Quality Inn & Suites, Garden of the Gods

This older hotel has a rather odd layout where the lobby and registration area is in a separate building from the guest rooms. The lobby itself is pleasant enough, with natural light from large windows, living room furniture, natural stone fireplace, and wood paneling on some walls. This is also where the breakfast dining area is located, which often gets quite crowded, as lines form and open tables are hard to find. Overflow seating is provided on a nice outdoor patio with covered tables. The hotel shows its age in the dingy hallways that are in need of new carpet and paint. The hotel hosts budget-conscious families and other tourists visiting the nearby Garden of the Gods or other outdoor areas that make Colorado Springs a popular destination. 

The Quality Inn is located on a busy road that’s just a couple of minutes off Interstate 25 and north of downtown Colorado Springs. The hotel is surrounded by several casual and fast food restaurants (Arby's, Appblebee's, Chick-fil-A) that are a short walk away, including some next door. It’s a nine-minute drive to Garden of the Gods and downtown. The Colorado Springs Airport and Pike’s Peak Cog Railway Station are roughly 25-minute drives. The U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Olympic Training Center, and the landmark Broadmoor Hotel and its convention facilities are about 15 minutes away by car. Denver International Airport typically takes 70 minutes to reach by car, depending on traffic conditions. 

These rather dated rooms look a bit dark thanks to deep red accent walls and solid drapes along with gray carpet and small windows. But, cream and light beige wallpaper in an interesting tree branch pattern and blond-wood furniture help lighten the space somewhat. The Standard King we saw had plenty of space to include a large desk with an office chair as well as a love seat and coffee table in a sitting area. Suites feature two bathrooms and separate living rooms with sleeper sofas and additional TVs. Standard Rooms include 32-inch flat screen TVs, coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi. Upgraded rooms and Suites add microwaves and mini-fridges. Bathrooms are just average in size, but have good lighting over the roomy white marble vanity. Standard beige tiling frames the shower/tub combos. Hairdryers and toiletries are provided. 

The rooms are generally clean, but several past guests have made minor complaints about housekeeping and maintenance including damaged furniture, ripped wallpaper, and stained carpet and lampshades. Rooms at the back of the hotel tend to hear less ambient noise from the nearby highway, and they also have lovely views of Pike’s Peak. Other rooms simply overlook the property grounds.  

This hotel has a few attractive perks like a free breakfast buffet that includes eggs, make-your-own pancakes, and other hot dishes. Free coffee is available in the lobby all day, and free newspapers are set out for guests on weekdays. The seasonal outdoor pool has enough space for a decent swim, and it’s surrounded by loungers and covered tables with mountain views. The fitness center is open 24/7, but it’s small and sparsely equipped with only a treadmill, elliptical machine, and universal strength-training machine. The hotel has both laundry services and a guest laundry room with coin-operated machines. Meeting space for up to 42 people is available and the lobby has a business center with two computers and a printer. Outdoor parking and Wi-Fi are free.