Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [356]
Located in downtown Grand Lake on the third floor of a 1910 building, this bed-and-breakfast is a good choice for those seeking a bit more personal attention than the area's standard motels and larger lodges can offer. The spacious, well-appointed rooms are individually decorated and have some antiques. Each has a gas fireplace, one queen- or king-size bed, a dataport, and a TV/VCR combo. Two also have whirlpool tubs. For a room with a view, you can't do much better than this: Two units overlook the lake, and the third faces the national park. Room service for lunch and dinner is available from E.G.'s Garden Grill downstairs (see "Where to Dine," below), and breakfast is delivered to your room. All rooms are nonsmoking.
Grand Lake Lodge
15500 U.S. 34 (P.O. Box 569), Grand Lake, CO 80447. ☎ 970/627-3967. Fax 970/627-9495. www.grandlakelodge.com. 56 units. $64–$95 double, $124–$175 unit for 4 to 6. Minimum stays apply. AE, DISC, MC, V. Closed early Sept to early June. Take U.S. 34 north ½ mile from Grand Lake (or ½ mile south of the park entrance) and turn east (watch for sign) onto the entrance road.
At an elevation of 8,769 feet, Grand Lake Lodge brags about having Colorado's "favorite front porch," and we have to admit that the lodge's veranda offers spectacular panoramic views of Grand Lake—both the town and the body of water—and the surrounding mountains. Established in 1921, the lodge has been owned and operated by three generations of the James family since 1953. It offers excellent service and food in a delightful rustic setting, with sleeping quarters in modern cabins scattered among the pines beyond the main lodge.
The smallest units are rooms that sleep two in a duplex cabin. Units that sleep four to six are two rooms with fully equipped kitchenettes and either gas heat or a Franklin stove. There is also one cabin that sleeps 10 ($375 per night) and a two-story building that sleeps 25 ($700 per night). There are no in-room phones or TVs. The property has a restaurant (see "Where to Dine," below), large outdoor heated pool, hot tub, playground, picnic area with grills, riding stables, volleyball, horseshoes, hiking trails, recreation room, Ping-Pong, and a pool table. All cabins are nonsmoking.
The Inn at Grand Lake
1103 Grand Ave. (P.O. Box 2087), Grand Lake, CO 80447. ☎ 800/722-2585 or 970/627-9234. www.innatgrandlake.com. 18 units. TV TEL. $96–$140 double, $165–$170 suite. AE, DISC, MC, V.
For modern lodging with an Old West feel, stay at this handsome restored historic building, originally constructed in 1881 as Grand Lake's courthouse and jail. Rooms have a variety of bed combinations, and several sleep up to six. They're equipped with Western-style furniture, ceiling fans, white stucco walls, Indian-motif draperies and bedspreads, and have coffeemakers and hair dryers. Most units have refrigerators and microwaves. About half of the bathrooms have tub/shower combinations, and the rest have showers only. The best views are on the street side of the building. The inn is in the center of town, about a half block from the lake. All units are nonsmoking.
Where to Dine
There are no dining facilities inside the park.
ESTES PARK AREA (EAST SIDE OF THE NATIONAL PARK)
The Dunraven Inn
2470 Colo. 66. ☎ 970/586-6409. Reservations highly recommended. Main courses $8–$34. AE, DISC, MC, V. Sun–Thurs 5–10pm; Fri–Sat 5–10pm (closes slightly earlier in winter). ITALIAN.
This is a great spot to celebrate a special occasion in an intimate setting, but not too fancy for the (well-behaved) kids. The decor is eclectic, to say the least: Images of the Mona Lisa are scattered about, ranging from a mustachioed lady to opera posters, and autographed dollar bills adorn the lounge area. House specialties include shrimp scampi, lasagna, and our favorite, the Dunraven Italiano (an 11-oz. charbroiled sirloin steak in a sauce of peppers, onions, and tomatoes). There's a wide choice of pastas, fresh seafood, vegetarian plates, and desserts, plus a