One of the beautiful advantages of planning our travels as we drove westward was the ability to design our trip to fit our immediate needs and desires. A stop at the Broadmoor, a lush resort with European overtones, proved itself to be the perfect respite after a real adventure in the west. When I first set eyes on the architecture of The Broadmoor, it reminded me of the Hotel Vitznau on Lake Lucerne. The similarity between the two hotels was evident in the formal gardens, the bell towers with clocks chiming on the quarter hour, the lake reflecting  the gardens and architecture, the elegant walkways and the formal  infinity pool. all reminiscent of old European charm. Henry and I also loved our tennis games on the elegant courts surrounded by mountain vistas. Our lunch was enjoyed at a table overlooking the golf course. Dinner was served alfresco at candlelit tables on the terrace by the lake. This brief sojourn was a wonderful respite for us that included spa indulgences, fitness rooms, and well-appointed bedrooms plus marble-clad baths. The architecture of the hotel included coffered ceilings, good ironwork, terraces with colorful umbrellas, chaises longues for reading, and, of course, wi-fi in our rooms and in the most sumptuous of formal lounges. The pristine Spa offered an enormous menu, service was first class, and the soothing sound of flowing water gurgled from fountains, pools and lakes, presenting a calming effect almost everywhere. Henry and I relaxed together in a paddle boat on the lake alongside black and white swans as we spotted the flutter of butterflies attracted to the nectar in the surrounding flowers.

PHOTOS: Left Column: 1. The Broadmoor Terrace. 2. The formal gardens at The Broadmoor’s entrance. 3. More Broadmoor on the other side of the lake. 4. Chaise longues on the terrace. Center, Top: The clock tower at The Broadmoor. Center, Bottom:  Henry in tennis attire. ready to play on courts at Broadmoor. Right Column: 1. The swimming pool near the lake. 2. Jourdan in tennis togs on the steps of The Broadmoor’s courtyard . 3 The golf course. 4. Formal garden at the entrance to Broadmoor.

JOURDAN ARPELLE-ZIEGLER                                             BACK TO MAP PAGE