SS/Lodging for parents?

J

Jarhead

5-Year Member
Joined
Oct 9, 2009
Messages
33
My son was excepted to Summer Seminar I would like to take a vacation to Colorado Springs. Where is the best place to stay? Will they let me tour the Academy? What are some good sights to see and things to do in July?
Thanks,
Jerry
 
jarhead

Listed below is a great hotel Best Western The Academy Hotel. We stayed there while my DS attended SS. It is located right at the south gate of the Academy. It has free breakfast, it is near the interstate. There is lots to do in the area. We arrived a couple of days early to he could adjust to the atmosphere. The hotel is a big supporter of the Academy itself, as well as the football team. They used to have very nice rates. Your are like 25 miles from Denver, beautiful. Have a great time, enjoy it. Call the hotel directly.

Address:

Best Western The Academy Hotel
8110 N Academy Boulevard, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80920-3904, US
Phone: 719/598-5770 Fax: 719/598-5965
Toll Free Reservations: 800-766-8524

RGK
 
in regards to the Best Western.

I would avoid it like the plague. I don't know if the horror stories have ever been posted on this forum before, but there are tons and tons on the Webguy forum about how bad the management is there. How they will make you sign a contract and then not honor it and on and on.

The Best Western is individually owned and is only part of the chain in name only. So when you have a problem and call corporate. They will just say there is nothing they can do.

I would point you towards the other forum, but you have to be a paying member to see it.

Anyway, I would suggest the Drury over the Best Western. It is right across the street and has much nice rooms and better management.

What I usually do when I am going to the springs if it is not during parents weekend or grad week is to jump on hotwire because you can stay at great places for much less. I stayed at the Hyatt Place for a week during my DS jump program and it cost me $59/night for a suite.
 
We live in Co Srpings, and I recommend the Fairfield Inn and Suites on Struthers. It's fairly new and has great access to USAFA, Denver and other sights. There is TONS to do here! A trip to the top of Pikes Peak is a MUST!! Agree that the Broadmoor is the best... if $$$$ aren't an issue! Have fun!!
 
Bandit is absolutely correct. Last summer when we wemt out for I-Day with my son, we had reservations at the Academy Best Western for months. I had set up a trip to catch the Rockies vs the Redsox the night before with other families. We went directly to the park from the airport, watched the game, met other AFA people, then drove down to the Springs. When we got to the hotel they told us it was sold out. I asked about our reservations and they said they gave it to someone else. They did get us a room at another hotel, but it was about 20 miles from the Academy. I wanted to be as close as possible on that I-Day.
We now stay at a place directly up the road from the north gate. IT is a pretty new hotel, it is very clean, and reasonable. I can't think of the name right now. When I do, I wiil post it.
 
My two cents

I don't believe the hotels in Colorado Springs are overwhelmed during the weeks of summer seminar, so you can probably find good rates on hotwire.com. or try your luck on Priceline (name your own price.) I'd pick a 3 star hotel on the north side of town (could end up with something like Embassy Suites.) Heads up for the future when you're attending Parents Weekend, Graduation, and I-Day...the hotels fill fast and good deals are hard to find. Many hotels are already booked for Parents Weekend in Sept 2011.
 
Things to do:

Stop by the Visitor Center on the Academy grounds. Watch the movie in the theater. It gives a great, quick over-view of Academy life. I believe you can set up a tour if you call ahead and have that arranged, or if you know a current cadet. Definitely see the Chapel and drive around. It's gorgeous. And look UP! You will see cadets flying gliders and parachuting overhead. It's fun to just park at Thunderbird Lookout and watch.

Places to go: Garden of the Gods, Seven Falls, Pikes Peak--ride the Cog UP, or take a bike tour DOWN! http://www.bikepikespeak.com/ :) Our family did this bike tour. It's amazing but be careful... We did have to visit the ER.

The Royal Gorge Bridge is fairly close http://www.royalgorgebridge.com/ It's beautiful and our kids did some death defying flying-thingee over the canyon.

But by all means GO RAFTING! We've gone with this company twice and they are fabulous http://www.americanadventure.com/

I hope your son enjoys SS, it's a GREAT time to visit!

BTW, we have stayed at many places-Embassey Suites, Hampton, Drury Inn, Courtyard, and the Best Western Academy. We have never been disappointed. The Best Western was not problematic for us at all. It's older but convenient.

Enjoy!!!
 
We stayed at the Fairfield on Struthers last summer and it was fine. The pool is TINY - sort of like on a cliff. We've also stayed at the Comfort Inn Suites and the Quality Inn Suites (same hotel, just different "halves") and while not fancy, they were ok.

We've stayed at Cheyenne Mountain Resort and had a really great time there, but it certainly wasn't cheap. Beware: a coke in the lounge is $10.

We had a great time at Miramount castle which is near Manitou Springs, a quirky town about 1/2 hour from USAFA.

Visiting the US Olympic training center is interesting too. We were there when the handicapped basketball ball team was practicing and they were just fantastic! Those guys play better in wheel chairs than I would ever have imagined.
 
Thanks Guys,
I think we are going to come a couple days early to look around the area then stay a day longer to white water raft. Fencersmother I am definitely going to the Olympic Training Center as my son is being recruited to the Academy for a Olympic sport so we will enjoy that. How much of the Academy can I visit if I just drive up and ask? I do not have a military ID any longer.
 
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