Grand Lake, 120 Lake Avenue40.252348,-105.833897(Show on Map)
8.5
Very Good
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+5 Photos
+ 3 Photos3
Checkin - Checkout dates
1 Room2 Guests
Info
Summary of reviews
Gateway Inn stands out as a highly praised destination due to its exceptional location, nestled amid Colorado's stunning natural beauty. The inn's strategic proximity to Rocky Mountain National Park and Monarch Lake makes it an ideal base for adventurers and nature lovers. Guests particularly enjoy the quick trips into the national park and the convenience of being near the vibrant town of Grand Lake with its charming shops and bustling restaurants. The inn's beautiful property features fantastic shared terraces and stunning mountain views, which can be appreciated from spacious, well-decorated rooms that often come equipped with cozy amenities such as gas fireplaces and large TVs.
Accommodations at Gateway Inn receive consistent acclaim for their spaciousness, cleanliness and charm. The rustic decor complements the natural surroundings, creating an inviting atmosphere that is enhanced by comfortable beds and high-quality furnishings, including solid wooden furniture. Many rooms also boast balconies or terraces, providing scenic views that significantly enhance the guest experience. The cleanliness of the rooms and the overall property is frequently praised, making for a comfortable and welcoming environment that guests appreciate.
The breakfast experience at Gateway Inn is generally positive with many guests enjoying fresh-made, delicious food and the variety of options available. However, the fact that breakfast is not included in the room rate and occasional service issues do detract from the experience for some. Dinner reviews are mixed but lean towards positive with highlights including the delicious food, live music, outdoor seating with stunning views and heated tables. However, service speed and menu variety could see improvements.
The staff at Gateway Inn are often described as friendly, accommodating and professional with specific accolades for the front desk personnel. Their exceptional service contributes significantly to the enjoyable stay of many guests, despite a few mentions of service challenges during busy meal times. The hotel also offers free Wi-Fi, though it is generally adequate only for light browsing with a premium option available for guests requiring faster speeds.
Overall, guests at Gateway Inn enjoy comfortable and aesthetically pleasing accommodations with beautiful mountain views, excellent proximity to natural attractions and a friendly and helpful staff. The combination of these elements makes Gateway Inn a memorable and highly valued destination for travelers.
Categories
Ski
The hotel is in Grand Lake and offers proximity to various winter recreation options, including downhill skiing at nearby resorts like Granby Ranch and Winter Park Resort. Grand Lake provides access to cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.
Family
The Gateway Inn provides comfortable lodging with beautiful scenery, making it a great option for families. The rooms are furnished with log furniture, and the hotel is located near the Grand Lake Visitor Center, offering convenient access to information about trails and fishing spots.
Accessible
The Gateway Inn is disabled accessible and provides wheelchair access to common and public areas. Facilities for disabled guests are available, including specific accessible room types such as the King Bed with Balcony View and Disability Access and King Room - Disability Access.
Rooms with Fireplace
Offers cozy accommodations in Grand Lake. Some rooms include fireplaces, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The inn provides easy access to the lake and surrounding natural attractions.
Luxury
Honeymoon
Romantic
Room Types
King Room with BalconyThis room features a balcony and air conditioning.
King Bed with Balcony View and Disability AccessThis room has a balcony, seating area and satellite TV.
King Room with FireplaceThis room has a balcony and a fireplace.
Penthouse with Balcony viewThe fireplace is the standout feature of this apartment. This spacious apartment features 1 living room, 2 separate bedrooms and 2 bathrooms with a bath and free toiletries. Guests will find a stovetop, a refrigerator, a dishwasher and kitchenware in the fully equipped kitchen. The apartment also comes with a barbecue. The air-conditioned apartment features a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a tea and coffee maker, a seating area, a dining area as well as mountain views. The unit has 3 beds.
King RoomThe spacious double room provides air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, as well as a private bathroom featuring a bath and a shower. The unit offers 1 bed.
Queen RoomThe spacious double room features air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, as well as a private bathroom boasting a bath and a shower. The unit has 2 beds.
Standard Queen Room with Two Queen BedsThis air-conditioned quadruple room includes a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a private bathroom as well as a balcony with mountain views. The unit offers 2 beds.
Deluxe King RoomGuests will have a special experience as the double room features a fireplace. The spacious double room provides air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, as well as a private bathroom featuring a bath and a shower. The unit offers 1 bed.
King Room - Disability AccessOffering free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. The spacious double room offers air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, a seating area, a dining area and a flat-screen TV with cable channels. The unit offers 1 bed.
Guest Reviews
8.5
Very Good
Review Summaries
Location
Nestled in the heart of natural beauty, Gateway Inn is a highly praised location offering visitors unparalleled access to some of Colorado's most stunning landscapes. The inn is remarkably close to the Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) and Monarch Lake, making it a perfect base for explorers aiming to delve into these breathtaking natural areas. Its proximity to the park entrance allows for easy day trips and hiking excursions, providing guests with an ideal spot for both adventure and relaxation.
Reviewers frequently commend Gateway Inn for its excellent location, highlighting its convenience not just to RMNP but also to the charming town of Grand Lake. The hotel's setting next to cute shops, vibrant downtown areas and busy streets teeming with restaurants ensures visitors have a variety of activities within arm's reach. Many visitors found the quick drives into the national park and the tranquil environment overlooking the village and lake to be significant highlights of their stay.
A defining characteristic of the inn is its beautiful property with fantastic shared terraces offering comfortable seating options and stunning views. Guests appreciate the lovely views from their balconies, where one can take in the breathtaking mountain scenery. The rooms themselves are described as spacious and well-decorated, featuring rustic decor that complements the natural surroundings. Many rooms come equipped with amenities like gas fireplaces and huge TVs, adding to the cozy and welcoming atmosphere.
Furthermore, the inn's location offers a perfect blend of quietness and activity. Despite being on the outskirts of town, it remains conveniently close to essential services and entertainment options. Whether visitors are looking to explore the natural wonders of Rocky Mountain National Park or enjoy the quaint charm of Grand Lake, Gateway Inn emerges as a superb value destination with its prime location, beautiful views and spacious accommodations.
Breakfast
Guests at the Gateway Inn have had mixed experiences with breakfast, though many highlight positive aspects. The breakfast served downstairs and in the cafe is frequently described as excellent, good, wonderful, amazing and great. Fresh-made, delicious food and friendly, attentive restaurant staff particularly stand out. Guests appreciate the variety and fair pricing of the breakfast options and mention that breakfast dishes like the huge cinnamon roll receive special commendations.
However, several guests note that breakfast is not included in the room rate, which they wish was otherwise. The additional cost is sometimes seen as expensive for the value received and some guests feel that a free breakfast would enhance their stay. Service issues, such as slow service, improperly managed operations, cold food and the use of plastic cutlery, have also been mentioned. There are few breakfast options available in Grand Lake and the attached restaurant may be understaffed, particularly noted during breakfast and dinner times.
Despite these criticisms, the overall sentiment leans towards a positive breakfast experience with satisfactory and exceptional breakfasts being a common highlight of their stay at Gateway Inn.
Dinner
At Gateway Inn, the dinner experience receives mixed reviews, yet several positive aspects stand out. Guests frequently mention the delicious food available not just for dinner but also for breakfast, complemented by an excellent bar and restaurant area. The availability of both indoor and outdoor seating options is appreciated with outdoor dining on the terrace being particularly pleasant. The chance to enjoy live music, stunning views and heated tables enhances the overall dining experience.
Despite these positive points, some guests find the restaurant overpriced with slower service and there's mention of limited vegetarian options. A few noted issues like being out of popular items such as pizza and a lack of staff, leading to long waiting times for food that seemed less fresh. However, the reasonably priced meals and the great views from the restaurant and bar appear to offset some of these drawbacks.
In summary, while the food quality at Gateway Inn’s restaurant is often praised and the overall atmosphere is well-received, improvements in service speed and menu variety could enhance guest satisfaction.
Rooms
The Gateway Inn receives consistent praise for its spacious and well-maintained rooms, offering a mix of rustic decor and modern amenities. Guests frequently highlight the large, clean and beautifully decorated rooms, often featuring solid wooden furniture in a charming log cabin style. Many reviewers note the rooms' comfort with comfortable beds, high ceilings and cozy elements like fireplaces adding to the inviting atmosphere.
Additionally, the hotel boasts beautiful views of the mountains from many rooms, enhancing the overall experience. The cleanliness and attention to detail in room furnishings are frequently mentioned with some rooms including balconies and terraces for guests to enjoy the scenic surroundings.
Staff at the Gateway Inn are described as wonderful and helpful, complementing the hotel's prime location and good food. The property is also noted for its quiet and well-maintained environment, adding to the relaxing stay.
Overall, the Gateway Inn excels in providing spacious, comfortable and aesthetically pleasing accommodations, making it a top choice for travelers in the area.
Beds
Gateway Inn's beds receive a mixed reception from guests but lean towards the positive side. Many visitors describe the mattresses as very comfortable and the beds as big and comfy with one guest even claiming it as the best bed they have ever slept on while traveling. The bedding generally strikes a good balance with some noting the perfect firmness, not too hard and not too soft. A vibrant theme in the reviews hints at the cosiness and comfort of the rooms, contributing to a satisfactory sleep experience. However, there are occasional mentions of the beds being too soft, too firm or even rock hard, alongside some criticisms about the quality of pillows. While overall reviews have a positive skew, it's clear that individual preferences for bed firmness can significantly impact the perceived comfort of a stay at Gateway Inn.
Cleanliness
Nestled amongst beautiful surroundings, Gateway Inn offers a remarkably clean and inviting environment that guests consistently appreciate. The rooms are noted for being very clean, spotless and perfectly maintained, creating a welcoming atmosphere. Guests commend the hotel for its adherence to hygiene, noting that everything from the interiors to the bathrooms is spotlessly clean and fresh. The hotel's decor, featuring wooden logs and tasteful wildlife-themed elements, adds to the overall charm and comfort, making it an aesthetically pleasing place to stay.
Despite a few negative points such as cramped bathroom layouts, occasional issues with room cleanliness like dirty socks odor or dusty fan blades and outdated bathroom facilities, the hotel’s strengths in cleanliness largely overshadow these drawbacks. The overall environment is kept clean and cozy, providing a comfortable setting for travelers.
Moreover, the hotel's amenities, including a restaurant and bar with scenic views, further enhance the guest experience. The spacious, tastefully decorated rooms with attractive wooden features are a particular highlight, ensuring a comfortable and pleasant stay. The strategic location also adds to the convenience, making it a memorable place to relax and enjoy the surrounding beauty.
Staff
At Gateway Inn, the consistent theme across guest reviews is the outstanding friendliness and helpfulness of the staff. Many guests commend the staff for being accommodating with special mentions for their exceptional and proactive service. The front desk personnel, including individuals like Darcy and Danny, receive high praise for their kindness and professionalism, efficiently handling tasks like early check-ins and providing excellent customer service. Most interactions with the waitstaff in the restaurant are positive, highlighting their friendliness and the great quality of the food. Although there's mention of some challenges at meal times and a need for more customer service training for a few staff members, overall, the staff’s warm and welcoming nature leaves a lasting impression on guests. From reception to room service, the Gateway Inn staff go above and beyond, making guests’ stays comfortable and enjoyable.
Wi-Fi
The Wi-Fi situation at the Gateway Inn is a mixed bag with guest reviews highlighting both positives and areas for improvement. The complimentary Wi-Fi is noted to be adequate for light browsing and social media use, which can be a plus for those not needing high-speed internet. However, many guests found the free service to be slow and inadequate for more demanding tasks. For those requiring faster internet speeds, the hotel offers a premium Wi-Fi option, albeit at a steep price of $10 per day. It seems the general sentiment is that the free Wi-Fi could benefit from an upgrade to enhance overall guest satisfaction.
Rooms with Fireplace
Gateway Inn offers rooms that guests have described as cozy and comfortable, often highlighting the fireplace as a standout feature. Despite some mentioning a lack of clear instructions for use and noting that the gas fireplace doesn't produce a visible flame, many found it to add a warm ambiance, perfect for colder days or simply enhancing the room's overall charm. The fireplaces, whether electric or gas, are frequently mentioned as elements that enrich the experience with some rooms also featuring beautiful homemade heavy wooden furniture and balconies. Overall, the combination of these features has led to many memorable stays with guests particularly appreciating the fireplaces as a key detail in creating a welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere.
FAQ
No, Gateway Inn doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Gateway Inn.
No, Gateway Inn doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Gateway Inn.
