My boyfriend and I are grad students in Kansas and during our fall break in the middle October, we would like to take a trip to Colorado. Neither of us have been before and we would like any suggestions for where to stay.

We will be driving, so the more eastern the better, however we are willing to go farther west for a great place. We were thinking some sort of cabin or resort in the mountains, not in a large city and with some recreation, like parks or a lake, but no camping/fishing is needed. However a place with a spa for me and a golf course for the boy would be an added bonus, although I understand those sorts of amenities would greatly increase the costs.

My colorado tourism booklet is on the way, but I thought my favorite message boards might be able to give me some extra ideas or insights. Any advice you could offer would be appreciated. Thanks!

I've never stayed here, but I put "colorado spa golf" in google and I got:
http://www.sonnenalp.com/home.cfm

It looks very nice!

How much are you looking to spend?

Check out Keystone. Lots to do. You should get a great price on a condo in October. http://keystone.snow.com/

get as far west as you can...any of the ski towns might have something to offer..Vail, Breckenridge, we just came back from Steamboat Springs which was delightful..checkout Strawberry Park Hot Springs..there's plenty of spas (day spas in any town) Breckenridge has a pretty nice public golf course. As far as the east goes..we live in Boulder.. we like it..too live...but wouldn't really say it's a place for vacation..get out west. Vail, Aspen, Breckenridge, Steamboat or even Telluride..you'll enjoy yourself much more than any place on the front range

Mid-October is not necessarily the best time of year for the mountains. Remember, in good years, some of the ski resorts open before the end of October! (I'm sure that won't happen this year, with all the water problems we've been having.) October tends to be an off time of year; you may find some restaurants, stores and hotels closed, and it'll be pretty chilly at night (and possibly during the day).

You could check places at Vail, Breckenridge or Keystone, all of which have golf courses and I'm sure there are spas too. The hotel folks will be able to tell you whether they're open, whether the golf course and/or spas are likely to be open. You'll probably get some great deals!

By mid October, the leaves will be long gone on the trees in the mountains and the nights will definately be very cool...we just had a record low a couple of nights ago so who knows what this winter might bring. So for golfing, you might be better off staying along the Front Range, Denver or Colorado Springs. Manitou Springs is a charming historic town great access to Pikes Peak and other amenities. My favorite hot spring is just outside of Buena Vista, Cottonwood Hot Spring. Nice rock lined pools. Located in the midst of the tallest mountains in the state...the Collegiate Range...Mt Princeton, Harvard..Yale!

Thanks for all of the suggestions! I do appreciate it!

2nd the suggestion for Keystone. Both golf and they have a spa, thought the spa pricey. At that time of year lots of resturants will be closed down, the plus is many that are open will be offering 2 for 1 deals. You can even get 2 for 1 on massages at some places. Pick up a copy of the local paper for deals.

As to lodging cost grasshopper is right it will be way less than at other times of the year. Breck too has some lodges that have spas, Breck does have golf too. You will need to check and see when the plan on closeing the courses though. Check out www.summitnet.com for lodging and activites. Keystone and Breck are just a short 10 min drive apart. For Vail we have gotten great deals at the Cascade resort and spa at that time of year. 99.00 for a room plus 2 spa treatments. They often to not advertise this you will need to call directly and ask, in the past it was called the "mud Package" more for the season than the treatments.

Come to Blue Lake Ranch. We're near Durango, Colorado and close to Golf at the Nationally ranked Pinon Hills golf course in Norhtern New Mexico. We have cabins and cottages and very romantic accommodations with a gourmet breakfast.

Gunnison and Crested Butte!

Skip everything along I-70 including the weekend traffic. Take a look at the Colorado Springs area. You'll find reasonably prices spas & golf, as well as mountains and scenery.

Rebecca a site that I just came across for condos direct for lots of places in Colordo is www.skibyowner.com, maybe worth a look

Rebecca,

I have never stayed there but about 30 minutes form Boulder is a resort called Gold Mountain Lake. It's in a secluded area and offers 18 private cabins, a spa, outdoor hot tubs and--supposedly--an award winning restaurant.

I don't know if they have a golf course but they do offer a variety of outdoor activities all year round. If you go to goldlake.com you can get more info and request brochures and stuff.

Good Luck!

Davidcs

Check out Glenwood Springs. Small town with plenty of activities and hot mineral springs.

Also check out Grand Lake - it's the western portal to Rocky Mountain Nat'l. Park. A sleepy, funky little town, lots of character, plenty of services, but very uncrowded and on a georgous mountain lake. Good location for day-trips to the Park. (We're from SE KS, and the drive is 11-13 hours).

We really, really liked Lemmon Lodge in Grand Lake - a group of lodges/cabins, right at the intersection of the lake and a rushing mountain stream, but only one block from downtown's restaurants/bars. Very scenic and relaxing.....