Location, location, location isn’t just a real estate mantra: when it comes to planning a wedding to remember, choosing the setting is one of the most important decisions a couple will make. Gateway Canyons, a resort built by visionary John Hendricks– founder of The Discovery Channel — is just one hour southwest of Grand Junction, Colorado. It is a place of unmatched natural beauty in scenic canyon country, and built as a place where dreams can be launched, promises made and kept, and life’s biggest moments shared and celebrated.

The journey of a lifetime is the journey of the heart, and a wedding at Gateway Canyons marks an auspicious beginning to one of life’s greatest adventures. Gateway Canyons was conceived and designed as a place for people to gather, share and celebrate, and never more so than for a wedding.

“The scenery at Gateway Canyons is breathtaking and makes any event here special, particularly a wedding, but it’s our trained and friendly staff that makes it spectacular,” said Denise Wall, Gateway Canyons Event Planner. Wall and her staff can assist couples in planning all the details of their Gateway Canyons wedding, including choosing an onsite indoor or outdoor location, reviewing menu and catering options, and setting up accommodations for the wedding party.  Gateway Canyons events staff can also offer reliable resources for wedding photography, cake and flowers.

Depending on personal preferences, couples can choose from venues and settings that range from dignified formal– to Colorado casual– and from grand to intimate. Bride and groom take center stage at the new Mission Bell Amphitheater, an outdoor venue that can hold as many as 300 guests. Summer through fall, nature in all its seasonal glory is the backdrop for events held here. Canyon views, reflective ponds, and even a meandering stream are a few of the visual delights.

Beautiful natural settings are abundant at Gateway Canyons; another outdoor, picture-perfect location for weddings is the Cottonwood Terrace. This shady alcove is close to a brook and an ideal place to tie the knot and stage post ceremony events for smaller groups. For horse-lovers or couples looking to add western style ambiance to their special day, The Stables at Gateway Canyons is Colorado ranch elegance at its finest. The well-groomed horses that call The Stables home aren’t shy about posing for wedding photos either.

For more formal receptions and banquet events there is the newly opened Palisade Event Center, named for the geological formation that dominates the Gateway Canyons landscape. A combination of interior spaces and outdoor patios provides brides and grooms with many possibilities for creating the wedding reception of their dreams, while an extensive chef-created banquet menu allows them to tailor the selections to both taste and budget.

Gateway Canyons also helps couples and wedding parties indulge in pre-wedding pampering. The newly opened spa offers guests a menu of relaxing massage and nurturing facial treatments that will help brides (and grooms) remain tranquil and smiling through all the nuptial festivities. Stylists at Gateway Canyons’ new hair salon can also assist with manicures, pedicures, and hair styling for brides and bridesmaids so everyone can feel their most confident and beautiful on the big day.

The wedding party and guests will find Gateway Canyons’ 54 rooms comfortably elegant. Guests can choose either the Dolores River Inn or the deluxe Kiva Lodge which features private outdoor patios. All the units have easy access the large outdoor swimming pool and hot tub. The Adventure Center can arrange hiking, biking, horseback riding and many other seasonal activities. Rehearsal dinners are easily accommodated at the Paradox Grille, and for less formal meals, casual dining is available at the Kiva Café and the Paradox-To-Go deli and coffee bar located inside the Outpost General Store.

For many people the greatest journey is the one they share with the love of their life. For more information about planning a wedding at Gateway Canyons, please contact the Gateway Canyons 970-931-2655 or www.gatewaycanyons.com/gather/weddings.

The Sebastian – A Timbers Resorts Hotel & Residence Club, is scheduled to debut in December 2010 as Vail’s newest boutique resort and residence club. Having established an unrivaled reputation for creating extraordinary resorts throughout the world, Timbers Resorts brings the experience and cachet to reposition and enhance this special property, adding its trademark touches to the 100-room hotel and 38-unit private residence club.

“We continue to search for one-of-a-kind locations around the world and are very happy to add The Sebastian and this great partnership with Ferruco Vail Ventures to our portfolio of properties,” said David

A. Burden, CEO & Founder of Timbers Resorts. “We are expanding our brand into hotel and restaurant management in hopes that by controlling the management of all aspects of the resort, we can truly ensure the highest quality of standards that our Owners and guests have come to expect from Timbers Resorts’ properties.” Luxury hotelier Michael Oprish was hired by Timbers Resorts and appointed General Manager of The Sebastian to direct and oversee all daily operations and ensure the highest level of standards are maintained. Formerly with The Bernardus Lodge in Carmel, California, Oprish brings more than 25 years’ experience in the luxury hotel and travel industry and has covered all aspects of resort operations and management, providing a keen sense into sophisticated service and exceptional experiences for Owners and guests.

Design and construction is currently underway for enhanced dining, spa and residential accommodations with an eclectic confluence of chic and high mountain comfort. The pool and surrounding terrace area are currently under renovation with an anticipated opening of July 4, 2010. The Sebastian plans to introduce the new amenity spaces with a December 2010 opening. Bloom, The Sebastian’s premier destination spa, is being transformed with additional treatment rooms and an expanded menu of services by the acclaimed spa consultant team of Francis & Alexander out of San Francisco. The new Frost Bar will offer a selection of small bites and throwback cocktails for Owners, guests and the Vail community in a contemporary setting. The Library will serve as a welcoming place to gather year-round with plush seating and intriguing reads. Market, an artisan deli and provisioner, will be the source for sundries and to-go items, as well as breakfast, lunch and dinner for Owners and guests. Drawing on the trend of farmto-table cuisine firmly rooted throughout the gourmet capital of Napa Valley, the Food & Beverage team is conceptualizing the design and philosophy for the new restaurant.

Easily accessible from Eagle Vail Airport, The Sebastian will serve as a unique and chic social hub in Vail for Owners, hotel guests and the local community. The 100 guestrooms will offer comfortable, private quarters in which to relax when not wining, dining and taking part in the excitement of one of Colorado’s most celebrated towns. All rooms exude comfortable elegance, appointed with custom-designed furnishings and fabrics. Group travel planners will find a brand new 7,000-square-foot conference center and meeting facilities with expert support staff and the latest infrastructure.

The Private Residence Club will be comprised of 38 residences with two different offerings. A four-week membership will start at $310,000 and a Founder’s Club eight-week offering will start at $580,000. Both offerings will include membership in Timbers Collection, which is comprised of a host of perks and privileges from travel partners to reciprocity among resorts in the Timbers Resorts portfolio. Timbers Resorts is enhancing the ownership experience with increased activities ranging from wine tastings to cooking classes to poolside barbecues. Details on the Private Residence Club will be released later this summer.

As Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center approaches its fifth anniversary, the 1100 room property garners three prestigious travel industry awards:  AAA Four Diamond Award, Orbitz “Best of Stay” and Expedia’s Insiders’ Select 2010.

AAA Four Diamond Award

AAA has granted Hyatt Regency Denver the Four-Diamond rating for excellence.  This rating’s fundamental hallmarks, according to AAA, include “an extensive array of amenities combined with a high degree of hospitality, service and attention to detail.”  Hyatt Regency Denver joins the ranks of an elite group of Colorado hotels to achieve the AAA Four Diamond status and has done so every year since its opening in 2005.

2010 Orbitz “Best of Stay”

Orbitz “Best of Stay” Award winners were selected based on the overall numeric score by Orbitz travelers.  Reviews and scores for each hotel are collected only from Orbitz customers who have booked and stayed at the hotel.

Expedia Insider’s Select 2010

Expedia Insiders’ Select list is an annual award recognizing the very best hotels available in Expedia’s global marketplace as judged by the experiences of Expedia’s customers.  Based on more than one million hotel reviews submitted by Expedia travelers, hotels on the list were identified as consistently delivering superior service, an exceptional guest experience and notable value.
Only a small percentage of the top-ranked hotels earn these awards.

Ed Bucholtz, Hyatt Regency Denver general manager, said, “To receive these three awards from industry leaders of this caliber shows consistency on the part of our staff.   We know they are highly focused and we appreciate their efforts and attention to detail in delivering an exceptional guest experience.”

Colorado Meeting Destinations | Colorado Event Planner

In May 2010, in honor of its 25th anniversary, Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs began a complete $20 million renovation. The renovation commenced with the Mountain View Restaurant Terrace, which will receive luxurious new furnishings and a large fire pit to further enhance this large outdoor gathering area, where groups can enjoy stunning views of Cheyenne Mountain.

All 316 guestrooms, as well as the resort’s five suites, will also receive all new high-end furnishings, linens and fixtures, as well as new flooring and bathrooms will be completely re-done. Rooms will also be equipped with new top-of-the-line electronics, including flat screen TVs and iHome Mp3 clock radios. The room design will have a residential feel, and be refreshing and crisp, intended to carry the breathtaking views from the outside in.

Take a Virtual Tour of Cheyenne Mountain Resort

The resort’s myriad of meeting spaces will all be equipped with new carpeting, wall coverings and furnishings, and all technologies will be updated, including sound systems, lighting, rear projection screens and more. Other areas, including the resort pool, Sundance Terrace, Grand Rivers Terrace, Cheyenne Kids Club space, Will Rogers Lounge and Pineview Restaurant will also be part of the renovation, receiving new furniture and more, and landscaping will be updated as well.

View all Colorado Springs Meeting Facilities

• Whitewater Rafting – Navigate the rapids on a guided river adventure
• Scavenger Hunt – Decipher clues and hunt to win in the town of Vail
• Guided Group Hike – Get outside and experience the beauty of the Rockies
• Trail Maintenance – Work together to help maintain our National Forest

In addition, every member of your group will receive a free “Altitude Pack” upon check-in to ensure they are ready for adventure at 8,150 feet. The pack includes a Camelback Hydroback, sunscreen, lip balm and sport jelly beans. Valued at $35 per pack, they’re yours FREE!

But hurry, your meeting must be booked by June 30, 2010 to qualify for these incentives.

Visit The Lodge at Vail or Call (970) 754-3604 for more information. View The Lodge at Vail online brochure – Meeting and Conference Facilities

* Rules and restrictions: This offer is subject to availability. One (1) group activity and one (1) “altitude pack” per room. Group must consist of at least 10 rooms on peak nights. Tax, gratuities, and resort fee/parking are not included.

The outdoor gathering area is nestled among the pines with a trickling stream and surrounded by the Rocky Mountains. The Old World feel of Della Terra is combined with a new world sense of environmental sustainability. The design and build of the Chateau features unprecedented architecture, high efficiency products and equipment including radiant floor heat, solar, LED lighting, and ductless mini-splits for air conditioning.

In addition to the luxury suites, Della Terra also offers nine additional cabins with their adjacent property, National Park Retreats. Overflow lodging can arranged for larger groups as well with neighboring resorts.

View More Estes Park Meeting Facilities

Teens and adult wannabe cowboys and cowgirls can step back in time and engage in an “Old West meets New West” culture at one of Devil’s Thumb Ranch’s upcoming Wrangler Summer Camps.

Providing the opportunity for participants to experience life in simpler terms before the days of text messaging, video games, cell phones and other modern day distractions, the Wrangler Camps offer a memorable opportunity to transpose oneself back to those “days gone by” when a hard day’s work meant corralling and feeding the horses, fishing for the evening’s dinner and doing one’s own handiwork.

It’s not all work, however, with the Ranch’s professional staff providing plenty of pampering options. Limited to 10 kids per camp, children get a lot of personal attention and instruction, with a 4:1 camper to counselor ratio. Following are overviews of each camp and what’s included:

Junior Wrangler Camps

June 6-10, 2010– ages 11-13

June 13-17, 2010– ages 14-16

Aug. 1-5, 2010 – ages 11-13

A great way to inspire or foster a love for the outdoors, these fun-packed weeks will provide lasting memories for teens. For five days, they’ll live the life of a Junior Wrangler. Hiking, cookouts, camp-outs, fly-fishing, animal tracking, swimming, ranch chores…and a big dose of teamwork and horsemanship. They’ll be paired with one animal all week long and learn everything there is to know about them, from care to saddling, grooming, riding and even some rodeo skills. The last night, Mom & Dad are invited up for a cowboy style BBQ, a mini-rodeo and skills demonstration from the kids, followed by a night in the Main Lodge.

Cost: $1750/child, inclusive of meals, lodging, activities and last evening barbecue and one night’s lodging in the main lodge for the parents

Big Kids Go Country (adult camp)

September 13-17, 2010 — for Grown-up Wrangler-Wannabes (men and women!)

Live out all those cowboy and cowgirl dreams with five days of City Slicker fun. Days are spent as a ranch hand and nights like royalty, enjoying “from the earth and sea” fine-dining (with a come as you are flair) at Ranch House Restaurant & Saloon, contemporary western-style fare at Heck’s Tavern and the incomparably comfortable ‘bunks’ of the Main Lodge. Gain a knowledge of horsemanship including haltering, leading, grooming, saddling, roping and more – and then put those skills to test on the trails of Devil’s Thumb Ranch, exploring the nooks and crannies of the 5000 acres of privately owned wilderness that most folks don’t ever see. It’s not all work and play – there’s also plenty of time for relaxing too – with options that include spa treatments, fly fishing, mountain biking, hiking or curling up with a favorite cowboy novel at the pool. The camp winds down with an awards ceremony and a great chance for braggin’ rights. This is the perfect teambuilding outing for companies, family reunions, or a group of friends looking for a unique experience.

Cost: $2100/person, inclusive of lodging, meals and activities, with spa treatments, alcohol and gratuity additional

Visit devilsthumbranch.com for details

Need a serious motivator to get back in to the gym or take your workout regimen to the next level? How about pairing personal training sessions with a relaxing getaway to Vail Valley’s hottest lodging destination with The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa’s new Fit & Fabulous package.

Renew with two 1 hour personal training sessions at the Riverfront Club fitness center, which features a wide variety of state-of-the-art cardio and weight lifting equipment and amazing mountain views. There is never a better time than right now to get a personalized exercise plan from one of the Riverfront Club Personal Fitness Professionals. Learn new and exciting exercises, put together an exercise plan, or just enjoy a great workout by a trainer. A great way to get on track – and stay on track!

Need more exhilaration? The Westin’s Riverfront Club also features an outdoor 25-yard lap pool, three infinity hot tubs and a full schedule of daily cycling, yoga and Pilates classes. During the winter, the hotel is connected to Beaver Creek Mountain via the Riverfront Express Gondola, offering skiers and snowboarders direct access to exceptional terrain. In the summer, enjoy Vail Valley’s outstanding hiking, mountain biking, fly fishing and kayaking.

The Westin Riverfront Fit & Fabulous Package is offered year-round and starts at $299 per night for two people and includes:

* Accommodations for two in a spacious studio suite
* Two 1 hour personal training sessions for 2 people at the Riverfront Club
* Unlimited group exercise classes, including Pilates, yoga and CycleFit
* A bottle of wine
* Complimentary valet parking

To book a visit, please call 1-866-949-1616 or visit www.westinriverfrontavon.com. A two night minimum stay is required with the Fit & Fabulous package; lodging tax, resort fees and gratuity are not included.

Nestled on the banks of the Eagle River, The Westin Riverfront features 210 spacious guest residences, which range in size from studio suites to three bedroom condominiums, all featuring contemporary “mountain modern” décor, expansive windows, custom kitchens, five-piece bathrooms and gas fireplaces.

The Westin Riverfront is home to Restaurant Avondale, Vail Valley’s newest dining destination by acclaimed chef/owner Thomas Salamunovich. Treat your sore muscles to a Therapeutic Sports or Deep Tissue Massage at Spa Anjali, which offers a complete menu of mountain inspired spa treatments.

Other refreshing amenities at The Westin Riverfront include a ski valet, an on-site ski rental and retail shop, a fly fishing shop in the summer and a Westin Kids Club. And please do not forget your furry friend – dogs are always welcome at The Westin Riverfront!

The Westin Riverfront, which opened September 2008, is the only Silver LEED certified hotel in Colorado. It was named to Condé Nast Traveler’s “Hot List 2009” as one of the 140 hottest new resorts worldwide, as well as ranked 2nd in the “10 Best Snow Resorts for Families” by Parents magazine.

What goes better with a delicious dinner and drinks than a little bit of betrayal and murder? Find out how much fun it is to figure out a whodunit at the Murder Mystery Spring 2010 Series on March 12th, 19th and 26th at the Hotel Boulderado on 2115 Thirteenth St. in Boulder, Colorado.

Guests can enjoy a performance of “Murder 1941: Death Rides the Airwaves” at this fun dinner mystery theater. The show consists of a radio cast performing the 6th episode of “The Black Mantis,” their smash hit on KDED radio. Enjoy watching behind the scenes as the radio actors play their parts with gusto in the type of serial radio program that was all the rage in the pre-television-crazed WWII era. Then watch their ruthless machinations as they’re away from the microphones, and follow the betrayal and deception so you can put the mystery together and figure out who the dastardly culprit might be.

The murder mystery show begins at 6:45 p.m. each night with “Cocktails and Clues.” The “crime scene” is open for inspection at 7 p.m., and the buffet opens at 7:30. You can purchase tickets for $64 per person, which includes the show, dinner, one drink, taxes, a dinner tip and valet parking. Packages are also available for overnight lodging. The packages all include the full Murder Mystery evening and lodging, and range in price from $271 for 2 people in a room with a tradition queen-sized bed to $331 for 2 people in a room with a classic king-sized bed. A package for 2 in a suite costs $371, and the most luxurious accommodations for 2 in a Presidential Suite costs $391.

Guests can enjoy elegant appetizers, entrees and desserts. Just a few of the choices include phyllo shells filled with boursin cheese and topped with roasted red peppers and grilled asparagus, fresh baked brioche rolls, au gratin potatoes with caramelized onions and gruyere cheese, chicken saltimbocca with Madeira wine sauce, schnitzel with wine butter sauce and tiramisu cheesecake. Other entrée, appetizer and dessert choices are available, and a choice of drinks is available as well, so there’s something to please everyone.

For reservations to a Murder Mystery night, either for just the dinner show or for a complete show and lodging package, call 303-440-2880, email sales@boulderado.com or go to www.boulderado.com for more information or reservations.

On January 15th in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, Kjell Mitchell, Chief Operating Officer and General Manager, was appointed as the 2010 head of the Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association. He’ll take over the position from Dan Pirrallo who’s currently the General Manager at the Boulder Millennium Harvest House.

The Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association (CH&LA) was founded in the late 19th century, so it has a rich history of advocacy in the area. The association strives to continue that advocacy for the areas hotels and lodging properties. Glenwood Hot Springs became a member in the CH&LA more than 40 years ago. The CH&LA currently has 375 members that span over 37,000 guest rooms in Colorado, including every type of lodging from quaint bed & breakfasts and rustic cabins to luxury timeshares and condos, ski resorts and deluxe vacation home rentals.

Mitchell says that his focus as the chairman will be to educate lodging owners about the advantages of membership in the Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association, and to represent and safeguard their interests while providing a voice for them in government-related issues. He also intends to support hotels and hospitality by encouraging others to choose it as a profession and a rewarding career.

Mitchell’s vast experience in hospitality helped the CH&LA make the decision to appoint him the leader in 2010. He was the CH&LA Vice-Chair in 2009, and had served on their executive committee. He has also taken part in the activities of the association for a long time, offering his experience and knowledge generously. He currently manages the Spa of the Rockies, and The Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge, as well as the world renowned Hot Springs Pool.