Is Garden of the Gods Resort and Club worth it? Honest pros and cons
Yes — Garden of the Gods Resort and Club is worth it for travelers who want easy access to Garden of the Gods Park, multiple on-site activities (golf, pools, spa) and spacious room options like Club Room (Lodge), Cottage and Suite (Lodge Master). It may feel pricey once resort fees, incidental authorizations and some activity surcharges are added, so it’s less compelling if you’re on a strict budget.
In this guide
Why you might choose this resort
The property sits on a mesa with direct views of Garden of the Gods rock formations and Pikes Peak, making it convenient for sightseeing — the park is about one mile away. The resort mixes lodge rooms, Cottages and Casitas with larger Suites (Lodge Master) for guests who want more living space.
On-site facilities cover a lot of guest needs: a 27-hole Kissing Camels Golf Course, Strata Spa & Salon, Strata Fit gym, three outdoor pools plus a children’s pool, and several dining venues including Grand View and Beach and Cable Barista. These all add value if you plan to use them during your stay.
- Close to Garden of the Gods Park (about 1 mile)
- On-site 27-hole golf course (Kissing Camels)
- Strata Spa & Salon (10,000 sq ft) and Strata Fit gym
- Multiple pools (including an adults-only Infinity Pool when other pools are open)
| Feature | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Spa | Strata Spa & Salon; public reservations recommended; 9 treatment rooms |
| Pools | Three outdoor pools + children’s pool; Infinity Pool restricted to 21+ seasonally |
| Golf | Kissing Camels 27-hole championship course on property |
Honest pros
Rooms and suites tend to be larger than a typical downtown hotel; options include Club Room (Lodge), Club Suite, Suite (Lodge Master), Cottage and Casita formats for more privacy. Many units offer balconies or patios with rock and mountain views.
Resort amenities are extensive: a full spa (Strata Spa & Salon), a sizable fitness center (Strata Fit) with free classes, multiple dining venues from coffee at Beach and Cable Barista to fine dining at Grand View, and wedding/meeting spaces if you need event services.
- Spacious room types, including Suite (Lodge Master) and Cottage options
- Multiple dining choices on-site; Grand View is open to the public by reservation
- Good family facilities: Recreation Center Pool, children’s pool, teen room
- Free self-parking and free valet parking
| Room example | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Club Room (Lodge) | Standard lodge room with King or 2 Queen bed options |
| Cottage | Residential-style privacy and patios |
| Suite (Lodge Master) | Larger suite living space and separate bedroom |
Honest cons
The resort fee and incidental authorization can add up: a resort fee is posted (US$42 plus a taxable Public Improvement Fee) and a per-night incidental authorization (commonly USD 100 per night) is taken on arrival. Those are common at destination resorts but change the effective price.
Some outlets and activities require extra fees or member/guest access rules (for example, indoor tennis and certain activities carry per-hour fees), and the Infinity Pool is limited to 21+ when other pools are open — a downside for families wanting to use that pool.
- Resort fee plus Public Improvement Fee applied to reservations
- Incidental authorization (approx. USD 100 per night) held on arrival
- Some facilities require additional fees (tennis, certain activities, spa services)
- Pet policy restricts dogs to lodge rooms only, with a fee and no cats allowed
| Extra cost | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Resort fee | US$42 plus taxable Public Improvement Fee (posted with reservations) |
| Incidental hold | Approximately USD 100 per night authorization on arrival |
| Pet fee | One dog up to 40 lbs allowed in lodge rooms only; a fee applies |
Rooms, suites and who they suit
Room categories range from Club Room (Lodge) with 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds to larger multi-bedroom Room, 2 Bedrooms and Room, 3 Bedrooms for families or groups. If you want private, residential-style space, Cottages and Casitas are the choices to consider.
Suites like Club Suite and Suite (Lodge Master) give separate living areas and more square footage for longer stays or small family groups. The resort lists 117 guestrooms total across lodge rooms, suites, Cottages and Casitas; if you need specific bedding or an extra bedroom, Room, 2 Bedrooms and Room, 3 Bedrooms are explicit options.
- Club Room (Lodge) — 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds
- Club Suite — 1 King Bed with separate sitting area
- Suite (Lodge Master) — 1 King Bed, larger suite footprint
- Cottage and Casita options for a more private stay
- Room, 2 Bedrooms and Room, 3 Bedrooms available for families/groups
| Room type | Typical use |
|---|---|
| Club Room (Lodge) | Couples or small families seeking standard lodge accommodations |
| Suite (Lodge Master) | Guests wanting more living space and separate bedroom |
| Cottage / Casita | Families or guests wanting a residential feel and private patio |
Dining, pools and spa — what to expect
Dining ranges from Lavazza coffee and bakery items at Beach and Cable Barista (open daily 7:00am–3:00pm) to fine dining at Grand View (breakfast, lunch and dinner service windows with a daily mid-afternoon closure). The Rocks Lounge and Kissing Camels Grille & Bar cover casual and bar fare, with some venues limited to members and resort guests.
Pools include three outdoor pools plus a children’s pool; Recreation Center Pool and Three Graces Pool are open seasonally to all ages (with under-13 rules), while the Infinity Pool is reserved for guests 21+ whenever the other pools are open. Strata Spa & Salon operates daily with scheduled hours and requires reservations for treatments.
- Grand View — fine dining; recommended reservations, dress code enforced after 5:00pm
- The Rocks Lounge — contemporary bar fare, open to resort guests and members
- Kissing Camels Grille & Bar — casual menu overlooking golf course (guest access rules apply)
- Beach and Cable Barista — Lavazza coffee, open to the public
| Venue | Hours / notes |
|---|---|
| Grand View | Breakfast, lunch, weekend brunch and dinner; closes daily 2:00–4:30pm |
| Beach and Cable Barista | Daily 7:00am–3:00pm; public-facing coffee shop |
| Strata Spa & Salon | Open daily (hours vary); reservations recommended; some service charges apply |
Location and nearby activities
The resort’s address is 3320 Mesa Rd, Colorado Springs, and it sits atop a mesa with views of Garden of the Gods Park and Pikes Peak. Many regional attractions are within easy driving distance: Garden of the Gods Park, Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site and Glen Eyrie Castle are all nearby.
If you plan day trips, the property is about 14 miles (roughly a 20–30 minute drive) from Colorado Springs Airport (COS). Denver and other longer day trips are possible but require more driving; the resort recommends a car or rideshare for getting around.
- Address: 3320 Mesa Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80904
- Garden of the Gods Park — about 1 mile away
- Colorado Springs Airport (COS) — about 14 miles / 20–30 minutes by car
- Nearby activities: hiking, biking, horseback riding, Pikes Peak excursions
| Nearby attraction | Approximate proximity |
|---|---|
| Garden of the Gods Park | About 1 mile |
| Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site | Essentially adjacent (very short drive / walk) |
| Kissing Camels Golf Course | On property / adjacent |
Practical tips before booking
Check-in is listed to begin after 4:00 PM (the property’s FAQs consistently state check-in begins at 4:00 PM) and check-out is required by 12:00 PM (noon). The minimum check-in age is 21 and the cardholder must present matching photo ID and the credit card used at booking.
Expect a resort fee on your reservation and an incidental authorization on arrival. The property does not accept cash (card-only) and some services (spa treatments, tennis courts, special activities) carry extra charges or require advance booking.
- Check-in after 4:00 PM; check-out before 12:00 PM
- Minimum check-in age: 21 with photo ID and card present
- Resort fee posted with reservation; incidental authorization commonly USD 100/night
- Pets: one dog up to 40 lbs allowed in lodge rooms only (fee applies); cats not permitted
| Policy | Detail |
|---|---|
| Payment | Credit/debit cards accepted; cash not accepted |
| Parking | Free self-parking and free valet parking, 24 hours |
| Pool hours | Typical pool access 7:00am–10:00pm; Infinity Pool hours vary |
