Colorado

What’s not to like about Colorado? It’s no wonder that the Rocky Mountain state has achieved its current status as one of the US’s high-growth centres – its state capital Denver has added an astonishing 10% to its population within the last five years. Once very much part of the rough old Wild West, Colorado’s supreme sophistication and style has been a given for decades now, and as our selection of the best places to stay in Colorado will reveal, this scenically stunning Western vacation hotspot prides itself on surpassing visitors expectations

Because Colorado has it all. Even those who only know the state through the legendary Westerns made here (The Searchers, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, True Grit) will have a sense of the spectacular landscape of mountains, forests, high plains, mesas (those flat-topped rock formations), canyons, plateaus, rivers, and deserts. But a booming high-tech economy and a thriving metropolitan cultural scene have made it a magnet for new business start-ups as well as for hipsters and sophisticates looking for a lifestyle make-over, or just a glorious, liberating space in which to raise young families.

What’s on offer?

• Plenty of family attractions, including 11 national parks and outdoor adventure of every type
• plus supremely trendy urban neighbourhoods like Denver’s LoDo (Lower Downtown), RiNO (River North), Cherry Creek and the Highlands
• Colorado’s hot springs
• and, of course, ski centres which are globally celebrated for their quality and range of offering.

But you would be missing out if you didn’t sample the state’s fabulous museums, zoos, and shopping experiences as well as the winter sports (we recommend Aspen, Vail, Beaver Creek, Telluride and Snowmass).

And we still haven’t mentioned the food. Colorado has a well-deserved reputation as a foodies’ paradise, with the city of Boulder recently featuring as “America's Foodiest Town”, thanks to a range of top-tier restaurants (many of them specialising in Mexcican food) and farmers' markets.

The Food & Wine Classic is held annually each June in Aspen, which has a reputation as the culinary capital of the Rocky Mountain region, and there are wineries and breweries to explore by the dozen.

So much for the background, where are the best places to stay in Colorado that show the state at its best? We’ve investigated, and this is our experts’ top selection:

For Cowboys and Girls

Colorado is the place to come to get right away from the hassles of city life, and to reconnect with the West as it used to be. But the search to reconnect with America’s roots doesn’t mean you have to rough it…

• On the edge of the Gunnison National Forest, mid-way between the skiing centres of Aspen and Telluride the Smith Fork Ranch, Crawford is an outdoors-lover’s paradise, with a strong emphasis on horseback riding for would-be riders of all abilities. Quite often their treks feature a welcoming glass of wine, or a hearty breakfast at the end. Great for fishing, biking, clay pigeon-shooting and a whole lot else.
• Another great dude ranch (meaning a cattle ranch converted for guests) is to be found at The Home Ranch in the north of the state. It offers all the great outdoors activities along with touches of luxury and fine dining, largely based on homegrown “farm to fork” produce.
• Then there is the Northfork Ranch, Shawnee, not too far from downtown Denver. After 30 years in operation this delightful spot has got the balance just right between comfort and ruggedness, and offers the full immersion in active Western life, down to those great barbeques and steak-outs.

For Spa Lovers

• Why not try the Lodge and Spa at Cordillera, Edwards? Perched up high in the Colorado Rockies, it’s a year-round resort very close to Vail and Beaver Creek with one of the state’s top spas, that specialises in looking after your physical, mental and spiritual health. A great place to detox, while looking out over some of the world’s most spectacular mountain scenery.
• Get up to your neck in hot water at Dunton Hot Springs in Dolores, a former mining ghost town turned into a luxurious resort based on the natural and mineral-rich waters that come bubbling up. There are many ways to enjoy them in the various indoor and outdoor pools, and the spa service is just one of many ways to spend your time at this gorgeous spot.
• The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs is a stately and impressive resort that has been a going concern for nearly 100 years and specialises in pampering its guests with a range of packages like the “woman’s weekend of wellness”.

For the life of luxury

• We recommend the Gateway Canyon Resort in Gateway, close to the Utah Border. Everything about this gorgeous resort exudes quality, from the poolside cuisine on offer to the top of the range convertibles you are invited to take for a spin on the jaw-dropping desert roads. Spectacular rock formations loom above you, along with star-filled desert skies.
• The Four Seasons Denver on 14th Street, in the heart of the Rocky Mountain foothill city is the place to see and been seen amongst the state capital’s glitterati. This is a chain with exceptionally high standards, and there’s no better base from which to explore the high life in this new American hot spot of good living.
• Another spot that attracts rave reviews (and awards) is the Lumiere, Telluride, a small-scale but supremely luxurious boutique hotel in this fashionable winter sports spot. Great design and personal service in an intimate, luxurious setting

For backpackers and budget travellers

• Everywhere in Aspen is expensive right? Wrong! The Limelight Hotel on South Monarch Street is incredibly good value considering its chic décor and fantastic outlook.
• Likewise The Cliff House at Pikes Peak, in Manitou has a great reputation for being cosy and romantic and highly affordable. Idea for exploring this culturally rich area, and priding itself on its great cuisine.

For the best après-ski experience

• Telluride has often been voted America’s best ski resort, and the Madeline has good claims to being Telluride’s best hotel. What could be better than enjoying the heated outdoor pool after a hard day on the slopes against a backdrop of Rocky Mountain magnificence?
• The Little Nell in Aspen, named after the silver mine close by is one of that chic resort’s top spots, and famous for the incredible cuisine served up at the Element 47 and Ajax Tavern eateries. Amazing service means it’s quite pricey, but a great place to party.
• Finally, there’s the Four Seasons Vail, which features a particularly amazing watering hole called The Remedy Bar, where you can sip amazing cocktail concoctions while admiring the floor-to-ceiling mountain views or cosying up on the patio fire-pits. If you worked up an appetite on the mountain, the food is to die for: how about the bison pizza, with house-made bison pepperoni, fennel sausage and roasted sweet peppers?

Nothing in the above that fits the bill? Browse our full list of the best places to stay in Colorado and start to plan your trip. Or contact one of our friendly gurus for advice.