Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [353]
Alpine Trail Ridge Inn
927 Moraine Ave. (P.O. Box 3959), Estes Park, CO 80517-3959. ☎ 800/233-5023 (reservations) or 970/586-4585. www.alpinetrail ridgeinn.com. 48 units. A/C TV TEL. 1st 3 weeks of May and mid-Sept to mid-Oct $65–$97 double, $115–$143 family unit; late May through June and mid-Aug to late Sept $79–$110 double, $129–$157 family unit; July to mid-Aug, holidays, and special events $93–$124 double, $143–$171 family unit. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Closed mid-Oct to Apr.
The Alpine, which underwent a complete remodeling in late 2003, offers a variety of accommodations. Seven units have showers only, and the rest have tub/shower combos. Largest are the balcony units, with beamed cathedral ceilings, private balconies, and either two queen beds or one king. Scenic or nature prints on the white walls accent the modern American decor. Standard units are fairly spacious and quite comfortable, with different combinations of king, queen, double, and twin beds. Two family units are available; each has three beds and sleeps up to six people. All units have refrigerators, coffeemakers, and hair dryers, and some have microwaves.
Rates include hot beverages in the mornings, and the on-site Sundeck Restaurant serves three meals daily, offering American cuisine with specialties such as fresh trout and prime rib. There's a heated outdoor pool (Memorial Day to mid-Sept) and a patio with picnic table. The trailhead for a .75-mile hiking and walking trail to the visitor center at the national park is adjacent to the motel. The owners are knowledgeable hikers and love to help with guests' hiking plans. All units are nonsmoking.
Baldpate Inn
4900 S. Colo. 7 (P.O. Box 700), Estes Park, CO 80517. ☎ 866/577-5397 or 970/586-6151. www.baldpateinn.com. 14 units (5 with bathroom), 4 cabins. $100 double with shared bathroom, $115 double with private bathroom; $175 cabin. Rates include full breakfast. DISC, MC, V. Closed Nov–Apr.
This is a good choice for those who seek an old-fashioned, historic lodge experience. Built in 1917, the Baldpate was named for the novel Seven Keys to Baldpate, a murder mystery in which seven visitors believe each possesses the only key to the hotel. Guests today can watch several movie versions of the story, read the book, and add to the hotel's collection of more than 20,000 keys.
Each of the early-20th-century-style rooms is unique, with handmade quilts on the beds. Several rooms are a bit small, and although most of the lodge units share bathrooms (five bathrooms for nine units), each room does have its own sink. The cabins have private bathrooms and are more spacious. Among our favorites are the Mae West Room (yes, she was a guest here), with a red claw-foot bathtub and wonderful views of the valley; and the Pinetop Cabin, which has a whirlpool tub, canopy bed, and gas fireplace. There are no in-room phones. Guests can enjoy refreshments (included in the room rates) by the handsome stone fireplace in the lobby, relax on the large sun deck, or view free movies in the library. In summer, an excellent soup-and-salad buffet is served for lunch and dinner daily. Smoking is not permitted.
Boulder Brook on Fall River
1900 Fall River Rd., Estes Park, CO 80517. ☎ 800/238-0910 or 970/586-0910. Fax 970/586-8067. www.boulderbrook.com. 19 units. TV TEL. $109–$199 double. AE, DISC, MC, V.
It would be hard to find a more beautiful setting for a lodging than this. Surrounded by tall pines, all suites face