Foxy Fawni

Ochi Sandals Resort

2018-05-03T22:12:00.001-06:00

Sandals Ochi Beach Resort was formerly known as Sandals Grande Rivera. By any name it is a sprawling property that has two sides – Seaside and Hillside – and a total of 15 restaurants that are available to all guests. There is constant shuttle transportation available between the two. If you’re in a suite in the Hillside Butler Village you have literally 24 hour access to a butler driven golf cart.

View from one of the villas in the Hillside Butler Village at Sandals Ochi Beach Resort. This particular Villa had 4 suites which shared this patio and a small pool with lounge chairs.

This is the main pool with swim up bar for the Hillside guests at Sandals Ochi Beach Resort.

Portico, patio and fountain located in the Hillside Village at Sandals Ochi Beach Resort. Great location for a wedding ceremony, cocktail hour, or small reception.

The Ochi Beach club is accessible to guests from both Sandals Ochi Beach Resort and Sandals Royal Plantation. The gazebo at the end of a boardwalk features a hand carved ancient door and views of the ocean from a hidden hammock or lounge chair. There’s a pool, bar, fire pit patio, volleyball court, and food service. You can have a set up for a wedding reception or corporate dinner on the long pier.

You can choose to be alone or hang with the crowd at the Ochi Beach Club which is part of Sandals Ochi Beach Resort.

This is a lively resort though it can also be private and secluded in the Hillside Butler Village. Lots of room categories to choose from. This is the resort for those who want to choose between doing a lot, doing a little, or doing nothing. You won’t be sorry no matter what you choose.

This resort was a nice resort and is budget friendly we have found it's one of the cheapest resorts besides the Carlye Inn. Have you been to a Sandals Resort? Which is your favorite?

Sandals Montego Bay Jamaica

2017-08-17T11:00:00.000-06:00

We decided to come back to Sandals Montego Bay (MOBAY) since we had such a great time on our honeymoon. This time we wanted to do a split stay so we did Ocho Rios first and than ended with MOBAY. We booked a room with a garden view in the Seagrapes building. I made the mistake of doing the cheapest room not knowing that their was a difference in the rooms. We soon found out that CLUB level meant you got a mini wet bar in the room. We were disappointed when we checked in this time to find out we were at the edge of the property and didn't have a bar since I thought I had booked the same room category as we booked on our first visit. We talked with the front desk and after talking for a couple hours the manager offered to move us to the Seagrapes building where we thought we were going to be and we ended up getting a mini wet bar for the hassle. This happened the next day though so we still had to deal with being at the edge of the property for a day and no bar in the room. The closest bar was the pool bar and that was still a walk away and our buzz usually had worn off on the walk back plus they were working on the rooms walking to our room. We felt it should have been blocked off so we didn't see that or get bothered by the workers. It was very frustrating that we were put in the wrong room in the first place.

Once we got moved to the correct room things finally got better and since we enjoyed our first stay so much signed up for Sandals Select. Which is a really great program Sandals offers to reward returning guests. They do a welcome back party every Tuesday night and you get a welcome back t-shirt, pair of sandals, and treated to a really nice dinner. The loyalty staff and few managers also join you for dinner which is really neat to get to know the staff more. We were fortunate to be there for the remodel of the new lobby and bar so they had extra bottles of rum they gave out to us at the welcome back dinner. During this time too they award other select members that have done so many visits. The minimum to get a reward is the silver pendant for 35 nights, gold pendant for 56 nights, and for every paid 70 nights you get a free week!! What other all inclusive resort rewards you with a free week just for coming back?!!

cutting ribbon

Shots tower in Cricketer

Storm coming in

Since things didn't start out so well for us at MOBAY we spent alot of time this trip over at Royal Caribbean. This resort also has new things since we were last there a year ago. These neat swings in the water, a dragon boat to take you to the Thai restaurant for dinner, and the over the water bungalows that are like going to Bora Bora but less time on the plane and a 15 minute ride from the airport.

Over water bungalows shaped like a heart!

MOBAY has done a lot of changes now and most the remodel is done now so we may go back. Still need for work on convincing my husband that one bad experience shouldn't stop us from going back to where our love with Sandals started.

Has anyone been to MOBAY since they have remodeled? What are your thoughts?

Sandals Royal Plantation, Ocho Rios Jamaica

2017-08-16T11:00:00.000-06:00

Since this was our one year anniversary visit we wanted to book a private transfer car from the airport instead of the normal shuttle buses. We booked it from Island Routes and it was $300. We had a private escort and assistance with our bags. We were greeted with a luxury Audi and cooler full or beer and champagne. It was odd to me that the driver poured me a glass of champagne for the road and during the ride offer us another drink. It was a nice treat though since it was warm and we were ready to start our vacation once we got off the plane. The driver also had little finger foods for us another great touch since we were hungry and our drive to Ocho Rios was a hour and a half.

Our Butlers had a nice little surprise in the room as we checked in

Sandals Royal Plantation offers all Oceanfront and all Butler Suites for pampering luxurious all inclusive vacations. With it’s beautiful beachfront location in Ocho Rios this all suite resort is known for it’s impeccable service and attention to detail. Enjoy a quiet, upscale resort in a secluded, private cove beach. This resort excels in personalized service and unique offerings such as an evening of glamour at Jamaica’s only champagne and caviar bar (available for a fee, not included with the stay). Sandals Royal Plantation shines of old world charm with it’s beautiful Jamaican plantation setting and décor and service and hospitality is delivered with the warmth that is also uniquely Jamaican. With a Butler, your wishes are unlimited!

Once we got to the resort Richard our butler really made our stay special with decorating our room and going above and beyond. The Royal Plantation is a butler only resort and all the rooms have an ocean view. Our butler took our bags to our room and unpacked our suitcases without even asking. This resort is smaller than the Montego Bay resort, but Ocho Rios was gorgeous it was Mountainous and rock cliffs added character to the island. One downfall is their was only one pool, no pool bar, and didn't have activities to keep you busy. But with this resort you can take advantage of the exchange privileges and have shuttles that will take you to Ochi another Sandals resort, (they have three locations at one resort, the Hop is the bus you take to go to the three locations: Hillside, Ochi Beach Club, or Oceanside/ Riveria). Since the Royal Plantation was smaller and we wanted more of a party feel we spent most our time over at Ochi Beach Club at the pool bar. This resort also has outdoor movie nights and the first speakeasy of the Caribbean. Make sure and ask the staff what the password is, it changes nightly.

Rabbit Hole

We ordered room service one of the nights and got steak and shrimp it was really good. Another night my husband surprised me with a candlelight dinner on one of the piers (available at extra fee). Our server for the night Natalia took really good care of us and sang a happy anniversary song. We only had four days at this resort since we did a split stay we have four more days at Montego Bay but wish we would have just did a full week at this resort.

Dining choices include:
The Terrace: Traditional Dinner meals
Le Papillon: French restaurant for dinner only.
Tea Terrace: tea time with mini finger foods and desserts
The Wobbly Peacock: Traditional English pub fare.
Royal Grill: Beach-side grill, offers wraps, salads, grilled fish, and burgers. Open daily for lunch.

You can also have meals over at Ochi's 16 restaurants for a total of 21 restaurants!!

Sandals Royal Plantation Butler Service:

·      24 Hour room service in all Butler suites
·      In-suite private check in
·      You’ll be provided with a cell phone to keep in constant contact with your Butler
·      What can a Butler offer you? These are just a few of the possibilities:
o   Optional packing and unpacking and tending to your wardrobe daily
o   Provide a private resort orientation at your leisure
o   Communicate with housekeeping any of your room desires
o   Serving meals in suite and on the beach
o   Reserving your chairs on the beach and offering personalized food and beverage service
o   Make your dinner reservations, escort you to the restaurant and to your preferred seats
o   Arrange your return airport transfers
o   Help arrange tours for you
o   Assist with your check out

The Ochi Beach Club
Ochi Beach Club is located next door at Sandals Grande Riviera and is available for use by Sandals Royal Plantation guests. Ochi Beach Club is just a 2 minute ride in the Sandals complimentary private shuttle. Enjoy the beach and activities by day and by night enjoy dining in the new Kimonos restaurant and enjoy the live music of Jamaica’s top performers.

Come to Sandals Royal Plantation - among the top of the luxury adult only all inclusive resorts in Jamaica!

Montego Bay Jamaica Sandals Resort

2017-08-13T23:33:00.000-06:00

We had a wonderful time at Sandals Montego Bay and heartily recommend it to anyone looking for an escape to one of the most fantastic islands in the Caribbean. We heard such great things about Sandals so we booked it for our honeymoon. We got a room in the Oleander building so we were in the perfect location for all the entertainment. The activities shack was steps from our room and Bayside was right below us for breakfast every morning. Also the cricketer was steps away from us so we didn't have to stumble too far back to our room!

Some times it is tough to select an all inclusive as EVERYTHING looks fantastic from a brochure or website. However, I am THRILLED to say that Sandals is exactly what you are seeing in the brochure. One of the other elements that makes Sandals romantic getaway special is that you can stay at one and play at all. This gives you even more options for food, bars, beaches, and entertainment. With Montego Bay they have shuttles that run to Royal Caribbean and Carlyle Inn. We didn't have time to go to Carlyle Inn, but loved going to Royal Caribbean too.

Royal Caribbean Private Island and Thai restaurant.

One of the few downsides of this resort for some is that the International airport is literally RIGHT NEXT TO the resort. This means that at certain times of the day you will have jet aircraft taking off and landing almost directly over the resort. To me this was honestly not a big issue but was absolutely noticeable the first few times. If you want a quiet resort, this is not your best option.
In fact, Sandals Montego Bay is a pretty active resort that has a ton of stuff going on. The up side of the proximity though is that you will be at the resort in minutes vs a long drive for their other properties in Jamaica.

At Sandals, their slogan is "Luxury Included" and that means activities like sailing, aquatrikes, tubing, snorkeling, hobi cats, canoes / kayaks, and water tubing are all part of the package.'

Glass Bottom Boat

They also include scuba diving! This stars with an introductory resort program (if you aren't certified) so you can get acclimated and go diving the very next day for dives up to 30 feet. This is not included in the price but can be done for $90 a person. If you are already certified, you can dive up to twice per day.

We spent most our days at the swim up bar and had fun with the bartenders playing drinking games in the pool and making a lot of new friends. When we were there, it was packed shoulder to shoulder, so our "Pro Tip" is that there is a small canal that wraps around to the other side of the bar and you can hang out there in private and the bartenders will periodically swing over to see if you need anything. This gives you a bit of privacy.

I don't know why other resorts we have visited simply can't match Sandals drinks. Maybe it is the Appleton Estate rum, maybe it is the super friendly service, but Sandals bar tenders are simply TOP NOTCH. They also do a good job of blending the drinks so you don't even taste the liquor.

Bob Marley shot, be prepared it's very minty.

Rainbow shots, you'll be very popular if you order this in the Cricketer or you don't have to share. :)

Dining choices include:
Bayside: Buffet Style for Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Oleander Room: Refined Jamaican dishes with white-glove service for dinner only.
Cucina Romana: Authentic Italian favorites.
Tokyo Jo's: Stir fried dishes prepared in front of you.
Stewfish: Seafood restaurant on the beach with authentic Jamaican and Caribbean dishes.
Cricketer's Pint: Traditional English pub fare. Open for lunch and dinner daily, plus Late Night Snacks.
Dino's Pizzeria: Brick oven pizza. Available for lunch daily.
Mariners: Beach-side grill, offers wraps, salads, grilled fish, and burgers. Open daily for lunch.
Jerk Shack: Jerk chicken, wraps, burgers. Open for lunch and late night snacks.

You also have the exchange privileges so you can have dinner over at Royal Caribbean or Carlyle Inn.

Desserts at Oleander's

Sandals staff is ultimately what makes this resort special and with all the stuff that has changed in the world over the past decade, that element of service with a smile hasn't changed at all. We feel the service we received from the bartenders and staff is TOP NOTCH compared to service we get from restaurants in the states. All the staff is really friendly and make you feel like family and that you are home as you are there. From the moment you are greeted with cold wet towels they say "Welcome Home". We will be back for sure and excited to experience another Sandals resort.

Have you been to a Sandals resort? Which is your favorite?

Disneyland Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween California

2017-08-13T18:17:00.003-06:00

What is Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Disneyland? It is a separately ticketed event around Halloween from the end of September to October 31st where guests can celebrate special Halloween events after the park is closed for general admission.

Disney Villains Meet and Greet: The Disney villains can be surprisingly difficult to see on a normal day at Disneyland, not so at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.

Mickey’s Costume Party’ CavalcadeHalloween Dance Parties: These are a lot of fun! Party with Goofy at Piratepalooza (Rancho del Zocalo) or with Buzz Lightyear at his Intergalactic Space Jam (Tomorrowland Terrace).

You Can Wear A Costume: Disneyland usually doesn’t allow anyone over the age of 9 to wear a costume at any of their parks. Make sure it is tasteful. Disney has very high standards and will not let you in if you are wearing anything questionable!

Halloween Screams: A Villainous Surprise in the Skies Fireworks: This runs exclusively during the Mickey Not So Scary Halloween Party. As you would expect there are lots of references to Disney villains and Nightmare Before Christmas characters also featured.

Mickey’s Hide-and-Go-Treat Trails: There will be candy and healthy snacks available on these fun trails which aim to take guests to parts of the park that they don’t usually explore.

Access to Most of the Disneyland Attractions: Most of the Disneyland attractions are open for the Halloween Party. Particularly worth a visit are the Haunted Mansion Holiday (which runs from September 14th through January 6th 2013) and Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy.

This is a great time to see the special Halloween events, but don’t go expecting that the lines will be short for the attractions. Sometime this can sometimes be the case, on busy nights tickets for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party do sell out and there will be plenty of other guests in the park celebrating with you. Go for the Halloween atmosphere and not for the shorter lines. For most people though we would suggest that you really have to be a big Disney fan and be looking for a different experience. It is a great event but of course the costs do add up. We think it is something that you want to do at least once!

Event Prices : Advance tickets are $95 and on the day of $105 before the last week of October and after $120 October 27th and 31st. Be aware that tickets do sell out in advance so it definitely is the best idea to buy before the date of the party.

You can buy tickets for Disneyland Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at the park ticket booths or online at Mickey’s Disneyland Halloween Party.

We hope you have a magical time at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Disneyland!

Disneyland Hotel California

2017-08-13T16:12:00.001-06:00

As you enter the lobby of the Disneyland Hotel in California, you're greeted by a soaring mural of Sleeping Beauty's castle, with "When You Wish Upon A Star" playing overhead. Outside, three retro-themed pools beckon families for a swim. Later, you can marvel at the spectacular view of Downtown Disney from your guestroom balcony (east side of the Dream Tower).

Hotel Room

Disneyland Hotel Room Beds – check out the beautiful headboard!

Since the Disneyland Hotel is on Disneyland property, you can walk to Downtown Disney and both parks by foot. Although it was a bit of a trek to the parks (you walk past the hotel grounds, and then through Downtown Disney to get there), I found it convenient not needing a shuttle/bus/monorail. I would highly recommend a stroller if you have little children, as they will surely tire from the walk.

Our last day we were able to enjoy the pool and had a few drinks from Trader Sam's to relax alittle more before heading out.

Our time at the Disneyland Hotel was short, I do think the Disneyland Hotel is a great value for the price and like all Disney properties, this hotel is a fun, happy place that children and families will enjoy.

Goofy's Kitchen, Disneyland Hotel

2017-08-13T15:56:00.000-06:00

Ladies and gentlemen, may I present Disneyland’s premier character breakfast Goofy’s Kitchen, located in the Disneyland Hotel. We came for breakfast and loved it! Lots of character interactions (Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Chipmunks) all stopped by our table to say "hi". The food I thought was good too, I loved the Mickey shaped waffles and the desserts! We went during Halloween so they had festive desserts. I had a chocolate pudding with gummy brains and fingers. Also the peanut butter jelly pizza is really fun and actually really liked it! It was our anniversary so we got little cupcakes brought over that was above and beyond.

Eats
The best word to describe the brunch buffet is: extensive. It took me about 10 minutes just to photograph everything. There’s nothing repeated here, every available surface is covered with unique dishes ranging from customized omelets to peanut butter pizza to chicken fingers and entire island full of desserts. There’s just no way you can try everything, so be sure to look around first!

Overall
My first impression of Goofy’s Kitchen was that it was way better than Chef Mickey’s. The buffet was far more extensive, with a wide range of options you won’t find at Chef Mickey’s. The service was also great.

I'm hoping to go back again next year and will be going back to Goofy's Kitchen again for brunch for sure!

Los Angeles, California

2017-08-13T15:41:00.000-06:00

LA.'s downtown is thriving business center by day and an emerging arts and entertainment district at night. The area between Sunset and Wilshire Boulevards, westward to the Pacific, is the heart of the modern city and is most often called L.A.'s Westside. Most tourists will find the L.A. they've always envisioned here, whether it's shopping in Beverly Hills, checking out the record shops and music clubs of the Sunset Strip, tracing the walk of stars in Hollywood.

Of course Los Angeles is known for its uniquely gorgeous stretch of beaches, each with its own identity. Starting with the stunning scenery in Malibu, drive down Pacific Coast Highway to check out Santa Monica and maybe even ride the Ferris wheel on the pier. Definitely head further south to experience Venice Beach.

Crystal Cove Park is a stretch of coastal cliffs and a beachfront cove situated between the Pacific Coast Highway and the Pacific Ocean just north of Laguna Beach. The 3,936-acre park was established in 1979. The entire park hosts a total of 3 miles of beaches and tide pools, a 1,400 acre marine Conservation Area as well as underwater park, 400 acres of bluffs, and 2,400 acres of canyons.

Still not enough? Within 40 miles of Downtown L.A. are miles and miles and miles of sandy beaches and, of course, Disneyland.

San Fransico, California

2017-08-13T15:36:00.001-06:00

The Golden Gate Bridge is one of San Francisco’s most famous landmarks as well as a piece of engineering art. You can walk across the bridge if you want (recommended), drop in at the visitor’s center to be briefed on the history of the park, or just stare at it from every angle. Don’t forget to make your way to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, which offers a waterfront promenade, views of the bridge, and a number of hiking trails.

Tour Alcatraz

This former federal prison on Alcatraz Island was home to some of the worst criminals in the US. It was shut down in the 1970s and has since become a national landmark people can explore. There’s no charge to visit the island, but you’ll have to pay for the boat there. I’d suggest taking a tour during your visit so the rangers can provide you with some historical context. Be sure to book the ferry to the island early if you’re going in the summer, as it gets very full!

Visit Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39, and Ghirardelli Square

This area covers numerous blocks along the waterfront and is one of the most popular things to do in the city. There are street performers, souvenir shops, and tons of restaurants. This is a good place to wander and for people watching. If you want to try some of the mouthwatering seafood that San Francisco is famous for, I really liked Waterbar and the Anchor Oyster Bar.

Ride the Cable Cars

Riding the cable cars is an excellent way to tour the city and experience various neighborhoods in San Francisco. Catch the cable cars from Market Street. They’re fun to ride and will save you lots of time walking up and down those hills.

Visit Lombard Street

While riding the cable cars, make sure to get off at Lombard Street and see one of the world’s windiest streets.

Head to Chinatown
Next to NYC, this is the most famous Chinatown in the United States (it’s also the biggest). Chinese immigrants first came to the West Coast and set up shop in San Francisco. Due to racial segregation, this neighborhood became predominantly Chinese and has remained so, though the segregation is over. Chinatown here has some of the best places to eat Chinese food (dim sum) in the country, teahouses, bars, souvenir stalls, and fortune cookie makers. Eat your heart out here. I do.

Circus Circus Hotel Las Vegas

2017-08-13T14:46:00.000-06:00

Circus Circus Hotel & Casino

We got a room at the Circus Circus driving through from California back to Denver. It was around Halloween time so they had the fright dome going on and thought it would be fun to attend, and figured to stay at the same hotel. The hotel does have an actual circus and is aimed at being a family-friendly venue. But the hotel is really dated for our liking. Can't complain about that because the rooms are the cheapest on the strip so we didn't expect the four seasons but was disappointed with the hotel being so run down and our room was comparable to the Super 8. We had sleeping bags in the car we brought up and slept in those because we weren't happy with the cleanliness of the room.

We expressed our disappointment with the hotel management after checking in and seeing the room but they weren't willing to do anything, so we just made the best of the night and checked out first thing in the morning. I wish I would have read the reviews before booking we would have just kept driving. We would have rather slept in the car, but we were only there for the Fright Dome so we left the room to go check that attraction out. Another let down we weren't scared and it was not what we expected for the price. All the reviews I saw said this was one of the scariest haunted attractions but for $60 general admission and fast pass admission we were really let down. Long lines and the attractions were really cheesy and didn't scare us at all. We love a good haunted house and expected better for a Vegas show but we will keep looking for a good scare.

Of course, the reviews on Trip Advisor are packed full of puns relating to clowns and jokers. Generally, the reviews are far from favorable. Things are kicked off in blunt fashion with one commenter stating that they “don’t have any good memories of this place.” They then go on to criticize the slow customer service, average rooms, and booking confusion.Another reviewer claimed that the hotel was “too trashy to stay.” That particular comment makes it sound like a trailer park rather than a hotel in Las Vegas. The hotel is also considered to be one of the oldest-looking in Sin City, its biggest flaw being that it is in major need of an upgrade to drag it kicking and screaming into the 21^stCentury. Unless you have a budget and family I would not recommend staying at the Circus Circus.

Has anyone else gone to Vegas for Halloween? Are there any good Haunted Houses there that you would recommend.

San Diego, California

2017-08-06T21:58:00.000-06:00

The Hotel Del Coronado is one of my favorite places in San Diego!

The Hotel Del Coronado is one of the most beautiful hotels that I have been to. This place is rich in history and is actually much older than I had thought (around since 1888).

Around the holidays, the hotel is gorgeously decorated with a large Christmas tree in the lobby. They even have an ice skating rink that is right next to the beach during the holidays.

La Jolla Cove is one of my favorite places in San Diego. It is a beautiful picturesque cove surrounded by seals, the beach and cliffs. It’s a great area to snorkel, people watch, or relax.

There is not much of a sandy beach along the cove. It is quite rocky but the plus side is that during low tide, you can walk along the rocks and see the tide pools. Be careful on the rocks though, they can get slippery.

The cove is beautiful and serene. You can sit above the cove and watch some surfers and body boarders but the best part is definitely the sea lions. Watching them swim in the ocean and enjoy the pleasures of beach life was mesmerizing.

Missoula, Montana

2017-08-06T21:41:00.000-06:00

Nestled in the Northern Rockies of Montana, surrounded by seven wilderness areas and at the confluence of three rivers, Missoula is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. You can kayak, raft or tube through downtown or take a relaxing hike in wilderness minutes from your hotel. Missoula is known for its trout fishing and spectacular natural beauty. The outdoor recreational opportunities are limitless.

Missoula is also a regional destination for shopping and dining, featuring three distinct shopping districts and an abundance of restaurants, cafes, coffee houses and breweries with something to fit all budgets and palates.

Have you been to Missoula? What would you recommend doing?

Hot Sulphur Hot Springs, Colorado

2017-08-06T21:16:00.001-06:00

Hot Sulphur Hot Springs Thirty-five thousand feet below the surface of the earth, the heat of volcanic rock is released through countless fissures that spread out through the earth’s crust. In Hot Sulphur Springs, there are seven natural springs flowing above the largest fissure that have been flowing constantly for hundreds of years, surfacing at about 104ºF to 126ºF. Over 200,000 gallons of natural hot mineral-rich water flow through our 21 mineral pools and baths every day at controlled temperatures of 95º to 112ºF.

Minerals in the water include sodium, sulfate, chloride, silica, potassium, calcium, fluoride, magnesium and trace elements of arsenic and lithium, all of which are good for the inside and outside of the body. There are no harmful elements in our water.

Aspen, CO

2017-07-29T00:49:00.001-06:00

The Colorado Rocky Mountains are covered in pine and streaked with aspen trees. In late September, all the aspens change to gold. They're striking against the contrast of the dark pines. Most of the locals set aside a day to drive up and see the changing aspens. We're no different. This year, we decided to make the drive up to Aspen.

We ended up spending two nights and one full day in Aspen. We stayed at The Little Nell on East Durant Ave. The hotel was quaint and absolutely everything you'd want on a trip to the mountains. The staff were very friendly and helpful.

Each of the rooms had:

Fully-stocked refreshment bar, with complimentary non-alcoholic beverages and snacks refreshed daily (my favorite were the gummie peaches from Dean & Duluca)
Bose Bluetooth Speaker
Stone-clad, gas log fireplace
Fili D’oro down comforters and white goose-down pillows
Shower and separate soaking tub
Dual Caesar stone vanities
Crème de Marfil heated marble flooring and walls
All-natural “First Tracks” June Jacobs spa amenities

We had breakfast at Element 47 both mornings it was a buffet style meal they had made to order omelets, oatmeal, assorted pastries, variety of meats: sausage, bacon, smoked salmon, berry and yogurt bar. The buffet included coffee or juice but was alittle steep at $34 a person, but the food was really good. For dinner one night we stopped at AJAX and had a good steak dinner. Our food was very expensive though not sure that we would go back. The next day took the Silver Queen Gondola to the top of the mountain to the Wedding Deck. To do a wedding photo shoot. The pictures turned out gorgeous all of our friends and family commented on how beautiful the pictures were and the time of year couldn't be better with the gold aspen leaves.

Residences at The Little Nell and Audi of America are pleased to offer hotel guests the complimentary opportunity to test drive the 2017 Audi Q7. We took our Audi to Maroon Bells and Independence Ghost Town.

Independence Ghost Town, the wooden skeleton remains of a Colorado mining operation of the 1880s. The remains of the town include, in various states of assemblage, a stable, a general store, two boarding houses, and Farwell Stamp Mill. Guests are welcome to tour the grounds and let their imaginations roam. Preservations do ask, however, that no souvenirs be taken from the site. For more information call (970) 925-3721 or visit www.aspenhistorysociety.com/independencemuseum.htm.

The most photographed place in Colorado is Maroon Bells, located just outside of Aspen. We drove up Maroon Creek Road to head to Maroon Bells. The drive up to Maroon Bells was picturesque. It's forever ingrained in my mind. The aspens grew tall and, at some parts, touched over the road. They created a tunnel, and we drove below the aspens.

It was absolutely majestic. When we reached the beach of Maroon Lake, it was like we stepped into a postcard. No wonder Maroon Bells is the most photographed place in Colorado.

Royal Gorge Senic train Canyon City, CO

2017-07-23T13:37:00.002-06:00

We took a train ride on the Royal Gorge Railroad. OMG! The views are nothing short of spectacular in the same fashion as the Grand Canyon. I suggest you take the early train as the later ones can get extremely crowded. Also, it can get pretty hot after the morning and even the floor of the open-air observation car gets hot because it is metal. This is a nice train ride through the Royal Gorge of the Arkansas River. The ride is 2 hours in total and you can see Royal Gorge Bridge 1000 feet above. The ride is also a one way trip so if you missed something in the beginning you can catch it on the way back. The conductor just moves from the front to the back of the train once you make it to the end of the track. They have multiple events throughout the year on the train to take part in. I think the murder mystery train ride sounds fun.

The views from the coach cars are limited to side views of the Arkansas River and walls of the gorge. If you want the best views you probably would want the Vista cars so you could also see the bridge above and possibly animal life. The dome car is the most expensive, the coach class is the least (but the windows are large).We loved the train ride and service. Don't worry too much about your seat assignment. You probably won't be spending much time in it, if any since you can stand in the open on the observation flat car. Everybody has access to the open-air car to take those cool pictures, but it gets real cozy there as a result. Our car's host suffered from a malfunctioning microphone, so we did not hear the info about the scenery. So we spent most the time on the flat car, while our in-laws stayed in the coach area for the seating. The menu items are a little spendy, but we were getting hungry on the way back to station so we decided to order burgers. They were ok and didn't have a table to eat from in the coach area. Served in a Styrofoam box. Next time I would probably eat lunch before the train. We also ordered a few drinks and they were good.

Have you done the Royal Gorge train? What was your favorite part?

Mount Princeton 14ner hike in CO

2017-07-23T12:53:00.001-06:00

Mt. Princeton - Elevation 14,197 Feet

Basic Information / Directions: Visit 14ers.com for specific directions & trail information. We hiked the standard route to reach Mt. Princeton. We drove to the radio towers on Mt. Princeton Road and parked. But you can drive further up, just be advised that there are not many places past the radio towers to turn around. Mount Princeton is roughly a 7 mile up from the radio towers and is considered one of the harder 14ers. I was with a big group of people with Younglife and we had people of all shapes and sizes, in shape and not in shape. If that helps decide if you can do the hike. The hike took us roughly 8 hours and recommend going really early in the morning 5 am or so.

Also, make sure to dress in layers the weather changes so fast and it may be hot (probably not at 5am) at the bottom but at the top most the time there will be snow and it will be a big drop in temperature. Also afternoon thunderstorms usually come in the afternoon and puts you more at risk of getting struck by lighting so if a storm comes and your not to the top yet I would recommend heading back down the trail or if you can take cover somewhere and wait the storm out do that. Otherwise a few easier 14ners are: Bierstadt, Quandary, Massive, Torreys and Grays Peak. Torreys and Grays are so close together too that you can do both in one day.

Once on the trail, the stunning view of the upper Arkansas River Valley, including Buena Vista, Johnson Village and Nathrop, are just a turn back away.

Be prepared for lots of people on the mountain. If you are seeking peace and quiet, don't climb on a summer weekend, during the week is a better time to go if possible.

After I recommend stopping at Mt. Princeton Hot Springs and soaking in the hot springs. They have a few man made pools, but my favorite are the pods off the river. When I went a few years ago they were deeper and rocks formed around them to look like pods, but the past year we went up the river wasn't as high and didn't have the pods but with the rocks in the river you could form your own pods just weren't as deep. This varies year to year though and depends on the snow fall since the river is snow runoff.

Have you hike Mount Princeton? What did you think?

Rapid City, SD

2017-07-23T10:29:00.001-06:00

When most tourists visit South Dakota they drive through with a quick stop at Mount Rushmore, but what they don’t realize is that there’s so much more. Growing up in Rapid City we were able to see a lot more of the state and in this post I'm going to share some of my favorite things for a weekend getaway.

South Dakota Road Trip

Rapid City to Spearfish

If you plan on flying to South Dakota you’ll fly into Rapid City Regional Airport. Since we live in Denver it was just a 6 hour drive for us to get there.

Spearfish Canyon Scenic Drive

Make your way down HYW 385 North on the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway through the Blackhills for some epic views. There are several short hikes & waterfalls not far off the road that are worthwhile. There are 3 waterfalls that are easily accessed within a 5-minute walk. We visited Roughlock Falls, Little Spearfish Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. Our favorite was Bridal Veil waterfall. There is a viewing platform right off the road. I think the best time to go up to Spearfish is in the fall. The colors are beautiful through the canyon in September and October.

Another fun thing to do while in Spearfish is go to D.C. Booth Fish Hatchery. Again really pretty to go in the fall but your family will enjoy going anytime of the year. Admission is free and open 365 days a year. The gift shop and museum is only open during the summer. You can feed the fish, so bring quarters for the feeders, all while learning the history of the area.

Other cities along the way to check out:

Deadwood (Old gold town, now it's home to several casinos in historic buildings)
Sturgis ( Sturgis Rally is a week long event usually the first week of August so keep this in mind when planning a trip to Rapid City, SD)

Mount Rushmore

A trip to South Dakota wouldn’t be complete without visiting Mount Rushmore. Head back down 385 on the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway. You will pass by Lake Pactola. Gorgeous reservoir and their is a campground if you wanted to stay the night after your drive down from Spearfish.

If you travel during the summer months it will be busy no matter what time of day so no need to rush. If you happen to be visiting during the evening try and stay for the evening lighting ceremony of Mount Rushmore. There is a cafeteria, otherwise Keystone few miles down the road has a few restaurants. Mount Rushmore is nothing short of amazing and if you are lucky you might see a mountain goat.

Cars, Motorcycles, and RVs – $11 per vehicle
Evening lighting ceremony of Mount Rushmore May 26, 2017 – Oct 1, 2017

Crazy Horse

Crazy Horse Memorial is the world’s largest Mountain Carving in progress. We personally didn’t visit. I went once when I was younger and now just look from the road at the progress.

$28.00 Per car – more than 2 people
$22.00 = 2 people in car
$11.00 = Per person
$5.00 = Per person on motorcycles, or bicycles

Custer State Park

After exploring all the things to do near Mount Rushmore make your way to Custer State Park. It’s South Dakota’s largest and oldest state park. There are several scenic drives, hikes, over 1,500 free roaming bison, fishing, and much more. One of our favorite things in the park was driving the Needles Highway. The rock formations on the drive will blow you away.

If you want to stay right on the edge of the park check out Sylvan Lake Lodge. It has some of the best views of Sylvan lakes and the perfect location for exploring Custer State Park.

We highly recommend eating dinner at the Alpine Inn. The Alpine Inn only serves two things for dinner, filet mignon or a Spaetzle Primavera. We opted for the 9-ounce bacon wrapped filet for $13.95 and we weren’t disappointed. This place is a steal, for less than $50 we each got a 9-ounce steak dinner, dessert, drinks. If you visit during the summer expect there to be a line before dinner service even starts. Their lunch menu is much larger and specializes in European cuisine. My family loves getting the Rueben sandwich every time we go back.

Another favorite place is Prairie Berry Winery. Home of the famous Red Ass Rhubarb wine. Start your visit with a complimentary wine tasting and you can pick five to sample. Most of the wines they make are sweet but they do have a few dryer and full bodied wines as well. My favorites are the Red Ass Rhubarb, Strawberry Fusion, and Calamity Jane. Within past couple years they have really transformed the place and serve food and cocktails made from the wines. Last time we were there they made the Red Ass Rhubarb into a margarita, which I would have never thought to do but was really shocked with how delicious it turned out. They also did a blueberry lemonade with the Blue Suede shoes wine and was really impressed with that drink too. Both were refreshing, treat to enjoy on the patio with a flat bread pizza. We joined the Gen 5 wine club and get shipped four bottles of wine a month. Plus 20% off wine in the store when you shop. If wine isn't your thing they have a brewery next door, we haven't had a chance to go there yet.

Badlands National Park

On your way to the park make sure to stop at Wall Drug in Wall South Dakota. You will see sign after sign along I-90. It’s a great place to stop and have lunch before heading into the park.

The Badlands look out of this world. The park is 244,000 acres and is said to contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds. Apparently, even rhinos and saber- toothed cats, once roamed in South Dakota. Now you will find bison, big horn sheep, and prairie dogs. You will find several hiking trails and the sunset and sunrises are phenomenal in the park.

Have you gone on a South Dakota road trip? What would you add?

North Padre Islands, TX

2017-07-13T23:11:00.001-06:00

After San Antonio, we went to Padre Island National Seashore on Padre Island to go camping. The island itself is known mostly for South Padre Island, a popular vacation and tourist spot on the more developed part on the island all the way at the bottom. Where we stayed was North Padre, and the National Seashore itself is over 60 miles of just seashore! You can camp anywhere you want along the seashore. Malaquite Campground has been voted one of the top campgrounds in the US and is tucked in behind the sand dunes and at the entrance before driving onto the beach, so if you don't want to be fully surrounded by sand this campground is for you. These sites are on a first come basis and from what we noticed for the week we were there they were always reserved.

The first night we picked somewhere out in the open on North Padre Beach but the high winds kept causing our tent to blow over, we ended up sleeping in the car but the next night we were able to go down the beach more and found a little opening in between a couple sand dunes so we were able to get out of the wind and it was perfect. There really is no better feeling than going to sleep and waking up to the sound of the ocean. It was so peaceful and relaxing. At night we saw things crawling all over and so we went to check it out and it was ghost crabs. They were fun to try and catch some of them were pretty good sized too.

One of the most special activities visitors can take part in on North Padre Island is a PINS (Padre Island National Seashore) Kemp's Ridley Baby Sea Turtle Hatchling Release.

The Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle is the rarest species of sea turtle and is critically endangered. The Padre Island Seashore National Parks Service has established extensive conservation efforts through the Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle Recovery Project.

Witnessing this beautiful phenomena is, for most, a once in a lifetime experience. Here are a few tips on how to increase that likelihood of getting to experience this wonderful event! While we were there the turtle schedule said we would be able to see hatchings everyday but actually we only got to see the turtle release twice. So just keep this is mind when booking you trip even though they show turtle releasing during a specific time sometime conditions stop that from happening and you may not get to see a release.

Plan to visit sometime between June-August

Call the Turtle Hatchling Hotline for exact release details call (361-949-7163)

Be prepared to wake up early!

Releases usually take place at 6:45 am and last 30-45 minutes.

For more information on the baby turtles and hatchling releases, visit the PINS website.

Has anyone else been lucky enough to catch a sea turtle release? What did you think?

San Antonio, Texas

2017-07-13T17:13:00.003-06:00

When you do decide to make your trip to San Antonio, you’ll want to stay downtown. If you seek a more historical experience, go with The Fairmount Hotel. The Fairmount Hotel San Antonio is a historic, Victorian style hotel featuring 37 individually decorated rooms and suites, exquisite banquet, reception and meeting space, a jeweled granite and marbled courtyard and a chic, family-style Tuscan Italian restaurant. We were there for a pageant I was competing in and the room was stunning, when you first walked in was a room with an vanity to get ready and rustic Victorian couch, down the hallway was the bathroom with marble floors and vintage tub, and a large bedroom with a king size bed. We had a view of the river walk and door to a patio around back. I had salmon Caesar salad every day in the café for lunch, and I still think about the pan seared, tender, flaky salmon.

From the hotel, a walk to the famed River Walk is a breeze. You’ll see locals sitting, jogging and cycling along the three-mile downtown stretch. I would definitely recommend hoping one of the river boats to see more of the area and to get a better look at the shops and brilliant Spanish-colonial-inspired architecture. Also within walking distance of the hotel is San Antonio’s other famous landmark, the Alamo.

For dinner you have to stop by Casa Rio and try and get a table on the patio, you will be able to wave at all the people taking river cruises. One way to know you are at the right place is all the colorful umbrellas on the patio. This is some of the best Tex Mex food I've ever had. We had to go back a second night before we headed out.

For your last supper in San Antonio, reserve a spot at The Chart House located at the top of the Tower of the Americas, ride an elevator up 750 feet to the observation deck for a jaw-dropping view of the city. If the restaurant is not your thing you can also just take the elevator up and see the view. Dinner was delicious but my favorite part was the rich chocolate cake with molten center, made with Godiva liqueur. Served warm, topped with chocolate sauce, Heath bar crunch and vanilla ice cream. Melts in you mouth, perfect combination of ingredients. In a way San Antonio appears to be a plain town of cowboy hats and sombreros until you come in for a better look.

Have you been to San Antonio? What would you add to our route?

Washington State

2017-07-13T15:00:00.001-06:00

Washington Coast

First thing we did when we got off the plane was get our rental car and headed to Ocean Shores, WA. We loved Ocean Shores beautiful rocky beaches with a darker sand than we were used to seeing (i'd only been to Florida before this). When we came in the tide was going out so we could walk out really far and saw sand dollars everywhere! The water was chilly we went in November an overcast day but was worth it to see for the day.

Seattle

The next couple days we spent our time sightseeing Seattle and took in the city’s most famous sights on our short trip. There are so many things to do in Seattle make sure to see these places below. We stayed right in the heart of downtown at the Marriott hotel. The location was perfect with quick access to all of Seattle's best attractions.

The Space Needle

Nothing is more Seattle than the Space Needle. With just one picture of this iconic landmark, you know right where you are. A short walk from downtown this Seattle sight was worth it. Built in 1961 the space needle embraces the mid-century modern design with the sweeping curves and futuristic looking accents. The tower was originally built for the 1962 World’s Fair, but still today the top deck gives a pretty good view of Seattle for tourists and locals.

Pike Place Market

Next on our tour of Seattle was to the iconic Pike Place Market. The market is comprised of hundreds of individual stalls selling anything from flowers to fish. The size of the market is nothing short of impressive. Allow the better half of a day to check out the market. Pike Place Market covers roughly 12 square city blocks along the water’s edge. We enjoyed lunch at the deli.

Whale watching tour

On our last day we took a drive up to Everett to do a whale watching tour with Island Adventures. We thought because they guarantee that you will see whales or they will take you out another time we would use them. Unfortunately we did not see whales on our trip but they did give us passes to come back for another complimentary ride and hopefully will have better luck next time. Nonetheless the boat ride was gorgeous going out from Everett through the straights and seeing all the islands and marine life we saw sea lions and birds. We still haven't been back to use our passes but hoping to go back soon Washington State is beautiful and has a lot of to see.

Have you been to Washington? What would you add to our route?
As always all of our opinions are our own.

Four Corners Monument (Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah)

2017-07-13T14:43:00.000-06:00

An interesting roadside attraction to visit if you find yourself driving through Southwestern Colorado, Northwestern New Mexico, Southeastern Utah, or Northeastern Arizona is Four Corners Monument, a sight to behold, as it is the only place in the country where 4 states intersect. When visiting the Four Corners monument, you will have the opportunity to stand in all 4 states at the same time. Although there is not much to actually do in the area besides photographing the monument and browsing through Native American crafts, it’s one of those unique things to do just to say that you did it.

You can stand in each state separately or in the middle of the marker, which is the technical spot where all 4 states meet. During your visit, you are bound to see people doing all sorts of crazy poses to get their hands and feet within all 4 states at the same time (back handstands, down on their hands and knees, etc.). One of the best photos is a group of 4 each standing in a different state or a couple each planting their feet in 2 different states. Regardless, while standing in line waiting your turn, it is quite entertaining to watch the creative ways everyone is taking their photos. The line is long too we ended up waiting 45 minutes and in the desert make sure to bring an umbrella help get you out of the sun. Sign posted also says limit of 3 photos only to keep the line moving faster so think of those poses while in line.

While I wouldn’t recommend going out of your way to visit Four Corners, it’s a cool thing to say you’ve done. I'm always saying I wish I could be in more than one place at once and since seeing "A Walk to Remember" when Landon takes Jamie to the state line, I thought it was the sweetest thing ever! I've wanted to go and say I've been in four places at once!!

Tips

*Fill up your tank well ahead of reaching the monument as there are no gas stations around and the next is at least a 30 minute drive. Also use the restroom at this time if needed.

*Bring with a water bottle and snacks. Driving in this desolate area of the country, restaurants are few and far between.

*Be aware that the National Parks Pass is not valid at this attraction.

*Bring with a camera in order to take your photograph by the monument.

*Bring sunscreen and an umbrella.

*Bring with plenty of cash if you plan on buying Native American crafts. Prices can add up quickly and most vendors do not accept credit/debit cards.

Address, Pricing, and Hours

Location: 597 NM-597, Teec Nos Pos, NM 86514

Pricing: $5 per person they say cash not accepted on the website but we paid with VISA, I think it speeds the line up to pay cash so that's why they prefer it.

Hours: Friday of Memorial Weekend – Sept. 15: 8:00am – 8:00pm
September 16 – October 31: 8:00am – 6:00pm
November 01- March 31: 8:00am – 5:00pm
April 1 – May – Thursday before Memorial Weekend: 8:00am – 7:00pm

*Park is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, & New Year’s

Zapata Falls, CO

2017-07-12T23:25:00.000-06:00

Zapata Falls it's about 12 miles from the sand dunes. Make sure if you make the trek up there you have a vehicle with four wheel drive, the road up is about 3-4 miles dirt road. Very rocky and a lot of the cars we saw going up kept bottoming out. Once we got to the top we did the half mile hike to the falls since we still wanted to see the sand dunes before heading home.

The hike in is a gradual uphill hike took us half a hour to get to the top and down. Be prepared to get wet once you get to the top you have to cross the river and the water is ice cold! Few times I didn't know if I was going to make it but continued on and once we got to the cave entrance and saw the waterfall.

I was so thankful that I continued on. It was the coolest waterfall I have ever seen. Once you enter the cave you see the little falls and than when you go back alittle further you see the bigger falls. I wish I would have brought my go pro to climb further up into the bigger falls, I didn't trust going in with my iPhone. I think coming back in the winter would be really pretty to see the waterfall frozen and the river may be froze over so you might not have to get wet to see it.

At the top they also had a campground we had no idea was up there and the sites seemed pretty nice and had nice views. Once you get in though on that road you may not want to leave again, just in case you forget the eggs and have to run into town.

Has anyone else been to Zapata Falls? What did you think?

The Great Sand Dunes, Colorado

2017-07-12T22:58:00.000-06:00

Hiking the dunes

Exploring the sand dunes is a must do when visiting this national park. The park entrance is $15 for a week. Hiking is best in the morning or closer to sunset. That’s because the sand is scorching during the heat of day. Just make sure you bring bug spray we noticed as the sun went down we were swarmed with mosquitoes!

Also, bring plenty of water and be prepared for a workout hauling yourself to the top of one of the dunes is no small task you will slide with every step causing double the work. And remember: there aren’t any maintained trails. I carried my phone inside my jacket in an attempt to keep the sand out, but a plastic bag would have been better. I ended up finding grit in various places and it took awhile to clean.

Daytime activities include splashing in Medano Creek, which is always a blast. The water flow changes throughout the year, too. You could have plenty of rushing water or only a small trickle. When we were there, the creek was very cool and reached just below our knees, making for an easy crossing to the dunes.

Shortly after crossing the river we saw people sledding down a dune. The only person who looked like he was doing anything fun was a guy sliding down while standing on what looked to be a snowboard. I read that some people go to the dunes to ski in the winter, but that would be so much work without ski lifts.

Driving up Medano Pass Primitive Road

If you have a capable 4-wheel drive vehicle with high clearance, driving up Medano Pass Primitive Road will give you another unique perspective into these lands. You’ll have to navigate creek crossings, deep sand, rocks, and other obstacles.

You may even need to deflate your tire pressure to 20 psi when the sand is soft and dry. There’s a free air station in the Amphitheater parking lot, but bringing your own air compressor is a smart move. We didn't know this when we went back so we didn't chance going back as far as some of the other jeeps, being in a bigger Dodge truck and no cell service didn't want to chance it this time. But next time we go up we will be prepared!

The camping at Pinon Flats looks really neat a lot of the sites have views of the sand dunes and I bet the sunset and sunrises are remarkable.

Has anyone been to the Sand Dunes? Have any tips for hiking up the dunes? Or favorite camping sites at Pinon Flats?

Mesa Verde, CO Moorefield Camping

2017-07-12T22:23:00.001-06:00

Mesa Verde is a 6 hour drive down from Denver. We left after I got off work at 3 pm so we ended up getting in alittle after midnight and were worried we wouldn't have much to pick from at the Morefield Campground, 4 miles inside the park gate.

Once we arrived we stopped are the trading post and found our name taped to the window with our tag to add to a site of our picking and a map. When we got more into the campground it was really spread out and weren't really sure what we were getting into but we finally picked a site on the UTE Loop and couldn't have been happier with the site when we woke up in the morning. We had a gorgeous view of a couple mountains and deer feeding outside our tent by our picnic table.

Multiple bathrooms around the campground so you didn't have to walk far and they were lite all night long. Also had heavy duty garbage containers to keep bear out. Showers were at the trading post which was within walking distance but we ended up driving over when we needed to shower it was kind of far away and didn't want to walk back with wet flip flops.

Camping fee was $30 a night and an additional fee for the park pass to get in was $20 so it was really reasonable the only downfall was that we couldn't have a campfire but that wasn't the campgrounds fault. Colorado has been really dry and to be expected mid summer to have a fire ban.

Later that day we about 18 miles further into the park to the cliff dwellings and they were incredible. My family went a few years back without me, I had to work :(. So I had only seen pictures which didn't really intrigued me to want to drive down. But I'm glad we finally did it. You won't be disappointed if you have never seen them.

One of the things I didn't realize is you have to buy tickets to take a tour of the cliff dwellings they sell them at the museum right before entering into the cliff palace so just keep that in mind. It was amazing to think this was carved by our ancestors years ago. The hike to get up to the dwellings was intense hard to know what they were thinking or how they picked/ended up in this area.

Has anyone else gone to Mesa Verde? What was your favorite part?

The Springs Resort and Spa in Pagosa Springs, CO

2017-07-12T21:43:00.000-06:00

As we were driving down to Mesa Verde we thought we would stop at the Springs Resort. Living in Colorado for 10 years we have never gone and are really glad we did. It's a five hour drive from Denver so hard to get down unless you plan a weekend trip down.

Enjoy the relaxation of natural hot springs at The Springs Resort & Spa in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. These waters have been utilized for hundreds of years for healing and relaxation. Soak and relax in the 23 different hot mineral pools. Home of the World's Deepest Geo-thermal Hot Spring at an astounding 1,002 feet deep and feeds all of the resort's soaking pools.

Here are the temperatures of each of the pools, I copied from the website.

Overlook - 108

Sunset Social Club - 106

Tranquility - 100

Boulder - 101

Blue Lagoon -

Dancing Waters -

Columbine - 109

The Burg - 92

Treasure - 100

Paradise - 100

Aspen - 103

Lobster Pot - 109

Crick Tub - 92

Marco Polo - 98

San Juan River - 56

Waterfall - 102

Venetian - 104

Serendipity - 100

Clouds in my Coffee - 102

Summer Breeze - 108

Cozy Cove - 110

Top O' The Mornin' - 98

Twilight - 106

River Bend - 105

The Cliffs - 105

They also have an adults only area on the upper deck with a tropical feel, palm tree umbrellas and fire pits. Which was one of our favorite areas and have cocktail servers coming around taking drink orders. Next time we go up there I hope we can stay the night at the resort and enjoy soaking in the pools alittle longer our favorite was the waterfall or the burg which was in alittle pod by the cold river but had hot water pumped in to make it the perfect temperature. These have to be my favorite hot springs in Colorado thus far.

Have you been to Pagosa Springs? What do you like to do there? Any hot springs that you have been to that you would recommend we check out, please comment below. We are always up to going to hot springs.