Today’s Event in Colorado Springs Provided Construction Updates
& Sneak Preview of the New Hotel
Click HERE for Photos and Video from Today’s Event
COLORADO SPRINGS – July 17, 2024 – Today, Hotel Polaris at the U.S. Air Force Academy General Manager Curtis Bova announced the hotel will open in November 2024. Bova was joined by CoralTree Hospitality President Tom Luersen and Visit Colorado Springs President and Chief Executive Officer Doug Price for a hard hat preview of the new hotel, which is located at the North Gate of the Academy. Bova provided an update on construction and key elements of the hotel that are coming together months before the hotel’s debut.
“Constructions has been progressing nicely and we are comfortable sharing that we anticipate a November opening,” said Bova. “We started receiving furniture for our guest rooms last week, we’re tightening up our restaurant concepts and starting to focus on guest service programs. We also are excited to start bringing on local talent to help us operate Hotel Polaris.” Bova noted that they announce a more specific opening date in late September or early October.
In the spirit of its landmark location, the 375-room resort-style hotel promises to be an ever-modern experience where the grandeur and magnitude of the Academy and Rocky Mountains are accessible to all visitors. Hotel Polaris is located adjacent to the Academy and in the shadow of the 14,115-foot Pikes Peak. The hotel is part of a mixed-use development that includes the Academy’s new 32,000-square-foot Hosmer Visitor Center. The Barry Goldwater Visitor Center, opened in 1986, is a 10-minute drive inside the Academy from the North Gate. The new location will provide easier access to visitors and become more than a public entrance to the Academy, it also will be a gateway to Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Region.
Visit Colorado Springs’ Price talked about the excitement and economic impacts of the new hotel as a compliment to the City of Champions initiative.
“While the Visitor Center was imagined as part of the City for Champions project, there has always been a vision to have a hotel built near it right outside of the Air Force Academy,” said Price. “The Air Force has three core values: “integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do.” We were in need of a hotel that could strive for excellence alongside the Academy and the state-of-the-art City for Champions venues. Hotel Polaris is delivering on that promise.”
The design and décor of Hotel Polaris’ 375 guest rooms is inspired by the surrounding Rocky Mountains and the Academy, which has always been highly regarded for its international style of mid-century modern architecture. The design is a balance of form and function with rich materials and beautiful details. Rich hues of blue and silver give nod to the Academy while warm wood tones create an organic backdrop that brings the outdoors inside. The modern design approach in the guest rooms includes a leather, built-in headboard with custom made side tables. The artwork in the guest rooms capture both historic and modern-day aviation images.
Dining Experiences Honors Academy Traditions
This modern approach to design can be found throughout Hotel Polaris which also includes six diverse dining experiences that capture the flavors and heritage of the region. Hotel Polaris’ dining experiences promise to cater to an array of tastes and occasions, while telling a deeper story about the area through naming concepts that honor Academy alumni and tradition.
Pamela's will be an upscale and welcoming full-service restaurant located on the hotel's lobby level. It is named in honor of Jerry and Pam Bruni, philanthropic supporters of Hotel Polaris. Jerry, a 1970 graduate of the Academy, and his wife Pam symbolize service before self and the unwavering support family members provide cadets throughout their careers. Pamela's celebrates the patriotic spirit and culture of our country with a diverse menu that highlights the unique flavors of the United States by showcasing distinct American regional cuisines, including everything from the chowders of the Northeast and cioppino from the Bay Area to grilled steaks and prepared seafood. Guests also will enjoy a curated selection of American produced wines, beers and spirits. Open for all-day brunch with dinner service, Pamela's promises a dining experience that is both approachable and familiar and that will have guests returning for more.
Perched atop Hotel Polaris, The Aviator Rooftop Bar will offer expansive views of the Academy and the Rocky Mountains. The Aviator Bar will redefine the cocktail experience with an array of shareable appetizers and incomparable craft cocktails. The Aviator is set to become a must-visit destination for both Colorado residents and visitors, blending breathtaking scenery with exceptional food and drink. Hugh Williamson, a 1964 Academy graduate, and his wife Nan were inspired to memorialize the class of 1964 with The Aviator name. The Williamsons have also philanthropically supported the hotel. The class of 1964 is among the most decorated and distinguished classes to graduate from the Academy with graduates who went on to become Rhodes scholars, four-star generals, astronauts and more.
Located on the hotel's lobby level, Thunderbird Bar pays tribute to the Cadet Squadron-27 Thunderbirds and the Academy class of 1987. At the Academy, each cadet is assigned to one of 40 designated squadrons, fostering teamwork and camaraderie. Thunderbird Bar will feature cocktail flights and handcrafted drinks named in honor of the Squadron 27 Thunderbirds offering a unique and spirited experience. Thunderbird Bar is named in honor of a generous donation by Alex Gilbert, a class of 1987 graduate and member of Squadron 27, and his wife Kate.
Doolies, also situated on the lobby level, will be a lively spot named in honor of the freshman cadets at the Academy who are known as "doolies.” This fun and casual family-friendly eatery will serve a menu focused on vintage diner classics such as shakes and snack foods including hot dogs, nachos and pizza will anchor this experience. Doolies will also offer an outdoor patio overlooking the Academy’s new Hosmer Visitor Center and offer seasonal outdoor games. The lower level of Doolies will feature state-of-the-art flight simulators for guests looking to learn the ropes and have some interactive fun. Hotel Polaris will be the only hotel in the U.S. to offer a flight simulator experience. The simulators will reproduce the flight deck experience with seats, throttles, switches, pedals and yoke from original parts of real aircrafts (other parts of the flight deck are scale reproductions). The experience will include a 220-degree wraparound screen with HD imagery to make the experience as life-like as possible.
Overlooking the pool and adjacent to the expansive Flat Iron Plaza, Backyard Bites will offer seasonal snacks and refreshing drinks. This casual dining option will include a walkup window allowing guests to grab refreshments to enjoy in the relaxing setting provided by the plaza and pool. The Flat Iron Plaza, named in honor of the Academy 1994 graduating class, will include outdoor fireplaces, inviting outdoor seating and sweeping views of the Academy and surrounding mountains.
For those on the go, Hotel Polaris' lobby will feature a grab-and-go café. Perfect for guests looking to fuel up with the necessary provisions for their adventures, this café will offer a selection of coffees, teas, and handheld snacks to keep guests energized throughout the day.
Spa & Wellness Center
Hotel Polaris also will offer a full service, six-room spa and wellness center. The spa includes a balcony overlooking the Rockies for a relaxing experience that’s designed to rejuvenate guests, as they seek their inner true north. A full array of wellness programs will be available at the spa from active classes to outdoor adventure and special events that connect guests to the Academy and mountains. Group hikes, sunrise yoga classes, fitness center and healthful dietary recommendations will be available. Other amenities will include an outdoor pool and sun deck featuring a pool bar with light bites and refreshing cocktails.
Hotel Polaris also is purpose-built for meetings, weddings and social functions with more than 26,000 square feet of expansive indoor space. A dedicated floor for meetings and functions features floor-to-ceiling windows with spectacular views.
“Hotel Polaris is poised to become our signature property in Colorado,” said Luersen, whose company manages the new hotel. “CoralTree Hospitality has deep roots in Colorado. We’ve expanded our collection over the last five years to include two Front Range hotels, an extensive collection of residential resort properties in Vail and Snowmass, we operate a boutique property in Telluride and the opening of Hotel Polaris will mark another significant milestone in the growth of our collection. We are honored and grateful for the opportunity to be working with Provident Group and the Academy affiliates on this special hotel. And, I’m so proud of the work Curtis and his team are doing to bring the vision of this hotel to life.”
Hotel Polaris is conveniently located 30 minutes from the Colorado Springs Airport and an hour from the Denver-metropolitan area. For more information on the new Hotel Polaris, please visit www.theHotelPolaris.com.
About Hotel Polaris
Hotel Polaris is a 375-room resort-style hotel located in the new TrueNorth Commons mixed-used development at the North Entrance of the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. The hotel offers six food and beverage outlets including the 9th floor rooftop bar, an outdoor pool and sun deck, a full-service spa and fitness center, as well as the only in-hotel flight simulators in the United States. The property also offers more than 26,000 square feet of expansive indoor meeting space. Hotel Polaris is owned by Provident Resources Group, managed by CoralTree Hospitality Group and developed by Matthews Southwest Hospitality in conjunction with BLUR Workshop as the architect and interior designer and GE Johnson as the general contractor.
The hotel was made possible through a public-private partnership between the Association of Graduates and Air Force Academy Foundation, the City of Colorado Springs, Blue & Silver Development Partners and Provident Resources Group. The project includes the last of the four catalytic City for Champions projects designed to add dimension, energy and economic vitality and boost tourism in the Pikes Peak region.
About CoralTree Hospitality
CoralTree Hospitality is one of the fastest growing hospitality management companies in the United States with more than 37 hotels, resorts and residential rentals. Formed in 2018, Denver-based CoralTree delivers distinctive, memorable experiences that celebrate the surroundings, culture and community of each property. The company also celebrates each team member with core values focused on serving from the heart and empowering individuals. CoralTree recently was named the No. 4 best small company to work for in Colorado in the annual Denver Post, Top Workplace survey. The company has developed a variety of initiatives to better serve its team members, communities, stakeholders and customers including Bloom, an environmental sustainability program, and CoralTree Cares, which is the company’s philanthropic platform. The hotel and Residence Collection includes independent, branded and soft-branded properties in key metropolitan areas and resort markets including Denver, Chicago, San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, Snowmass, Vail, Maui, Orlando and Lake Tahoe. CoralTree is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Los Angeles based Lowe, a real estate investment, management and development firm. For more information, visit www.CoralTreeHospitality.com.
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For high resolution, downloadable images of properties in the CoralTree collection, please visit https://coraltree.intelligencebank.com
Media Contact: Kristin Yantis or Amanda McNally, Malen Yantis Public Relations, (970) 949-7919 or HotelPolarisPR@myprco.com