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The Rocky Mountains are home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country, and for fans of outdoor activities, the best honeymoon hotels in Colorado make for an unforgettable newlywed trip. Colorado has earned a reputation for its world-class ski resorts and winter sports, but the Western state is an enjoyable adventure year-round with great summer weather and gorgeous views.
Whether you and your love want to visit the hip, laid-back city of Denver, explore the state's mountainous terrain, dive into winter sports, or embark on a wellness retreat, Colorado’s honeymoon resorts make a strong case for the ultimate post-nuptial escape.
Best Honeymoon Hotels in Colorado of 2023
- Best Overall: The Little Nell
- Best Boutique: Halcyon
- Best Luxury: The Sebastian
- Best City Views: The Rally Hotel
- Best Budget: The Strater Hotel
- Best Access to Nature: St. Julien
- Best Wellness: Dunton Hot Springs
Best Overall : The Little Nell
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The Little Nell
Situated at the base of Ajax, one of four ski areas in Aspen, this luxury boutique property is impeccable across the board.
- Year-round heated outdoor pool
- Expert concierge team
- Lavazza espresso machine
Excellent food and drink
Location
Top-notch concierge
Not all rooms have balconies
This five-star property is anything but undiscovered, ideally situated at the base of Ajax and close to all that Aspen has to offer. Still, its popularity among well-heeled travelers and even celebrities is deserved.
Its ski-in, ski-out access makes a winter honeymoon a no-brainer, particularly when you factor in the property’s myriad other attributes, like staff’s unpacking (and packing) services, turn-down service, and June Jacobs Bath & Beauty Products.
The Little Nell has just 92 rooms, all of them sumptuous and simply stunning, thanks, in part, to a 2017 redesign by New York-based luxury design firm Champalimaud Design.
All rooms have gas log fireplaces and most have balconies, which practically beg for Champagne toasts and happily married selfies. The Champagne will cost extra, but the mini bar snacks are complimentary and refreshed once per day.
Best Boutique : Halcyon
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Halcyon Cherry Creek
When it comes to city lodging, there are a few boxes we want checked—prime location, rooms with ample amenities, and on-site dining—and this boutique gem has it all.
- Bikes and skateboards available for rent
- Inside access to activities throughout the neighborhood
- Free evening happy hour
Rooftop sun deck with pool
Nespresso coffee machines
Free Wi-Fi
Some rooms are snug
Plush Matouk bathrobes, Jonathan Adler bath products, and Enseo smart TV programming make this boutique Denver property a frontrunner among Colorado’s best honeymoon hotels. (Sometimes, a lazy morning in the cozy confines of your hotel room is just what the honeymoon ordered.)
Located in the city’s bustling Cherry Creek neighborhood means access to excellent restaurants, lively bars, and vibrant shopping, but the good news is that Halcyon has plenty to offer on-site. Three restaurants—Local Jones, Elevated, and Quality Italian—all make a strong case for not leaving any hotel stone unturned.
Luxe pool top cabanas provide a nice excuse to kick back and relax, and perhaps indulge in a late-morning Bloody Mary or a pint of local beer (Colorado’s craft beer scene continues to crush the competition).
Come summer, special rooftop programming includes live music and workout classes, in case you and your honey want to work up a sweat as you take in the Rocky Mountain views.
Best Luxury : The Sebastian
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The Sebastian
This upscale property somehow manages to remain unpretentious and inviting, though most everything about it screams well-to-do, from the plush pillows to the unique artwork throughout.
- Mountain-view pool
- Residences have washer/dryer
- Gracious, above-and-beyond staff
Premium linens
Cool art throughout
Capacious rooms
Attracts families
Location could be better
A good night’s sleep is like gold, especially when you want to fill your days with outdoor activities, whether that be skiing in winter or hiking in summer. This is Colorado, after all, and taking advantage of Vail’s outdoor playground is paramount.
Fortunately, The Sebastian, a Timbers Resort, manages to be both stylish and functional. The beds are incredibly comfortable and you and your new spouse can wrap yourselves up in fluffy robes while you wait for room service or enjoy the mountain views from your balcony.
The heated outdoor pool is worth a dip. As far as resort spas go, Bloom Spa has a whole massage menu; the highly recommended CBD Recovery massage is soothing, serene, and run by well-trained staff.
In fact, all of the staff at The Sebastian go out of their way to make guests feel pampered and looked after. Honeymooners are sure to feel the warm embrace.
Best City Views : The Rally Hotel
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The Rally Hotel
Modern, yet with a twist of that Colorado Western vibe, The Rally in Denver prides itself on its hospitality and ensuring guests get the most out of their stay in The Mile High City.
- Rooftop pool and sun deck
- Lots of little freebies and/or discounts on food and drink
- Fitness center
- On-site bar and lounge
Courtesy car transportation within a 2-mile radius
Good location
Welcoming staff
Nightly "destination" fee
Limited seating options in rooms
The best urban hotels manage to keep guests interested in on-site activities and enticed with stellar food and beverage programs while also recognizing that guests want to explore the city beyond the confines of the property. The Rally excels here, as evidenced by its selection of cool curated local experiences, many of which come with discounts.
The Oxford Club Spa and Salon, for example, offers 10 percent off services for Rally guests, and a visit to Mile High Spirits before 10 p.m. offers 50 percent off your bar tab.
The guest rooms carry on the theme of promoting the city in which they reside with in-room mini-bars featuring local grab-and-go delights available for purchase and a book bundle from Tattered Cover Book Store. Hip furnishings, unique art, and splashy carpeting lend the 182 guest rooms character, while views of the city invite you to come out and play.
Best Budget : The Strater Hotel
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The Strater
This landmark hotel in Durango, Colorado, is bursting at the seams with history (and er, ghosts, according to some guests). A stay here is a rare occasion to go back in time alongside modern-day creature comforts.
- Unique collection of American Victorian walnut antiques
- Comfy beds
- Jacuzzi room
Historic building
Fun, upbeat saloon
Walkable location
Street-facing rooms can be noisy
No room service
Walking into the lobby of this 88-room hotel, you may feel like you’re stepping foot inside a history museum, and that’s because technically, you are. The Strater Hotel calls itself a living history museum, and even guests not staying overnight are invited to come check out the impressive shadow boxes that tell stories of the Old West and mining times.
Overnight guests have the added bonus of staying in a room with gorgeous old Victorian walnut furnishings and window treatments that look like they came straight off the set of "Westworld." Bradbury & Bradbury wallpaper does wonders for tying the decor together in the darling rooms.
No stay at The Strater Hotel is complete without a visit to the Saloon. This is where you can really imagine life way back when—a whimsical escape for honeymooners who have a nose for history. Of course, downtown Durango is also ripe for exploration, and The Strater Hotel’s location makes it easy to check out the sights.
Best Access to Nature : St. Julien
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St Julien
Boulder is no longer under-the-radar, but St. Julien was a true pioneer when it opened its doors in 2005. Its debut was significant: The 201-room property was the first high-end hotel and spa to open in downtown Boulder in nearly 100 years.
- Great spa
- Canyon Mint bathroom products
- Live music
Fully stocked minibar
Complimentary shuttle service
400-thread count sheets
Rooms can be on the small side
A stay at St. Julien is perfectly pleasing, but for many, the real draw is everything just outside the four walls. Access the Flatirons, an iconic mountain with five peaks, from here, but do make sure to save time for aimless meandering in downtown Boulder.
Its art galleries, gourmet food shops, and stay-awhile cafes retain plenty of charm despite the city’s growth spurt in recent years. The hotel's rooms, decked out in natural colors fostering a sense of peace and tranquility, feature generously-sized bathrooms with slate floors and granite counters.
A fully stocked mini-bar provides an excellent respite after a day of adventure or people-watching at Pearl Street Mall. The on-site spa also beckons, and honeymooners can sip on champagne while they wait for their couples massage to begin.
Best Wellness : Dunton Hot Springs
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Dunton Hot Springs
Tucked away in the San Juan Mountains, Dunton Hot Springs Resort has all of the appeals of a natural oasis promising to edify and energize guests.
- Access to indoor and outdoor mineral hot springs pools
- Yoga studio and climbing wall
- Free Wi-Fi
All-inclusive
Well-appointed cabins
Dedicated staff
Tends to attract a lot of families
Rustic lodging lacks luxury feel
The biggest draw of Dunton Hot Springs Resort is spelled out in its name: Hot springs hold court here, and the property offers five distinct ways to experience the bicarbonate water, which is said to help improve circulation. Magnesium in the springs reportedly converts blood sugar to energy which in turn results in healthy skin.
Honeymooners may not really need an extra glow, but nonetheless, partaking in the restored 19th-century bathhouse or in the pool just outside makes for a particularly relaxing stay. There is an incredible number of stars in this stretch of sky, which is why a nighttime soak is our favorite.
Back at the cabin—rustic-elegant in design and decor—you can marvel at the work that went into these restored log cabins. But don’t get too comfortable, for the Saloon and Dance Hall are where the real party starts.
Final Verdict
The Little Nell is our best overall pick for honeymoon hotels in Colorado thanks to its location in Aspen with year-round entertainment and winter sports, luxury amenities, ski-in and ski-out access, and stunning room design. The five-star property makes for an unforgettable honeymoon trip with an array of activities and adventures for all interests.
Guide to Choosing a Honeymoon Resort in Colorado
Notable Amenities
Popular amenities at Colorado's best honeymoon resorts include skiing and snowboarding, hot tubs, fireplaces, private terraces, hot springs, spas, wellness centers, in-room espresso machines, equipment rentals, and even heated pools.
Location
Colorado's otherworldly range of landscapes in the Rocky Mountains are a major draw for many couples. You can choose to explore the state's beautiful national parks or visit its renowned ski resorts for adventures and outdoor sports. On the other hand, for couples interested in visiting a larger city with modern accommodations, Denver is a popular destination with a great assortment of entertainment options.
Nightly Rate
Nightly rates at Colorado's best honeymoon resorts start around $300 per night, but some options are more pricey at about $1,000 per night. Luxury hotels are considerably more expensive, costing upwards of $2,000 to $4,000 per night.
Package Options
Many resorts offer packages with additional perks alongside lodging rates. If you're planning a honeymoon in Colorado for skiing or snowboarding, consider purchasing a winter sports package that includes your lodging, lift tickets, and equipment rentals each day. On the other hand, some resorts also offer packages for spa and wellness centers, culinary and wine packages, and even adventures in the mountains.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is Denver a Good Honeymoon Destination?
Denver is a great city to visit for your honeymoon. With views of the Rocky Mountains from the bustling city, you can enjoy a variety of entertainment options like dining, renowned breweries, live music, museums, art installations, nightlife, and more.
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Is Aspen Good for a Honeymoon?
Aspen is an excellent honeymoon location for couples interested in skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports. This destination includes four different ski areas with multiple resorts to choose from for lodging and entertainment.
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What Is the Prettiest Area of Colorado?
Colorado is divided by the Rocky Mountains, with many destinations along the center and in the western part of the state. In central Colorado, many visitors enjoy Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Pueblo, and more. Western Colorado includes destinations like Aspen, Breckenridge, Grand Junction, Durango, and Glenwood Springs.
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What Is the Best Month to Vacation in Colorado?
Because of the harsh winters, many travelers opt to visit Colorado in the summer. Even in midsummer, higher elevations in this state can experience snow. The best season for optimal weather begins in June and ends in September, while the best season for skiing and winter sports runs from December through March.
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What Is the Cheapest Month to Go to Colorado?
Spring and fall are the cheapest travel times in Colorado, with many travelers opting for trips after Labor Day in September or before Memorial Day in May.
Methodology
We evaluated dozens of hotels and resorts throughout the expansive state of Colorado, identifying properties with sound value, noteworthy amenities, and on-site offerings including dining and fitness. We assessed the location, service, and comfort of the guest rooms themselves. No pro or con was left unturned in the compilation of this list of Colorado’s best honeymoon hotels.
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Photo by Rachel Havel