Hidden Surprises Around Hotel Polaris...And Why Locals Should Go Now!
Episode Title: Inside Hotel Polaris: Easter Eggs, Flight Simulators, and the Best Holiday Season in Colorado Springs | Springs and Things
Episode Description:
Hotel Polaris sits just outside the North Gate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, but here is what most people do not know: you do not have to be military to enjoy it, and there is far more waiting inside than you might expect. In this episode of Springs and Things, Carly sits down with Kevin Barrasso, Director of Sales and Marketing for Hotel Polaris, to uncover the hidden Easter eggs and design details tucked into every corner of the property, from chapel spire millwork behind the front desk to class color mosaics at every entrance. Kevin also walks through everything locals can do at Hotel Polaris without booking a room, including rooftop cocktails at the Aviator Bar, yappy hour with house-made dog treats at Dooley's, F-16 flight simulators (the only ones inside a hotel in North America), morning movement classes at the Ascend Spa, and some of the most stunning views of Rampart Range and the Academy anywhere in Colorado Springs. Plus: a full breakdown of Hotel Polaris' holiday season programming that will make you want to book a staycation immediately.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
Kevin explains the mid-century modern architecture of Hotel Polaris and how its designers wove intentional nods to the Air Force Academy throughout the property, including the Academy's four class colors (red, blue, gold, and silver) embedded in carpet, tile, wall coverings, and even employee name tags. He walks through all six food and beverage outlets on the property, from Pamela's all-day brunch and dinner restaurant to the Aviator Rooftop Bar with craft cocktails and flyover views, to Dooley's 1950s-style soda shop with dirty sodas, boozy shakes, and a dog-welcoming patio connected to the Santa Fe Trail. You will also learn how the flight simulators work, who they are for (everyone, no experience needed), and why a 737 MAX with every airport in the world programmed into it is exactly as cool as it sounds. Carly wraps the episode with a full rundown of Hotel Polaris' holiday season events, from the Santa hotline red phone in the lobby to Flights with Santa in the simulator for $15.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and the story behind booking this interview
02:00 Squashing the biggest misconception: Hotel Polaris is open to everyone
04:00 The Easter eggs: hidden design details that connect the hotel to the Air Force Academy
09:00 Class colors: red, blue, gold, and silver woven throughout the property
13:00 What locals can do at Hotel Polaris without booking a room
15:00 Pamela's: all-day brunch seven days a week plus dinner service
18:00 The Aviator Rooftop Bar: craft cocktails, sushi, and flyover views
22:00 Dooley's: the 1950s soda shop with dirty sodas, yappy hour, and Santa Fe Trail access
26:00 Lucky's Market coffee shop and the Thunderbird Bar
29:00 The flight simulators: F-16 cockpits, a 737 MAX, and every airport in the world
36:00 The culture behind the staff: why a third are former military or military spouses
40:00 Kevin's three words to describe Hotel Polaris
42:00 Holiday season events at Hotel Polaris: full breakdown
50:00 Picks of the Week: A Doll's House at the Millibo Art Theatre and the Bristol Beer Choir at Ivywild
Hotel Polaris: What Locals Need to Know
Hotel Polaris is located at Exit 156 off I-25, just outside the North Gate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. The property is open to everyone, military or not, and offers a full range of experiences for locals who want to visit without booking a room.
The Easter Eggs and Design Details
The hotel was designed in mid-century modern architecture to mirror the style of the Academy campus. Hidden throughout the property are intentional nods to the Academy that reward those who know what to look for. The millwork behind the front desk mirrors the chapel spires. The lobby tile reflects the terrazzo parade area on the Academy grounds. The four class colors (red, blue, gold, and silver) appear in carpet, wall coverings, and mosaic tile at each of the hotel's entrances: blue at the main entrance, gold at the visitor center entrance, red in the meeting space, and silver in the building itself. Even employee name tags carry a color bar indicating the year they joined Hotel Polaris, matching it to the corresponding class color.
Six Food and Beverage Outlets
Pamela's is the hotel's all-day dining restaurant serving brunch seven days a week from 7am to 2pm and dinner from 5pm to 10pm on weekends and 9pm during the week. A private dining room accommodates up to 24 guests for small business events or group dinners.
The Aviator Rooftop Bar is a year-round indoor and outdoor cocktail lounge with craft cocktails themed around aviation and exploration, a sharing plate menu including sushi, and the best seat in Colorado Springs for watching Air Force Academy flyovers. The aging aviator, a gin-based cocktail named for the Class of 1964, is a standout.
Dooley's is a 1950s-style soda shop with boozy shakes, dirty sodas, a casual food menu, pool tables, ping pong, and a dog-welcoming patio connected directly to the Santa Fe Trail trailhead. Yappy hour runs every Sunday from 2pm to 5pm with house-made dog treats and pub cups. Dog beer is reportedly in development.
Lucky's Market is the hotel's coffee shop for quick lattes and bites. The Thunderbird Bar is the lobby bar with an 80-inch projection screen for sporting events, an outdoor Thunder Terrace patio, and cocktails named after Academy terms, all framed by a 22-foot wall of windows looking up at Rampart Range.
Flight Simulators
Hotel Polaris is the only hotel in North America with flight simulators on property. Two F-16 cockpit simulators use actual F-16 components, with every button and switch in place. Two people can fly simultaneously, running missions together, dogfighting each other, or completing obstacle courses. The 737 MAX simulator has every airport in the world programmed in, allowing guests to take off from and land at any airport they choose. Sessions run in 30, 60, and 90-minute increments. A flight instructor with an aviation background guides every session. No experience required. Reservations recommended at thehotelpolaris.com.
Ascend Spa and Wellness
Morning movement classes including yoga and meditation run seven days a week and are open to locals. Fall spa treatments include seasonal offerings like a pumpkin spice massage. The relaxation area overlooks the Academy and Rampart Range.
Hotel Polaris Holiday Season Events
Santa Hotline starting December 1: A nostalgic red phone in the lobby connects callers to a special message from Santa, Mrs. Claus, or the elves.
Flights with Santa on Sundays in December from 11am to 2pm: Guests ages six and up can take a 15-minute flight to the North Pole in the 737 MAX simulator with Santa in the co-pilot seat, plus hot chocolate and a photo. $15 per person, first come first served.
Operation Elf: Santa and elves make surprise appearances throughout the season. The Operation Elf package includes elf turndown service with cookies and milk and a commemorative NORAD Santa book, starting at $135.
Coco Command at Dooley's running November 28 through December 28, Thursday through Sunday from 2pm to 4pm: A build-your-own hot cocoa bar with a kids cocoa lab and adult sips. $20 per person or $10 for kids 12 and under.
Holiday Tea at the Aviator running Tuesday through Thursday from 2pm to 4pm starting November 25 (excluding Thanksgiving): Themed sandwiches, sweets, and a NORAD Santa book for kids. $55 for adults, $27.50 for kids ages 6 to 12.
NORAD Santa Tracker Viewing Party on Christmas Eve: All public TVs across the property air the NORAD Santa Tracker, turning the hotel into a live command center for Santa's global journey.
Thanksgiving and Christmas Buffets at Pamela's: $75 per adult, 50% off for kids ages 6 to 12, free for kids 5 and under. Christmas Day brunch runs from 9am to 3pm with dinner specials and optional unlimited mimosas for $14.
Find full details and booking at thehotelpolaris.com.
Picks of the Week:
A Doll's House at the Millibo Art Theatre (Carly's pick) Closing weekend runs November 20 through 23. A gripping new adaptation of the classic story, this production has generated strong word of mouth and this is the final chance to catch it. Tickets at themat.org or by calling 719-465-6321.
Bristol Beer Choir at Ivywild (Carly's pick) A new low-pressure community singing group meeting every Sunday at the Bristol Barrel Room inside Ivywild. Social hour runs from 5:30pm to 6:30pm, followed by singing from 6:30pm to 8pm. No auditions, no experience required. Every six weeks the group performs a short public concert at the brewery. Must be 21 to drink, 18 to participate.
Sponsors:
Modern Interior Company is a full service interior design firm in Colorado Springs specializing in elevated, stress-free home design from concept to completion for busy professionals and high-end homeowners. Learn more at moderninterior.co.
Core Collective is Downtown Colorado Springs' reformer Pilates studio with welcoming instructors and a community that keeps you coming back. Use promo code SPRINGSANDTHINGS at checkout for three classes at $30. Visit corecollectivecos.com.
Key Quotes:
"If you know, you know." -- Kevin Barrasso on the Academy Easter eggs throughout Hotel Polaris
"Having that heart for service, you've got to have that as part of your DNA." -- Kevin Barrasso on hiring philosophy
"I didn't know it was all this." -- the most common first impression from Hotel Polaris guests
About Springs and Things:
Springs and Things is Colorado Springs' go-to local podcast for dining, arts, events, and community stories. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, leave a five star review, and share this episode with someone who loves The Springs as much as we do.
