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Sunday, April 28, 2019

Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center



The recently opened Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center offers 1,501 rooms, 485,000 square feet of convention center space, including four ballrooms varying in size from 8,000 to 59,739 square feet, as well as 81 technologically advanced break-out conference rooms, making it the largest combined resort and convention center in Colorado! It is conveniently located under seven miles from Denver International Airport, at 6700 North Gaylord Blvd, Aurora, Colorado 80019.  My husband and I have been watching the construction of this grand resort for the past three years on trips to and from the airport and we, along with some friends from our community senior group, were curious to visit it up close, tour the public areas, and have lunch in one of its restaurants. (All photos and photo collages in this post will enlarge if clicked on)


The tremendous size and lodge appearance of the resort is impressive.  Located in the eastern plains of Colorado, it fills the sky with its 15 stories height. Sculptures of life-sized running horses greeted us as we pulled into the valet area in front, where we then walked through the doors into a very large lobby and reception area.



Straight ahead, was the Grand Lodge atrium, which looks like it was transplanted from a rustic Colorado alpine resort, complete with waterfalls, a river, rocks, and trees, and a 75-foot-tall window offering an incredible view of the Denver skyline framed by the front range the Rocky Mountains, from Pikes Peak to Longs Peak!  I can imagine the sunset views seen through this window will be spectacular!



The Grand Lodge atrium space was enormous!  I saw different scenic perspectives as I walked down the stairs that were adjacent to a boulder-strewn creek. A bridge crossed over the water towards both sides of the lodge.


The lower level of the Grand Lodge area accommodates a large waterfall, a bar, a historic restored Santa Fe caboose, cozy fireplace seating areas, and...


...many of the resort's dining options. such as Monte Jade - an Asian-inspired restaurant, Vista Montagne - an Italian restaurant, and the Old Hickory Steakhouse-which is only open for dinner.




Also located on the lower level was the lower portion of the two-level, 484-seat sports bar--the Mountain Pass Sports Bar--that has a 75 foot long, 14-foot-tall LED TV screen on which to watch your favorite team.  It is the largest such screen in Colorado outside of the jumbotrons in sports arenas.


We dined at the Mountain Pass Sports Bar and our group enjoyed burgers, sandwiches, and salads.


Afterward, our group broke up and we went on our own to browse in the large Rockies Marketplace and the Rockies Trading Post store or to sit by one of the lobby fireplaces.



My husband and I took a walk outside


There, we were able to view the guest use the only outdoor heated pool, children's pool, lazy river, heated whirlpool, firepits, and a view of Denver in the distance. It was not the clearest day, so mountain views were a bit hazy.  Additional outdoor-based fun can be found on one of the basketball or tennis courts, a nine-hole mini-golf course, pickleball, and bike rentals.


Inside, were a large pool and water slides, lap pool, whirlpool, fountains and spouting water features, and a small game arcade. Again, indoor pools can only be used by resort guests.



 I found this wonderful diorama of the entire Marriott Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center...


...which gives a good scope of its size and layout.

Since the resort is brand new--it opened in December of 2018--the outside landscaping is still in progress. I read that some nearby boutiques and restaurants will be added soon to the local area.


We did not get a chance to visit the fitness or the spa.  Hopefully, one day in the future, we will stay at the resort and experience both, as well as the pools and whirlpools!  

According to what I read on local news reports, the Gaylord Rockies already has bookings through 2028--over 1.1 million reservations--with 80 percent of the conferences representing professional organizations or corporate meetings that never have had their gatherings in Colorado before! This is a wonderful boost for the Colorado economy and for jobs for the area.


There are other Marriott Gaylord Resorts and Convention Centers in other cities, have you visited any of them? I hope you will also have a chance to visit the Gaylord Rockies soon!

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41 comments:

  1. Wow, that is amazing Pat! I’ll have to look for the building when we fly into Denver the end of June. The tour was a great opportunity for your Seniors group , but of course it would be even more fun to stay there! Obviously filling a huge need if it is booked so far ahead. I’m impressed.

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  2. Pat - like a small city! Given its proximity to the airport, it might be worth a one-night stay the next time we fly in/out of Denver … I was struck by the picture of the large window from the outside - when I realized there is a miniature person standing just to the left of it, dwarfed by its height!!! I know my hubby would like that jumbotron size sports screen in the bar! Thanks for sharing this stunning venue with Mosaic Monday.

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  3. That is a stunning resort Pat, great photos & collages.

    But every time I see the word gaylord, it reminds me of the Focker movies starring Robert de Niro & Ben Stiller :) Sorry. But they are so fun comedies. Happy MM.

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  4. Hello, The Gaylord Resort is beautiful. I love all the decorations and the Grand Lodge area is beautiful. The Gaylord Resort here near the National Harbor is very popular. Wonderful photos, thanks for the tour. Happy Monday, enjoy your day! Wishing you a great new week ahead.

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  5. Quite impressive! I wish when I'd been to trade shows or PBS annual meetings they'd been here!

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  6. Pat, thank you for sharing your visit to the Gaylord Rockies. One of my regrets as we moved away from Colorado (now nearly 2 years ago) was that I would not be around for the opening of this fantastic hotel. We have been to the Gaylord Palms in Orlando several times as guests of the Annual Florida Home Schooling Convention, so I knew this one in Colorado would be grand. It's fun to see how they made it so "Colorado" instead of the tropical atmosphere we're used to.

    Thanks so much for sharing this!

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  7. That is really impressive. The ceilings are my favourite.

    -Soma

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  8. Wowzer!!!! It's like a city . . . a beautiful city.

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  9. I'm fantasizing a trip right now after seeing all the beauty of the resort.

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  10. Yes, i clicked for the large views. Happy Monday to you

    Much🌻love

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  11. An almost impossibly blue sky! Wow!
    Thanks for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2019/04/in-memoriam.html

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  12. That looks beautiful! The inside atrium reminds me just a bit of one of our favorite Disney hotels (the Wilderness lodge). My kids would love this.

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  13. What a great place to visit - quite strange tho. Nice hotel!

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  14. ...there's nothing small or simple about this place. Seems a bit over done to me!

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  15. Wow. Looks like something I cannot afford to stay in.

    Worth a Thousand Words

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  16. That looks amazing. I have only visited The Gaylord Opryland Hotel and was very impressed.

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  17. Goodness that is such a large resort and how amazing 1.1 million reservations.
    I enjoyed seeing your photographs.

    All the best Jan

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  18. Wow, this is a really impressive place! I was going to mention my favorite thing about it, but I can't decide! ;) The atrium, the waterfall, the lazy river... WOW! What a neat place. Thanks for sharing at #heartandsoullinkup

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  19. Goodness, that's a very large complex, Pat. There is a Gaylord in DC but I've never been inside the complex. These hotels are really something. Thanks for sharing the unique Gaylord in your area.

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  20. I've stayed several times at the Gaylord Texan near Dallas on conventions. It's good for conventions because they can handle them but they are too big, in my opinion, for a personal visit.

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  21. What an amazing place. Huge and impressive. - Margy

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  22. Looks like an awesome place to visit! I spoke with a customer service rep (from another company yesterday) who was in Colorado and they said you all have snow!! They were asking how was our weather here in Alabama.

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  23. No wonder it took 3 years to build. Looks as if all age groups can be accommodated. Thanks for sharing this part of the world.

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  24. The resort is huge but that is what is needed for some of the conventions as not many cities can accommodate them. It should bring lots of business to Denver.

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  25. Very impressive! The stream, waterfalls, bridge, and rock tunnels give the place that wonderful sense of whimsy that is so appealing. Wonderful photo essay!

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  26. Wow! That's all I can say--WOW! That is just beyond my comprehension. But it sure has something for everyone.

    Thanks for joining and making My Corner of the World a success!

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  27. LQQKS fantastic I enjoyed the tour thanks for sharing :-)

    Have a resorttastic week ;-)

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  28. Oh my gosh, that is gi-normous, but I bet so is the fun! So many things to see, and do no wonder it took them so long to build it. It's like a little city inside there. Thanks so much for sharing. Going to have to tell my hubby about this one for sure.

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  29. Like you, I enjoy going on excursions with my local senior activity center. However, we've never been anywhere as grand as the facility in your photos. What a marvelous place! I'm sure everyone had a fantastic time.
    My post features tulip fields in Mt. Vernon, Washington.

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  30. What a beautiful facility! I would be tired walking from one side to the other. Great that it has a beautiful pool too.

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  31. It does look spectacular.

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  32. What a fabulous place! I l'd love to visit one day. Your photos are excellent.

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  33. What a wonderful looking resort. I'm ready for a stay at a resort just about now!

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  34. What an amazing place!! Thanks so much for stopping by!! And thank you for your well wishes!!
    HUgs,
    Debbie

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  35. That's a pretty amazing conference center! Love the caboose and indoor rock formations. Have a great weekend!

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  36. Very impressive! Thank you for sharing at Party In Your PJs!

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  37. Wowsa! That is one incredible place indeed. Thanks for sharing all the pictures and with all the minute detailing to them.

    Thanks for linking up with the Sky Girl, Esha and moi for #WordlessWednesday.

    Hope to see you this week as well:

    https://natashamusing.com/2019/05/laws-of-the-jungle-wordlesswednesday-wednesday-wisdom/

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