800 Big Thompson Avenue, Estes Park, Colorado, United States | 970-586-3336
Located on five acres, with Rocky Mountain views
Rustic rooms, some with fireplaces, kitchenettes, and balconies
Outdoor hot tub and fishing pond
Lawn with a playground
Picnic tables, gazebo, grills, and lawn games
Magazines, board games, and snacks in the lobby
Internet corner with computer and printer/copy machine
Nearby event space at the Coyote Mountain Lodge
Free outdoor parking, Wi-Fi, and coffee/tea in the lobby
Rooms are small and some decor is outdated or worn
Highway noise in some rooms
Housekeeping doesn't come daily
Air-conditioning not available in most rooms
The 58-room Discovery Lodge is a budget-friendly hotel in Estes Park that attracts regular visitors -- especially returning families -- who ignore some of the outdated facilities and decor in favor for low prices, five acres with a fishing pond, Rocky Mountain views, an outdoor hot tub, and a playground. Log accents fill the lodgings, which include a range of rooms, a cabin, a vacation home, and a condo. Some rooms, however, have outdated furnishings and old tube TVs. Modern decor can be found at the Hotel Estes, but for higher prices.
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Scene
A family-friendly mountain motel on five acres, with a fishing pond
Sitting on five acres of Rocky Mountain lands, the Discovery Lodge offers the full, family-friendly outdoors experience with a private catch-and-release fishing pond and wildlife-friendly grounds where elk can often be seen lounging. The outdoor benches, picnic tables, and gazebo draw guests out of doors here, to make the most of the beautiful views of the surrounding mountain landscape.The quaint, family-friendly atmosphere brings families back year after year. Hunters also find the hotel convenient to game lands. The lobby office is a small cottage, with wood-beamed ceilings, large windows that provide a lot of natural light, wood furniture and comfy sofas. Morning coffee, snacks and beverages are available in the office.
Location
Off the main avenue in Estes Park, near Rocky Mountain National Park
Discovery Lodge is set on five private acres on the edge of a small fishing pond, giving it a secluded feel. But it’s also a quick drive to downtown Estes Park: Big Thompson Avenue, a main artery to downtown, runs right by the hotel, though it can be noisy. Downtown -- a three-minute car ride -- has a Safeway, restaurants, gas stations, and shopping. The Estes Park Golf Courses are two minutes away on foot. It’s a seven-minute walk to the Stanley Hotel. It’s a four-minute drive to the Estes Park Aerial Tramway, and three minutes to the Ride-A-Kart. Rocky Mountain National Park and its hiking trails are 11 minutes away by car. The Denver airport is an hour and 23 minutes away.
Rooms
Average-sized rooms with rustic-style decor and flat-screen TVs; some have fireplaces and balconies with mountain views
Distant views of the Rockies can be seen from some of Discovery Lodge's accommodations, which include rooms, suites, a cabin, and a vacation home. Pine furniture and quilted bedspreads add a rustic vibe. Features include flat-screen or tube-style TVs, mini-refrigerators, and in some, balconies or patios. Suites have log or gas fireplaces, microwaves, DVD players, and dining tables. Some rooms are more recently updated than others, however, and some do have outdated and slightly worn furnishings and bathrooms. The cabin has two bedrooms and a kitchen. The three-bedroom vacation rental -- on an acre of land -- fits 12 people, and has a dining room and two kitchens. Pets are allowed in some accommodations for a fee. Hairdryers can be provided upon request.
Features
Mountain views from a colorful playground and outdoor hot tub
In addition to the five acres of land and fishing pond, there's a hot tub is surrounded by a wooden fence that offers mountain views, but that also sits next to a busy road. A playground, set on the grassy lawn with views of the mountains, is available for kids. An Internet corner in the office offers a laptop and a printer/copy machine for guests. In the lobby, there are snacks available to buy. Trucks and equipment can fit in the lodge’s parking lots, which are spacious.
