A spring break staycation is calling your name, and the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center offers a luxurious getaway full of entertainment and great dining.
We visited the Gaylord Rockies last summer and enjoyed their outdoor water park, as well as dining at The Fortunate Prospector and Embers Lodge Bar. This time, we saw new additions including two new restaurants: Copper Table and Garden + Grain.
If you haven't made your way out to this resort yet, spring break is the perfect time to indulge. Here's how we spent an evening at Gaylord Rockies for a quick staycation.
Sunsets and Drinks in the Grand Lodge
Upon arriving, the beauty of The Grande Lodge immediately greets you. We arrived around 4 p.m. and caught the gorgeous sunset from the Embers Lodge Bar. We enjoyed wine, listened to live music, and watched as the sunset cast a warm glow inside the hotel. Outside, guests also sat by fire pits, played lawn games, and took in the views. It was the perfect place to start our evening before getting ready for dinner.
Dinner at Garden + Grain
Garden + Grain is a seasonal kitchen that recently opened. The restaurant showcases food from local farmers, and the fresh ingredients create bold flavors.As an appetizer, we tried the roasted Brussels sprouts made with miso cashew cream and chili crunch. We couldn't. Get. Enough. If you're a fan of Brussels sprouts, you know that the crispiness is what makes the difference between a flavorful crunchy bite and a soggy one. These were cooked to perfection, not to mention the addicting miso cashew cream.
Garden + Grain makes its pizza in a stone-fire oven that creates the fluffiest pizza crust. We ordered the pear and fig pizza, made with garlic oil, roasted pair, organic Turkish fig, double creme brie, baby arugula and 12-year aged tondo. The pizza was the perfect blend of sweet from the pear and savory from the roasted garlic. We also tried out the ancient grain risotto made with farro, amaranth, quinoa, coconut, field mushrooms and cypress grove truffle tremor. This risotto provided the perfect comforting meal after a long day, without being too rich or heavy.
A dining experience isn't just the food, however. Garden + Grain leans into neutral colors and offers a relaxing experience while you dine. I also opted to try the strawberry temperance mojito mocktail, which was a refreshing drink paired with my meal.
After dinner, we took a dip in the hot tub located in the resort's outdoor water park to relax before heading to our room for the evening.
Breakfast at Copper Table
For breakfast, we headed downstairs to another one of Gaylord Rockies' most recent additions, Copper Table. This restaurant offers authentic Colorado food made with local ingredients. For breakfast, I tried the cast iron cinnamon roll which literally came in a hot cast iron. The cinnamon roll, while sweet and quite big, was light and fluffy, topped with fresh fruit and frosting.We also tried the Denver Skillet, made with cage-free eggs, smoked bacon, onions, peppers, cheddar jack cheese, crispy potatoes and mixed greens.
Copper Table is decked out with trees and string lights, and natural light floods the restaurant in the morning for the prettiest dining experience. This restaurant also offers a hearty dinner menu with options like bison ribeye dip, smoked trout "nicoise" and Colorado-caught hybrid striped bass. In the evening, this restaurant offers an intimate, romantic atmosphere – perfect for a date night.
Enjoying a meal at any of the new restaurants, as well as exploring the spa, water park, and lounge areas, are all must-do's on the itinerary for anyone who stays at Gaylord Rockies.
A Relaxing Break Near Denver
All in all, if you're looking for a spot close to Denver, there's no better place to grab your friends and escape to for the weekend than Gaylord Rockies. With one-of-a-kind dining experiences, gorgeous views, and plenty to do, you can't beat the offerings at this resort. Right now, Colorado residents can use the code L97 for up to 20 percent off room nights including self-parking. All guests can use the code ES7 to receive a resort credit of up to $50 per night, self-parking, and two daily s'mores kits. Large groups and families can use the code MAJ to get two guaranteed connecting rooms.
Take advantage of these offers now to experience Gaylord Rockies for yourself, and say Westword sent you.
