Hotel Check: The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs

WHERE IS IT? Not far from downtown Colorado Springs and at the base of Cheyenne Mountain, this European-style resort is over a century old. Colorado Springs’ airport is about 20 minutes by car, and the resort has everything from hiking and spa to tennis and golf within walking distance of the main building.

HOW MANY ROOMS? 784 rooms, suites and cottages

PROPERTY HIGHLIGHTS: Historic grande dame property with modern amenities, plenty of recreational activities, a world-class spa and top-notch dining

WHAT’S IT LIKE? This legendary resort is reminiscent of the grand hotels on the shores of Lake Como. Its founders wanted to recreate that experience for the American visitor, and following several restorations and upgrades, that same panache and style still rings true. The Italian-style architecture is a sight to behold with intricate detailing and quintessential red-tile roof. The main lobby is stunning with ornate woodwork, paintings, elegant lounges and a curving staircase that takes guests to the main social areas of the property. An escalator leads up to the main lounge and dining venues; as you ascend, you are transported into a world of elegance and tranquility.

Among the hundreds of notable figures that have stayed here is a long list of U.S. presidents including Obama, Clinton, George W. Bush, George Bush, Sr, Nixon and Franklin D. Roosevelt. The number of international dignitaries, sports figures and Hollywood celebrities to check in here is too many to count (luckily, there’s a hall of photographs for visitors to peruse). This Preferred Hotels & Resorts group member impresses with its attention to detail in its design as well as from its staff. Several times each week, the resort hosts a complimentary art and history walking tour that is an excellent way to learn about the property’s majestic past. Don’t miss the impressive collection of western-themed art on display as well as the unending array of memorabilia and photographs that explain the resort’s colorful decades of operation.

ROOM FACILITIES: The resort is quite expansive with accommodations situated in numerous buildings surrounding the lake. The main building is the oldest, but all rooms at The Broadmoor have had recent updates. Expect plush carpeting and fabrics, duvet-coated beds with easy-access power outlets, closets stuffed with perks like robes and umbrellas, bathrooms with excellent water pressure and high-end toiletries, and in many rooms, a fireplace.

RESTAURANTS AND BARS: You won’t run out of dining options here. Casual meals include a menu of burgers and salads in the lobby bar, a decadent array of pralines, pastries and cakes (plus sandwiches, salads, coffee and homemade gelato) at Café Julie’s in the lobby. Hint: you can return for unlimited, same-day refills on any coffee you buy here. The Lake Terrace Dining Room service a long list of sweet and savory breakfast items while The Grille attracts members, visitors and guests for a bite to eat before or after a tennis match, golf game or spa treatment. Don’t miss the imaginative chef’s salad here. Ristorante del Lago serves authentic Italian cuisine including pastas made in house. Arrive early enough to enjoy the views of the main building and lake at sunset. La Taverne serves a formal steakhouse-style dinner as well as weekend lunch while The Golden Bee has an entertaining pub-like saloon atmosphere popular with locals. There’s also a pool café, organic café and seasonal Summit Lounge with a light bites menu. With so many options and menus that incorporate ingredients from the resort’s own greenhouse, the culinary scene here is designed to impress.

LEISURE FACILITIES: Three golf courses keep even the most experienced players challenged thanks to designs by Robert Trent Jones and Arnold Palmer among others. The Broadmoor has hosted well-known tournaments like the US Senior Open.

A fitness center boasts modern equipment, but many guests may be too exhausted from hiking, biking, fly fishing, boating and zip lining to even notice. The roster of activities here is enough to fill an entire vacation with something for every comfort level. Falconry puts visitors up close with majestic birds, but there’s also bowling, S’mores for families and pickleball.

The spa boasts a wide range of treatments including signature massage and salon services plus relaxation areas with sauna, steam room and salt rooms. Even the robes and slippers are warmed for you before you put them on. With both outdoor and indoor pools, there’s opportunity to swim no matter what the weather. There are also complimentary yoga and aquatic classes plus whirlpools to soothe sore muscles. Numerous boutiques and shops are spread around the resort for a little retail therapy, too.

Shuttle service takes guests to numerous area attractions including Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. A cinema shows Hollywood movies on a daily basis. For those that wants to get out and explore, the resort has a Cadillac partnership (dating back nearly seven decades) giving guests free access to vehicles to drive around the area for a few hours. There’s even a scavenger hunt that will have guests exploring every corner of the property to answer questions in exchange for a prize. If the resort’s history intrigues you, be sure to visit the (free) Penrose Heritage Museum, which showcases numerous artefacts that belonged to the hotel’s first owner including old-fashioned cars and carriages.

BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES: Group business has become a mainstay for the property with elegant ballrooms, breakout rooms and outdoor function space available. The newest facility greatly expands the property’s ability to host large groups with more capacity than ever before. It’s a highly sought-after destination for conferences and events. Wireless Internet is free throughout the property.

VERDICT: This bucket-list Americana resort seamlessly blends the past and present in a way few upscale properties can pull off well. Whether here for a romantic getaway, business event or family vacation, The Broadmoor does not disappoint.

CONTACT: 1 Lake Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80906; Phone: 855-634-7711, www.broadmoor.com