TL;DR

Retro charm: Historic 1919 “cottage city” turned boutique motel.
Adventure vibe: Run by cycling enthusiasts with group rides and rentals.
Scenic spot: Pikes Peak views and trails right outside.
Laid-back feel: Friendly, communal atmosphere with a historic twist.
Check prices here

Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort, on the western outskirts of Colorado Springs, is a retro dream, boutique motel with a twist.

Run by serious bike enthusiasts, the resort comprises a former ‘cottage city’ built in 1919, transformed into a motel in 2016.

It’s the perfect location, with Pikes Peak looming in the distance and miles of trails and road to explore.

Your hosts are more than ready to recommend a ride, and there are plenty of group rides to join.

Most of Colorado Spring’s boutique hotels cater more to the luxury traveler – boutique by virtue of fancy decor and snug interiors.

If those are your expectations, you might be disappointed here. We love the historic motel vibe, but of course it’s not for everyone.

What the Buffalo Lodge does provide is a laid back atmosphere and access to a kind of camaraderie that feels once-in-a-lifetime.

What are the rooms like?

Total rooms: 47, spread across motel units, cottages, and lofts.
Fresh renovations: Updated interiors while keeping retro motel quirks.
Decor: Unique headboards, fun prints, relaxed apartment-like vibe.
Room types: Singles, doubles, lofts, and cottages sleeping up to 7–8.
Amenities: AC/heat, TVs, fridges, microwaves, coffee machines.
See each room in detail here

Rooms are newly renovated but with many of the constraints of a historical motel. You’re not going to find floor-to-ceiling windows, but you will have a parking spot right next to your private entrance.

In decor, they’re cute – elements reflect the personality of the place, but there’s not a strong design theme throughout.

You’ve got unique headboards and cute prints, with the general feel of a shared apartment building.

We wouldn’t put it on a list of problems with the property, but if you were hoping to find some gold-plated mirrors or fluorescent writing to pop on Instagram, you might be disappointed.

In layout, there’s a decent variety of options. Single Queens studded with bike memorabilia and (just a couple!) dog-friendly Double Queens are snuggled nearby Cottages and Lofts that can sleep 7-8 people.

All rooms have AC/Heat, TVs, coffee machines, mini fridges, and microwaves. Many options have full kitchens as well.

What are prices like?

Check prices here

And what’s the food like? Any facilities we should know about?

Breakfast: Simple continental spread with waffle bar.
Onsite bar: Local beers, wines, cocktails, and happy hour.
Relaxation: Pool, courtyard gatherings, quiet hours enforced.
Extras: Garden, secure bike storage, free basic rentals.
Cycling culture: Group rides, maps, and welcoming to all levels.

Breakfast is a casual continental, with a waffle bar and a buffet of lighter offerings. Other than that, you’re on your own.

There is an onsite bar, with a nice selection of local brews, wines and cocktails, with a daily happy hour.

Drinks can easily be had by the onsite pool, and there’s a roomy courtyard where guests can gather.

It can get a bit rowdy, but with quiet hours starting at 10pm.

There’s a cute garden as well, adding to the happy hippie vibe, and secure storage for your two-wheeled friend, adding to the cycling nerd vibe.

You don’t need to be a cyclist, or want to bike, and you definitely don’t have to be good at it, but we can’t say you won’t be encouraged to try.

Frequent group rides, free basic bike rentals, cycling maps: everything hints at the fun that could be had in the Colorado foothills with two wheels.

How is the neighborhood? Anything interesting nearby?

Garden of the Gods: Just minutes away with bike lanes around the park.
Manitou Springs: 10-minute ride, no need for car parking hassles.
Local conveniences: Westside dining and Safeway nearby.
Downtown: Museums, theaters, and U.S. Olympic Committee sites.
Outdoors: Parks and trails like Monument Valley close at hand.

It’s the perfect location for such a place. You’re biking distance from a lot of things, and your hosts know exactly which ones.

First, Garden of the Gods is less than five minutes, with a bike lane around the park, surrounded by red rock formations and stunning skies.

Manitou Springs is around a 10-minute ride, with paid parking that you won’t need if you’re zooming around the lazy roads on a hotel bike.

You’re not far from Westside Colorado Springs, a cute suburb with a huge variety of food options. There’s a Safeway less than 15 minutes away for anyone who snagged a unit with a kitchen.

Downtown has plenty of Gold Rush or Pioneer-themed local museums, and sportive guests will be happy to know that the city is home to the U.S. Olympic Committee.

You’ll also find restaurants and theaters for some indoor entertainment, and even a few spots, like Monument Valley Park, to enjoy the air.

And what about the reviews? What did other guests think?

Some things guests liked:

“I love the location, the vibe is so awesome, the staff is always great, we love Oliver! They always have great events and bands, I like being able to go go all day then came back and listen to music and have a drink on site…”

“Loved the extremely friendly staff! We were able to use one of their many rental bicycles for free since we were staying there. This came in handy to use as we were able to pedal to the start of the Manitou Incline hike. Love the variety of activities that are offered there! We joined in at the last moment to participate in the Chasing Santa fundraiser! The group was exceptional! Great spot for home base to visit Garden of the Gods as well as Manitou Springs. Definitely will be returning!…”