By ST Paulman
This is the week to visit Black Hawk and Central City during the fall season when the green aspen leaves turn to glorious gold and vibrant red before they fall from the trees.
It’s a direct drive from the Denver area to either Black Hawk or Central City via I-70 West toward Idaho Springs. Turn off at the Hidden Valley/Central City Exit 243 and continue on the scenic Central City Parkway for about 8 miles until you reach the cities.
Take the time to change your hurried daycation into a relaxed overnight stay in the colorful and dazzling mountains of Colorado by checking into one of the following bed and breakfast inns or hotels.
BLACK HAWK LODGING
Ameristar
Ameristar Casino’s luxury hotel and spa, located at 111 Richman St., has 536 guest rooms, including 64 suites. Rooms are comfortable and versatile with oversized bathtubs and panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains. Tastefully appointed and furnished, every room contains exquisite amenities and features to exceed the most discerning guests’ expectations. An on-site fitness center, roof-top pool and the 7,000-square-foot ARA Spa will complete the experience.
Room rates start around $99 during the week and cost around $199 on the weekends. Special packages are available. For reservations and more information, call 866-MORE-FUN or visit www.ameristar.com/Black_Hawk.
Chase Creek Bed and Breakfast
The Chase Creek Bed and Breakfast is located at 250 Chase St. along the meandering Chase Creek in Black Hawk. This historic B&B is within walking distance of the numerous casinos in the city, but still offers privacy and seclusion in the natural beauty of its mountain setting.
The B&B offers three rooms with the following rates per night: the Yankee Room at $95, the Sleepy Hollow at $145 and the Polar Star room at $195.
A delightful breakfast of fruit, muffins and other entrees is available as part of your stay.
The inn’s proprietors are Karen and Hal Midcap, who will make your stay comfortable and memorable. Call 303-582-3550 to make reservations or visit www.chasecreekinn.com for more information.
Isle Hotel Casino Black Hawk and Lady Luck Casino
The Isle Hotel Casino Black Hawk at 401 Main St. and Lady Luck Casino at 340 Main St. in Black Hawk share hotel rooms, as they are part of the same parent company, Isle of Capri Casinos Inc.
The Isle and Lady Luck offer deluxe rooms with either two queen beds or a king bed starting at a base rate of $79 per night. The Isle offers Jr. Suites with separate sitting rooms and either two queen beds or a king bed for the base rate of $129 a night.
Room amenities include cable television, iron and ironing board, wireless Internet access, and an in-room safe for valuables. Pet friendly rooms are also available.
The Trade Winds Market provides snacks and a quick bite to eat. Calypso’s Buffet offers an all-you-can-eat buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Farraddays’ is a fine dining restaurant open for dinner with reservations recommended.
Call the Isle’s reception desk at 303-998-7777 for hotel reservations or visit www.black-hawk.isleofcapricasinos.com for more information.
The Lodge Casino
The Lodge Casino is located at 240 Main Street in Black Hawk and offers 50 newly remodeled rooms for your overnight stay. A choice of handicapped, non-smoking or smoking rooms are available. Nightly room rates for a standard room with either two queen beds or a king bed are $89, Sunday through Thursday, and $159 on Friday and Saturday.
The rooms come with amenities such as free valet parking in an underground garage, wireless Internet service, cable television, humidifier, toiletries, and room service.
The Lodge Casino offers three restaurants for your dining pleasure: Jake’s Deli features hamburgers, pizza and sandwiches; Seasons Buffet is a full-service restaurant open for breakfast, lunch and dinner; and the White Buffalo Grille is open for fine dining in the evening with reservations requested.
Please call The Lodge Casino at 303-582-1771 for reservations or visit their website at www.thelodgecasino.com for more information.
CENTRAL CITY LODGING
The Century Hotel and Casino
The Century Hotel and Casino located at 102 Main St. in Central City offers 26 available rooms with the base rate per night ranging from $119 to $159. The rooms come with either two queen beds or a king bed.
Dining service is available at either the Retro Deli for a pizza, salads and sandwiches or at the Mid City Grill restaurant with its special players’ card promotion of a prime rib dinner for $5.99. Room service is available until 8:30 p.m. during the week and until 11 p.m. on the weekend.
The hotel and casino provides its own 500 close-in and covered parking lot spaces.
Lodging per night as part of the Cash Fall Fiesta Package offers a standard guest room with a champagne gift basket and breakfast at the Mid City Grill for $129.95, Sunday through Thursday.
The Weekend Romance Package includes a standard guest room, champagne gift basket and breakfast at the Mid City Grill for $189 per night on Friday and Saturday.
Call 303-582-5050 or visit www.cnty.com, for reservations and more information.
Fortune Valley Hotel and Casino
Fortune Valley Hotel and Casino is located at 321 Gregory St. in Century City. It is the largest full-service hotel and casino in the city. Currently, its Flavours Buffet restaurant is offering a prime rib dinner special for $2.99.
The hotel features 118 available rooms. Standard room rates offer either two queen beds or a king bed beginning at $79.95, Sunday through Thursday, with the rates changing to $129 on Friday and $139 on Saturday.
The rooms offer free coffee and wireless Internet service, among other amenities such as color television with on-demand movies and video games, and a mini-bar.
Call Fortune Valley at 303-327-2200 for hotel reservations or visit www.fortunevalleycasino.com for more information.
The Hooper Homestead Guest Quarter
The Hooper Homestead Guest Quarter is located at 210 Hooper St. on a secluded, private estate hilltop in the National Historic District of Central City. It’s within walking distance of the city’s casinos while offering peace and tranquility in a secluded mountain setting.
A unique aspect of this bed and breakfast is that it offers fall weekend getaway and retreat packages, including massage, meditation and spa therapies, in collaboration with its on-site Blissful Spirit Day Spa.
Its spacious room and suites with partial amenities listed and nightly rates include the Famous Bonanza Room located in the original homestead building with a queen bedroom and shared facilities for one person at $100.
The plush Hidden Treasure Suite features a private entrance and bath, queen bedroom, and living or dining area with a mini-kitchen for two people at $125-149. The luxurious Coeur d’Alene Suite has a private entrance, two queen bedrooms, one-and-a-half baths, gas fireplace, kitchen, living or dining area, private deck, and wireless Internet service. This suite provides enough comfortable space for two to four people and occupancy rates vary accordingly from $149 to $299.
A daily deluxe continental breakfast of beverages, homemade bread, cereals, fresh fruit, muffins, and scones is included each day of your stay.
Call 303-582-5828 for reservations or visit www.hooperhomestead.com for detailed information.
