While Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center opened in Aurora only five years ago, the property is already planning to update the Grand Lodge, add an event pavilion, launch a new dining option, and re-concept three of its existing food and beverage outlets. As the largest combined resort and convention center in Colorado, the resort has hosted meetings ranging in size from five to 10,000 and numerous social occasions since December 2018.
The latest improvements announced by Gaylord Rockies are scheduled for completion at various times in 2024 and are phase two of a multiyear investment plan by the property’s ownership group, Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. Phase One investments, wrapped up in April, focused on the outdoors and included a redesign of outdoor lawn spaces and the addition of dining terraces for Old Hickory Steakhouse and Mountain Pass Sports Bar.
The investment in Gaylord Rockies is part of a long-term growth plan within the Gaylord Hotels brand, with ongoing enhancements in food and beverage, recreation, meeting space, and guest rooms at all five properties.
Event Pavilion
The 85-acre Gaylord Rockies already has nearly 518,000 square feet of meeting and event space, yet the Mountain View Pavilion with views of the Rocky Mountains will provide something different. In addition to 12,118 square feet of indoor event space featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, banquet space, and a fireplace, there is over 14,000 square feet of outdoor terraces and patios and 15,000 square feet of lawn areas planned.
Culinary Scene Update
Embers Lodge Bar and The Fortunate Prospector will be the first new culinary experiences to open in spring and are part of the latest improvements announced by Gaylord Rockies. Embers replaces the current bar, Pinyons, and the Après Ski Village space in the window-filled Grand Lodge. With a 360-degree wraparound bar and 248-person seating area, Embers’ menu will focus on wine, handcrafted cocktails, and local brews.
The Fortunate Prospector, a new 134-seat English pub located on the right side of the atrium, will serve British cocktails and traditional fare and have a 12-draft beer tower. The pub’s mascot, Earl, a bighorn sheep with a top hat and monocle, is sure to be part of countless photos in years to come.
Later in 2024, two current restaurants, Monte Jade and Vista Montagne, will transform into Copper Table and Garden & Grain. Copper Table will serve three meals daily, seat 328 guests, and is all about authentic Colorado cuisine. Among the menu choices are local trout, cast-iron elk, bison ribeye, handcrafted cocktails, local craft beer, and wine selections.
Garden & Grain focuses on healthy fare and places an emphasis on sustainable practices. Gluten-free, vegetarian, keto, low-carb, and vegan options are prioritized along with cuisine that celebrates local farmers. Honey sourced directly from on-property honeycombs also will be featured in menu selections.
