Unique Lodging Options Near Colorado Springs

On our last trip to Colorado Springs, we experienced two very unique lodging properties – an historic hotel and an historic vacation home – and we enjoyed both.  

Lodging in Manitou Springs, Colorado – The Cliff House at Pikes Peak

On our first night we were booked at The Cliff House at Pikes Peak, one of the region’s most distinguished and historic hotels.

Two very different lodging options in the Colorado Springs area. The Cliff House in Manitou Springs. HeidiTown.com
The Cliff House at Pikes Peak. Courtesy photo.

We’d stayed at The Cliff House many years ago, and since that stay, my husband has always named The Cliff House as one of his favorite Colorado hotels.

We arrived in town near lunch time so our first stop was at Manitou Brewing Company. This brewery not only serves up noteworthy craft beer, but also gourmet food. I daresay this is the most foodie brewery I have ever visited.

Unique lodging options near Colorado Springs. Manitou Brewing Co. sign. HeidiTown.com

Ryan gave their Monte Cristo sandwich high marks, which is startling because Monte Cristos seldom live up to his high standards for this particular sandwich. I had the pork belly tacos which were fabulous. They actually made my recent list of The Best Taco I Ever Ate in Colorado.

The Cliff House was just as lovely as we remember it.

We were in a huge King Suite that would have pleased even the Dowager Countess of Grantham of Downton Abbey fame. The bathroom toilet had heated seats and I’m sure she would have highly approved of this although she would not have articulated her approval out loud. Dowager Countesses do not speak of bathrooms or toilet seats.

King Suite at The Cliff House at Pikes Peak. Unique lodging options in Colorado Springs. HeidiTown.com

A stay at The Cliff House includes a delicious breakfast buffet in The Dining Room. If you can swing dinner here, do it. We still remember the outstanding dinner we ate at The Dining Room despite it having been many years ago.

The Cliff House at Pikes Peak is nicely located for exploring the area whether you want to head to Pikes Peak or browse museums in Colorado Springs. Lyft and Uber will even pick up at the hotel and drive you to and from Colorado Springs should you want to do some bar hopping like we did.

Lodging in Cascade, Colorado – Ramona Cottage

We spent our second night in the area at Ramona Cottage, a Cascade Escapes vacation home. Located between Manitou Springs and Woodland Park, it’s conveniently located near the road to Pike’s Peak.

Two very different lodging options in the Colorado Springs area. Ramona Cottage in Cascade. HeidiTown.com
Ramona Cottage

Built as a vacation getaway in 1917, Ramona Cottage is situated among other vacations homes built by folks in the late 1800s and early 1900s looking to escape the oppressive heat of Midwestern summers. Many of the homes here are still vacation properties owned by families from out-of-state.

Locals, Bob and Sandy Pennick, own Ramona Cottage and have taken great care to make the house a great little vacation home. The stucco exudes charm, from the sunlit front patio to the claw foot tub in the master bathroom.

Perfect for a family, this two bedroom, two bathroom house is within a two minute walk of a park and a pretty little creek. And for wine lovers, it’s within a six minute walk of The Wines of Colorado, a restaurant and wine shop featuring all Colorado vintages. A gem we discovered a few years ago.

Unique lodging options near Colorado Springs, Colorado. HeidiTown.com

After a peaceful nights sleep in an incredibly comfortable bed, I made breakfast in Ramona’s kitchen; farm fresh eggs from Hungry Chicken Homestead and cheese, mushrooms and bread from Mountain Mama Natural Foods in Colorado Springs. Making your own meals is one major benefit of a vacation home. It can save a lot of pennies during a week long stay.

While wildly different, both of these Colorado Springs area lodging properties are very special. Thank you to The Cliff House,  Cascade Escapes  and Visit Colorado Springs for hosting us on this trip.

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1 Comment


  1. It’s nice to see lodging properties using local farms to source some of their food.

    Reply

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