The state’s growing tourism economy has triggered an era of competitive creativity among Colorado’s swankiest resorts, which keep dreaming up ever-more-inventive lodging packages to attract well-heeled visitors. Some of these amenities have become so bizarre, though, they seem fake. In fact, under each category below, one of the promotions has been fabricated. It’s up to you to sort the lies from the weird-but-we-swear-they’re-true frills.

Food & Drink
a) A crickets and cheese board at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, part of the allegedly haunted resort’s “Halloween Spooktacular” (from $1,200 for two nights in October).
b) A $125 bottle of bourbon made especially for the Oxford Hotel’s “Laws Whiskey House Experience,” which also includes a tour of the Laws Whiskey House distillery in Denver (from $239 per night).
c) Your great-grandmother’s pumpkin pie. Splurge on “Holidays at Cloud Camp” (from $40,000 for three to four nights), and staff at the Broadmoor’s Colorado Springs wilderness retreat will cook a feast using your family recipes.

5280 February 2020
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Spa Treatments
a) Himalayan salt caves. Spend 45 minutes lounging in a man-made cavern encrusted with sodium that’s said to ease respiratory issues as part of Broomfield’s Omni Interlocken Hotel’s two-night, $750 “Breathe Deep” special.
b) A beer pedicure. After a day in ski boots, participants in the “Brews, Bindings & Backcountry” weekend (marketed to men and available throughout ski season, $4,362 per person) at the Sebastian in Vail can soak their toes in Bonfire Brewing’s Kindler Pale Ale.
c) In-room Botox, if you drop $1,200 per night for “Check In At 50, Check Out At 30” at the Jacquard in Cherry Creek.

In-Room Amenities
a) Fuzzy handcuffs or a blindfold, for the, erm, adventurous couples who book the Moxy Denver in Cherry Creek’s “Netflix and Chill” option (from $179 per night).
b) Puppies! “Choose Your Happy” (from $229 per night) at the Curtis hotel is the result of a partnership with a local shelter to bring adoptable—and adorable—pups to your room.
c) An in-room keg, an indulgence included in the $275-a-night “Beer Lovers” package at Gravity Haus. This new hotel at the base of Breckenridge’s Peak Nine also offers memberships with perks like lodging discounts and dedicated ski lockers.

Lessons
a) Team sorting, the Western equestrian sport of separating cattle into pens. Master your riding skills during the “Great Grownup Getaway” at Loveland’s Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch (August 9 to 15, $2,400 per person; September 13 to 18, $1,675 per person).
b) Mushroom foraging. The main feature of “Mountains & Morels” at Hotel Telluride is available August 1 to 27 (from $1,849 for three nights for two fungi fans).
c.)Dog grooming, one of the many ways Hotel Indigo Denver’s “Pawsome Perks,” an $800-per-night package available all summer, teaches you how to be the ultimate pup parent.

Lies: Food & Drink, A; In-Room Amenities, C; Spa Treatments, A; Lessons, C

This article was originally published in 5280 February 2020.
Angela Ufheil
Angela Ufheil
Angela Ufheil is a Denver-based journalist and 5280's former digital senior associate editor.