**Colorado Springs Getaway: Unbeatable Garden of the Gods Views at Days Inn!**
Colorado Springs Getaway: Days Inn & The Garden of Insane Views (Seriously, They're Good!) – A Review That's Not a Brochure
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your average, sanitized hotel review. This is real talk about the Days Inn in Colorado Springs, specifically the one that promises you "Unbeatable Garden of the Gods Views." And let me tell you, that view… it's pretty darn good. It actually does live up to the hype. Now, let's unpack this whole stay, shall we? Because, just like life, it wasn't all sunshine and perfectly folded towels.
First Impressions: View? YES. Everything Else? Hum… Let's See…
The promise of the Garden of the Gods is what reeled me in. And the lobby… well, let's just say it's a lobby. Functional. The check-in? Contactless, which, hey, in these weird times, is fine. The doorman? Absent. The elevator? Definitely there, thank goodness, because I’d requested a high floor… and the view! Oh, the view…
Things to Do (Besides Staring at the Gods – Which You Will Do):
This is where things get a little… sparse. Look, this isn’t the Four Seasons. This is a Days Inn. The main event is the view. So, if you’re expecting a bustling spa with body scrubs and fancy saunas… you’re in the wrong place.
- Fitness Center: I peeked in. It’s there. I didn’t use it. Judge away.
- Swimming Pool [Outdoor]: Open. Looked decent. The same view, arguably better with a cocktail (more on that later).
- Honestly? The best "thing to do" is wander the Garden of the Gods. It's practically next door. Hike, photograph, and get your mind blown. Trust me.
Accessibility – A Mixed Bag:
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes, but I didn't need it, so I can't give a ton of specifics. However, I did see elevators, and the lobby seemed easy to navigate.
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: I'm going to assume there are rooms adapted, but I'd recommend calling ahead to confirm the specifics.
Cleaning & Safety - Gotta Appreciate The Effort:
Okay, big props to the Days Inn on this front. They clearly took COVID seriously.
- Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, individually-wrapped food options, and… hand sanitizer galore! I mean, they were practically shoving sanitizer in your face (in a good way).
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Appreciated! I tend to be paranoid about this.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Makes you feel a bit safer.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: They seemed to know what they were doing. Seeing staff in masks and keeping distance was reassuring.
Food, Glorious… Questionable Food:
Alright, let’s be honest. The food situation at a Days Inn? Don't get your hopes up for Michelin-starred dining.
- Breakfast [buffet]: I went in with low expectations, and they were… met. Think continental. Think… basic. I grabbed a muffin and coffee and made a beeline for the Garden of the Gods.
- Restaurants: There weren’t any onsite specifically, but there are a few decent options nearby. I actually stumbled into a killer taco place. My advice: venture out!
- Poolside bar: I did see a bar. The cocktails? Mediocre. But the view? Unbeatable. I just ordered a bottle of water instead.
The Room - Okay, Let’s Talk About the Bed…
My room… was fine. Clean, functional. Standard Days Inn fare. But… the bed!
- Extra long bed: Praise be! Okay, look, I'm a tall dude. A decent bed is important. This one was comfortable enough. But the pillows… they were those thin, depressing pillows that seem to have been around since the dawn of hotels. The rest of the room? Standard. Air conditioning worked, the shower was hot (essential!), and the TV… well, it had channels.
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: Yep, and it actually worked, which is a major win.
Services & Conveniences - The Little Extras That Make You Sigh:
- Daily housekeeping: They actually did clean the room, which is always a plus when you're sharing the room with an invisible being called “laziness”.
- Laundry Service: I didn’t use it, but it exists. And that's more than I give credit to.
- Cash withdrawal: I found it.
- Elevator: Yes. Essential.
- Front desk [24-hour]: At least someone is there, and that's important.
For The Kids & Pets? Not Really.
- Family/child friendly: Limited. It's more of a couples or solo traveler kinda spot.
- Pets allowed unavailable: No furry friends allowed in this Days Inn.
Getting Around: Easy Peasy.
- Car park [free of charge]: Thank goodness. Parking in Colorado Springs in generally okay, but free is always appreciated.
- Airport transfer: There’s not one.
Internet/Technology – The Modern Necessity:
- Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Wi-Fi [free], Wi-Fi in public areas: All working. The Wi-Fi was actually pretty decent, which is a huge bonus when you’re trying to get some work done (or, you know, scroll endlessly through social media).
A Personal Anecdote – The View That Healed My Soul:
Okay, this is where it gets personal. I was going through stuff when I booked this trip. Work stress, relationship woes, the whole nine yards. I needed to escape. And that view… first thing every morning, I’d open up the curtains and just breathe. The Garden of the Gods bathed in morning light. The crisp air. The sheer grandeur of it all. It was genuinely therapeutic. I would stand in the room in my robe as if I was in a movie. It made all the hotel imperfections fade away. That view, it was worth the price of admission alone. That view saved me.
The Verdict: Worth It? Honestly, Yes, With Caveats.
Look, this isn't a luxury hotel. It's a Days Inn. But for the price, and with that mind-blowing view, it's a solid choice. If you're looking for a comfortable place to crash while you explore the Garden of the Gods (which you should), it's a winner. Just temper your expectations about the on-site amenities. Embrace the simplicity. And, above all, soak in that view. Seriously. It’s worth it. Metadata & SEO:
- Keywords: Colorado Springs hotels, Garden of the Gods views, Days Inn Colorado Springs, budget hotels Colorado Springs, accessibility hotels, free wifi, clean hotels, COVID-safe hotel, outdoor pool, family-friendly hotels, things to do Colorado Springs, hotel review
- Meta Description: Honest review of Days Inn in Colorado Springs with unbeatable Garden of the Gods views. Details on accessibility, cleanliness, amenities, and the amazing views. Is it worth it? Read the full review!
- Title: Colorado Springs Getaway: Unbeatable Garden of the Gods Views at Days Inn! (A Real Review)
- Alt Tags for Images (if available):
- "Garden of the Gods view from Days Inn Colorado Springs"
- "Clean room at Days Inn Colorado Springs"
- "Outdoor pool at Days Inn Colorado Springs"
- "Accessible room at Days Inn Colorado Springs (if applicable)"
- H1: Colorado Springs Getaway: Days Inn & The Garden of Insane Views (Literally!) – A Review That Isn't a Brochure!
- Subheadings:
- First Impressions: View? YES. Everything Else? Hum… Let's See…
- Things to Do (Besides Staring at the Gods – Which You Will Do):
- Accessibility – A Mixed Bag:
- Cleaning & Safety - Gotta Appreciate The Effort:
- Food, Glorious… Questionable Food:
- The Room - Okay, Let’s Talk About the Bed…
- Services & Conveniences - The Little Extras That Make You Sigh:
- For The Kids & Pets? Not Really.
- Getting Around: Easy Peasy.
- Internet/Technology – The Modern Necessity:
- A Personal Anecdote – The View That Healed My Soul:
- The Verdict: Worth It? Honestly, Yes, With Caveats.
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your pristine, perfectly-planned itinerary. This is me, navigating Colorado Springs and the Garden of the Gods, fueled by questionable coffee and a healthy dose of existential dread/excitement (mostly excitement, I swear!). We're starting at that… well, it's a Days Inn by Wyndham Colorado Springs/Garden of the Gods. Let's dive in!
Day 1: Arrival, Regret, and Roller Coasters of Reality
- 1:00 PM: Okay, so the flight was… a flight. You know the drill. Crammed in a metal tube with 600 other humans trying to wrangle their carry-ons like they're gladiators. Landed, grabbed my rental car (a surprisingly not-that-bad Hyundai), and pointed it towards the promised land (aka: the Days Inn).
- 1:30 PM: Check-in. The lobby smells faintly of chlorine and desperation. The woman at the front desk, bless her heart, looked like she'd seen some things. My room… well, it has a bed. And a TV that might work. (Spoiler alert: It does, but the selection is 90% infomercials for things I can't afford.)
- 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Unpacked. Judged the artwork (abstract blobs, definitely not my vibe). Spent a solid 20 minutes wrestling with the godforsaken hairdryer. Victory eventually.
- 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Garden of the Gods - The First Crush: Okay. Okay. This is it. This is why I came. The Garden of the Gods! I’d seen pictures, of course, but… whoa. Just… whoa. The gigantic red rock formations erupting from the earth. I, a city mouse, was rendered utterly speechless. I drove my rental car to the main parking lots and prepared to be at the mercy of the crowds.
- 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Hiked the Perkins Central Garden Trail. Ate a granola bar I found at the bottom of my purse. I swear, there were times during the hike when I was SO overwhelmed with the beauty of it all that I wanted to cry. (Don't worry, I didn't. I'm classy like that.) The sheer scale is hard to grasp. I spent an ungodly amount of time just… staring. Trying to take it all in. Feeling… small and insignificant, but in a good way. The light was amazing. Honestly, this single experience almost made all the travel worth it.
- 7:00 PM: Drove back to the hotel, completely exhilarated. It was almost too much all at once.
- 7:30 PM: "Dinner" at the Taco Bell a mile away. My diet starts tomorrow. (Classic. Honestly, the tacos were okay, but I was so drained from the sensory overload, I forgot to enjoy them.
- 8:30 PM - 10:00 PM: Attempted to watch TV, failed. Ended up people watching from my window. Saw a family with a very enthusiastic golden retriever. Jealous.
- 10:00 PM: Slept… eventually. I think I dreamed of red rocks.
Day 2: More Gods, More Floundering, and a Dose of Reality
- 8:00 AM: Woke up STARVING. Dragged myself to the "free" breakfast at the hotel. It was… what you'd expect. Stale bagels, watery coffee, and an assortment of processed… things. Ate it anyway.
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Back to Garden of the Gods! This time I went to the nature center. I wanted to learn more About the history of the place. It was interesting, but my mind kept drifting back to those red rocks. I saw a lot of other people that seemed to feel the same way.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at a local sandwich shop. It was… fine. Perfectly functional. The kind of sandwich you eat when you're hungry and need calories.
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Attempted another hike. Got slightly lost. Briefly considered befriending a prairie dog. Decided against it. They don't seem very friendly. Got covered in dirt.
- 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Sat on a rock, overlooking the Garden. Just… processed. It was what I need.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Discovery of the Day: Found a little coffee shop in a cute spot near the Garden, had a cup of real coffee and wrote in my journal. It was a life-giving experience.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at a restaurant a local recommended. It was great. I felt a little less alone or at least less lost for that short time.
- 7:00 PM: Back to the Days Inn. Attempted more TV. Got distracted by the thought that I should plan more of my time.
- 8:00 PM: Spent an hour trying to get the hotel wifi to work. Failed. Gave up. Read my book.
- 9:00 PM: Sleep! The exhaustion from the beauty and hiking of the day started to kick in.
Day 3: Farewell, Red Rocks, and a Touch of the Untamed Spirit
- 7:00 AM: Woke up. Breakfast. The quality remained the same.
- 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM: One last, lingering visit to the Garden of the Gods. Did a quick driving tour to places I hadn't visited yet. Tried to etch the images into my brain.
- 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Packed. Said goodbye to the hotel room I called home for a few days.
- 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Checked out and drove toward my next adventure!
Overall Thoughts:
Colorado Springs and the Garden of the Gods? Absolutely worth it. The red rocks are… I'm still processing. I will never, ever forget the light, the scale, the feeling of standing in the face of something ancient and powerful. Yes, the Days Inn was basic. Yes, I ate a lot of questionable food. But those moments of pure, unadulterated beauty… that's what I'll carry with me. I’ll return one day. Just maybe with a better hotel and a more adventurous spirit.
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Colorado Springs Getaway: Days Inn & The Garden of the Gods - Let's Get Real! (FAQ-ish, Maybe)
Okay, so is this Days Inn REALLY as good as the pictures make it look? Garden of the Gods views, y'know?
Alright, let's rip off the rose-colored glasses, shall we? The pictures? They're…well, they're marketing. But here's the thing: the potential for incredible views? Totally there. We stayed in a room that *claimed* to have a Garden of the Gods view, and honestly? It was like, a *tiny* sliver framed by the corner of the parking lot. You had to lean *way* out the window. My wife, bless her heart, actually spent a good ten minutes trying to angle herself just right to capture a photo that didn't include a power line. SUCCESS! But really, the views… well, they're more "suggested" than "commanding." Don't expect the Grand Canyon level of visual dominance. But! and this is a big BUT, the *idea* of having that view, even a peekaboo one, is pretty darn cool. Like, "Yeah, I *could* be looking at a strip mall, but I'm not!" It's a vibe. And that vibe? That's worth something.
What about the room itself? Was it clean?
Clean? Look, I'm not a germaphobe, but I also don't like feeling like I'm camping in a petri dish. The room *felt* clean. Notice I said "felt." I maybe didn't go full white-glove inspection. There was a *slight* lingering smell of…well, let's just say "generic hotel cleaner" rather than "fresh mountain air." Under the beds? Didn't check. The bathroom was… functional. The shower curtain, bless its heart, looked like it had seen some things. But listen, for a budget-friendly stay, and remember the view-thing, it was totally acceptable. My biggest issue? The lighting. It was like they were trying to conserve electricity – it took me five minutes to find the light switch! I'm being dramatic, of course, but it was dim. Very dim. Made it feel a bit…cave-like. But hey, it was also a good excuse to cozy up and cuddle... if you are into that.
Breakfast? Free, right? What's the damage?
Ah, the free breakfast. This is where things get…interesting. Yes, free breakfast is included. But "free" in the hotel world sometimes translates to "a culinary adventure in slightly-above-room-temperature delights." Think: pre-packaged muffins, the kind that look like they've been sitting on a shelf since the Clinton administration. Instant oatmeal that's a shade too gluey. Coffee that has the aroma of… well, let's say it *resembles* coffee. There were also waffles, which you cook yourself. And this is where I had my moment of truth. The waffle machine. Imagine a grumpy, sentient metal box that dispenses slightly soggy waffles. I put mine in, waited, and then… it didn't *quite* cook all the way. The staff seemed to be used to this and they did offer butter, syrup, and a smile! Despite the waffle drama, I actually enjoyed it simply because it was breakfast... after all, it's free. So yeah, set your expectations low, but also, it's free. And sometimes, free is the best kind of breakfast, especially when you're about to hike in the Garden of the Gods and burn off all those calories!
Speaking of hiking - is the Days Inn well located for exploring?
YES! Absolutely, YES! That's the real selling point. The location is *fantastic*. The Garden of the Gods is literally right there. You can practically roll out of bed, stumble across the road, and be amongst those crimson monoliths. We did exactly that, twice. The first time we went there, it was breathtaking! Okay, maybe not breathtaking, but cool. It's close to other attractions too, like some of the touristy things, and good restaurants. You could drive to the top of Pikes Peak in like an hour? Not sure. Driving is overrated, though. For access, this place is a winner. You spend less time driving and more time... well, actually *doing* things. And let's be honest, after a long day of hiking and gawking, the short commute back to your room is a lifesaver. No more desperate searches for a hotel after driving for hours. Bliss.
Was it noisy? I can't sleep through anything!
Ah, the noise factor. Okay, so this really depends on your luck and which room you get. We got a room that, for some reason, was directly above the pool. (I’m not sure why. We didn't ask.) And, oh boy… The first night wasn’t too bad. We heard some laughter, splashing, and the general sounds of people enjoying themselves. But then, around 11 PM, the kids started… *screaming*. And not the good, playing-in-the-pool screaming. The "I'm-convinced-a-monster-is-eating-my-toes" screaming. It went on for a while. We finally had to resort to earplugs, which I always keep in my travel pack. So, my advice: if you are sensitive to noise, request a room far, far away from the pool, and pack those earplugs! Or, embrace the chaos and pretend you're at a summer camp. (Kidding. Mostly.)
Would you stay there again? The honest answer, please!
Okay, the honest answer? Yes, probably. Here’s why: The location is killer. The price is right. The "potential" for a decent view (even a sliver!) is there. And hey, it's a *Days Inn*. You know what you're getting. It's not the Ritz, and it's not *meant* to be. It's a functional, clean-ish, conveniently located basecamp for exploring. I wouldn't book it for a romantic getaway, but for a fun, affordable, adventure-focused trip? I'm in. Just… I’m definitely packing those earplugs next time. And maybe some granola bars for a better breakfast experience.
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