The Broadmoor Spa Reopens to Accolades
A DiscoverSpas Guest Review by Irene Middleman Thomas
Irene Visited The Spa at The Broadmoor in May 2004

The majestic Broadmoor Hotel is the longest running consecutive winner of both the AAA Five-Diamond and Mobil Travel Guide Five-Star awards. European-style Old elegance, impeccable service and the grandeur of Italian Renaissance architecture have attracted visitors since 1918 to the Broadmoor Hotel, set in the foothills of the Rockies in Colorado Springs.

In May of 2004, the hotel completed the last phase of its two-year, three-phase, $75 million renovation, restoration and new construction project of the entire property. The Spa at the Broadmoor, honored by Conde Nast Traveler as one its top resort spas BEFORE the renovation, is now even more worthy of the venerable list. I visited the property right after the spa reopened in May and indulged in several treatments. While I had always found the Broadmoor Spa to be exemplary, it is now, without question, one of the most beautiful and well-designed spas in the nation, if not the world. “We believe in going ‘above and beyond’ when it comes to guest expectations,” says Ella Stimpson, director of the Spa. “Our Spa look, coupled with our expanded service menu, takes us to a new level that we believe will be unrivaled in the industry.”

During the Broadmoor’s renovation, virtually everything down to the floorboards was either redone or gutted entirely. The goal was to maintain yet subtly enhance and modernize the original vision of the hotel. Some of the more visible changes and improvements were an 11,000-square-foot infinity edge swimming pool at the north end of Cheyenne Lake, along with Slide Mountain and its two waterslides, a children’s pool with a ‘water burst’ play fountain, two 14-person outdoor whirlpools on the lake’s edge, with exquisite custom stone and glass mosaic tile artwork, a wood playground area, 13 poolside cabanas and poolside cafe.

As a perfect complement to the pampering environment of The Broadmoor, the $16 million, 90,000 square-foot Broadmoor Spa, Golf & Tennis Club opened in 1994. It was immediately embraced by both locals and hotel guests (who love the luxury of indulging in spa treatments without having to drive home.) The Spa features a full-service amenity spa, state-of-the-art fitness center with exercise room, aerobics studio, indoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi, golf clubhouse, three restaurants and lounges and both golf and tennis pro shops. Fifty-five treatment rooms, nineteen massage rooms (some with private terraces) and over 100 services for men and women are offered, including hydrotherapies, aromatherapies, Ayurvedic therapies, body treatments, massage therapies and complete salon services.

The $3 million redesign of the Spa, completed in 2004 and masterminded by designer and resort architect TAG Galyean, added 3,200 square feet to the facility. Six new massage rooms were added, along with three facial rooms. Two exclusive water treatments were designed for the Broadmoor ­ including two $100,000 SilverTAG Serenity Showers with 19 shower heads computerized for varying strengths for hydrotherapy ranging from cellulite, stress and tonic treatments. The Serenity Shower is so beautiful, with its turquoise and cobalt tilework, just stepping into the stall is an experience. Actually feeling the rush of jets from all angles is
blissful ­ I felt like I was in a warm, gentle waterfall.

Along with the showers, Tranquility Tubs with overflowing infinity edges for soaking hydrotherapy treatments. I enjoyed the Tub before my Serenity Shower, but many prefer the other way around, or just one treatment.

Water therapy treatments at the Broadmoor Spa utilize minerals from the sea, while others rely on native Rocky Mountain herbs, botanicals and aromatherapies. The spa’s French-trained therapists emphasize health, well-being, cleansing, detoxification - but most of all, relaxation. Sothys and Cellex C product lines are used at the Spa.

The showstopper addition is the couple’s massage room, featuring a Venetian chandelier, fireplace, elegant sitting area and décor, but all of the sitting areas, entrances, and treatment corridors are newly fitted with fine artwork, sparkling chandeliers, marble floors, hand-knotted area rugs and other touches of warmth, comfort and luxury.

The Broadmoor Spa specializes in innovative products such as the 80-minute ‘harmonic hot stone massage,’ combining a traditional hot stone massage with a chakra tuning crystal to ‘enhance and balance’ the guest’s energy field, incorporating Tibetan ‘singing bowls.’ This treatment, newly launched last spring, brings hot stone therapy to new heights. I found this treatment my favorite of all spa treatments I have ever received. At the time, I was going through an extremely busy, stressful period. My massage therapist told me that this treatment would “take my worries away.” I scoffed inside, but moments later, I found myself literally unable to think of anything other than the soothing sounds and the incredibly comforting feel of the hot stones and massage. I have never felt so removed from the world.

“There’s no other spa that I know of that combines the hot-stones with sound therapy,” notes Stimpson. “There’s a lot of research being done now about sound therapy. This is cutting edge.” She adds that sometimes men are particularly leery about the treatment, yet after experiencing it are some of the biggest fans. Intensely soothing, astonishingly tension-relieving, even the biggest skeptics are converted. Other treatments utilize local mountain herbs, clays, spring waters and aromatics.

As at most American spas, the majority of the clientele has been female - up to now. Management at the Broadmoor has designed the Gentlemen’s Getaway package to lure men back into what was originally a ‘manly’ endeavor. “Here at the Broadmoor Spa, we’re puzzled,” says Spa Director Ella Stimpson. “In today’s fast-paced world, men work harder, have less free time and are under more stress than ever before, yet they still represent only a minority of spa frequenters.” She points out that thousands of years ago, Roman and Greek men regularly visited bathhouses and spas not only to be clean and groomed, but to socialize. Men continue this practice to some extent in some countries, while in the U.S., the old-time barbershop used to provide much of the same well-rounded experience. With the advent of shopping mall and chain hair salons, barber shops have gone by the wayside, and sadly, so has the male ‘social center.’ “We want to recreate that place for men to go and feel comfortable receiving the grooming and relaxation that is crucial to being a success in today’s competitive market,” Stimpson continues. The Gentlemen’s Getaway package includes a manicure, pedicure and men’s facial. Many add on a deep tissue or sports massage or haircut. All products used in the treatments were developed with male taste in mind. Men coming in for facials at the Broadmoor Spa needn’t fear dainty florals and herbs. Rather, the French Sothys product line for men uses a treatment derived from the distillation of malt from Scotch whiskey, rich in proteins and nutrients.

Both sexes enjoy the extraordinary experience of the Chaparral Stone Pedicure, combining extracts of high chaparral plants and herbs with the relaxing touch of a basalt hot stone foot and leg massage. Essential oils of spruce and pine stimulate and cleanse and exfoliate the foot while the extract of chaparral nourishes the skin during the mask.

The spa also features personal training, sports specific training and fitness and nutritional assessments. The fitness center houses both weight resistance and cardiovascular studios. Adjacent to the fitness center is a mirrored aerobics studio, where exercise professionals teach a wide range of daily classes, including yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates and step and stretch. The spa also offers spinning classes, fitness walks and mountain hikes. Downstairs, the expansive indoor pool is framed by a glass ceiling atop floor-to-ceiling windows. Daily water aerobics classes are held here.

Irene Thomas writes for The Ritz-Carlton, Frontier, ATA and Spirit in-flights, Family Fun, Denver Post, Vancouver Sun, Montreal Gazette, 5280, Travel Features Syndicate among other publications.