The Broadmoor: Escape to The Rockies

Rich in history as its origin dates back to the early 1900’s, The Broadmoor is more than just a getaway, it’s an unforgettable destination.  The resort is surrounded by lush greens, mountains and lakes while the interior is laced with intricate detail inspired European design and offers both indoor and outdoor activities for all ages and occasions.

Situated at the gateway to the Colorado Rocky Mountains in Colorado Springs, The Broadmoor and its Wilderness Experience properties of The Ranch at Emerald Valley, Cloud Camp and Fly-Fishing Camp encompasses 5,000 acres. The resort campus has 784 rooms, suites and cottages. It includes championship golf courses, a Forbes Five-Star spa and fitness center, nationally recognized tennis staff and program, 24 retail boutiques and 10 restaurants, including Colorado’s only Forbes Five-Star, AAA Five-Diamond restaurant Penrose Room, as well as 10 additional cafes and lounges.

Other activities include falconry, guided mountain biking, hiking, rock-climbing tours, fly-fishing, paintball and more. The Broadmoor Wilderness Experience properties are three unique, all-inclusive, boutique facilities that highlight a true Colorado experience while offering mountain rustic luxury along with The Broadmoor’s legendary service.

The Broadmoor owns and manages three attractions that include the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, Seven Falls and The Broadmoor Soaring Adventure zip-line courses.

Ranked among the best in the world, the property’s championship courses were designed by some of golf’s most notable names such as Donald Ross and Robert Trent Jones, Sr., and have played host to numerous national tournaments, including the U.S. Women’s Open and PGA Cup. Presidents, politicians, celebrities, and many of the game’s greatest athletes have all played at The Broadmooor.

Spencer Penrose, the founder of The Broadmoor, wanted to have a top-notch course which would be ready the day the hotel opened. In the summer of 1916, he hired legendary golf course architect Donald Ross.

The Broadmoor Casino was moved from its position by the lake, and the site where The Broadmoor Hotel was to be built, down to the edge of the golf course where it was adapted for use as the golf clubhouse.

The golf course was an essential part of the Broadmoor Hotel’s success. The course was an unusual one for the time, given its altitude and level of technical difficulty.

The original links were 6,617 yards in length with a 74 par; every green was undulating. Jim Barnes, the first club golf professional and winner of the 1925 British Open, established himself at The Broadmoor upon completion of his tour for the Red Cross and attracted many quality players to the roster of the Broadmoor Golf Club. Chick Evans, the holder of the National Amateur and National Open titles, became a non-resident member of the Club as soon as it was built and played often on the course. Once the course at The Broadmoor had opened, Barnes participated in tournaments with locally and nationally known opponents on a regular basis, and the Club began hosting noteworthy tournaments.

The first important tournament was a Red Cross match. Jim Barnes and Chick Evans teamed up against Warren Wood and Jock Hutchinson on the fourth of July, 1918. The Broadmoor Men’s Invitation was held for the first time in 1921 and was an honored annual event through 1994.

The golf clubhouse also served other functions. In the evening, the upstairs became a nightclub where bands and singers performed livelier music than that enjoyed by guests in the hotel dining rooms. During the 1920s, Penrose utilized the upper floor of the club for Monday night boxing bouts. In 1935, the nightclub area was transformed into the “Jungle Room” decorated with African artifacts that the Penrose’s had brought home from one of their trips and exotic murals were painted on the walls.

Bob McGrew and his orchestra began playing in the club in that year and became a fixture in the years to come.  The roof of the new wing provided an area for outdoor dancing and dining.

The Broadmoor Golf Club continued to grow and expand over the years. In 1958, Robert Trent Jones Sr. was hired to design an additional nine-hole course, and in 1964, he was invited back to add nine more holes and the Club now had two 18-hole courses. In 1976, Ed Seay and Arnold Palmer completed the third 18-hole course which was later redesigned by Nicklaus Design and reopened in 2006.

Not only can you experience majestic golf courses you can enjoy the opulent design of the indoors. The Broadmoor is sure to exceed expectations. The Broadmoor’s newest restaurant, The Grille is located in the golf building. It recently opened this spring for golf members and hotel guests. The Grille takes dining to a new level with a menu that brings back some of The Broadmoor’s classic dining favorites in a reimagined space that inspires not only with its restaurant design, but also with an exquisite, classic bar, and Colorado mountain views.

Another restaurant that cannot be overlooked is Ristorante del Lago.  Envisioned by renowned designer Adam D. Tihany and inspired by the finest culinary regions of Italy, Ristorante del Lago offers a lively and authentic dining experience. The restaurant’s inviting design evokes the luxurious villas of Lake Como, with exposed wood beams, terra cotta tile, custom walnut millwork, leather banquettes and an indoor/outdoor fireplace. An enticing menu of Old-World favorites combined with the restaurant’s timeless ambiance offers the ideal setting to dine with friends or make new ones. Ristorante del Lago is open for breakfast seasonally, offering a variety of tempting items from frittatas and house made pastries, to a decidedly European breakfast buffet. For dinner, Ristorante Del Lago crafts fragrant wood fired pizzas, a selection of meats off the rotisserie, and pasta made fresh in-house. The aging room also boasts authentic salumi and formaggio imported straight from Italy. Freshly made tiramisu, cannoli, and homemade gelato are the most delightful way to conclude your meal.

From the moment you step into The Spa at The Broadmoor, you have embarked on an extraordinary journey of rejuvenation, balance and pure relaxation. Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Spa follows the footsteps of the founders, Spencer and Julie Penrose, who traveled the world to create an oasis of culture in Colorado Springs – then considered the uncivilized West.  Skilled spa practitioners honor this tradition with restorative treatments that are tailored to address the unique wellness goals of every guest in a luxurious yet serene setting.

Whether going to the mountains to ski and enjoy the crisp mountain air, spending summer days discovering some of nature’s most breathtaking beauty, or being pampered with shopping, spa days and world-class cuisine, The Broadmoor is a unique and unforgettable destination.

By Leslie Awdykowyz