Prevue January/February 2016 - (Page 76)

The Broadmoor Wilderness experiences add adventure to Colorado meetings [ON LOCATION] STEVE GRASSO A t the southern edge of the Rocky Mountains, The Broadmoor resort has been providing a unique way to experience the majesty of the American West since 1918. Founded by the pioneering copper baron Spencer Penrose, the historic five-star property sits amid 5,000 acres of parkland, its sprawling campus including 779 guest rooms, three swimming pools, a world-class spa and fitness center and 54 holes of championship golf. The complex also offers an extensive 185,000 sf of meeting space, including the 60,000 sf Broadmoor Hall, and an abundance of outdoor event spaces that make full use of the stunning mountain backdrop. The Broadmoor has recently undergone a $130 million reinvention, which includes the addition of several nearby satellite properties that form The Broadmoor Wilderness Experience. "The Wilderness Experience properties are perfect when the goal is to incorporate new ideas, a fresh outlook, or collaboration into the meeting," says Pepper Dombroski, The Broadmoor's director of sales. "The settings are so unique that attendees feel removed from the dayto-day and have a sharper focus on the goals of the meeting." dining space and fire pit where "cowboy coffee" is brewed each morning. The complex combines the high-end luxury of its parent property with a close-to-nature setting. The food is superb, offering a menu of traditional Colorado favorites such as Rocky Mountain red trout, and the chef prepares lobster tails, rib-eye steaks and venison on the grill during an outdoor cookout every fourth evening. The wilderness itself is the main attraction, and The Ranch offers a range of activities to help groups experience it in full such as archery, fly-fishing, kayaking and guided hikes. The property has its own stables and our itinerary included an afternoon exploring the steep mountain trails on horseback. Weaving through the trees and negotiating rocky pathways took our group to a vantage point high above the sweeping evergreen valley, where the timeless landscape of the West sprawled before us. On the way back down, we had a close encounter with a startled deer who watched us for a few long moments before bounding off into the trees. A signature Whisky Smash back at The Ranch helped us warm up afterwards. The Ranch emphasizes relaxation within nature, and the intimacy of the venue brings a real sense of community. We were on a first-name basis with the staff and all the other guests by the time we left. THE RANCH We visited The Ranch at Emerald Valley, part of the Wilderness Experience, set at an elevation of 8,200 feet and surrounded by more than 100,000 acres of the pristine Pike National Forest. All of the new adjunct properties have some connection to the history of The Broadmoor; The Ranch was originally a summer getaway for Penrose and his friends during the 1920s. The all-inclusive Ranch consists of 10 rustic cabins and a bar and restaurant area, outside 76 | prevue magazine CLOUD CAMP Our next stop took us further up Cheyenne Mountain to the dizzying 9,200 feet elevation of Cloud Camp. Built on the site of Penrose's original 1926 Cheyenne Lodge, it offers 360 degree panoramic views of Pikes Peak, the Rockies and the plains. The property features six lodge rooms within the main timber and stone building and 11 separate log cabins. The original fire tower perched high

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Prevue January/February 2016

Planner’s Pick: Jamaica
Fresh Meets: 3 Hotel Brands to Watch
Bureau Buzz: Myrtle Beach CVB
Good Business: FedEx Ground Honors Our Heroes
Sea Shores: RCI: Anthem of the Seas
Rediscovering Value
EXCLUSIVE & ALL-INCLUSIVE Ramping up offerings & expectations
URBAN TRANSFORMATION How convention centers are shaping communities
FLORIDA: MEETINGS INSPIRED Sunny skies and more than 1,100 miles of coastline create the perfect place to rejuvenate and reward attendees
4 CORPORATE RETREATS FOR 2016 Looking for wellness in all the right places
PARROT CAY [ON LOCATION] A tranquil retreat for wellness and creativity
On Location: The Broadmoor
On Location: Chicago Marriott CRN
On Location: Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun
On Location: Silversmith Hotel
Checkout: Delano Las Vegas, Rivea

Prevue January/February 2016