The recently opened Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center offers 1,501 rooms, 485,000 square feet of convention center space, including four ballrooms varying in size from 8,000 to 59,739 square feet, as well as 81 technologically advanced break-out conference rooms, making it the largest combined resort and convention center in Colorado! It is conveniently located under seven miles from Denver International Airport, at 6700 North Gaylord Blvd, Aurora, Colorado 80019. My husband and I have been watching the construction of this grand resort for the past three years on trips to and from the airport and we, along with some friends from our community senior group, were curious to visit it up close, tour the public areas, and have lunch in one of its restaurants. (All photos and photo collages in this post will enlarge if clicked on) The tremendous size and lodge appearance of the resort is impressive. Located in the eastern plains of Colorado, it fills the sky with its 15 stories height. Sculptures of life-sized running horses greeted us as we pulled into the valet area in front, where we then walked through the doors into a very large lobby and reception area. Straight ahead, was the Grand Lodge atrium, which looks like it was transplanted from a rustic Colorado alpine resort, complete with waterfalls, a river, rocks, and trees, and a 75-foot-tall window offering an incredible view of the Denver skyline framed by the front range the Rocky Mountains, from Pikes Peak to Longs Peak! I can imagine the sunset views seen through this window will be spectacular! The Grand Lodge atrium space was enormous! I saw different scenic perspectives as I walked down the stairs that were adjacent to a boulder-strewn creek. A bridge crossed over the water towards both sides of the lodge. The lower level of the Grand Lodge area accommodates a large waterfall, a bar, a historic restored Santa Fe caboose, cozy fireplace seating areas, and... ...many of the resort's dining options. such as Monte Jade - an Asian-inspired restaurant, Vista Montagne - an Italian restaurant, and the Old Hickory Steakhouse-which is only open for dinner. Also located on the lower level was the lower portion of the two-level, 484-seat sports bar--the Mountain Pass Sports Bar--that has a 75 foot long, 14-foot-tall LED TV screen on which to watch your favorite team. It is the largest such screen in Colorado outside of the jumbotrons in sports arenas. We dined at the Mountain Pass Sports Bar and our group enjoyed burgers, sandwiches, and salads. Afterward, our group broke up and we went on our own to browse in the large Rockies Marketplace and the Rockies Trading Post store or to sit by one of the lobby fireplaces. My husband and I took a walk outside There, we were able to view the guest use the only outdoor heated pool, children's pool, lazy river, heated whirlpool, firepits, and a view of Denver in the distance. It was not the clearest day, so mountain views were a bit hazy. Additional outdoor-based fun can be found on one of the basketball or tennis courts, a nine-hole mini-golf course, pickleball, and bike rentals. Inside, were a large pool and water slides, lap pool, whirlpool, fountains and spouting water features, and a small game arcade. Again, indoor pools can only be used by resort guests. I found this wonderful diorama of the entire Marriott Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center... ...which gives a good scope of its size and layout. Since the resort is brand new--it opened in December of 2018--the outside landscaping is still in progress. I read that some nearby boutiques and restaurants will be added soon to the local area. We did not get a chance to visit the fitness or the spa. Hopefully, one day in the future, we will stay at the resort and experience both, as well as the pools and whirlpools! According to what I read on local news reports, the Gaylord Rockies already has bookings through 2028--over 1.1 million reservations--with 80 percent of the conferences representing professional organizations or corporate meetings that never have had their gatherings in Colorado before! This is a wonderful boost for the Colorado economy and for jobs for the area. There are other Marriott Gaylord Resorts and Convention Centers in other cities, have you visited any of them? I hope you will also have a chance to visit the Gaylord Rockies soon! You can also find me on Instagram Twitter Facebook Pinterest