Somewhere, we imagine, there is a list compiled of all the best places to kick back and relax in a Kimono Waffle robe. Near or at the top of that list, you would undoubtedly find The Outlook Lodge in Green Mountain Falls, Colorado.
With a population just shy of 700 residents, Green Mountain Falls is (as its name suggests) a lush, mountainous destination. Surrounded on three sides by Pike National Forest, the area is rife with hiking trails, fresh air, and small-town charm. Originally built in 1889 and renovated in 2012, the Victorian-style Outlook Lodge is a “private, contemporary escape providing all the necessary creature comforts while maintaining a rustic simplicity.” With a shared kitchen space and dining area and a “hands-off” approach to hospitality, this enchanting retreat is something between a rejuvenating bed-and-breakfast and your own private cabin in the woods.
Since we South Floridians love a healthy dose of greenery, we reached out to Terry Coquillette at The Outlook Lodge to get the scoop on her luxury woodland hotel and find out how our Kimono Waffle robes are holding up in the great outdoors.
Hi Terry! Back in 2014, The Outlook Lodge was named one of the best hotels in the world by Travel & Leisure. What’s the secret to getting on the “It List?”
I think it takes several things for a hotel to make the “It List.” The most important: a beautifully decorated location with great amenities and a wonderful staff that is highly attentive to the guests’ needs. And it doesn’t hurt when your lodge is nestled in a quaint, picturesque little town like Green Mountain Falls, Colorado.
The Outlook still features some of the same 1889 architecture (and much of the charm) that it had over a century ago. How do you balance history and contemporary at the hotel?
The balance is all in the details… mixing the original architecture with contemporary furnishings and artwork. The fireplace is original, but it now has a gas insert. There are also many stained glass windows, which add so much to the charm of the lodge. There is a welcoming feeling the minute you walk through the front door.
Tell us about one unexpected amenity at The Outlook that your guests really appreciate.
The Outlook Lodge has a fully equipped kitchen with all the cook and tableware our guests might need. Many of our guests love to cook their own meals rather than eating out every night. We also have an outdoor patio with a gas grill and fire pit that our guests always enjoy.
Both The Outlook and your sister property, The Little Beaver Inn, maintain a “hands-off approach”: no dedicated front desk, no formal check-in, information stored in the hotel room, etc. Can you tell us more about this strategy?
Once our guests reserve a room online, we send a confirmation outlining our check-in process. Then, 3 or 4 days before the guest’s arrival, we email our guests with the room number, a lockbox number, and a combination. There is also a welcome letter with staff phone numbers should the guests have questions or need assistance. We have a group of mailboxes from 1910 that we use as keys; it very much adds to the historical charm of the lodge. We really want the guests to feel like the hotel is their “home away from home.” I believe the guests do love this unique, hands-off experience.
How do Boca Terry’s resort-style robes meld with the rustic charm and “chic mountain retreat” vibe at The Outlook Lodge?
Boca Terry’s Kimono Waffle robes are a great fit for our lodge. They are the perfect material for year-round use, and the quality is wonderful.
Where’s the best place in the hotel to throw on a bathrobe, kick back, and relax?
Best place to use the robes at The Outlook? The hot tub, of course!
Well, save us a seat by the tub, Terry, and thanks for the introduction! To book your stay at The Outlook Lodge, visit the hotel’s website at www.outlookgmf.com.
