Russ

My girlfriend and I want to go to the mountains for a romantic getaway week in March or April. Any suggestions on the best spots in Colorado? We are not skiers, so we'll need a town with good restaurants, nightlife, etc. Accomodations with fireplaces are a big plus.

J T Kirk

Aspen, hands down. Yes, it's expensive but it IS romantic. Great town, tree-lined streets with lots of wonderful restaurants and shops. Check out the Little Nell for a hotel. This is a WONDERFUL hotel, and will make the trip memorable. They also have a Ritz. And the Jerome. [my personal favorite place in the Co Rockies is Telluride, but Aspen is more romantic.] Have fun.

travellyn

I think Telluride would be a great option, or maybe somewhere with hot springs..

Erin

Go to Vail and stay in the Sonnenalp. It is absolutely the best! Fireplaces have light switches for turning on and tiled floors are heated. Probably can get a decent deal in April.

MMS

If you aren't skiers I would probably avoid a ski town. March is still a pretty time in most ski towns, but by April, most of them are in "mud season" and frankly they aren't all that beautiful. Personnally, I would head to Rocky Mountain National Park and stay somewhere just outside of Estes Park. The park is beautiful in the early spring, lots of animals, cozy cabins, snow shoeing, etc. Many of the shops and restaurants, however, will be closed. Another option would be to rent a nice cabin near Strawberry Park just outside of Steamboat Springs. Beautiful scenery, the hot springs at Strawberry Park and at Steamboat. Sleigh rides (maybe not in April - but still in March). Lots of nightlife, nice restaurants, shopping, etc. Steamboat is just a great mountain town.

gbindenver

I agree with Steamboat. If you are thinking about Aspen, you might consider Glenwood Springs. Great hot springs, and an hour's drive to Aspen. Hotel Colorado has a great Sunday brunch.

Russ

Thanks for the advice. I'll check out all of these. Not sure I can afford Aspen or Vail that time of year, but Steamboat sounds promising. Can anyone comment on Durango?

Grasshopper

Russ, I would agree with Estes Park as a great place to go. There are some wonderful bed and breakfast places with fireplaces in the cozy rooms. You could do a balloon ride and drive through the Rockey Mnt. Natl. Park. Also, I always love Keystone whether I'm skiing or not. There are lots of other activities and some great restaurants. The Ski Tip Lodge is my favorite romantic restaurant. Be sure to make a reservation. You might want to work up an appetite with a snow shoe trek or try some cross country skiing. Keystone has done a marvelous job of living up to it's name; the nature of the Rockies. Be sure to check into a condo vs. a hotel room. I prefer the forest condos, each with a fireplace.

Fred

Russ,

I would pick Steamboat over Durango, I grew up in Steamboat and my Folks still live there. I also went to college in Durango, It is more a small college town that is experiencing urban sprawl, not my choice for a romantic getaway. I don't think you want to go to any mountain town in April. Another reply noted it is MUD season and by then many restaurants and attractions start closing in early April, not a good time to go to the Rockies. Telluride is also a very good choice.

If you come to Colorado come in early to mid March. It will still have enough snow to be pretty and should be warmer.

Fred

travellyn

I love living in Durango, but I wouldn't come here in March if I weren't a skier. That's when I like to leave town. Early May through mid-October is fantastic.