The Broadmoor is already known for being one of the most luxurious stays in Colorado, and now it’s developing a more rustic side with its new development, Cloud Camp.
Occupying one summit of Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado Springs, Cloud Camp is a mountain aerie perched at 9,200 feet. Its main lodge has only six guestrooms, while 11 intimate cabins are tucked in among the trees — some are cantilevered over the steep slope, making guests feel as if they are floating.
The last accommodation to be completed will be the Fire Tower Suite, which will require an ascent of 145 steps. The suite bedroom will occupy the entire top floor of the tower, with a living room below. All in all, it is an aerie above an aerie.
The 8,000-square-foot main lodge recalls the grand historic timber and stone lodges of the American West, with massive public spaces, soaring ceilings and rough-hewn beams. Designed for both relaxation and contemplation, the lodge manages to feel both baronial and intimate.
Comfortable sofas, armchairs and rockers encourage conversation, playing board games, reading and general socializing. Stone fireplaces on each end, enormous ceiling fixtures overhead and Western art and Indian artifacts on the walls create an ambiance of relaxed elegance. The enormous table in the center can seat up to 28 people, whereas smaller tables in an adjacent dining area are ideal for two or four and additional tables are outside as well.
An expansive wrap-around deck encircles the main lodge, and the cabins have their own porches, too. From this unsurpassed location, guests can enjoy epic views. To the north is the huge bulk of Pikes Peak, rising to more than 14,000 feet. To the east are Colorado Springs’ southern suburbs and the plains beyond. These views make Cloud Camp seem all the more remote.
There are no televisions or room service, but rusticity only goes so far at The Broadmoor. The cabins are furnished with beautiful, solid Western-style furniture. The beds feel like soft cocoons with down pillows, down comforters and even European-style featherbeds. (Of course, those with feather allergies may request bedding made of synthetic materials instead.)
Private cars are not permitted at Cloud Camp, so even getting there is an adventure. Guests may choose to travel in comfortable vans (expect a Cadillac option next year), ride a mule or hike up for roughly three hours. Cheyenne Mountain Highway is a narrow road that winds 3,000 feet through Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and past the towering Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun. The pavement then ends, and the “highway” becomes a graded dirt road with acute hairpin turns. Most guests, at that point, are relieved not to be doing the driving.
Activities at Cloud Camp are low-key: hiking, exploring the trails of Pike National Forest, archery, basket weaving, birding and visiting the mules in the corral below. Guests who are interested in cooking are invited to help prepare fresh cuisine and get tips from the chef.
All meals and all but premium beverages are included in the nightly rate (ranging from $800 to $1,400); breakfast is buffet-style. Lunch is informal and can be eaten in the main lodge or packed as a picnic lunch. The dinner menu includes a choice of two to four items for each course. The selection rotates every four days, which works out since most stays are anticipated to be two to four nights.
Cloud Camp stays open until early November. Next year, it is set to re-open in May.
The Details
The Broadmoor
www.broadmoor.com/cloud-camp
