Lodging

Historic main building and lush summer landscaping at The Broadmoor.

The tagline for The Broadmoor, the venerable AAA Five Diamond and Mobile Travel Guide Five Star resort hotel, is: “If you’ve been there, you know.”

Ever since I moved to Colorado, and first learned of the luxurious and historic “Grand Dame of the Rockies,” I’ve wanted to stay at The Broadmoor. Just last week — fifteen years after landing in the state — my family and I had a chance to overnight at the resort. While I can confidently say that just one night isn’t near enough time to fully enjoy all of the amenities, dining options and fun activities The Broadmoor offers, the hotel more than lived up to my (longtime) expectations. And, indeed, like the slogan implies, The Broadmoor a property that you need to experience to fully understand and appreciate.

Classy cottages set beside a meandering creek.

Even the chock-full-of-information website simply doesn’t do the elegant property and beautifully manicured grounds justice. You need to pull up to the ornate porte-cochere with its mosaic-tiled entryway, where valets and bellman dressed in tailored uniforms and black caps of yesteryear greet you by name (the security guy at the gate radios ahead). Step into the lobby with its marbled curved staircase, old-fashioned key slots behind the front desk, ornate chandeliers and narrow brass escalators, and you feel transported to another time and place. (Stroll the campus for just a few minutes, and it’s easy to envision the Great Gatsby leaning against one of the old-time streetlamps that light the pedestrian walkways at night.)

While the property is steeped in history – the 3,000-acre resort dates back to 1918 – it’s absolutely moved forward with the times. Through the decades, rooms have been upgraded (most recently with wireless Internet access), golf courses added (now totaling 54 holes), and fabulous services and amenities introduced, such as a zero-depth infinity pool adjacent to pretty Cheyenne Lake (kids love the two water slides into the pool and paddle boats on the lake), a full-service spa, a first-run movie theater, a modern and colorful “Bee Bunch” kids’ club, and a myriad of shops and restaurants (I can recommend firsthand the atrium Garden Room of the Tavern, featuring a steaks and seafood menu).

Parlor in a Broadmoor Cottage.

The latest addition to the resort: The Broadmoor Cottages, 44 bedrooms in six different buildings along the 18th East Coast fairway. Various rooms can be locked off to create one- to eight-bedroom accommodations — the larger cottages are ideal for extended family reunions. In true “cottage” fashion, each room configuration has its own porch with wicker furniture, and inside you’ll find wood floors with pretty area rugs, high-beamed ceilings, white beadboard and woodwork throughout, and pretty parlors with stone fireplaces. Close and open window draperies with state-of-the-art, button-touch technology.

Few expenses were spared in the spacious bathrooms, with separate soaking tub and large glass shower with dual showerheads (including one “rainshower” style). A commode behind a closed door provides privacy, while a small flat-screen TV brings in-bathroom entertainment. Showering on a chilly morning? Flip on the heated tiles to warm your tootsies. Plenty of fluffy white towels, generous spa toiletries and dual sinks round out the amenities in the bathrooms.

Cottage bathrooms are 150 square feet.

Of course all of these luxurious appointments come at a price: rack rates for the cottages range from $1,400 to $7,650 a night. The Broadmoor is offering a 50 percent off introductory special for the Cottages through the summer.

Prices still too steep? Through September 30, stay in run-of-house accommodations for just $125/night per person double occupancy (kids under 10 stay and eat free). With the “spectacular summer savings” special, other extras include complimentary paddleboat rental, entry to the Broadmoor movie theater and discount on retail purchases. With standard summer rates typically starting at $420/night during the week, this is a great deal for the top-notch service and spectacular surroundings you’ll find at The Broadmoor.

Photos courtesy of The Broadmoor.