Review: Cordillera

 

Where can you find a family-friendly getaway that combines the ultimate in luxury amenities with the best of Colorado’s natural beauty? Just a two-hour drive from Denver, Cordillera is an expansive gated community that offers five unique neighborhoods, four championship golf courses, multiple restaurants and spectacular mountain views.

Situated on over 7,000 acres in the Vail Valley, Cordillera has a select number of homes that are available to guests for private rental. Members of the Cordillera community have access to all facilities, including unprecedented amenities for families. It’s the perfect destination for groups craving a serene atmosphere in a friendly, community setting.

Cordillera offers year-round activities for residents and guests, from fitness classes to speaker series and farm-to-table dinners. The community also has plenty of opportunities for visitors to enjoy Colorado’s best attraction: the great outdoors. In the winter, take advantage of some of Colorado’s best Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, snowmobiling, dog sledding and fly fishing. In the summer, you’ll find everything from golf to mountain and road biking, horseback riding, tennis, trail running and swimming.

Speaking of golf, Cordillera is one of the best destinations for both serious golfers and beginners. With four courses designed by the greats (Jack Nicklhaus, Hale Irwin, Tom Fazio and Dale Pez), Cordillera offers a widely varying terrain ranging in altitude from 7,200 feet to 9,200 feet. The Valley Course spans 7,005 yards and features high mountain-desert topography. The Summit Course, 7,530 yards, spans over 190 acres of sage and spruce covered hills. The Mountain Course will take golfers through ridges, meadows and forests over 7,413 yards. And the Short Course is just 9 holes, ideal for a quick jaunt. Cordillera also offers access to private lessons and clinics.

After all those exhilarating activities, guests at Cordillera are ready for pampering and relaxation. One of the best ways to unwind is with a delicious meal at one of Cordillera’s top-rated restaurants, which are open to the public and range from casual to fine and gourmet.

Treat yourself to a four-star experience at Mirador, which serves upscale rustic American cuisine with a side of stunning Rocky Mountain views. Or for some Irish style comfort food, head to The Grouse on the Green, serving classic Celtic dishes like Shepard’s Pie or Fish & Chips and an extensive microbrew list. At the Timber Hearth Grille, you’ll find more American cuisine, but with a Western flare. The restaurant is located in the Mountain Course Clubhouse and has panoramic windows overlooking the golf course. In the winter, they offer horse-drawn sleigh rides, making it the perfect place for a romantic night out. Finally, Chaparral is a casual club grill specializing in steakhouse favorites and family friendly service. Located in the Cordillera Valley Club, it’s open for lunch only – ideal for grabbing a bite with the kids in between excursions.

Cordillera also offers a full service luxury spa, The Spa at the Lodge & Spa at Cordillera, which features nourishing treatments with local flavor. Spanning 20,000 square feet, the spa and fitness center has everything from skincare therapies to waxing, massage, nails, and nutritional counseling.

Whether you’re looking for a day trip, a weekend getaway or an extended family vacation, Cordillera makes for the perfect off the beaten path destination where you can escape the frenzied Colorado resorts and enjoy a real retreat.