Nestled in the small town of Bailey with a river running through it, Bailey Lodge sits in the striking Platte Canyon of the Rocky Mountains, less than an hour southwest of Denver. With plentiful outdoor adventures right outside your door, it’s a perfect home base for your Colorado getaway.
If you’re looking for a place dripping with history, this is it. This lodge sits in an area that was instrumental in the 1850s gold rush; the highway in front of the property was once railroad tracks and the preserved dirt road behind it a stagecoach path.
Perhaps the only thing that rivals its past is the peaceful present that awaits guests today. There’s a pretty pond to fish in, a heated swimming pool to dip in and a shelter with tables and grills for a picnic you can dig in. And you’d be hard-pressed to find a guest who doesn’t take a twirl in the old-school tree swing. How righteously retro is that?
When it’s time to call it a night, you can relax in remodeled basic double-queen rooms complete with Wi-Fi, a refrigerator, microwave and coffee pot, or bump up to basic-plus suites that add convenient kitchenettes. Or since you’re on vacation and all, maybe go ahead and splurge on a “from the studs” made-over premium suite with gorgeous modern touches.
The Barn Board/Mica Suite features gallery lights showing off local art, a custom-pressed mica fireplace and plenty of historical wood, tin and glass accents. The cozy and romantic Alder/Granite Suite boasts beautiful millwork, black granite, art-bedazzled walls and a four-poster bed. Both premium suites also come with 50-inch HDTVs with DVD players ready-made for a movie night in.
Because it’s Tripadvisor’s No. 1 rated hotel in Bailey, of course! Never mind that it’s also the only hotel in Bailey, they’re still determined to make this lodge stand out anyway. The owners have inns in larger cities, but as manager Scott Peck swears on the lodge’s website: “I have the coolest and nicest place of them all. We keep adding new touches, working to remain non-corporate in our feel, and continue to hand over rooms to you that are just as clean as possible.”
In a state as outdoor-obsessed as this one, you can’t get more Colorado than Bailey Lodge’s 2-acre stocked rainbow trout pond — so guests can enjoy a little catch-and-release fishing during their stay.
And we do mean “cool,” in this case. Although the lodge’s rooms are not air-conditioned (which really isn’t needed in the cool mountain air), they do offer a few portable “swamp coolers” for those who prefer a chilled breeze when the temps creep up.
How’s this for a convenient check-in? When you arrive at the lodge, just look for your name and room number on the office door, then head straight to your room. The door will be unlocked, your key will be on the table inside, and the lights and heat (if needed) will be on. Easy breezy.
Tantalizing your senses doesn’t have to mean an over-the-top tour de force. In this case, you’ll appreciate the heightened senses of a quiet, peaceful moment while soaking up mountain views with a glassy pond, plentiful hummingbirds and a babbling brook trickling through the property.
Check out the Premium Bird and Flower Suite, which not only features the lightest and most colorful decor, but also the best views. (You’ll see the surrounding mountains right outside the room’s front picture window.) Add a full kitchenette with an RV fridge, plus a gas stovetop, microwave, 50-inch HDTV and DVD player, and you have everything you need for a great getaway.
“We came upon this lodge unintentionally while on a spontaneous road trip through Colorado. We were first drawn to the sparkling river and large pond behind it. We were traveling with our two dogs, and once in our sparkling clean room we were very happy to see two neatly folded and clean dog blankets topped by two designer dog chews with a kind note stating, ‘The biscuits are to go in your dog and the blanket under.’ Sweet! The location, warm and welcoming behavior and spoiling, dog-inclusive environment urged us to book another night. We love this place and feel that you are lucky if you get to stay here.” — Robin H., Tripadvisor
Although you’ll be tempted to lounge around the grounds all day, there’s so much more to explore. Fish local waters, hike nearby trails or find world-class mountain biking in the nearby Buffalo Creek Recreation Area. You’ll also have easy access to Lost Creek and Mount Evans wilderness areas, plus some of Colorado’s famous fourteeners — striking mountain peaks that tower at least 14,000 feet high. For milder adventurers, there’s the Treehouse Adventure Park, disc golf and several historical areas.
Photos courtesy of Bailey Lodge