Historic Crags Lodge Hotel Review

One of the fun things we get to do with our travel writing is recommend awesome places to visit including where we stay. We love sharing our experiences so others might have the same opportunity to enjoy them.

When we first started out, we reviewed every hotel or resort we stayed in. But when you do this 365 days a year it becomes exhausting and boring to write about, and quite honestly, most hotel chains are basically the same.

So we decided to only share the properties we think are different or unique.

Today we’d like to tell you about the Historic Crags Lodge from our visit to Estes Park in 2022 because it’s a lovely place!

Why Choose Historic Crags Lodge?

Ever since we became members of DRI (now Hilton Grand Vacations), we knew we wanted to stay at this resort. The only problem was finding availability because they are always booked up — for good reason!

So Donetta and I couldn’t believe our luck when we were able to book six total weeks at this amazing place. It was well worth the wait!

One thing to know is that hotels in Estes Park aren’t cheap.

Depending on the time of year you decide to visit, rooms can easily average $200-$300 per night. Unless you’re independently wealthy or just on vacation, this isn’t optimal if you’re living in hotels full-time like we do.

Because of our Hilton Grand Vacation membership, we get access to deeply discounted rates for bookings under 90 days or less, which really helps. And sometimes we find insane deals by using our vacation points.

That being said, this was the primary reason we ended up at Crags. Though the experience was priceless.

We loved Historic Crags Lodge. So many great memories!

1. The staff is awesome!

Without a doubt, the people working at this property deserve incredible praise, especially Barb Legg who manages the lodge. She was truly amazing at helping with our accommodations and needs.

We also got to really know Bob, Sharon, Aki, Steve, and Rose Mary, all of who became a part of our extended family.

Leaving Estes Park was hard because we love that place, but also because we love those people.

2. The location is perfect.

Nestled up on the side of the mountain, it provides stunning views of the Rocky Mountains and the surrounding area.

It’s conveniently located next to Highway 36 which leads directly to Rocky Mountain National Park and a two minute drive to downtown Estes Park (and easy access to free parking).

There’s plenty to do and see without going very far.

3. The property is very good.

When visiting the Historic Crags Lodge it’s important to remember the historic part of the experience.

It’s not a brand new property by any means and needs some minor updates to the rooms, but we loved staying here. In fact, the quirkiness and old lodge feeling is what makes it special. Plus the seeing the elk and deer close by was also thrilling.

Our favorite place to hang out at the lodge was the outdoor areas. You can easily enjoy an adult beverage while gazing in awe at the mountains.

4. The rooms were comfortable and cozy.

Donetta and I got the opportunity to experience a variety of rooms, each with a unique layout or scenery.

While we have our favorite room which we’ll keep a secret, we enjoyed all of them. Plus they have kitchenettes so you can cook your own meals and save money. Overall there are no complaints.

The only downside is they don’t have air condition in any of the rooms. If you visit during warm seasons, it can get a bit toasty.

5. The restaurant is a bonus.

The onsite restaurant provides you with the opportunity for a fine meal and the bar serves up a variety of cocktails and craft beers. Plus the owner and staff are super friendly and welcoming.