The Best Hotels and B&Bs to Book Near the Golden Gate Canyon State Park, Colorado    

You’ll know you’re in the mountains when you check in to the Boulder Creek Lodge. Housed in what is effectively a giant log cabin, where almost every doorpost, pillar and banister is made from the trunk of a pine tree, you’ll feel a hardy pioneer just flicking on the TV in your room. You’re just 20 minutes from the Golden Gate Canyon State Park, but, with the Boulder Creek itself running right past your window, you won’t even need to travel to connect with nature.

How does waking up every morning to views of the Flatiron Mountains sound? It’s a perk that comes as standard at St Julien Hotel & Spa, in Boulder, just over half an hour from the Park. After a long, dusty day on the trails, the spa facilities here really come into their own. Access to the hotel’s pool, hot tub and fitness center are all included for hotel guests – but trust us when we say you won’t regret splashing out extra on a Colorado Bliss CBD Classic Massage for maximum relaxation.

History buffs, take note: the beautiful Hotel Boulderado has been around for a century, so you can believe the staff when they say they know a thing or two about the area – the hotel even has an in-house historian who curates guided tours. And, for outdoor explorers and sportspeople, there are special reservation packages tailored to hikers, golfers, stargazers, anglers, cyclists and everyone in between. Book a room, settle in among the Victoriana, and get ready to be treated to a Boulder stay that rocks.

Basecamp Boulder is a perfect place for adventurous travelers to park their backpacks. Before you head back into the great outdoors, spend a few nights in the Great Indoors Suite. You’ll have access to the spa, the dry sauna and all of the gourmet coffee you can drink. Grab your crew for Happy Camper Hour, and sip on local craft beer. Need to loosen up before a long day of hiking? The Lounge next door has a ping-pong table, a climbing wall and games.

Traveling to the Rockies to spend all day inside? You’d better believe it! The town of Black Hawk – 20 minutes from Golden Gate State Park – is a gambler’s goldmine, with three casinos (and an actual goldmine), and the Ameristar will make you feel like a high roller no matter the hand you’re dealt. We’d tell you more about the plush rooms, the plump steaks at the Timberline Grill restaurant, and the spa, but let’s be honest: you’ll probably drop your bags and beeline to the Barstool Sportsbook to place some bets.

Sneak away with your beau to the Silver Lake Lodge in Alice, and cozy up in one of its cabin-like adults-only rooms. Perched at over 10,000ft (3,050m), it claims to be the highest B&B in the world, and the views certainly don’t disappoint. If you can pull yourselves away from the mountain peak panoramas and flickering fireplace, we suggest grabbing a cup of tea and a blanket and snuggling down for a movie night in the Media Room.

There is no concert experience quite like a show at the Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre in Denver, so why not pre-game for the show at the official hotel? Origin Hotel Red Rocks is equal parts high-octane hotspot and laid-back mountain-town hangout. Get a java jolt with a local coffee kit, or head to the beer garden for a few brews before catching the free shuttle to Red Rocks. When the show ends, the encore begins: lace up your hiking boots, and hike the trails back to the hotel.

Those who appreciate simple pleasures will love the Westin. Sure, the marble bathrooms, comfortable sofas, and writing desks that furnish the rooms are nice perks, but it’s the views that you’ve come to the Rockies for, and they don’t get better than this. Well, actually, they do – throw open the windows, stoke up the fireplace, and lay back on the sofa with a glass of wine, and you’ll see what we mean.