Whether meeting guests start the day with an early-morning workout in the fitness center or settle in for breakfast, they’re treated to spectacular views through sweeping panoramic windows at Hotel Polaris at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.
Beyond the Rampart Mountain Range, glowing in the soft morning light, they might also catch something even more captivating at the adjacent Davis Airfield: A front-row view of gliders drifting across the sky and, if the timing is just right, the rare thrill of the jump team descending with precision in graceful parachutes.
“There’s only one United States Air Force Academy in the country and there’s only one Hotel Polaris, and you really feel that when you walk in the door,” says Kevin Barosso, Director of Sales and Marketing at Hotel Polaris.
Those early a.m. views are just the beginning of what makes meetings and events at Hotel Polaris so distinctive.
Groups at this 375-room aviation-inspired hotel can also team-build in flight simulators, unwind with resort-style amenities—including a half dozen unique food and beverage outlets—and, beginning in May, access the Air Force Academy’s new visitor center via a footbridge connected to the hotel. The visitor center is an architectural marvel in its own right, designed to resemble an aircraft in flight.
Beyond the property, Colorado Springs delivers its own sense of wonder, with nearby attractions like the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum and Garden of the Gods, where towering crimson rock formations create a landscape so striking it was named one of the “most beautiful places to visit in the U.S.” by Google earlier this year.
With its aviation focus and Colorado Springs backdrop, learn how Hotel Polaris can take meetings and events to new heights.
Hotel Polaris’ Unique Team-Building Opportunities, From Flight Simulators to Olympic Athlete Speakers
As Hotel Polaris was being designed, the team drew inspiration not only from the Air Force Academy but from aviation as a whole, ultimately creating a one-of-a-kind experience centered around full-scale flight simulators.
Unlike anything else in the United States, these simulators replicate real aircraft interiors, including two F-16 fighter jets and a 737 MAX cockpit.
The F-16 simulators use mixed reality technology, allowing participants to feel immersed in flight while still seeing their own hands on the controls, Barosso explains.
“It’s really cool because it makes you feel like you're actually flying the plane,” he says. These simulators naturally foster team building, as participants can fly missions together, compete in dogfights, or navigate obstacle courses for points.”
Meanwhile, the 737 MAX offers a collaborative cockpit experience, where meeting attendees will have a flight instructor alongside them in the co-pilot seat and it simulates landing planes at real-world airports programmed into the system.
Another standout team-building option is centered around service dog training. In partnership with local training schools, the hotel brings in dogs that are currently in training, giving attendees a unique opportunity to contribute to a greater cause, Barosso says. Larger groups can break into smaller teams, with some participants working directly with the dogs while others create assistive tools—such as rope pulls for doors or refrigerators—that help future owners navigate daily life. The experience not only encourages collaboration and creativity but also adds a rewarding, give-back element that resonates with many attendees.
Rooted in Colorado Springs, groups have the opportunity to bring in top-tier speakers, including fighter pilots affiliated with the academy. The hotel maintains a strong relationship with the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum, making it possible to arrange for elite athletes to speak and even showcase iconic artifacts, such as Olympic torches.
A Meeting Hotel with Resort Amenities
For a 375-room hotel, Hotel Polaris punches well above its weight when it comes to resort-style amenities, delivering the kind of stay where everything from board meetings to conferences feel elevated and downtime feels like a getaway.
Set at the north entrance of the academy, the property blends polished business functionality with a sense of place. The hotel boasts more than 30,000 square feet of meeting space, including 16 individual meeting rooms, as well as outdoor venues including the Eagles Peak Event Lawn that’s framed by cinematic views of Pikes Peak and the Rampart Range.
Between sessions, meetings guests can unwind at Ascend Spa & Wellness, where treatments can be tailored for active Colorado days, like massages enhanced with magnesium and arnica to soothe sore muscles. Outside, there’s a scenic pool, bocce ball courts and plenty of spots to enjoy the fresh mountain air to reset between the meeting or conference itinerary.
The design leans into a mid-century modern aesthetic, with glass, wood and cement creating a contemporary feel. Floor-to-ceiling windows along the west side flood the space with natural light and frame those Rampart Range views.
“We really brought the outdoors in and it gives the hotel a vibrant, bright look and feel with all the natural light,” Barosso says.
Groups staying for a few nights also have a chance to experience six distinct food and beverage concepts. The Aviator rooftop bar pairs mountain views with playful, shareable plates—like “flight deck dips” (think spicy crab, black garlic and yuzu hummus, and charred eggplant) alongside daily sushi specials. Pamela’s serves up all-day brunch and seasonal American fare, often spotlighting regional ingredients like Colorado lamb and fresh trout. And Doolie’s offers a nostalgic twist on the soda shop, complete with model F-16s soaring overhead.
From Old West Dinners to Garden of the Gods: Colorado Springs as a Destination
The Colorado Springs–Pikes Peak region is a fantastic destination for immersive, scenic off-site experiences, says Sara Lawrason, Regional Director of Client Experience and Event Operations with Operation Altitude, a Hosts Global member.
Garden of the Gods features a collection of rock formations that resemble everything from a pair of kissing camels to Balanced Rock, which appears to defy gravity.
One of Lawrason’s top-recommended excursions is the Garden of the Gods Jeep tour, which combines stunning scenery with light adventure. Guests ride together in open-air Jeeps, weaving through towering red rock formations with Pikes Peak as a constant backdrop.
“Along the way, expert guides bring the landscape to life—sharing insights on geology, history and local wildlife—while stopping at scenic overlooks for photos, short walks and even some shopping,” she says.
For a group off-site dinner event, she recommends Flying W Ranch, where guests can step into an authentic Old West setting. The experience typically begins with time to explore the grounds—meeting longhorn cattle, watching Western demonstrations and rodeo performances, or enjoying live music in a relaxed, open-air environment, she says.
“As the evening unfolds, guests gather for a classic chuckwagon dinner, followed by a lively Western stage show featuring music, humor and storytelling,” Lawrason says. It’s available for full buyouts and can accommodate groups of 20 to 2,000.
Nearby, Barosso notes, groups can also arrange competitive-style team building at Overdrive Raceway, an indoor high-speed kart racing track; tee off at Topgolf; or even ride waves in landlocked Colorado at Surf Shack, slated to open in summer 2026, with its FlowRider surf simulator.
From flight simulators to mountain views and unique nearby attractions, Hotel Polaris delivers a memorable meetings and events experience that’s rooted in both innovation and place.