

•Guest rooms feature a luxurious, modern décor with views of Cheyenne Lake, golf courses, or Cheyenne Mountain

•With a choice of 15 restaurants, cafes, and lounges, guests can enjoy a variety of delightful dining experiences

•Well-staffed business center and programs designed to accommodate individual business travelers or corporate groups

•European-inspired Mobil Four-Star spa facility offers extensive menu of treatments

•Well-equipped fitness center, three specially-designed golf courses, and two pools provide numerous spots for both recreation and relaxation

Amenities: The Broadmoor

• 700 rooms, 3 story, all suites. Pets accepted; fee. Check-in 4 pm, check-out Noon. High-speed Internet access. Nine restaurants, five bars. Fitness room, fitness classes available, spa. Indoor pool, two outdoor pools, children's pool, whirlpool. Golf, 54 holes. Tennis. Airport transportation available. Business center. Credit cards accepted.

General Impressions: The Broadmoor

Known as the “grande dame of the Rockies,” The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado, has grown into a renowned institution welcoming presidents, celebrities, foreign officials, and regular travelers since making its debut in 1918. Nestled against Cheyenne Mountain, the property is known as a perfect location to work, relax, or enjoy numerous activities, including three championship golf courses, great spa facilities, scores of restaurants, and regal rooms with all the creature comforts of an oasis away from home.

With a lake in the center of the resort grounds serving as the focal point, many of the rooms and public spaces offer tranquil views of the water. Colorful murals and artwork adorn the walls of the lobbies and restaurants, and rustic fireplaces and oversized furniture grace many of the public spaces. This is one resort that has kept up with the times with frequent renovations and expansions, including a redesign of the East Golf Course and the recent opening of Summit, the resort’s first stand-alone restaurant. This is a welcome addition to 14 other dining rooms, lounges, and cafes already located on the property, so guests won’t be lacking for a suggestion on where to enjoy a quality meal or sip a cool drink.

Guest rooms are comfortable and decorated with elegant furnishings. You’ll feel like you are staying in luxury with large, comfortable beds dressed in the finest linens and plush comforters, flat-panel televisions, bedside light and climate controls, overstuffed chairs and ottomans, and marble vanities with lighted mirrors. Every room, from standard to superior level, has a touch of elegance and comfort to its décor.

Those traveling on business will be delighted to find ample meeting space and staff resources for corporate meetings and events, although they should be aware the hotel isn’t close to downtown. Getaway and romantic travelers will find plenty of things to do and numerous nearby attractions, including touring the famous Garden of the Gods and Cave of the Winds.

Travelers with families will discover numerous activities, such as bicycle riding, horseback riding, and paddleboat rides, and the hotel even offers baby-sitting services and a children’s summer camp. They can also travel off-site to enjoy area attractions like the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and Bear Creek Nature Center.

One of the great things about staying at The Broadmoor is that once you arrive, you can park your car and never get in it again until the end of your stay. From three swimming pools, 23 specialty boutiques and shops, seven tennis courts, a full-service spa and fitness center, a first-run movie theater, and casual to fine dining, the variety of recreational options right on-site are truly endless.

(+) Historic landmark is an oasis with something to offer all types of travelers
(-) Business travelers may find the hotel too far from downtown

Guest Services: The Broadmoor

The Broadmoor is known for its exemplary service, and overall, this was the level of service I received during my stay. The reservation process was pleasant and effortless, although guests may wish to inquire about such hotel services as spa and dining facilities if the information is not offered upfront.

The resort staff was pleasant and professional, and upon my arrival, the doorman pleasantly greeted me, addressed me by name, and escorted me to my room – making me feel special. I found the concierge to be knowledgeable, friendly, and genuinely focused on my needs while directing me to the best locations for hiking and other activities.

Housekeeping services, while generally good, seemed to be somewhat lacking in a couple of areas, such as replacing amenities during turndown and straightening the room. Upon departure, the bellmen were, again, very attentive, asking if I enjoyed my stay and wishing me a safe journey.

(+) Most staff go out of their way to ensure top-quality service and attention
(-) Housekeeping services are good but not consistent

Guest Rooms: The Broadmoor

The Broadmoor has 700 spacious guest rooms, including 107 suites, set on 3,000 lush and scenic acres. The rooms are spread out among various towers and buildings, affording a variety of views of Cheyenne Lake, three golf courses, or Cheyenne Mountain. Guest rooms feature luxurious, modern furnishings including overstuffed chairs and ottomans, large beds dressed in fine linens, CD players and radios, cordless phones, and high-speed Internet access. The suites and superior rooms feature additional amenities like large writing desks, spacious closets, half canopies over beds, and bedside lighting and climate controls. The generously sized bathrooms in rooms and suites have fine marble vanities with lighted makeup mirrors and signature toiletries.

My guest room imparted a stately ambiance and was elegantly adorned in shades of blue, yellow, and red with a large, comfortable bed and incredible views. The room was large, with abundant closet space and well-lit bathrooms that added to the feeling of spaciousness.

The Broadmoor seems to have spared no expense in designing each room with lavish attention to detail and functionality. From the custom window treatments and headboards to the oversized furniture, no detail is overlooked to ensure the customer’s comfort. Prices do increase along with amenities beyond the standard room, but even these entry-level rooms have upscale features that will make you feel right at home.

(+) Luxurious and richly appointed accommodations

Facilities & Activities: The Broadmoor

Guests can enjoy an afternoon on three quality championship golf courses – the East Golf Course, the West Golf Course, and The Mountain Course. The original East Golf 18-hole golf course was designed by Donald Ross in 1918, with another nine holes designed by architect Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1958 and a second 18-hole course added in 1965. The courses incorporate the area’s natural beauty while being reasonably challenging.

The Mobil Four-Star Spa at The Broadmoor is a highlight for couples or individuals seeking to relax and get away from it all. You can choose from more than 100 massages, body, and facial treatments, including comprehensive combinations such as the Swedish Massage, Colorado Classique Facial, and The Broadmoor Lavender Paraffin Manicure and Pedicure. With more than 43,000 square feet of space, the facility also features indoor and outdoor pools and a poolside café with a special spa cuisine.

The spa staff was engaging and concerned about my needs. My treatment was quite relaxing, performed by friendly and personable operators. On the day I visited, staff seemed a bit inattentive, and I could never quite find the locker room attendant, causing me to have to wander to find my way to the lounge.

The fitness facility is also fairly large with separate weight and cardio areas and a complete menu of exercise classes. All of the equipment seemed to be new and well maintained. Although the staff here did not offer beverages or towels for working out, they were polite, and their warm friendly demeanor made for an overall great experience.

There are many delights for the senses both on-site and nearby. Shoppers will love Broadmoor Cosmetics, featuring luxury skin and fragrance lines from top designers, while others may prefer to browse in Cheyenne Gourmet with weekly cooking demonstrations, epicurean delights, and accessories for the home. With more than 20 boutiques and shops, you can browse to your heart’s content.

Located just eight miles from the Colorado Springs Airport, The Broadmoor is easily accessible to many tourist sites. The Cave of the Winds is the oldest attraction in the Pikes Peak region, and visitors can choose tours that will take them underground to see the evolution of Colorado’s geology. At 6,800 feet, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is America’s highest zoo with more than 700 diverse and exotic creatures. Other venues include the Garden of the Gods, the Air Force Academy, and Cripple Creek, one of Colorado’s oldest and historic mining towns.

(+) Friendly spa staff with numerous treatment options, large fitness facility, and two pools for on-site recreation; conveniently located near the surrounding area’s attractions

Dining & Lounge: The Broadmoor

Guests will have their choice of dining in 15 restaurants, cafes, and lounges that offer everything from traditional cuisine to bistro fare and fine dining.

At the Mobil Three-Star Charles Court Restaurant, you can enjoy alfresco dining and a large selection of wines while taking in the spectacular views of the Cheyenne Mountain. For the utmost in elegant dining, the Mobil Four-Star Penrose Room serves continental cuisine under chandeliers while black-coat musicians play dinner music. This restaurant just completed extensive renovations.

The Lake Terrace Dining Room serves traditional breakfast cuisine Monday through Saturday, and their Sunday brunch is quite elaborate with more than 70 options, ice sculptures, and classical piano music. The Golf Club Dining Room offers a casual, family-friendly atmosphere, with an exterior fire pit for roasting marshmallows and hosting sing-alongs. The new Summit Restaurant, located in a stand-alone building, serves an American Brasserie menu with an extensive wine list.

For lighter menus and casual atmosphere, guests can choose from the European-style setting of Café Julie, the sporty atmosphere at Golf Club Grille, the outdoor dining at The Pool Café, the soothing mirrored setting of The Spa Café, or the pastry and coffee bar at Espresso News.

For a place to sit back and enjoy an adult beverage, guests can choose between four places. The Golden Bee is designed to replicate a 19th-century English pub that was actually transplanted from London to The Broadmoor. Here, you can enjoy ale while listening to ragtime. The Hotel Bar features overstuffed couches and chairs amid formal décor of chandeliers, murals, and a stone fireplace. The Tavern is the place to kick up your heels to live music and dancing. The West Lobby Bar is a casual, quiet retreat for afternoon and evening drinks indoors or on a terrace overlooking Cheyenne Lake. The Penrose Lounge is a newly renovated area that looks like an English library with large couches and chairs for sitting back with friends and casually sipping drinks, just like a nice sitting parlor at home.

One morning, I had a leisurely breakfast at the Lake View Terrace, located on the mezzanine. All of the glassware, china, and cutlery were of the highest quality, and my meal was as excellent as the attentive service and friendly smiles.

Room service is no less of an enjoyable experience, and the staff was polite and engaging, making me feel that my satisfaction was their personal concern. Although the presentation could have been more appealing, the food was very good and provided a nice alternative to eating every meal in the restaurants.

(+) Wonderful, friendly service and a wide choice of dining options

Business Services: The Broadmoor

Travelers who just can’t get away from work will find that The Broadmoor caters to all of their needs. A full-service business center offers high-speed connections, photocopying, faxing, and shipping assistance. Complimentary wireless is offered in many of the public areas, including the mezzanine, lobbies, and even on some of the terraces.

The hotel is also a good location for corporate meetings or retreats. It even offers an Executive Team Building program in which corporate officials can work with hotel staff to plan a half-day or full-day of events, ranging from standard meetings to an obstacle course.

(+) Meeting space, business center, and services designed to meet the needs of individual travelers and corporate gatherings