I will have a few extra days from Denver...which direction to choose before returning and any hotel or cabins that are magical>?

Hi, Can you be a little more specific on what you are looking for?

I would go west out to the mountains. (RMNP, breckenridge, mount evans)But more specifics would help.

RMNP is about an hour north of Denver. I wouldn't stay in Estes Park (the closest town on the eastern side) unless you like the crowded, touristy thing.

Hi Tom. head west. what area depends on what you consider magical?

Vail is wonderful and has very good accomodations. Keystone has some great festivals coming up in August. I think that the Ski Tip Inn in Keystone is magical http://keystone.snow.com/rst.lodging.skitip.asp

If you want to getaway from it all look at Muggins Gulch inn in breck
http://colorado-bnb.com/muginn
or
http://www.westernskies-keystone-cabins.com/ Have no first hand expierence with western skies but in a wonderful setting outside of Keystone but close enough to bike to.

check out www.summinet.com for more ideas

oops typo its www.summitnet.com. if your on a budget they have a last min lodging section tht sometimes has good deals