Any mention of The Broadmoor, a 5 star hotel in Colorado Springs, is always accompanied by whispered longings of ooohs and ahhs. Those who have been there can’t wait to go back and those who have only heard stories of the bastion of hotels are anxiously waiting their turn to visit in person. We recently had our own opportunity to ooh and ahh as we luxuriated on the 5,000 acre property. Majestic marble-floored buildings that feel as if they were clipped from the pages of the Great Gatsby are set amongst rolling manicured lawns and a postcard perfect lake elegantly nestled in the shadow of the mountains. The Broadmoor is nothing short of breathtaking in every aspect, including an unparalleled attention to detail and service.

~Yes, even kids can appreciate the luxury at The Broadmoor~

Glistening buildings and glowing hospitality are all well and good, but such luxury can often sound like a warning siren when you have young kids in your travel party. Do the marble floors and shimmering chandeliers of The Broadmoor fit with family travel? Yes, absolutely! In fact, this is another area where the Broadmoor stands out among the crowd. Not only does the Broadmoor have scores of activities and events to appeal to the younger crowd, they go the extra mile to create an atmosphere so lavish that it makes adults weak in the knees while still welcoming little ones to just be themselves.

Five Fantastic Kid Activities that Keep Kids Happy at the Broadmoor

1. Play at The Broadmoor

Bowling is something my kids love and something I do because I love my kids. Typical bowling alleys are smoky and sticky and smell of old grease. Of course, nothing at The Broadmoor is typical, and this is certainly not your standard bowling alley. Play at The Broadmoor is the cooler, hipper, much less sticky version of the bowling alley you think you know. The atmosphere is much more executive boardroom, complete with leather chairs and a roaring fire, and the food follows right along with an upscale flair.  While the kids bowl, parents can enjoy small plates that include everything from gourmet French fries to sushi. Desserts are equally appealing.

2. Cheyenne Lake

Cheyenne Lake is the stunning outdoor centerpiece of the sprawling property and offers both structured and lazily unstructured ways to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. In the warmer months, paddleboats, electric boats, and canoes are all available for rent at the Lakeside Boat Dock. A complimentary one-hour paddleboat ride is included in the daily resort fee. The lake is also a great place to have a late evening or early morning stroll. The kids will be entertained by the geese that surround the lake and the swans that glide effortlessly in the shadow of the mountainous views.

~Paddleboating along Cheyenne Lake (photo courtesy of The Broadmoor)~

3. In-house Movie Theatre

Yes, that’s right. There is a full-sized movie theatre right on the property. First run movies are shown each evening at 7pm and matinee shows are also available on the weekend. Most movies are G or PG with the occasional PG-13 movie in the evenings. For a family with slightly older kids who need some entertainment in the evening, this is a great and free way to extend the fun after the sun goes down. Upscale snacks, including Italian sodas, coffee and delightful pastries are available for purchase at the nearby Expresso News patisserie shop. Plain ol’ popcorn will look boring after this movie experience.

~Photo courtesy of The Broadmoor~

4. Family Amenities and Restaurants

Of course, there is an amazing pool at the Broadmoor. Actually, there are three of them. The outdoor pool complex is 11,000 square feet with two water slides and a splash pad for the kids. The views of the lake and surrounding mountains from this beachy atmosphere are ah-mazing. Two year-round pools-a huge indoor spa pool and a heated lap pool that overlooks the golf course-are also available.

In addition to the fun at the pools, The Broadmoor has plenty of restaurants that are ideal for families and offer that extra something special that can be seen throughout the property. We dined at the Golden Bee during our visit because I had heard it was good for kids, but because it was an English pub, I was skeptical. Once again, though, we were pleasantly surprised by the details that made the dining experience memorable. The food was delicious and not too obscure that it made my picky eaters turn up their noses. As soon as we were seated, a cheese spread and cracker tray was presented, which was a welcome treat for a table full of hungry kids. And then, there were the bees. As he took our drink order, our waiter magically flicked a bee onto each of our shirts that seemed to appear from nowhere. That silly and unexpected touch set a relaxed and playful tone for the entire meal.

5. Classes for Kids and Families

The Broadmoor is known for being a place to practice your game, be it tennis or golf, and kids are certainly not left out of that opportunity. “Pee Wee” Tennis Drills allow little ones to spend one hour learning from top instructors, while special prices let young golfers play right along with their parents. Special “Passport” classes during the winter season (November-April) are another way that families can really enjoy the resort and each other. Complimentary weekend classes run the gamut from fly-fishing to cooking classes, and even include dance and fitness lessons for the whole families. Kids will be issued a “Passport” at the beginning of their stay to encourage them to try out as many of the educational and entertaining options as possible.

~The Broadmoor hosted our stay during our visit to the hotel. They did not require that I express a particular viewpoint and all opinions are my own.~