Estes Mountain Lodge

The location is ideal, close to all the things you want to do and see. The evening front desk pair were great, kind, funny, and helpful. I found the morning desk guy much less helpful. The rooms were very clean, the pool and hot tub building were maintained well, and there are lots of spots outside to sit and enjoy the weather. The beds were uncomfortable, which is where my three stars come from. After the first night I asked the morning desk person if it might be possible to get one new mattress in our double room. I knew it was a big ask and wasn’t demanding, but I figured it couldn’t hurt to ask. He didn’t seem interested in checking and said he’d “check.” The mattress wasn’t replaced, and I heard nothing about whether he’d looked into it. Our standalone double room was great for our family, but the lodge is surrounded by dumpsters, some piled high with old mattresses, which was off-putting. Groundskeepers park around the building, and on the back side they drive golf carts and use leaf blowers and other loud tools right outside a bedroom window. A half-height privacy fence partly blocks the view. I’d stay again for the location, amenities, and cleanliness, but not in this building. I might bring an air mattress.

We wanted to try somewhere new, and this place turned out to be a hidden gem. It’s a little out of town, which made for a quieter stay that we loved. The room was spacious and comfortable, and there are amenities to suit a family, including lawn games, a fire pit and BBQ, a swingset, a pool, and a hot tub.

I always enjoy staying here. Just know that showers can turn cold at night when lots of people are showering at the same time. Breakfast doesn’t offer many choices, but there’s enough. Apart from that, it’s a great stay.

Housekeeping was excellent, and everything in the room was well organized. The bathroom was clean and the towels fresh. It’s a great location, especially if you’re driving to the park. Breakfast was very good too, though the protein choices were limited.