By Kristen Kuchar
Coloradans know there are endless destinations to explore close to home, which makes opting for a staycation a popular choice. If you’re a wine enthusiast, these hotels and lodging options can make your stay even more memorable. Whether it’s close proximity to dozens of wineries, an award-winning wine list or even a wine-themed spa service, these are solid lodging options for your next getaway.
The Little Nell
675 E. Durant Ave., Aspen, 970-920-6365
Editor’s note: Last week, we published this companion list of Colorado hotels for beer lovers
Aspen’s five-star, five-diamond luxury hotel isn’t just known as a prime skiing location. Any wine enthusiast can appreciate the hotel’s wine program, which has regularly earned the Wine Spectator Grand Award since 1997 and has dozens of sommeliers on staff. The cellar houses more than 20,000 wines, which are available to be enjoyed at the bar, the restaurant, or in your room. The Little Nell also hosts wine events throughout the year and offers curated wine dinners and private tastings.
Spoke & Vine
424 W. 8th Street, Palisade, 970-464-2211
The Spoke & Vine is a recently renovated motel in Palisade and within walking distance to wineries. In addition to dog-friendly accommodations, cruiser bikes are available to rent on-site to venture out to nearby wineries. The Motel Bar offers local drinks, snacks and charcuterie to go along with Colorado wine. The bar's wine selection rotates throughout the year, but you can always expect a great selection from local wineries, including Sauvage Spectrum, Restoration Vineyards and Colterris. Year round, the White Reserve Blend and the Red Domain Blend, both from Sauvage Spectrum, are on tap at the Motel Bar. Upon arrival guests can stop into the bar for a complimentary wine tasting.
The Broadmoor
1 Lake Avenue, Colorado Springs, 844-602-3343
The wine selection at this Colorado Spring five-star resort is top notch. Restaurants at The Broadmoor have won the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence and Best of Award of Excellence. The Broadmoor even offers a wine-themed package at its award-winning spa (appropriately named Wine Down), which encourages guests to “enjoy the antioxidant benefits of wine.” The popular package includes a 30-minute Chardonnay sugar scrub, 50-minute Swedish massage with Olavie Wine Therapy Oil, signature manicure and signature pedicure.
Wine Country Inn
777 Grande River Drive, Palisade, 970-464-5777
Located in the heart of Colorado’s wine country, Wine Country Inn is set on a picturesque vineyard, making for the ultimate wine getaway. The Inn hosts complimentary afternoon wine tastings for guests along with wine for purchase in the Tapestry Lounge. The wine sampled is often from the grapes harvested right on their own property. The hotel provides a map of local wineries and options for various bike routes to get you there from the Inn.
St. Julien Hotel & Spa
900 Walnut Street, Boulder, 720-406-9696
The St. Julien Hotel & Spa in downtown Boulder is a regular winner of Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence, and also features a Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Restaurant. Various options, including the Romance Package, come with a bottle of Champagne, which varies based on the current wine selection. The wine offered in room packages, such as the Weekday Retreat Package, also varies with the wine list at Jill’s Restaurant, though guests typically have the option between red and white. The Bee the Change package includes locally made honey wine from Meadery of the Rockies. St Julien is home to two bee colonies.