The YMCA of the Rockies Estes Park had been recommended to us by two different people. We booked a cabin for a few days -- the only dates we could get for our family of six. Rates were about the same as where we used to stay in Minnesota, but the amenities are different. The surroundings are the most obvious difference.
The cabin. We stayed in the Mountain View. Yes, the mountain view was spectacular to gaze upon. The windows in the front room took advantage of it, too. We didn't have next door neighbors, but downhill and uphill neighbors. We saw a fox and other animals (and plants), right from the front porch/deck.
It was a clean modern house with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen ready for cooking, a table that my oldest noticed would fit all six of us and still have room, and a living room with a fireplace. Puzzles and games, a telephone, and a television were waiting for us.
The amenities. The YMCA has mini golf, an indoor swimming pool, tennis courts, hikes led by guides, restaurants, gift shops, etc. Basically, there is a lot of stuff on the campus for everyone to use, and they are included in the rental price. There is youth, teen, and family programming like what our Iowa county conservation boards might offer at free and low-cost (crafts).
The value. Depending on what you are looking for, the value varies. If the setting is what you are after, lower-priced hotel-like lodging and higher-priced upscale vacation homes are also available. For the family safety issue, I liked this place very much, feeling that my kids were relatively safe and surrounded by other nice families should we be separated. Hotels can be mixed bags; I didn't not get that vibe here. The atmosphere was more like family reunions, and there were four generation family reunions being held during our stay.
The downside is that this place is so large that it would be difficult to do all the activities offered on (and off) campus. So getting your money's worth depends on what you are wanting to do during your stay.
