12 Best Hotels in South Central Colorado, Colorado

Boasting old-world luxury and service, the signature pink-stucco buildings fill the manicured grounds at the base of Cheyenne Mountain, where a pristine lake, fine dining, and a luxurious spa offer one of the state's most pampering experiences. The cottages hark back to the days when wealthy Easterners gathered in the Adirondacks to enjoy an unhurried lifestyle. If you're going to stay in the South Towers, where the rooms vary in size from snug to immense—request one with a lake-view balcony. In summer, families enjoy paddleboats and gather around the large infinity pool, which appears to flow into Cheyenne Lake. At the on-site spa, try a Ginger Lime sugar scrub or the Poultice massage, a deep, heated muscle treatment dating back to the 14th century. The tennis and pickleball instructors are excellent, and the championship golf courses (which are not open to public play) are among Colorado's best.

Laidback luxury meets carefully curated design—think: exposed brick, reclaimed oak floors, antiques, velvet coverlets, brass animal busts, cowhide rugs, unique textiles, and chandeliers—in the 13 rooms of this restored 1800s brick building on Main Street. Set within easy walking distance of cafés, bars, and shops, and featuring a cool and charming (and popular) restaurant, if you are visiting friends or family in the area, know that they will want to come to you here. Each room has its unique charm but the Princeton suite tops them all, where a soaking tub under a chandelier and spectacular views of Mt. Princeton epitomize the inn's mountain-chic vibes.  

This sprawling, well-maintained complex is your best bet for reasonably priced lodgings. Rooms are spacious and offer the standard amenities.

At this 217-acre resort on the slopes of Cheyenne Mountain, superb swimming facilities (including an Olympic-size pool), a variety of tennis courts, and a Pete Dye championship golf course tempt you to remain on-property, despite the easy access to the high country. The main lodge is an attractive setting for relaxing and dining, with a massive stone fireplace and thick wooden beams supporting the soaring ceiling. The guest rooms, in eight separate buildings on the hillside, are simply but attractively decorated, with private balconies and plenty of space.

This Victorian-era jewel was built in 1873 as a stagecoach stop between Colorado Springs and Leadville, and can name crown princes, presidents, and entertainers as past guests; their names live on as monikers for several distinctly different and extremely attractive suites: the Katharine Bates, the Teddy Roosevelt, and the Clark Gable are a few. The Cliff House is a special-occasion getaway plump with accoutrements that pamper: bathtubs for two, steam showers, and even heated towel racks and toilet seats. It's right off the main street, a two-minute walk from shops and restaurants. In addition to the more formal dining room, there's the casual Red Mountain Bar and Grill.

This property is a few miles west of downtown Alamosa on a strip with other chain hotels and restaurants, several of which will deliver to the hotel. There are views of the mountains from many rooms. The hotel is clean and comfortable, and continental breakfast is included.

The views are spectacular from this longtime private club overlooking the red rocks in the Garden of the Gods. You don't have to be a member, however, to spend a night at the resort where all of the rooms have west-facing windows with views of the Garden of the Gods. The rooms are decorated with modern furnishings, hardwood floors, and faux-fur throws adding a cozy feel that extends through the rich wood and stone trimmings throughout the resort.

Innkeepers Sallie and Welling Clark realized their dream when they restored this 1902 home and transformed it into a B&B. Two rooms in the main house, two in the adjacent carriage house, and two in another Victorian next door are filled with family heirlooms and ornate antiques. Guest rooms are cozy with fireplaces and down pillows and quilts. The staff knows the region well, and can be helpful as you decide what to do in Colorado Springs.

Surrounded by restaurants, bars, shops, and outdoor activities, this small, self-service hotel is the perfect hub for adventure-seekers who appreciate an Airbnb-like experience. Clean, modern rooms, some with small balconies that overlook the Arkansas River, are comfortable and spacious. Exposed brick provides a nod to the age of the building, which was built in 1900, and large windows and white walls brighten the rooms. Beds are comfortable, and bathrooms offer walk-in showers to wash off the outdoors after a day playing in the mountains. 

This cheerful, squeaky-clean motel is just a few miles south of the Great Sand Dunes, in the tiny town of Fort Garland, and makes a great base from which to visit the park and other San Luis Valley attractions.

This Italianate–Victorian B&B sits in the middle of the Corazón de Trinidad National Historic District. It's the former abode of the Tarabino brothers, the proprietors of one of the town's first department stores. The rooms are frilly, immaculate, and comfortable, with a dose of modern convenience.