Hotels in Colorado (USA)

COLORADO, FOR THOSE WHO CAN’T CHOOSE BETWEEN SUN AND SNOW

AT A GLANCE

Colorado… Heavenly landscapes of all kinds, that’s what’s on menu in this state which has more diversity in that matter than most of the world’s countries. Also a hotspot for food, Colorado enjoys a unique location in the Rocky Mountains and the plains, thus offering a wide range of outdoor activities, including skiing.

Colorado was named after the eponymous river. Spanish explorers called it that way because they deemed it “colorful”, and touring through Colorado can only make you realize how accurate their impressions were. Come and verify a peculiar legend about the Centennial state: its inhabitants say that it has more sunny days per year than Florida!

CULTURE

Coloradan cuisine is a subdivision of Rocky Mountain cuisine, which is shared with Utah, Wyoming, and other states of the Rockies up to Canada. This includes smoked meat, bison, and game meat, a lean meat that blends perfectly into modern cuisine. Also don’t miss Rocky Mountain oysters, which are actually bull testicles. Due to its geographical position, Colorado also enjoys a part of southwestern cuisine, which is dictated by Mexican customs in that matter.

Boulder, CO was named America’s foodiest town by Bon Appétit. While in Aspen, the Food & Wine Classic event is held each year in June. Finally, pulled pork from Denver is known all across the United States.

Speaking of yearly events, Colorado features a wide variety of them. Some of them are based on foreign inspiration, like the St. Patrick’s Day parade, the Cinco de Mayo celebration (the biggest in the US) and the Denver Oktoberfest. Apart from that, many Coloradan and people from other states converge for the Greeley Independence Stampede, which is held at the end of June and ends with a celebration of Independence Day. At the same time of the year, you may be interested in the Cherry Creek Art Festival, honoring all kinds of art from visual to performing.

For sporty people, get ready for the Pikes Peak Marathon in Manitou Springs: on since 1956, it is the oldest marathon in America and deemed the most challenging in the country.

And if you want to honor Colorado’s rich and colorful countryside, don’t miss the Colorado State Fair, which takes place in Pueblo at the end of August. There, local farmers will show their best animals and you can enjoy all types of animations.

In terms of places to see, Colorado consists exclusively of natural points of interest. In addition to the Rocky Mountains National Park and Pikes Peak , everyone would like a trip to Vail: this skiing resort during the winter becomes a great place to experience in the summer, as the locals do everything in their power to prevent it from being a place that you will only visit for Christmas.

Also, if you like luxury accommodation, you will receive top service by heading to Black Hawk, a village where people used to go to hunt for gold. Now, top-class hotels with 5 stars and spas are ready to welcome you.

For those who are into mountains, Colorado has a world’s worth of opportunities. Check out Mount Evans, at an altitude over 14,000 feet. This place also features the highest paved road in the state.

And if desert places are more of your thing, two places you shouldn’t miss: The Great Sand Dunes National Park, where you can see unique dunes like you wouldn’t think there would be any in Colorado. Also, in the southwestern most part of the state, don’t miss out on the Four Corners Monument, precisely where Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico converge.

CLIMATE

As for climate, the northern half is generally colder than the southern half. As Colorado is a high desert, it usually experiences little rainfall.

In summer, temperatures reach fairly hot levels (90s and 100s), while in winter they can drop way below the freezing point, in the 10s and 20s.

In general, the weather in Colorado is very changing, and temperatures can drop 30 degrees in one day if there is a big storm. Speaking of storms, each winter usually has one big snowstorm, causing roads, airports and businesses to close momentarily.

Colorado is a great place to spend Christmas: if you live in a place where it doesn’t snow , come experience this magical meteorological phenomenon and treat yourself to the best luxury: after a day playing in the snow or skiing, relax in your hotel’s spa.

Depending on altitude, snow is usually present from late October to early April, making spring skiing also very appreciable.

There is no good time to go to Colorado, and no bad time either. It absolutely depends on what you want from it. If snow repels you, refrain from going in winter. If it attracts you, several months of the year can interest you. In summer, the weather is hot, and the impression of heat is accentuated by the altitude and the lack of sea air.

NOT TO MISS

Here are three interesting cities to see in Colorado:

Denver is the state’s capital and largest city. At the crossroads between the Rocky Mountains and the plains, it has the most influence within the state. As stated before, it boasts an interesting food scene. Denver is also a place for sports fans: the city is home to several competitive teams in many different sports. While the Colorado Rockies rock the Major League Baseball, Colorado is represented in the NFL by the Denver Broncos. The “Mile High City”, as locals call it because of its altitude, offers nearly endless opportunities in terms of things to do.

Aspen is very different from the state capital. Located high in the mountains, it is most known for hosting a nationwide food event. This ski resort is known all across the globe, as it hosts Skiing World Cup events each year. In Aspen, guests are treated like they deserve to be. That is particularly the case of the Hotel Jerome, a 5-star resort which has everything you could possibly think of. A legend suggests that the hotel may be haunted. Will you be brave enough to go and see for yourself?

Finally, Colorado Springs is yet another place worth a look. Just like Denver, the city is over a mile high, and thus very likely to attract visitors who are into mountaineering, hiking, and any other activity involving the mountains. The city per se is already pretty hilly, and it gets even better if you climb on top of the very challenging Pikes Peak. Lucky for those who can’t afford to spend too much money on accommodation: the city is home to a few cheap hotels, but which make every penny worth it! The Heidelberg is one of them.

In a nutshell, many of Colorado’s points of interest are natural spots. That is why Colorado is widely recommended for anyone who enjoys outdoor activities. Indoor people might be less satisfied, but it doesn’t mean that you can’t treat yourself to a great hotel. Coloradans have the sense of luxury and are known for their hospitality, so even if you don’t want to go on daily hikes to discover the state’s riches, it’s probably still worth a try.

Its popular activities are of course linked with the predominance of nature. Hiking, mountaineering, and especially skiing, that’s what’s on menu in Colorado.

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