Even if you only have one night, like I did on a road trip back to Denver, Glenwood Springs, Colorado, is a relaxing and rejuvenating destination. From soaking in therapeautic waters to staying in the historic Hotel Colorado still adorned with festive holiday lights in early January, this mountain town offers charm and tranquil for a quick winter getaway.

Soak Around the World at Iron Mountain Hot Springs

After driving for 4 hours, I made my first stop at Iron Mountain Hot Springs. It’s the perfect oasis of mineral-rich waters perfect for unwinding after a road trip. While the main soaking pools are family-friendly and cater to visitors of all ages, the WorldSprings area is exclusively for adults, offering a serene escape. The pools in WorldSprings replicate famous hot springs around the world like Blue Lagoon in Iceland or Hokkaido in Japan. The area also has a cold plunge for a revitalizing boost, freshwater pool, and lower pool inspired by the Dead Sea where you can float effortlessly. While soaking, I delighted in watching a bald eagle soar over the Colorado River.

Stay in Elegance and History at Hotel Colorado

After soaking, I checked into the legendary Hotel Colorado built in 1893. This hotel is a treasure trove of history and charm with the expansive lobby area affectionately known as “Glenwood’s Living Room.”

In early January, the hotel is still aglow with half a million twinkling lights, festive garlands, and intricate gingerbread display made from over 300 pounds of gingerbread. The cozy lobby with original fireplaces is inviting and will easy indices you to linger with a cup of tea or a good book.

For this visit, I stayed in the Molly Brown Suite (Room 661), a luxurious expansive room named for the famous Titanic survivor and once frequent guest of Hotel Colorado. The suite blends historic charm and knods to its namesake with modern amenities. The view from one of the suite’s two balconies is outstanding.

I also got to tour several other rooms including the King Parlor (room 341) and room 337 with two double beds. During a restoration, 36 fireplaces were discovered and some are part of the charm in different rooms decorated with historic pieces and modern amenities.

Savor Dinner at Hotel Colorado’s Restaurant

For dinner, I met a local friend at Hotel Colorado Resturant and Bar with a menu highlighting local flavors with a touch of elegance. The menu does change, but the night we dined we nibbled on the smoke trout flatbread and split a Caesar salad. For my main entree, I went for the pan fried rainbow trout which was delicious. Somehow we saved a little room for a couple of bites of the peach tart dessert. My friend was doing Dry January so we ordered two seasonal Cranberry Hot Toddies without bourbon. This mocktail of local Colorado honey, cranberry juice, and fresh-squeeze lemon was perfect on a cold evening.

Latte at Legends

After a wonderful night’s sleep, I was up early to savor the quiet of Hotel Colorado before dawn. I wandered downstairs to grab a latte at Legends Coffee Shop in the lobby. While sipping my coffee I read about the legend of the teddy bear. According to the legend, after President Theodore Roosevelt returned to Hotel Colorado after an unsuccessful hunting day, hotel maids gave him a stuffed bear made from fabric scraps creating the world’s first teddy bear.

I took in the view from the Molly Brown Suite top balcony before hitting the road fairly early. As I drove away, I was already planning another winter getaway for late January.

UPDATE: I made a stay in Glenwood Springs an annual tradition and returned January 2025. Check out post on Hotel Colorado’s Premier Parlor Suite and more things to do in Glenwood Springs.