One Sensational Colorado Spa and Six Perfect Pools

Warwick Denver Hotel

Many people come to Colorado in the summer to hike, bike, jeep, fish and sit outside to enjoy great concerts amid breathtaking scenery. Yes, Colorado ranks supreme for all that, however, this Rocky Mountain state also boasts some of the best pools and spas in the country. They’re terrific because of the mountains.

Mountain Lodge Telluride

Most of the pools highlighted below are backdropped by scenery eloquently described by Katharine Lee Bates in “America the Beautiful.” And because of the purple mountain majesties where we work our bodies to near exhaustion, it’s important to have glorious pools and spas where we can relax and rejuvenate. We have a good amount of them in Colorado, all of which are attached to prized hotels and resorts.

The Peaks Pool in Telluride

See the photos and my blurbs below to begin your journey through some of the best hydrotherapy offerings in Colorado. Whether you’re going to these establishments for a stay, a treatment or a day pass (often in conjunction with poolside dining), go ahead and plan your travels around them. The benefits you derive from these mountain oases will carry you well past the end of your vacation. And best of all: Most of these pools are open year-round because they’re heated.

The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch Resort

The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch Pool and Spa in Beaver Creek
My boyfriend, Steve, and I experienced The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch Spa a while ago during a spring ski getaway. I wrote about it at Pick a Spa, Pick a Ski Destination. We loved it then, however, recently we had an even more extraordinary experience, since we logged some delicious pool time as well.

Ritz-y Pool

Poolside Offerings

Oh, the pool. Drawn in by its black lines, we knew this stunning, infinity pool was the place for us. We arrived at lunchtime on a busy Friday and were thrilled to see that there was still a designated lane where we could do laps away from the din of Marco-Polo and all the other activity that characterizes a day at the pool in summer.

Steve diligently knocked out his sixty lengths while I bronzed, something I rarely find the time to do. I decided to forgo my workout because I had already sunk deeply into a lolling around mood, one enhanced by a stack of magazines and my phone turned off. (It actually went dead because of the heat.)

Bottoms Up

Food tastes best when eaten outside, particularly in the summer when salty chips and fries are de rigueur. We feasted on fish tacos and a grilled chicken wrap served in large Bento-type boxes that far exceeded your average poolside chow. (My phone had died by the time the food arrived, however, I did take a snapshot of the menu!)

Since this is Colorado, the clouds rolled in practically on cue by mid afternoon. Pas de problème. We just snuggled up to their poolside bar and sipped a frothy one, a beer that we found very amusing because it was a perfect pour by Bottoms Up. Many guesses later, we discovered that a magnet holds the key to the beer not bottoming out. You might have seen these beers at stadiums and now it appears they’re gaining popularity at certain mountainside resorts. (Just think après ski/large volumes of beer served/perfect every time.)

Steve and Me at the Poolside Bar of The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch

Spa Luxe at Bachelor Gulch

The Ladies’ Lounge at Bachelor Gulch

The Ladies’ Grotto

All Ready for Me at the Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch Spa

By now we had achieved such a state of relaxation that we almost didn’t need to go to the spa. Almost. Thank goodness we did though. Oh my! I can say I had one of the best treatments ever thanks to the warm and comforting welcome and interior of The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch Spa as well as the expertise of Amanda, my therapist. I was scheduled for a Miner’s Mineral Mudwrap, a full experience with body exfoliation, body wrap, scalp treatment and body massage. And I can tell you it was a full experience–whoa! The mud, the scrub, the soak and the healing hands of Amanda, eased me into a state of relaxation that I hadn’t felt in ages. I could literally feel Amanda releasing the toxins within me with each skillful portion of this oh-so complete treatment.

I know that Steve had been transformed as well because when we texted after the treatment, he wrote “Take your time, Hun,” even though I was already a half hour late. (I think very driven, Type A guys should have weekly treatments like this. Don’t you, ladies?)

Great Shopping at the Spa

Afterward we enjoyed the scene in the Great Room at the resort as we downed lots of water and yes, a beer (for him) and a wine (for me).

“Were you given berries at the end, too?” I asked.

“Yes, that was a nice touch,” he replied as we compared notes on our extraordinary not-soon-to-be-forgotten afternoon at the spa.

The Scene at the Great Room at the Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch

“I can’t believe the scene here,” I exclaimed as I looked around at the super social vibe of a Friday evening at this exclusive resort. It was wonderful to see so many people–young and old–having such a good time.

“The architecture is in the spirit of the great camps–the likes you see in our national parks,” Steve told me earlier.

I hadn’t made that connection before, but he was spot on. And inside, the summer vacation camp-style mode rang true as well. Mind you, here at The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch it’s far more upscale, yet much to my delight, I did find the overall experience to be resoundingly authentic. Like much of The Ritz, it’s a must.

The Westin at Beaver Creek

Late Fall at this Gorgeous Pool

Rainbow Over the Westin: One of the Best Parts of a Colorado Pool Experience

The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa at Beaver Creek Mountain
Just down the hill from Bachelor Gulch, you’ll find one of the very best pools in Colorado. It’s tops for lap swimmers and since it’s perfectly salinated, it’s about as close as you can find to floating in the ocean. For more on this glorious pool and the spa at this wonderful resort, read A Pristine Pool Experience in Avon/Beaver Creek and Terrific Spa Experiences in Colorado’s Mountain Towns.

The Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Pool

This Hot Tub is for Me

Pool Posies

Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa
Steve and I stayed here during our recent getaway to Beaver Creek and I was thrilled to work in some serious swimming at their pool. I also felt enchanted by their stunning flowers, potted arrangements and gardens that always leave me oohing and aahing throughout all of Beaver Creek and Vail. I promise I’ll do a story on these extraordinary displays of blooms some day. Although I did not go to their Allegria Spa this trip, you can read about two previous times here.

Mountain Lodge Pool Party

Great Eats at The View at Mountain Lodge

Mountain Lodge Telluride
In truth, I’ve only bobbed in this pool once. (Somehow it doesn’t seem appropriate, since Steve is the GM of this property.) I have, however, enjoyed many terrific lunches and dinners from its restaurant, The View Bar & Grill, poolside, on what is surely one of the most spectacular pool decks in the Rocky Mountains. I might go so far as to say the most spectacular! Note that the pool is great for family fun and the hot tubs always seem to garner a lot of attention from the more mature–yet equally fun-loving–guests. For more on The View, read Chef Bud Creates an Elevated Dining Experience at Mountain Lodge Telluride and Great Rocky Mountain Decks: Spectacular Views Year-Round.

Fun for All at The Peaks

Sunset on Mt. Wilson as Seen from The Peaks

The Peaks Resort & Spa in Telluride
This is where I go to swim as much as possible. Sadly, it’s never enough because I love swimming and I love this spa but even though it’s practically in my backyard, it’s hard to find the time to work it in. Actually there are two pools here, which is largely why it’s so great. There’s an indoor primo lap pool that exudes all the luminosity of the West as well as an indoor/outdoor pool replete with a slide, which always seems to be the epicenter of family fun. I’ve delighted in many a bite to eat poolside, glorious moments also served up with panoramic views par excellence. For more on The Peaks Spa and pool, read Pick a Spa, Pick a Ski Destination, Dipping, Dining and Viewing at The Peaks Resort & Spa and Great Rocky Mountain Decks:  Spectacular Views Year-Round.

The Scene at Warwick Denver

A Good Place for an Evening Soliloquy

Denver by Night as Seen from the Pool

My Lounger at the Warwick Denver Pool

Hotel Warwick Denver
In some respects, I’ve saved the best for last. How cool is it to experience a rooftop pool in the heart of a big city? Decked out in lavender and grey, the setting against the metropolitan backdrop of Denver soothes and seduces, especially if you slip in after dark and enjoy a cool moment on one of their loungers. During the day, the scene here goes off and thankfully there’s a terrific poolside bar to keep young and old spirited and refreshed. Thank you Warwick Denver for redoing your pool and pool deck. The investment was well worth it and I’m grateful you didn’t just fill it in with an enormous Pent House apartment. (Note that you push PH on the elevator to head to the pool. At first I thought it was for the Pent House but then was delighted it was for Pool House.) Read more at Summertime and the Livin’ Is Easy at the Denver Warwick.

One More Pool
I would be remiss in not including here the pool at The Broadmoor, one of my all-time favorite resorts. Click here for more on this elegant spot.

Poolside Luxe at The Broadmoor