As a long-time Denver metro local, I discovered the family friendly hotels Colorado Springs due to its proximity to the Mile High City. And when my then preschool age grandchildren set their eyes on the massive towers of The Broadmoor, a family friendly, luxury Colorado hotel, they fell in love with the magical experience, just as I did.
Princess Land: Family Friendly Hotels Colorado Springs
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“Welcome to my princess land, Grammie,” my then four-year-old granddaughter Kaydence said as we entered the gates of The Broadmoor. This was her and my two-year-old grandson Ryland’s first visit to one of the many family-friendly hotels Colorado Springs. I could see how the historic towers might resemble a castle to a preschooler enthralled with the storybook world of princesses and princes. Perhaps the only missing structures were a drawbridge and moat, but Kaydence didn’t seem to notice.
And it’s no stretch of the imagination that the attention you receive from the uniformed staff is fit for a princess. A security guard greets you first by name, even the little ones. Imagine the thrill when my grandchildren preschooler were addressed as “Mr. Ryland” or “Miss Kaydence” for the first time.
From that first moment of entry, my grandchildren felt whisked away into a magical kingdom with what seemed like their own personal servants. This wasn’t my first visit to the luxurious Broadmoor, but it was my first hotel adventure with my two grandchildren.
The Historic Broadmoor
If you’ve been here, you know, and it’s not surprising that Colorado Springs is home to the luxurious and historic Broadmoor, the longest standing Five-Star Five-Diamond hotel in the United States. With its impeccable personalized service, the moment you step onto its property, you are treated like A VIP — and encouraged to unwind and unplug.
Located just 90 minutes south of Denver, The Broadmoor’s Mediterranean-style resort is Old World elegance meets modern elegance. Pure luxury is at every turn, from the expansive cottage to the Cheyenne Lake-side South Tower rooms. And don’t get me started on the divine cuisine at the Broadmoor restaurants – my favs are still the Summit and the Golden Bee.
Other pampering activities include innovative spa treatments, renowned tennis center, and world-class golf courses. You’ll find it all here at The Broadmoor.
Surrounded by the mountains and framed by Cheyenne Lake, the historic Broadmoor is just 90 miles south of Denver, or a few miles from its own airport. The resort sits on 3,000 beautifully sculpted acres with splashes of brightly-colored flora and manicured lawns.
The lake’s glassy surface is marred only by the occasional floating duck, and with the right amount of rain (such as we experienced), other creatures like earthworms and frogs might catch your child’s attention. Other animals, such as deer and foxes, frequently cross the fairways on the resort’s three 18-hole golf courses.
Hotels Colorado Springs – Sleepover with the Grandkids
For this visit, our last-minute booking was too late for a stay at the Broadmoor Cottages, touted as a unique gathering place for family and friends (although we did stay there another visit). Our room in the south wing was perfectly acceptable with a king-size bed and roll-away bed for the three of us.
Before the traditional jumping on the bed, the grandkids inspected the oversized tub in our room and announced that it was their new “swimming pool.”
After a late dinner at the Golf Club Grille followed by a quick dip in the pool, located near the fitness center, somehow I convinced the kids to go to sleep—or maybe it was I who dozed off first.
Things to Do in Colorado Springs
The next morning, I’d made plans to connect with a family friend, also on vacation with her kids. With so many things to do in Colorado Springs, still one of my favorites is its zoo.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Instead of the free hotel shuttle, I opted to drive the few minutes to meet them for our first adventure at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the highest altitude zoo in the U.S.
The up-close-and-personal visit with the giraffes was the highlight as both grandkids fed the long-necked creatures with nervous excitement and an “ewww” from my granddaughter. This was the first of many hands-on animal meetings. Feeding the birds and petting a baby wallaby were also met with fascination and giggles. We were minutes from the Skyride over the new Rocky Mountain Wild
Feeding the birds and petting a baby wallaby were also met with fascination and giggles. We were minutes from the Skyride over the new Rocky Mountain Wild exhibit before thunderstorms necessitated a quick exit back to the hotel.
Although we ran out of time, the zoo is just one of many things to do in or near Colorado Springs and The Broadmoor.
Other things to do in Colorado Springs
If you manage to tear yourself away from the luxury hotel experience, the Colorado Springs area offers an abundance of activities—many of them free. From riding the Pikes Peak Cog Railway (especially exciting during a spring snowstorm) to hiking the majestic Garden of the Gods, The Broadmoor is indeed a vacation in a princess land.
Family Friendly Things to Do at the Broadmoor
The rain may have chased us away from the zoo, but we still wanted to get wet at The Broadmoor’s 11,000-square-foot outdoor infinity pool, Slide Mountain waterslide, and kiddie pool with a waterspout. Our return to The Broadmoor was hopeful, but the clouds and rain continued while my grandkids pretended they were ducks, stomping their sandals in the puddles along the way.
Historic carriages, cars, and American memorabilia fascinated my grandkids during a visit to the free Carriage Museum. Located across the street from the hotel in Broadmoor Hall, the items once belonged to the Broadmoor founders Spencer and Julie Penrose. The little ones were more inclined to believe they belonged to Cinderella’s fairy godmother.
Rain or shine, The Broadmoor offers plenty to keep you busy, from family bingo to Wii tournaments, to paddle boats and biking. Instead of holing up in your room, end the day in the Little Theatre; bring your own snacks or drinks and enjoy a movie as a family. Most kids are also happy to hang around the pool, and The Broadmoor offers both an outdoor and indoor pool to keep from getting the rainy-day blues.
Most kids are also happy to hang around the pool, and The Broadmoor offers both an outdoor and indoor pool to keep from getting the rainy-day blues.
Luxury Travel at its Best
If you’ve been here, I don’t have to tell you about the guaranteed amazing experience any age will have. The Broadmoor is luxury travel at its best, and not just for the traveling business person or luxury-inclined adult traveler. The Broadmoor welcomes families with a kid-friendly taste of luxury from frolicking in its swimming pools to a horseback ride at their stables, or pampering for parents at their full-service spa.
And since my visit a few years ago with my grandkids, The Broadmoor also invites families into a unique setting. Discover Colorado through the unique lens of The Broadmoor Wilderness Properties. Located just beyond the edges of the main campus, the Wilderness Experiences offer authentic Colorado adventures and one-of-a-kind glamping vacations.
I’ve heard so much about this from friends who have taken their kids that I can’t wait to experience this soon with my multigenerational family.
However, don’t let all that luxury intimidate your wallet. Surprisingly, for those willing to scoot around its website, the Broadmoor offers a budget-friendly value for families. Click here for list of their current deals and special packages.
Want more? Here are Over 30 Amazing Luxury Resorts that cater to familiees. Where will you go?
