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The Best Hotels Near Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

The 4 Seasons Inn was made for outdoor enthusiasts
The 4 Seasons Inn was made for outdoor enthusiasts | Courtesy of 4 Seasons Inn / Expedia

In among the alpine tundra, pristine forests and trail-laced peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, we’ve found rustic adventure-ready cabins and cozy places to stay after a day of hiking, biking and kayaking. Here’s our pick of luxury hotels in Estes Park – bookable with Culture Trip.

Spanning the Continental Divide, northern Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park has an array of spectacular mountain scenery, including fluttering aspen trees, glassy lakes and rivers. One of the best places to hike in the country, the national park has more than 350mi (563km) of trails and activities for all, whether you’re a summer pleasure seeker or a hardcore winter adventurer. Here are the best Estes Park luxury hotels near Rocky Mountain National Park.

The Historic Crags Lodge

Budget Hotel

The wood-shingled exterior of this hotel and its wooden deck are backdropped by pine tree-covered mountains.
Courtesy of The Historic Crags Lodge / Expedia

Just 3mi (5km) from Rocky Mountain National Park, this rustic cabin retreat on the north side of Prospect Mountain features breathtaking scenery of vivid green forests and snowy mountain peaks that stretch in every direction. An adventurer’s lodge at heart, with studios and one- and two-bedroom suites, it has traditional wood furnishings, along with an outdoor pool and a hot tub for easing trail-tested limbs at the end of the day.

The Inn on Fall River

Inn, Hotel

A bridge crossed the river in front of this two-storey hotel.
Courtesy of The Inn on Fall River / Expedia

Built on land that was initially part of the national park, the Inn on Fall River sits halfway between the gateway town of Estes Park and the park’s Fall River entrance, surrounded by glorious nature. As the name suggests, it’s on the banks of the glittering river, and 300-year-old spruce and pine trees dot the property. Luxury stream suites have river views, king beds, triple-sided gas fireplaces, jetted tubs and decks. Peaceful cabins, including one that can sleep seven, and double-queen suites are options for larger groups.

The Ridgeline Hotel Estes Park

Hotel

A mountain in the background is behind the Ridgeline Hotel and its car park.
Courtesy of The Ridgeline Hotel Estes Park / Expedia

A few minutes from downtown Estes Park, this hip hotel makes an excellent base for exploring the national park. Wooden platform beds and antler-printed pillows give guest rooms a rustic feel. This luxury hotel in Estes Park also has an indoor swimming pool with a giant projector screen showing family-friendly movies, a hot tub and outdoor firepits where you can roast marshmallows for gooey s’mores each night. The hotel’s bike rentals make it easy to ride into town, but the game room and Latitude 105 Alehouse, which serves juicy burgers and nachos, means there’s plenty of entertainment on-site.

4 Seasons Inn

Hotel, Inn, Independent Hotel

A patio area with a hot tub looks across a river to mountain vistas.
Courtesy of 4 Seasons Inn / Expedia

Owned by three friends with a shared passion for the outdoors, the 4 Seasons Inn offers personalized hospitality at an affordable price. The homey, rustic guest rooms have stone fireplaces and private hot tubs, and the owners are always on hand with local tips for when you want to get out and explore. Situated beneath tall trees on the banks of the Fall River, it’s not uncommon to see elk grazing. This Estes Park luxury hotel is within walking distance of downtown Estes Park and only a five-minute drive to the national park’s Fall River entrance.

The Historic Rapids Lodge and Restaurant

Hotel, Inn, Independent Hotel

The exterior of this hotel is covered in snow with icicles hanging from the roof and mountains in the background.
Courtesy of The Historic Rapids Lodge and Restaurant / Expedia

At the longest-running hotel and restaurant in Grand Lake, you’ll find rooms furnished with antiques, creaking floorboards and views of the Tonahutu River. Built in 1915, the property originally housed a gambling den and brothel. Today, the riverside restaurant serves refined dishes such as a pork chop with a smoked-peach sauce and scallops in a yuzu beurre blanc (butter-based sauce). The river’s blue water, which filters through a glacial Rocky Mountain deposit and flows into Grand Lake, is some of the world’s purest.

Streamside on Fall River

Resort, Independent Hotel, Hotel

A bridge crosses a rushing river to the cabin-like, tree-shrouded exterior of a hotel.
Courtesy of Streamside on Fall River / Expedia

Set on 29 acres (12ha), sprinkled with pine trees and rustling aspen trees that take on golden hues in fall, the 21 cabins and suites at Streamside on Fall River feel like a secluded village. You’ll have direct access to the great outdoors, where you can fish for rainbow trout in the river and spot elk, mule deer and other wildlife in the immediate surroundings. Most cabins and suites have gas fireplaces, fully equipped kitchens and private decks, while the property has an outdoor hot tub perfect for soaking after a day spent summiting Old Man Mountain or exploring the shops and galleries in downtown Estes Park, 1mi (2km) east.

The Landing at Estes Park, a Riverside Retreat

Boutique Hotel, Hotel

Three cabins next to a river face a mountain top as seen from an aerial view.
Courtesy of The Landing at Estes Park, a Riverside Retreat / Expedia

At the Landing at Estes Park, a Riverside Retreat, the focus is on the natural surroundings. There are no tight hallways with numerous doorways, but rather king suites that open to the great outdoors. Many rooms at this luxury Estes Park hotel have private balconies, and the landscaped grounds provide plenty of space to wander and breathe in the brisk mountain air. Interiors are also inspired by nature, with stone fireplaces, handmade hickory furniture and early American artwork. Stay in winter to see the hotel atmospherically dusted with snow.

Alpine Trail Ridge Inn

Inn

From the bed of this otel suite a mountain view can be seen from the log-built balcony and seating area.
Courtesy of Alpine Trail Ridge Inn / Expedia

In addition to enjoying the rustic luxury vibe that seems fitting in the Rockies, you can also dine at the neighboring Bird & Jim, one of the best farm-to-table restaurants in Estes Park. Chef Ethan Brown uses locally sourced meat and produce in made-from-scratch dishes, such as roasted chicken; the restaurant also has a bar stocked with local brews and offerings from small wineries. At the Alpine Trail Ridge Inn itself, guest rooms have stunning mountain views through floor-to-ceiling windows, and there’s also a hot tub and a swimming pool on the grounds.

The Estes Park Resort

Resort, Hotel

Seating around a firepit on the banks of a river with mountains filling the background all the way to the horizon at dusk.
Courtesy of The Estes Park Resort / Expedia

The Estes Park Resort is the only waterfront lodging on Lake Estes; the nearby marina is a hub of activity, especially in the summer months when you can rent canoes, kayaks or larger fishing boats. The 54 guest rooms and suites have pillow-top mattresses and lake or garden views. The on-site restaurant, Dunraven, serves crowd-pleasing Italian fare with a hearty mountain twist, such as cioppino (fish stew) and elk bolognese.

Boulder Brook on Fall River

Resort, Hotel

Cabins dot the banks of a small river and are shrouded in trees with mountains in the background.
Courtesy of Boulder Brook on Fall River / Expedia

Boulder Brook on Fall River calls itself “the best place to stay and play” near Rocky Mountain National Park – and we couldn’t agree more. In summer, you can fish, hike, horseback ride and golf, while in winter, you can sled at Hidden Valley, watch wildlife and cozy up by the fireplace. The riverfront condo-style suites – studios and one- or two-bedroom options – have private decks, full or partial kitchens and all-important board games and puzzles.

Looking for more? visit our guides to the best hotels in Estes Park and hotels for budget-conscious travellers – bookable with Culture Trip.

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