As Hot Rod says, “I could get use to this.”
Up front I have to tell you. I was the only one of the group that REALLY wanted to go to The Broadmoor for breakfast. The others were kind and accommodating, and I was ecstatic.
Sweet Mother of Pearl! The Broadmoor more than lived up to my expectations. Right here in Colorado Springs, Colorado is a resort hotel that rivals or bests anything I have ever seen – The Empress in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Adolphus Hotel in Dallas, Texas, and the Biltmore in Ashville, North Carolina. I realize my list is short, but … What is – is.
Back in 1916 Spencer Penrose (He built the highway up Pike’s Peak.) and his wife Julia purchased 40 acres of land that contained the Cheyenne Lake, and The Broadmoor Casino and Hotel. Then they bought another 450 adjoining acres. It was their goal to create the most beautiful resort in the world. The Broadmoor was modeled after the opulence and elegance that they had experienced in Europe and the Orient. Now I am here to tell you that something of this grandeur was not often seen in the United States and especially in Colorado in 1916 – 1918. Throughout the years it has been known for beauty and excellence.
Fast forward to 2001-2002. For the first time in history, The Broadmoor was closed for a year while it was faithfully restored and lovingly renovated. It certainly is a five star resort with three golf courses and wonderful gift shops. It is beautiful, gorgeous, opulent and elegant.
As we stepped out of the car, I was astounded at the ceiling. Be still my heart! And this was just the beginning. I have several pictures of ceilings at The Broadmoor, and I will show them to you on another post. They are just too good not to share.
This fountain is in the second floor lobby outside the Terrace restaurant. I like it, I love it – I will not covet.
Beautiful ironwork, a gorgeous ceiling and a chandelier to die for greeted us at the entrance to the restaurant. I literally felt I was in another world.
Inside the restaurant was another beautiful fountain. See Ever-Lovin’ and Bob over there by the windows. The view of the mountains was fantastic. With all this elegance, the service was welcoming and comfortable. The staff never made us feel out of place – which we probably were. In fact, they actually made us feel they were delighted we came.
There was a buffet, and I am not talking about a buffet like you get free at the Comfort Inn. (Not that I am knocking the Comfort Inn buffet – I am thankful for it.) But breakfast at The Broadmoor is in a completely different five star class. It was humongous, and delicious. There were omelets (that entire table with the chef offered omelet ingredients), waffles, blitzes, sausage, apple-cured bacon (Bob proclaimed it the best bacon he had ever eaten, and he does know bacon), roasted fingerling potatoes, eggs, smoked salmon, a cheese and meat tray, cheddar biscuits, sausage gravy, oatmeal with more toppings than I have ever seen, and an entire table of different fruits which were perfectly ripened and delicious. I know I have forgotten some of the offerings. There was just so much to choose from. Of course there was coffee and freshly squeezed orange juice.
Then in the middle of the room was a round table filled with pastries and Ever-Lovin’s favorite – breakfast bread pudding. Yum-m-m!
This is a plate of pastries we brought to the table to share. Betty declared the croissants the best she had ever eaten. How can I possibly explain how delicious everything tasted. (I know I keep saying delicious, but that is what it was. (How about – I ate way too much because everything was so scrumptious, and I wanted to taste it all.) For the record, I did not taste everything, but I did eat too much and wasn’t hungry for the rest of the day.
After breakfast we walked around the hotel, and out onto the terrace.
Be still my heart! Isn’t this a gorgeous view. “I could get use to this!”
This is the view of the lawn from the front balcony of The Broadmoor. How beautiful! As we left, we drove past this lawn. Honestly, I was sad to be leaving. The Broadmoor was beyond wonderful, and even the rest of the gang said they loved it, were so glad we came, and would love to come again. (Betty even wondered if we could possible afford to spend just one night at The Broadmoor. Wouldn’t that be a dream!)
On our way back to the Comfort Inn, we saw this little wooden sign. – Paupers Cemetery. Kinda brought me back down to earth. Don’t get me wrong, I loved, loved, loved going to The Broadmoor, and enjoyed every minute I was there, but I never want to take my blessings lightly.
Blessings to you and yours,