Отель Polaris в Колорадо предлагает гостям профессиональные симуляторы самолетов и истребителей

This Colorado hotel has flight simulators, mountain views, and one of the best rooftop bars in the U.S. The aviation-inspired property offers resort amenities near the U.S. Air Force Academy My heart beat against my chest as I gripped the levers of the plane. As the 737 Max accelerated down the runway, a twitch of my fingers almost sent me off course before I was finally airborne. I'm not a pilot, and luckily, I wasn't in a real plane. I was inside Hotel Polaris in Colorado Springs, Colorado, North America's only hotel with a professional flight simulator. In addition to the 737 Max, the hotel also offers two F-16 fighter jet simulators. It's an unusual amenity for sure, but then again, Hotel Polaris isn't an ordinary hotel. It's located at the U.S. Air Force Academy, before the secure gates, which means anyone can book a room and enjoy the property's unique amenities. You don't have to be a pilot to fly The simulators are inside the hotel's Flight Deck, down the stairs from Doolies, a modern take on a 1950s soda shop. The controls include seats, throttles, switches, pedals, and other parts from real aircraft, while a 200-degree wraparound screen creates the sensation that you're actually moving through the sky. You can attempt a commercial takeoff and landing in the 737 Max, fly an F-16 through mountainous terrain, or challenge someone to a fighter jet dogfight. A flight coach stays with you to explain the controls and talk you through the experience, so no prior aviation knowledge is necessary. The Air Force Academy is woven into the experience Hotel Polaris opened in November 2024 with 375 rooms at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. It was designed as a gateway to the Air Force Academy, and the connection extends far beyond its location. The hotel's midcentury modern architecture takes its cues from the Academy, with clean lines, expanses of glass, walnut finishes, and rich shades of blue. Aviation and Academy references are everywhere, but they don't feel like props in a themed hotel. Look closely, and you'll notice celestial artwork, carpet patterns that evoke flight, model aircraft, and teddy bears dressed in tiny cadet uniforms. Even the guest room entrances are spaced to resemble doors in the cadet dormitories. Even the do-not-disturb sign in my room was shaped like a wheel chock. The lobby makes a grand first impression. Floor-to-ceiling windows look toward the Academy and the Rampart Range, filling the room with natural light. A large two-sided fireplace anchors the seating area, surrounded by rich blue and red leather chairs. The hotel is also connected by a pedestrian bridge to the new General Bradley and Zita Hosmer Visitor Center, which opened in May 2026. The 34,000-square-foot center is shaped to resemble an aircraft taking flight, with four ascending roof sections representing a cadet's progression through the Academy. Inside, seven galleries feature interactive exhibits, videos, and soundscapes that trace the 47-month journey from inprocessing to graduation. The experience offers a closer look at cadet training, Academy traditions, and careers in the Air Force and Space Force. Admission is free, and because the center is also outside the secure gates, you don't need base access to visit. There are views from every direction Hotel Polaris offers several room and suite categories, but the biggest decision is which direction you want to face. East-facing Santa Fe Trailhead Rooms overlook the Colorado sunrise, while Rampart Range View Rooms face west toward the mountains and the Air Force Academy. Standard rooms range from approximately 330 to 400 square feet. Walnut finishes, gray tones, and midcentury-inspired furnishings keep them feeling polished without competing with the scenery outside the windows. Lavazza coffee machines, reusable branded water bottles, plush robes, complimentary Wi-Fi, and in-room safes are standard amenities. Guests who crave more room can upgrade to one-bedroom suites with separate living spaces and mountain or city views. The largest, the Superintendent Suite, measures 1,200 square feet and includes a wet bar, wraparound balcony, spa-inspired bathroom, and access to the private Club Lounge. Club-level rooms are stocked with complimentary soft drinks and snacks, and include entry to a posh, private lounge. Standout amenities The year-round heated outdoor pool features cabanas and a seasonal Pool Bar in the warmer months. In summer, guests can also play lawn games like Jenga or Bocce Ball, or play ping-pong on an outdoor patio. Ascend Spa & Wellness has six treatment rooms and a relaxation lounge overlooking the pool. The menu includes massages, facials, and body treatments, as well as movement and mindfulness classes such as yoga, Zumba, meditation, and journaling. There's also a 24-hour fitness center with cardio equipment, free weights, strength-training machines, and Peloton bikes. During my stay, I took advantage of a celestial sound bath so relaxing that it lulled me to sleep. Food and drink at Hotel Polaris The hotel's dining options range from milkshakes to rooftop cocktails. Pamela's is the main restaurant, serving brunch and dinner with an emphasis on regional American food, seafood, and Colorado ingredients. The food at Pamela's was excellent. I had a chance to try several menu items - my favorites were the tender Colorado lamb lollipops at dinner and the generously sized Denver omelet at brunch. Lovie's Market is the place to pick up coffee, pastries, snacks, and grab-and-go meals. There's so much to do in Colorado Springs, and I really appreciated the ability to grab a quick muffin and latte before heading out in the morning. Doolies is the most casual option. Model F-16s hang overhead, and the menu features soda-shop classics like burgers, flatbreads, and milkshakes. Its location next to the simulators makes it an easy place to celebrate after a successful landing, or recover from one that didn't go quite as planned. Thunderbird Bar occupies part of the lobby, serving cocktails, craft beer, spirits, and tasting flights. On the rooftop, The Aviator was recently named the number 2 hotel bar in the U.S. It pairs cocktails, shareable plates, and sushi specials with a swanky atmosphere and panoramic views of the Academy and the Rocky Mountains. It's especially beautiful around sunset, when the mountains begin to change color outside the windows. The hotel connects to a recreational trail Hotel Polaris doesn't just connect guests to the Academy. It also has its own trailhead for the Santa Fe Regional Trail, which runs past the property. The multiuse trail follows the former route of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, with the Front Range rising in the distance. It's popular with walkers, runners, and cyclists and gives guests an easy way to get outside without driving. I took advantage of it for an early morning stroll, surrounded by wildflowers and mountain scenery. Colorado Springs awaits outside Hotel Polaris sits in northern Colorado Springs, just off Interstate 25. Ford Amphitheater is nearby, making the hotel a convenient option for travelers attending a concert, while downtown Colorado Springs is approximately 20 minutes away. Many of the region's biggest attractions are within an easy drive. At Garden of the Gods, you can hike, bike, or drive among towering red sandstone formations. The 14,115-foot-tall Pikes Peak is accessible by car or aboard the Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway (be sure to get the donuts when you reach the top). Manitou Springs offers mineral springs, galleries, and independent shops, while the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum tells the stories of Team USA athletes through interactive exhibits. Hotel Polaris is a natural choice for cadet families and Air Force Academy graduates, but you don't need a personal connection to the military to appreciate it. The mountain views, resort-style amenities, restaurants, spa, and location make it a strong base for exploring Colorado Springs. Still, I found that the experiences you won't find at other hotels are what make it so memorable. Plenty of properties can give you a mountain view or a cocktail beside the pool. Hotel Polaris lets you climb into a cockpit, push the throttle forward, and see whether you have what it takes to leave the runway.