Cheyenne Mountain Resort, a Destination by Hyatt Hotels

HOTEL OVERVIEW

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first pulled up to Cheyenne Mountain Resort, I wasn’t expecting much. The drive down Broadmoor Valley Road is pretty enough, but you’re basically heading into what feels like the middle of nowhere until suddenly this sprawling property opens up against the mountain backdrop. And wow, the setting actually delivers on those Colorado postcards you see everywhere.

The thing about this place is it’s got that classic resort vibe without feeling stuffy, you know? I mean, sure, it’s a 4-star property and part of the Hyatt family, so your expectations are set accordingly. But there’s something refreshingly unpretentious about it – maybe it’s because you’re literally at the base of Cheyenne Mountain, so nature does most of the heavy lifting when it comes to ambiance. The lobby has these massive windows that frame Pikes Peak perfectly, and honestly, I spent way too much time just sitting there with my coffee in the morning. The staff seemed genuinely happy to chat about hiking trails (they know their stuff about the local area), and check-in was refreshingly quick – none of that resort rigmarole where they try to sell you seventeen different packages.

What really won me over, though, were the details that matter when you’re actually staying somewhere for more than just Instagram photos. The rooms are spacious enough that you don’t feel cramped, and the beds are legitimately comfortable – I’m picky about this stuff. Parking is easy and free, which sounds basic but you’d be surprised how many places nickel and dime you. The resort sits far enough back from the main roads that it’s genuinely quiet at night, something I wasn’t expecting given how close you still are to Colorado Springs. The pool area gets busy during summer weekends (fair warning), but if you time it right, you can have those mountain views pretty much to yourself. There’s a golf course that winds through the property, and even if you don’t play, it makes for nice walking paths. The dining options are solid – not groundbreaking, but definitely a step above typical resort food, and the bartenders know how to make a proper Old Fashioned. You’re also close enough to downtown Colorado Springs that you can easily explore Garden of the Gods or Manitou Springs if you want to venture out, but far enough away that you feel like you’re actually on vacation rather than just staying at a hotel in the city. It’s one of those places where an 8.1 rating makes perfect sense – it’s really good at what it does without trying to be something it’s not.