Garden of the Gods Resort and Club celebrates 75 years of luxury and connection
By Kristen West
SET AGAINST DRAMATIC red rock formations, Garden of the Gods Resort and Club has long been one of Colorado’s most iconic escapes.
In this year of major anniversaries for our country and our state, the property marks its 75th anniversary. This milestone highlights its enduring role as a place to unwind and connect amid a stunning natural backdrop.
In the late 1940s, founders Al and Margaret Hill were drawn to the sandstone formations and the surrounding landscape. Long before the resort’s beginnings, the area held deep significance for Native American tribes, who regarded it as sacred ground and a place of gathering.
The Hills sought to share the setting’s unique beauty by establishing the Garden of the Gods Club in 1951 on land overlooking the park.
While the club began as an invitation-only social enclave centered on recreation, golf, and community, that exclusivity has softened over time into something more reflective of modern luxury. It’s now less about who you know, and more about how you feel when you arrive, and is available to everyone.
Between 2013 and 2019, the resort expanded under new ownership with renovations that included additional pool and spa features, a ballroom, luxury cottages, updated fitness facilities, tennis and pickleball courts, and refreshed guestrooms.
Director of sales and marketing, Stacey Dawkins, says the property evolved to offer a full resort experience, alongside wellness programming and a more diverse membership program, while holding true to its core purpose.
“It’s an escape,” she says. “People come here to relax, and to enjoy the social community with excellent recreation, wellness, and dining.”
For those in the south Denver area, the resort is close enough for a spontaneous weekend, yet once there, the setting feels removed.
“The one thing that never changes is our backyard,” Dawkins says. Guest rooms, dining spaces, and event venues all orient toward those unmistakable red rock views, grounding the experience in a sense of awe that’s difficult to replicate.
The addition of a partnership with Strata Med, an on-site holistic wellness center, reflects a shift toward more integrative, longevity-focused travel.
Its services blend Eastern and Western approaches, alongside a spa and salon, aligning naturally with the landscape’s restorative qualities and emerging as one of the resort’s most popular features.
Still, the resort’s appeal extends beyond its amenities. There’s an intimacy to the property that stands apart from sprawling luxury resorts.
The scale allows for a more peaceful, personal experience in which staff recognize guests and make them feel at home. That sense of belonging, Dawkins says, is central to their mission of creating hospitality from the heart.
To mark its 75th year, the resort is hosting a celebratory weekend June 12 through 14, complete with wellness activities, dining experiences, historical exhibits, and family-friendly programming.
A time capsule was buried in the lobby fireplace wall in 1950, and this year another time capsule will be buried reflecting this milestone year.
In many ways, balance defines Garden of the Gods Resort and Club today. It honors its origins as a social retreat while embracing a more inclusive vision of hospitality rooted in wellness, connection, and a profound appreciation for its surroundings.
“Having a front row view of the Garden of the Gods Park is a defining experience,” Dawkins says. “It’s what upholds our vision statement of enriching by nature.”
GARDEN OF THE GODS RESORT AND CLUB
3320 Mesa Rd.
Colorado Springs
719.748.6190
gardenofthegodsresort.com
