. . . you arrive in the room, go into the bathroom and find Molton Brown products on the sink. Maybe a couple of other times in my life have I stayed at a hotel where Molton Brown was offered, but never so many different ones. I’m a fan of the products – they’re made in England – and likely that’s where I was first introduced to them. Here in the U.S. the stuff is pricey. Last summer when we took a trip to England, I stocked up on the body lotion, which comes in multiple scents. I love them. My skin likes them. We left behind the mouthwash and the shower gel. Dave took the shampoo and conditioner. AND he took the body lotion until I squawked about it.
So, now, down to the point. Here’s where we were:
The Broadmoor. Does that look idyllic, or what? Makes me think it’s a modern castle on a lake in Switzerland. But no, it’s right here in the U.S. of A. On the foothills side (west) of Colorado Springs. And it’s a huge complex. Yet, despite the fact that they do conventions, and have a huge parking garage buried underground a block away, once you’re happily settled in, you’d hardly know there could be several hundred people staying here. You see, there are numerous hotel buildings – meaning you can stay in several of the different buildings which range from rooms, to suites to apartments to houses. Here in the picture above, I was standing on the west side of the famous Broadmoor lake looking back toward the main building side, although that structure you see isn’t the main building. But do note the pretty arched bridge. There’s a paved walkway all around the lake with a few well situated benches for sunshine or shade. Our room was on the ground floor just behind the big tall tree on the far right of the photo. We had a tiny, little terrace surrounded in shrubs. Mostly it was too hot to sit out there, though.
There’s our room with Dave standing in an anteroom that faces the lake. The décor was lovely. The room was very roomy. The bathroom (around to the left in the photos), was large and luxurious with both a shower and jacuzzi tub. We had a nice, big television, a desk (behind Dave) and two small desk-type chairs.
If there was any complaint, it’s that there was just one comfortable chair in the room, which meant if we spent time in the room relaxing, the other of us was either lying on the bed or seated uncomfortably in one of the small straight chairs.
So here’s a collage of photos from the Broadmoor.
(1) Walking out of the main building at lake level, they have a very large patio with big and small tables, some with umbrellas. We sat out there for a few hours reading.
Waitresses are available to bring beverages if you want them.
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(2) On the other side of the lake is one of the fine dining restaurants (they have 3 fine dining and several others that could be called family friendly).
This one was Charles Court, and we were sitting outside on the terrace there, overlooking the lake.
If I turned around 180° I’d have the view you saw up toward the top of the post.
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Lastly, there’s another photo looking up at one of the lower mountains. Everywhere you turned there was a lovely view.
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And all the bathroom towels had the beautiful big B monogram. They were ever-so puffy and fluffy and white.
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I think this may be my favorite shot of the hotel. With the drooping trees framing the photo.
There’s no question we want to return to the hotel. It’s just a matter of when. Staying at The Broadmoor was on my “bucket list.” I’ve wanted to stay there ever since I lived in Denver back in the 1960’s. I’d read about it – never visited it – and yearned to actually stay there. This isn’t your down-the-street Best Western, if you get my drift. It’s for a special occasion. We talked with people who were there for a week (wow, would that bill be expensive). We got a summer special rate, which made it still more expensive than almost any hotel where we’ve ever stayed before. (An aside, I think the most expensive hotel we’ve ever stayed – in a room with a view – was on the Isle of Capri, and it was over $400 per night. And it was lovely.) But, The Broadmoor was really nice. I wanted to buy something with the logo on it, but couldn’t find anything I thought I’d actually use. There are several stores within the hotel, including one with kitchen stuff. That store carried a nice collection of McKenzie-Childs furniture, dishes and accessories. I’m enamored with their black and white check line, and wanted to buy one of the cup and saucer sets, but since I drink (usually) just one espresso cup of coffee per day, it made no sense whatsoever for me to buy a large enamelware coffee mug and saucer. Which would languish on a cupboard shelf somewhere and rarely get used. Besides, it wasn’t a Broadmoor mug. I’d just have remembered that that’s where I bought it!
So, if you’re ever looking for a special place, to celebrate a special occasion, think about The Broadmoor. Or if you’re vacationing in the area, include it in your itinerary. Do plan to stay at least two nights so you can spend the in between day enjoying the surroundings. We had their famous Sunday brunch (it was amazing). But do go there. Someday.
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