TDY Gouge - Colorado

Buckley AFB, CO - DoubleTree Hotel (303) 337-2800 was the best. Free hot breakfast not skimpy continental, the best hot cookies I have ever had delivered with my room key and one of the best rooms I've ever stayed in. Very close to Buckley AFB if you're flying in. Recommend heading out for dinner at Cool River, the best restaurant I have ever dined at. This place has fine dining, a separate cigar lounge and live music all in the same building. Don\'t forget the best wine available. If you're a helo guy the Army Guard can provide ramp space and some Mx support but make sure you coordinate with transient alert for fuel.

Peterson AFB, CO - Antlers Adam's Mark in downtown C-springs receives highest marks! Pool, weight room, hot tub, nice view of the mountains. Be sure and ask for a west room when you check in. They have a gov't rate -- $73 which is what you are allowed for off-base if no-avail from Peterson. Peterson billeting is nice, though if you can get it. You'll need about 20-25 minutes to get to the hotel from Pete. Nice place to stay is Radison at the Airport - # free drink coupons for each guest. Indoor pool. Modest but functional gym. 15 minutes to all the action and food. If you have a day off in C-springs, you MUST go to Garden of the Gods - great scenery and great rock climbing too! The Doubletree is the nicest hotel I've stayed in on a TDY in years. No complementary breakfast. Get cookies, however. Close to food. If you thought Ramada was cool...think again. (Ramada on Murray Blvd 719-596-7660) Tiny rooms, no bar or free stuff, and nasty continental breakfast are the best things this place has to offer. If you want a nice place, the Sheraton Downtown is great. Free Breakfast, bar on site, and American airlines crews always on location. Econo Lodge is a brand new hotel right outside the front gate. Amenities include: no bar, no free food, and a very poor continental breakfast. Rooms are okay but small and the pool is almost as big as your bathtub. Niceties nearby include an adult bookstore (XXXtreme), biker bar (Suffrin Bastard), and liquor store across the street. Management almost understands and speaks english and don't count on your wake up call in the morning or hot water in the shower. ~Hey, when you get your rental cars, definitely us Enterprise. They have an office on the base and great service. Talk to Steve. Good dude. He'll bring the cars to base ops, meet you there for all the paperwork, let you leave them there when your done, just like your own car. Except new and nice. Was just there and he hooked us up with a 2002 Suburban that only had 280 miles. Base ops has their number, you have to call them anyway. ~Although not downtown, the Radisson (corner of Fountain and Powers) by the airport is pretty nice. Crew Dogs get free drink coupons and a free buffet in the morning. There is a huge static display airplane out front that doubles as a restaurant. Our Boom went to store our COMSEC and the people at Base Ops weren't sure where to store it.

Update 3 May 08- If you don't mind two to a room to afford it, go for the Cheyenne Mountain Resort (its actually in Colorado Springs despite the name). Its right at the base of the mountains, with great views from every room. Only drawbacks is the rate (about $115 a night) and the lack of free internet. But its a full lodge- includes a full bar with food, a restaurant with great food, and free pool tables and darts. We stayed one night there with four crews and had a blast. And the staff was nice on the eyes.