The Broadmoor

The Broadmoor, nestled against the stunning backdrop of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado Springs, is an iconic and historic luxury resort renowned for its grandeur, impeccable service, and extensive amenities. As a Michelin Key Selected property, it is recognized for offering a very special stay, reflecting its commitment to excellence in hospitality.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for The Broadmoor is overwhelmingly positive, with guests consistently rating it exceptionally high. It frequently receives ratings between 9.0 and 9.6 out of 10 on various travel platforms. This legendary resort is celebrated as a "truly lovely property" that offers an "unforgettable experience" for every guest. It holds the distinction of being the world's longest-running consecutive Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond hotel, underscoring its commitment to unparalleled luxury and service. The sentiment is one of awe and admiration for its classic elegance and ability to provide a memorable and delightful stay.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud The Broadmoor for its stunning location, exceptional service, and a vast array of luxurious amenities and activities. The property's historic grandeur and elegant design captivate visitors from the moment they arrive.

Key Highlights include:

• Location & Scenery: Breathtaking views of the mountains and Cheyenne Lake. The meticulously landscaped grounds, fountains, and gardens are often praised.
• Activities: An unparalleled selection of activities keeps guests entertained, including two championship golf courses (East Course, West Course, and Mountain Course), a world-renowned spa, multiple swimming pools (indoor and seasonal outdoor with waterslides), several hot tubs, tennis and pickleball courts, a fitness center with classes, canoeing, paddleboats, hiking trails, a bowling alley, and even ziplining.
• Design & Ambiance: The resort maintains a timeless European elegance, blending refined decor with sophisticated amenities while preserving its historic charm. It manages to be grand yet warm and inviting.
• Dog-Friendliness: Many guests appreciate the resort's thoughtful gestures towards furry companions, including dog beds, collars, and bowls.

3. Room Quality

The Broadmoor offers 784 guest rooms, suites, cottages, brownstones, and an Estate House, all designed to provide utmost comfort and style. The room design is described as classic and comfortable, featuring European-inspired decor, often with rich antiques and chandeliers.

Room features typically include:

• High-quality linens and plush furnishings.
• Luxurious bathrooms, with many offering soaking tubs and separate showers.
• Modern amenities such as flat-screen cable TVs, in-room coffee makers (Nespresso machines in some rooms), and fully stocked mini-fridges.
• Various room types, including Classic, Superior, and Premier rooms, as well as ADA-accessible options.
• Select suites offer additional luxuries like gas fireplaces, separate parlors, large walk-in closets, private balconies or patios with stunning lake and mountain views, and computerized bedside systems to control lighting, curtains, TV, and sound.

4. Dining Experience

The Broadmoor boasts an extensive culinary landscape with 20 diverse restaurants, cafes, bars, and lounges, ensuring a wide range of options for every palate.

Highlights of the dining experience include:

• The Penrose Room: Colorado's only restaurant awarded both Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond statuses, offering exquisite fine dining with breathtaking views.
• Ristorante Del Lago: Provides an authentic Italian dining experience with a lovely ambiance, extending to a patio overlooking the lake. It's a popular choice for breakfast, featuring an extensive buffet with fresh bread, fruit, charcuterie, and made-to-order eggs.
• Summit: An American Brasserie focusing on seasonally sourced ingredients.
• The Golden Bee: An authentic 19th-century English pub known for traditional English fare, hearty sandwiches, and lively sing-alongs in the evenings.
• Natural Epicurean: Offers freshly prepared meals made from locally sourced ingredients.
• Lake Terrace Dining Room: Features traditional breakfast cuisine and a famously extensive Sunday Brunch buffet, often accompanied by a pianist.
• Play: A more casual, family-friendly option with American favorites, a bowling alley, arcade, and pool tables.
• Guests consistently praise the quality of food and drinks across the resort's restaurants.

5. Service & Staff

The service at The Broadmoor is consistently described as exceptional, receiving high praise from guests with ratings frequently at 9.0 or higher for staff performance. The dedicated team is known for going "above and beyond" to ensure guests feel welcomed and well cared for. Reviewers often highlight the staff's professionalism, friendliness, courtesy, and "can-do attitude," which significantly contributes to the warm and inviting ambiance. The resort's long-standing reputation for "impeccable service and unrivaled amenities" is a testament to its staff.

6. Location & Accessibility

The Broadmoor is ideally situated southwest of Colorado Springs, overlooking Cheyenne Lake and at the foot of Pikes Peak, providing a scenic and seemingly secluded retreat.

Key aspects of its location and accessibility include:

• Nearby Attractions: It is adjacent to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and within easy reach of popular attractions like Garden of the Gods (9 km away), Manitou Springs, and Cave of the Winds Mountain Park.
• Transportation: The resort is easily accessible by car. It is approximately 11.5 miles (19 minutes) from Colorado Springs Airport (COS) and about 75 miles (90 minutes) from Denver International Airport (DEN). Shuttle and private transportation services are available through partners like Gray Line. Valet parking is available for guests ($45/night) and complimentary for visitors to restaurants/shops, while self-parking in the garage is $35/night.
• Accessibility: The Broadmoor is ADA compliant, with accessible public entrances, routes, elevators, restrooms, and guest rooms equipped with features like grab bars and accessible bathing facilities. A shuttle service with lifts runs continuously from the garage and surface lots, and service animals are welcome.

7. Value & Pricing

While The Broadmoor is a luxury destination, many guests consider the experience to be worth the cost, often describing it as providing "exceptional value for money" due to the unparalleled amenities and service. Room prices vary significantly based on dates, room type, and season. Average nightly rates often fall in the range of $386 to $404, with some deals starting lower, around $310 to $347. It's noted that average weekend prices, particularly for Sunday nights, can be around $450. While significantly higher than the average room price in Colorado Springs, guests often feel the extensive offerings justify the premium.

8. Common Complaints

Despite the overwhelmingly positive feedback, some recurring criticisms, particularly from employee reviews, and a few guest observations have been noted:

• Management and Employee Relations: Several past employee reviews highlight issues with management, including perceived lack of respect, favoritism, and inadequate compensation for lower-level positions. Some former employees have described the work environment as "tough and toxic" or "very stressful."
• Compensation and Benefits: There have been complaints about pay and benefits for some employees being below industry standards, and a lawsuit was filed regarding the resort's practice of charging a "service fee" in place of tips, with allegations that a portion was retained by the resort.
• Room Issues: One guest mentioned potentially "thin walls" in some accommodations. An older employee review also claimed the resort knowingly rented out rooms with existing problems like broken gas fireplaces or leaking plumbing.
• Dated Aspects (Historic vs. Modern): While the historic nature is largely a draw, a minority of older employee reviews indicated a disconnect between the preached high standards and the reality of maintenance or employee treatment, suggesting some areas might feel "dated" if not for continuous investment.

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