Hotel Monaco Denver Unveils Renovated Guestrooms and Urban Adventure

The Hotel Monaco Denver unveiled their newly renovated guest rooms on Thursday at a re-launch party and media VIP event. Part of the unveiling was the "Unleash Your Urban Adventure!" showcase featuring signature services of the hotel, Denver shops and attractions.

Guests were treated to tours of the redecorated guestrooms with different themes highlighting the hotel's offerings such as wine from Panzano Restaurant, and a chair massages from Veda Spa & Salon. Themed guestrooms also highlighted the hotel's features and amenities such as pet-friendly services and their green initiatives which earned them the Green Seal Silver Certification. Shops, services, and attractions in Denver  including Rockmount Ranch Wear, SOL...Store of Lingerie, and Dress for Success also had displays in themed rooms (if you go to Rockmount, ask the owner about Eric Clapton). The standout of the themed rooms was the Downtown Aquarium, where a wild animal, a man in scuba gear and a mermaid greeted guests.

Designed by renowned interior designer Susan Caruso, the new room decor of all 189 guestrooms combines urban chic, bold accents, and a splash of pop Western flare. The accent pillows features a bronco against a turqoise background, and cow print blankets play counterpoint to the modern urban decor and setting. The warm colors of the walls, carpeting, and drapery set the room's calm and comfortable atmosphere. All the elements combine to capture the spirit of Denver, and the Hotel Monaco brand.

The new guestrooms are just the first in a series of renovations at the Hotel Monaco Denver. Plans are in the works to renovate the lobby and meeting spaces.

For more info and reservations, visit www.monaco-denver.com.

Congrats to the Spa & Salon at Garden of the Gods Club for Earning Top 100 Spas from spAWARDS

Congratulations goes to the Spa & Salon at Garden of the Gods Club in Colorado Springs for being recognized as one of America's Top 100 Spas for 2011 in the first annual spAWARDS. It's the only spa in Colorado Springs to receive the distinction.

The mission of spAWARDS.com is to recognize the best in the spa industry so consumers are more informed when planning a spa treatment, according to Roger Sholanki, CEO of Book4Time and spAWARDS sponsor in a recent press release.

The Spa & Salon at Garden of the Gods Club features incredible views, massage treatments, therapeutic focus on bodywork, skin, hair, and nail services. Amenities include a solarium with whirlpool, infinity pool, steam rooms, and fitness center.

The Garden of the Gods Club features a 27-hole championship golf course, gourmet dining, sports club, recreation center, spa and salon, tennis courts, and  breathtaking views of Pike's Peak and Garden of the Gods.

For more info, visit www.gardenofthegodsclub.com.

Guest Blogger: Devil's Thumb Ranch, Room Sketch

PR pro, writer, and good friend Kirsten Texler paints a picture of a room at Devil's Thumb Ranch, a year-round ranch resort destination located 65 miles west of Denver, CO offering upscale accommodations, summer and winter activities, fine dining, and spa treatments. 

The first thing I noticed as I stepped into my room at Devil’s Thumb Ranch was the fireplace.  Specifically, the items on the moss-rock mantle: a thermos and lunch box like the one my grandfather had taken to work each day.  I immediately felt at home.  In fact the entire room showcased artifacts that didn’t seem kitschy or artificially “dude ranch-y”—most items were the kind of things I could imagine one of the locals saying, “Yes, indeed that is one of the original wooden wheels of the covered wagon my grandfolks came across in,” referring to the décor that toped my fireplace.

I’m a stickler for good lighting—the kind that subtly illuminates the room, although a person doesn’t immediately notice the source.  Perfect lighting requires an expert touch and excellent balance, especially in the bathroom, and my accommodations were flawless in that arena.  I could see clearly enough to make sure I was presentable at dinner, with none of the fluorescent glare I’ve encountered in other lodging bathrooms that have made me want to skip dinner.  The light levels were adjustable, but at either end of the spectrum were never too bright or to dark.  The entry way to the room was well enough lit that it seemed to be its own little room, instead of the usual dead-space immediately inside of a hotel room.

Looking past the immediate comfort of the room I was delighted to see a ton of natural light from large windows framed by rugged timber, and a glass paned door that opened onto a huge deck perfect for spotting wildlife in the vast meadow or stargazing in the clear night air.  After all, there is no light pollution (or any other kind of pollution) at this altitude and location.

 

I’ve yearned to replicate the weightless feeling I experienced from a bed in Austria when I visited an alpine lodge with my family as a child.  I remembered it felt like a mix between a cradle and a cloud.  I’ve enjoyed very comfortable sleeping accommodations during travels since, but none have ever recreated that European experience I had as a kid--until the king bed at DTR.  It could have been an adult version of that same Austrian bed I’ve always searched for; that sense of fluff combined with support so subtle you can’t tell which is which, you just melt into it. 

I don’t consider myself a “stay in bed person,” but it was literally a dilemma; float in the massive comforter on the bed, put my legs up by my fireplace and warm my toes, soak in the tub or be spoiled rotten in the ranch house restaurant on property.

Despite how comfortable the room was, I almost couldn’t stay out of the bathroom, by far my favorite ever encountered while traveling!  The bathroom featured an enormous enamel/copper bathtub that allowed my entire body to submerge without even my toes sticking up out of the piping hot water--and I’m a very tall person!  I’ve never been cleaner, due to more than one extended soak in the bath.  A hint, bring your own bath salts to get the full spa experience. Adjacent to the tub was a gorgeous shower space big enough for two, with three sides comprised of golf ball sized river-rock--the fourth side made of glass.  No cowboy ever had it better!

 

One thing I didn’t do: I didn’t freak out over the non-existence of cell phone coverage or in-room TV, two things that those who know me could never imagine possible.  In fact, with the consistent wireless internet in my room (hey, I gotta have some connection to help me brag about this place online) I had exactly the right blend of solitude and serenity with the conviviality of the others in Heck’s Tavern (so named because it is shaped in a hexagon) with perfect background music like Rikki Lee Jones, Lyle Lovett and other atmosphere appropriate tunes.

For more information on Devil’s Thumb Ranch, including dining and spa options as well as the plethora of outdoor activities (the real reason most people visit), visit www.devilsthumbranch.com or call 1-800-933-4339.  They can even help you plan your wedding in the most perfect Colorado setting imaginable.

Snowmass Inaugural Restaurant Week Feb. 12-18

This post orginally appeared on my Colorado Springs Last Minute Deals Examiner column.

To usher in 2011, Snowmass Village is launching its first ever Restaurant Week Feb. 12-18. Snowmass dining establishments will be offering lunch specials at $20.11 and under for couples and individuals. Many restaurants will be offering prix fixe specially priced dinners unique to each restaurant's cuisine. Dishes available at Snowmass include rotisserie grilled game, Colorado Smoked Trout, and molasses cured elk. 

 

“This event is the perfect chance for those who have never eaten in Snowmass to come and try some of our fine dining establishments," said Susan Hamley, director, Snowmass Tourism in a recent press release.

 

Snowmass lodging properties are offering specials during Restaurant Week. You can check out the specials on www.snowmasstourism.com. You also can check out a list of restaurants participating in Restaurant Week.

 

About Snowmass Village

 

Just under five hours away from Colorado Springs in the Brush Creek Valley,  Snowmass Village has the second largest ski mountain in Colorado offering 150 miles of trails, and connects to the largest network of free groomed Nordic trails in the U.S. During the warmer months, it has over 40 miles of hiking and biking trails, and one of the best Summer Resort Music scenes in the state. Visit www.snowmassvillage.com for more info.

Taos Ski Valley Ski and Stay Deal

This was originally posted on my Colorado Springs Last Minute Deals Examiner column. There's still plenty of time left in the ski season to get some runs in, and Taos Ski Valley in New Mexico is offering a ski and stay deal that sets you up with everything you need for a unique ski vacation. Details on the deal provided by the resort are below.

Ski & Stay at Alpine Village Suites in Taos Ski Valley: 

- $95 per person, per night, includes lift ticket and room at the Alpine Village Suites!
- 3 night stay minimum
- Quad occupancy
- Through February 17
- VIP arrival package: lift tickets and trail map waiting in the room. Skip the lines!
- Option to pre-reserve ski or board rentals ahead of time – rentals will be set aside and waiting for you
- To reserve, call: 1-800-776-1111

About Taos Ski Valley

A very accessible 4-hour drive from Colorado Springs through beautiful mountain scenery, "the un-resort resort" offers untainted skiing and snowboarding,  without the shortcomings of a garden-variety ski resort. Founded by Ernie Blake in 1955, the family-run, 1,294 acre resort features 110 trails, 13 lifts, champagne powder, 300+ days of sunshine, and backcountry terrain. Crowds aren't a worry and the Southwestern fare is something to look forward to after a day on the slopes. Visit their www.skitaos.org for more info and to plan your ski vacation.

Pics from SIA Snow Show On-Snow Demo and Iron Horse Resort at Winter Park

Last week, Winter Park Resort played host to the 2011 SIA (Snowsports Industries of America) Snow Show On-Snow Demo where ski and snowboard equipment companies had potential buyers demo the latest gear for the current and next ski season. I already covered some product highlights from the 2011 SIA Snow Show which took place in Denver, but there's so much more to talk about. I'll be covering more products from the event, as well as doing a review for the Iron Horse Resort where I stayed. Stay tuned. In the meantime, here's a few pics from the event, Iron Horse Resort and Winter Park.



If you were there, what did you love/hate about the SIA Snow Show and On-Snow Demo? Share it here.

Pics from Vail Cascade Resort and Vail Mountain

Last month I had the pleasure of experiencing Vail Cascade Resort and Vail Mountain, which I wrote about on goColorado.com. As there was more to say than one story could ever cover, I did want to reiterate how fantastic the food was at Atwater on Gore Creek. Offerings there which include a gluten-free menu and kids' specials are easily on par with any four-star restaurant, if not better because of their healthy options. Numerous offerings on Vail Mountain including Adventure Ridge and Bistro Fourteen provide endless entertainment and fine dining options. Pricing for everything is worth it, but with deals from Vail Cascade and discount cards good on the mountain, the experience is a real bargain. Definitely circling back for both in the year ahead.  Here's a few pics from the stay.



If you've been there, what do you love/hate about Vail? Share it here.