1200 Fall River Rd, Estes Park, Colorado, United States | 970-586-2324
Relaxed adults-only atmosphere
Scenic location on Fall River, frequented by roaming elk
Cozy rooms with patios and river views
Some rooms have stone fireplaces and equipped kitchens
Indoor, above-ground hot tub overlooking the river
Small DVD and book library in the lobby
Near snowshoe trails; snowshoes and poles to borrow
Free Wi-Fi, parking, and charcoal for barbecues
Decor and bathrooms are outdated in some rooms
Removed location requires a car
Rooms on the ground floor can be noisy
Adjacent to the highway
A deposit is required
No on-site dining
Picturesquely perched on the banks of the Fall River, next to Rocky Mountain National Park, the adults-only Deer Crest Resort is a low-key mountain retreat whose 26 homey rooms, scenic grounds, and indoor hot tub attract older couples looking to make the most of the great outdoors in any season. Rooms are comfortable and traditional, if a bit outdated in decor, and all have private patios, while some also have fireplaces and kitchens. Amenities are somewhat limited -- grills on the lawn, the hot tub, snowshoes and poles to borrow in the winter -- but the owners often bend over backwards to accommodate guests. The hotel is located on the edge of town, though, and there are limited restaurant and shopping options nearby; for a hotel closer to Estes Park's bustling downtown scene, try the Silver Moon Inn.
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Scene
Cozy, adults-only hotel in the woods
Tucked behind the fir trees on the edge of Estes Park, Deer Crest Resort is a woodsy, two-story motel-style hotel that caters primarily to older couples who appreciate its adults-only policy, rustic aesthetic, and quiet forest ambiance. The peaceful hotel is set on well-maintained grounds next to the Fall River, and its lawns -- filled with lounge chairs, picnic tables, grills, a swing, and flowers -- are especially popular in the warmer months. Other frequent guests include elk, deer, and wild turkeys, grazing and passing through. Second-floor rooms are the quietest and most removed from the river and animals, but the hotel's wood-planked balconies indicate its focus on the outdoors, even in the winter months.
Location
Where the elk roam, on the Fall River banks, next to Rocky Mountain National Park
The Deer Crest Resort is set on the banks of the Fall River, in Estes Park, Colorado, on the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park. Located on the edge of town, a mile and a half from the downtown area, the hotel's secluded location provides guests with a restful vacation, although some find it a bit too isolated. The closest restaurant, Nicky’s Steakhouse, is a three-minute walk; the surrounding area is primarily small hotels and cabins. The airport is an hour-and-a-half drive away. It’s five minutes by car to downtown, where there are restaurants, shops, bars, cafes and markets. The Rocky Mountain National Park is a 10-minute drive away. The free Estes Park shuttle stops next to the hotel.
Rooms
Homey rooms and suites with woodsy decor and river-view patios, fireplaces and kitchens in some
Guests can choose between Standard Rooms, Deluxe Rooms, and Suites, almost all of which overlook the river. Pine decor, wreaths, and country landscape paintings add a woodsy touch to rooms that are decked out in homey, retro-style furnishing like floral bedspreads and easy chairs. All rooms have mini-refrigerators, microwaves, coffee makers, and some have DVD players and air-conditioning. Higher-tier rooms and suites have electric or log fireplaces, kitchenettes or kitchens, sofa beds, dining areas, and wooden breakfast nooks. All rooms have private patios or balconies overlooking the river or grounds. Rooms do feel a bit older, and some have old tube TVs and old-fashioned bathroom tiles, but all are impeccably clean. Entranceways do not have steps, making room access convenient for those with physical limitations.
Features
Outdoor activities and an indoor hot tub
In the warmer months, the Deer Crest Resort's outdoor spaces are its biggest highlight, filled as they are with loungers, picnic tables, and grills; owner Ken supplies all the equipment you need to barbecue. In addition to the riverside lawn, there's another picnic area toward the back of the hotel, with covered and uncovered patio furniture and a fire pit. There is also an above-ground hot tub in an enclosed terrace, with large windows that face the lawn and meandering Fall River. The hotel also has a book and DVD library for guests to borrow from, and will provide hot chocolate to round out the movie night. In the winter, outdoor activities can be arranged through the hotel, which offers free snowshoes, poles, and directions to nearby trails. The hotel also has free Wi-Fi.
