CEDAREDGE CO - January 30th, 2012 - At first glance, The Cedaredge Lodge, located on highway 65 in the town of Cedaredge, Colorado, an hour east of Grand Junction, looks like a carbon copy of most roadside motels dating back to the mid-sixties.
Below the motel’s neon moniker, the word vacancy glows red, steering travelers towards a quaint office, located at the end of a flat-roofed long single story building whose front is peppered with the repeating pattern of door-window. It is there, however that the structural similarities of The Cedaredge Lodge and the rest of America’s roadside shelters go in distinctly different directions.
In 2008, Donna and Gary Allen gave up their lives in Tampa, Florida to purchase the worn down motel. “After so many years of doing the same thing, we both wanted a change and decided to look for something that would allow us to do more of the things we loved, entertain, socialize, and travel. Our search led us to Cedaredge and the rest is history.”
Three years later, not only is the lodge repainted and the rooms restored to a comfortable perfect, but every square foot of the Cedaredge Lodge spills over with character creating a unique Colorado experience. Where most hotels use contractors, Donna and Gary have turned a dusty stone into a true Colorado gem all with their own two hands.
Upon pulling into the parking lot, guests can’t help but notice a vintage Model T on display outside the office. Once inside, a friendly talking parrot by the name of George announces your presence with a guttural “hello” and Donna comes out to give you your key.
Like the property itself the rooms have a nostalgic cabin-like feel but while their decor is a throwback to its previous incarnation, these spacious rooms have beds as comfortable as any Four Seasons, kitchenettes well equipped enough that guests could cook dinner for themselves, and of course wi-fi, digital cable, and all of the other technological comforts this day and age require.
While the rooms are commendable and unique, one hasn’t experienced the Cedar Creek Lodge until they’ve walked around the grounds. The Lodge backs up to a babbling creek and makes for a soothing lullaby for guests who choose to sleep with the windows open or want to rest in one of the property’s hammocks.
The creek is theatrically lit at night and unusual life-sized caricatures painted like men and women in formalwear, furniture, clever hand-carved signs and other curious props are strategically placed around the property to give the creek an almost otherworldly, storybook charm.
There is no shortage of things to do. The Cedaredge Lodge has a basketball court, a putt-putt course and a game room stocked completely with vintage games including a refurbished pool table from the 1920s and a ski ball game that operates on quarters as well as foosball table, dart board, air hockey table, and a ping pong table. The game room, like everything else at the lodge, has a pristine throwback feel that kids and adults alike will love.
Guests can enjoy common areas, fire pits, and a hot tub located just off of the creek. Donna and Gary offer homemade meal options. Simply tell them what you would like to eat the next day and, using the freshest ingredients, will have it ready for you.
While the Lodge is located in the sleepy town of Cedaredge, there is no shortage of activities in the surrounding areas. The Colorado Monument, located outside Grand Junction is an hour drive away, as are the north and south rims of the Black Canyon. Both parks are tremendously beautiful with a wide range of activities from hiking and biking to boating and observing wildlife. There are also apple orchards and vineyards for the wine and cider lovers and Donna and Gary have bikes that the guests are free to use at their leisure.
The Colorado Monument, an hour east of Cedaredge
Western Colorado is also a golfer’s paradise with courses like Tiara Rado and Redlands Mesa in Grand Junction, Devil’s Thumb and Deer Creek near Delta, and The Bridges, near Montrose are all with an hour drive from The Cedaredge Lodge.
Room rates in the winter range from $69 to $99. Summer rates begin at $89 and go up to $129. Weekly room rates are also available and guests can bring their pets for twenty dollars more a night.
The Cedaredge Lodge is a perfect place to stay to enjoy all of the beauty of Western Colorado as much as it is a perfect place to simply get away and enjoy peace and quiet in the kind of hospitality that these days is hard to find.
To find out more about the Cedaredge Lodge please click here.
Follow Matt on twitter at mattpaynewriter or on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/mattpaynewriter.
This article is the copyrighted property of the writer and Communities @ WashingtonTimes.com. Written permission must be obtained before reprint in online or print media. REPRINTING TWTC CONTENT WITHOUT PERMISSION AND/OR PAYMENT IS THEFT AND PUNISHABLE BY LAW.
