Gateway Canyons Resort and Spa Review
When the founder of Discovery Channel opens a resort, you can bet it’s going to be pretty impressive. That’s the case with Gateway Canyons Resort and Spa. Set in the stunning surrounds of western Colorado, the resort is surrounded by sky-high buttes in the beautiful and secluded Unaweep Canyon. The collection of adobe buildings offer facilities that fit in with and reflect the majestic nature of the scenery.
Accommodation includes rooms located in the Kiva Lodge or Kayenta Lodge and private casitas which offer extra privacy. Our casita came complete with a separate bedroom and living space with an expansive outdoor patio that offered stunning butte views. The outdoor fire kept us cozy with an additional indoor fire for extra warmth in the winter. Bathrooms offered sizeable tubs and showers, while the real draw for us was the chance to shower under the stars in the outdoor shower located off the bathroom. For serious stargazers, stargazer casitas offer an upstairs den with attached gazing deck.
The town of Gateway is right next around the corner, but with just a small gas station that stocks the bare necessities it’s a good idea to plan on dining at the resort throughout your stay. Several dining options means you likely won’t get bored. Upscale Entrada is open mornings and evenings and offers outdoor and indoor seating and dishes such as rainbow trout and venison; Paradox Grille offers Southwestern and continental cuisine for lunch and dinner; Kiva Cafe has coffee, breakfast and items to go; while the poolside Cantina offers cocktails and small bites. If you do want something a little different, journey into town for a meal at Duesey’s Diner, a food truck next to the gas station that offers standard fast food style fare.
Aside from the sheer beauty of the resort and it’s surroundings, there are dozens of recreational activities to fill your time with including horseback riding, rafting, hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, off-roading, fly fishing and even wine tours. Car buffs can't pass up the museum (free for guests) which showcases pristine, classic cars throughout the decades. And there is of course a five star spa to match the five star resort as well.
Read about our spa experience soon!
Getting in: Gateway is located about an hour’s drive away from Grand Junction, which itself can be accessed from all over the US. You could fly into Denver and take a leisurely eight-hour train journey from the city’s recently renovated, and absolutely stunning, Union Station, passing through some of Colorado's finest countryside in the process.
