Found at the base of the Rocky Mountains’ Tenmile Range, the Colorado town of Breckenridge (known as Breck to the locals) is not only famous for being home to one of the world’s best ski resorts, it is also home to year-round activities and a super charming town with Victorian Gold Rush beginnings. Before you can start exploring everything the town has to offer though, you need to find the perfect place to stay and that place happens to be The Lodge at Breckenridge.
The first thing you need to know about this 45-room boutique hotel is that you won’t find better views of the Tenmile Range at any other hotel. Sure, it isn’t in the center of town (it’s about five miles away), but the privacy and views make the location unbeatable. Sitting 10,200 feet high on a cliff, The Lodge at Breckenridge has been ranked as one of the world's highest-altitude hotels. It not only looks out over the range, meaning you can see all of the ski runs covering the mountains, it also gives you views of Boreas Pass. Located on the continental divide, Boreas Pass is a high mountain pass through the Rocky Mountains that was originally used as a route for prospectors during the Colorado Gold Rush. Popular nowadays with cyclists, the road offers several prime spots to take photos of the town and surrounding mountains from, so definitely plan on exploring it during your stay.
Depending on what time of year you visit, there are countless things you can spend your time doing while in Breck. We were there at the very end of the ski season, so of course we checked out the ski resort. Because of an historic winter season, some of the advanced slopes were still open at the time of publishing, which is pretty remarkable considering the hills usually close in April. If you visit during the summer, the ski resort still has plenty to offer, like the Gold Runner Coaster and Alpine Slides, as well as the Colorado Super Chair for a sky-high view of the scenery. The resort also has a new zipline tour and a bridge walk on offer. And of course, you can do the standard go-to's while in beautiful mountain scenery, like hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, cycling, etc.
Now, back to The Lodge at Breckenridge. Each of the 45 rooms at the lodge has a different layout and customized features, such as high ceilings, a private balcony or a fireplace. The Sunlight Peak Suite is definitely the standout room, with mountain views, a balcony, gas fireplace, small kitchenette and a living area. If you want a more unique, one-of-a-kind experience, you can rent one of The Lodge’s two luxury homes, both of which come with everything you would need for a winter ski trip or a summer hiking adventure.
Adjacent to the hotel, the 1,800-square-foot Alpine House is a log cabin-style home sitting in a private forested area. It includes a wrap-around deck, a large kitchen and living area, three bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, a gas fireplace, a washer and dryer, an outdoor grill, and storage for skis, snowboards and bicycles. The Summit House is almost identical in size and style, offering everything the Alpine House does, as well as a private hot tub. Another major difference is that while the Alpine House is not pet friendly, the Summit House is.
Anyone who stays in one of the private homes also has access to all of the hotel’s amenities, like the Traverse Restaurant & Bar. Offering local and sustainable ingredients, the menu is directed by Executive Chef Ryan Holley, who perfected his culinary skills while working for a AAA Four Diamond restaurant. His menu blends traditional French cuisine with modern American fare.
Other amenities include a fitness room and outdoor hot tubs. The boutique hotel also has its own on-site spa called Alpine Spa, which offers everything one expects, such as massages, body scrubs and reflexology. The only catch is that since the spa isn’t technically part of the hotel, you have to call its main location in town in order to book a treatment. Once you’re all booked though, you just show up at your appointment time and someone will be waiting for you.
No matter what you end up doing during your stay in Breck, whether it be taking a walking tour of the town or hiking through the mountains (don’t forget the bear spray!), The Lodge at Breckenridge is the perfect homebase for you to come back to at the end of the day.
