The Broadmoor- Colorado Springs, Colorado

The lark now leaves his wat'ry nest.
And climbing, shakes his dewy wings;
He takes this window for the east,
And to implore your light, he sings,
Awake, awake, the morn will never rise,
Till she can dress her beauty at your eyes.

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Since its founding in 1918 by gold barons Spencer and Julie Penrose, the Broadmoor has stood for elegance. After traveling the world, the Penroses decided to bring the opulence and luxury of Europe and the Orient home with them and opened the Broadmoor as a retreat for their fellow millionaires. Since then, the Broadmoor has added two housing buildings and now spreads over 3,000 acres at the base of the Cheyenne Mountains. The first thing one notices about the Broadmoor is its size. With 700 rooms, the Broadmoor is gigantic by luxury hotel standards. Thankfully, the Broadmoor's size does nothing to detract from its quality. Indeed, the level of service offered at the Broadmoor is rarely found elsewhere in the world. Somehow the bellmen manage to remember your name, the room service personnel- usually among the most hurried of any hotel's staff- always have smiles on their faces and do everything they can to make your stay memorable. It's refreshing to find service as gracious as the rooms are luxurious. This surely must be part of the reason why the Broadmoor has earned Mobil's Five Stars and AAA's Five Diamond Award every year since each was first handed out. The vast array of amenities at the Broadmoor nearly eliminates the need to leave the resort. There are three championship golf courses used exclusively by guests. For a peaceful walk, follow the paths around Cheyenne Lake where you can also enjoy the resort's paddleboats. For fitness buffs, the Broadmoor's fitness center houses a complete gym, an aerobics room, an indoor pool, and an outdoor lap pool. Two other outdoor pools can be found elsewhere on the grounds. The resort also has a full-service spa where you can have your troubles caressed away. In addition, there's the Broadmoor's thirty+ shops to browse. Deciding where to dine at the Broadmoor can be a daunting task. For formal dining, there's the Penrose Room. For slightly less formal dining, try the romantic Charles Court restaurant and sample unique "American Bounty" cuisine. After dinner, head to the Tavern where a four piece band plays dance music late into the evening. Of special note, the Broadmoor offers carriage rides that can be especially romantic.

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