Devil’s Thumb Ranch

My wife, daughter, and I stayed in a lodge room for 3 nights.
The positives were a helpful, responsive staff and great access to fun activities.
The negatives were (1) dirty room floor on check-​in; (2) mattress pad and mattress on 1 bed that were stained with blood and urine (even 2 of the staff agreed this was disgusting). They did not change the mattress. They just flipped it and replaced the mattress pad.; (3) not having our room cleaned on the 2^nd day while we were gone and having to call guest services to get it cleaned late in the day; (4) a broken reading lamp, which was fixed after we called; (5) room with 2 double beds had a very small living area and there were a lot of decorative pillows on the beds we had find a place for every day.
Overall not what I would expect for $ 350/​night. The staff member (to whom I showed a picture of the stained mattress) at check-​out did say «I am extremely sorry.» but nothing else was done. We would ski there again but I would never stay in the lodge again. I have had a cleaner room at a Motel 6.

Devil’s Thumb Ranch is an amazing blend of super casual, elegant and tasteful. The rooms are well appointed. The views of Colorado’s big country are dreamy. The staff is friendly. And the proximity to Winter Park is great. Check it out.

We just completed a beautiful wedding event for our daughter. This is an amazing event destination with friendly and professional staff. The food was always 5 star and the rooms are Colorado Mountain Posh. We loved everything including the winter events including the beautiful cross country ski trails around the valley. I would recommend this place.

Visiting here today was a real treat. As a pair of CO natives, we were surprised to have not known about this place. We were looking to snowshoe while in WP and this seemed to have good options. We called a couple times and everyone was very friendly and able to give us plenty of information. We came in early this morning and were helped with rentals and given a trail map to go out and get going, the process was incredibly easy. We chose to do the Moose Stomp trail which goes out around the stables and to the top of a great lookout point. We were told it was a bit of a climb, but nobody seemed to have done the trail themselves before…(this was an underestimate, it’s a pretty steep climb in my opinion, especially at the end. Also, nobody knew how long the trail was, and it is about 5 miles round trip, took us 2.5 hours) would highly recommend if you do this trek to bring water and pack a lunch so you can take a 30 minute break at the top and enjoy the views before heading back. Also, they offer poles as an optional part of your rental and they were super helpful so do take advantage of those! Trails are very well marked and maintained which was extremely impressive and made us feel at ease going through the terrain. Every staff person who we encountered was incredibly friendly. It really made for a nice time.

Every time I have stayed here I was wowed by the service I received. Wether this be at the spa, my hotel room, the restaurants, the stables, or in the ski shop, every detail was looked after. Everyone was super friendly and kind, and would bend over backwards to create an amazing experience. I have been here with both my significant other for a romantic weekend, and my family for a fun, adventurous get away. It was perfect for both. At first it seemed a bit pricy, but when you get there and have an amazing experience you completely understand why. It is also worth noting that there is a ton to do around the property for free.
The cross country skiing is awesome, the property is gorgeous, and the food at both restaurants is amazing (plus an awesome wine list). The spa services rival any other spa I have been too. The rooms in the main lodges are large and plush. The bunkhouse rooms are small but plush and cozy.
The place is incredibly refreshing, and has an amazing atmosphere.
Recently, I have seen a few of negative reviews on Unilocal about the ranch, and felt like a long time visitor who has seen it grow and change (and had both good and bad experiences) should weigh in. For those who were angry about something going wrong. Stuff happens. And I have had a few things go wrong when I was visiting (such as messed up reservations or a feature I was looking forward to being out of service), but the staff was always more than willing to accommodate me. Occasionally service at Hex can be wanting, but I have always found it to be above average or rapidly remediated (especially considering that service even at very upscale restaurants in almost all remote mountain towns is not always the best).
I will always highly recommend this amazing place to anyone who needs a beautiful, refreshing, playful, and luxurious escape

The cancellation policy for this resort is horrible. Only make a reservation here if you know for sure NOTHING will come up that will cause you to cancel. Not only did they take my name wrong on the reservation (switched my first name with my last) but they also took down my email wrong so I never received a confirmation email. When an unfortunate situation came up and I had to cancel 5 days out they said they could not refund me a penny because it was within the two week period. $ 620 I’m out. Devil’s Thumb is a very accurate name for this hotel!

Incredible property!!! Havent stayed a night here yet but worth every second to hang out for an afternoon. Great food and happy hour at Hecks in spectacular setting.

Much about Devils Thumb is excellent. It’s a large and beautiful property with great activities (zip line, biking, fishing, horseback riding, etc) — all with incredible views. There is a large network of buildings which provide a range of experiences. The landscaping is well thought out and I appreciated the environmentally conscientious elements (solar panel, care for the land, etc). The pool was delightfully warm and the hot tub and spa were not crowded.
Devils thumb took a few short cuts, which I found surprising. While many of the spaces including the room are well appointed, I found it off that the hallways have some are work that repeat over and over. The pieces are unique, so they really stick out when you see them every 15 feet! Also I was really disappointed by some of the finishes. For $ 500+ a night I wasn’t expecting to use a plastic Delta shower, a Gerber toilet and cheesy fake-​looking copper sinks. It feels strange to take a big step down on these details vs what I have at home for this price. As for the staff, they try very hard and some are excellent however the consistency is lacking.
Last, we were surprised that our room was in the shadow of a wedding without prior notice. Honestly the biggest issue was the staff bumbling along in a loud manner. It seems like the rooms overlooking the wedding should be given to the wedding guests, no?
Overall Devils Thumb is a great destination, especially for someone who is active. It feels however a bit overpriced given the details.

Have to agree the the customer service is absent for a resort that charges a premium (actually for any resort).
Quite a wait for a table at breakfast even though only 3 – 4 tables are actually seated outside. There was a 20 minute wait which was ok, although we noticed many empty tables outside – we had 2 – 3 different servers, all of whom were confused as to what tables they were waiting on, it took forever to have someone bring coffee and put in a food order and the food took a very long time to prepare. If this was the only thing we noticed – who would care, but that’s not the case.
Later in the day we went to hang out at the pool. There was no water in the water dispenser and cups and towels were thrown everywhere. Poolside, there were many trays of food that previous people had finished with, that were just sitting around. trash blowing around too. I bussed around the chairs we sat in so we didn’t have to look at it. My husband went to use the steam room although he came right back without staying. He didn’t want to sit in it because he said it was slimy and needed to be cleaned. As well, the restroom he used had cleaning supplies laying around on the floor, there was standing water covering the counter and trash laying around. As well, the jets were not functioning in the hot tub at that area.
The next morning (Father’s Day) we had breakfast outside again. This time we had a server although still it took a very, very long time to get our food (at least 30 minutes). What was super surprising though — especially on a holiday, was that there were people just off the patio mowing and trimming the grass all around the area. This was at 10:30 — 11:45…a busy time.
The mower was loud and the weed whacker really loud. We marveled at how they just kept going about their task even as people watched them, obviously annoyed by the noise. They were actually mowing around children playing out in that area, getting very close to them in order to get the job done.
All I can say is that the management and customer service at Devil’s Thumb is just sad.
What a wasted opportunity for what could be a great place. For how beautiful the scenery is and how well done the resort, the service just doesn’t match at all the accommodations and price.

My wife and I were looking to get away for a romantic getaway during the summer. Mainly we were looking for some relaxing down time by the pool and to have great food.
This is a fantastic property with great potential. Unfortunately, for the days were were there, the pool was closed and we were not notified ahead of time. The service at Hex was very spotty. However, the Ranch House restaurant was fantastic. Great potential, but coming up a little short on service.

My husband and I stayed here for a friend’s wedding at the end of April.
We were in the newest addition to the Ranch, the High Lonesome Lodge. I did like that our group could all stay together in the lodge, and that it was pretty exclusive to us. I would assume that the arrangement wouldn’t be as accommodating during peak season as our party wasn’t that big and it seemed that a lot of the rooms were empty. But this group was pretty rowdy and it didn’t seem to affect any of the other guest, whom we only saw in the main lodge. The rooms were very nice, and had a private balcony. It didn’t come cheap though. Our off-​season, wedding group rate for a king bed was $ 250. We were able to check in early, luckily. But normal check in time is at 4pm and the wedding started at 5pm. After traveling for 2.5 hours to get there, I was really hoping I could shower and have time to visit the bride before her big day. Thankfully, they accommodated me. A few people in our party chose to stay in the main lodge for a cheaper rate but we weren’t offered this at booking and had no idea.
We ate breakfast at Heck’s Tavern. The food was good and the views were great. We didn’t stay long enough to use any of the other onsite amenities unfortunately. The hot springs heated pool was nice, but closed when we tried to visit it at 9:30pm.
The only real negative I could say is that the layout of the lodge we were in was pretty confusing. By the second day we had it figured out, but we definitely stood in the elevator room on the 4^th floor scratching our heads for a few minutes. A better map on the wall might be helpful. Also, our rooms were so new that they were a little unfinished. There was a large hole in the drywall behind our shower faucet and not a single hook to hang anything in the bathroom. I wanted to hang my long dress to relax from the shower steam before the wedding and ended up hanging it on a light fixture from the ceiling. And they give you bath robes, but nowhere to hang them.
I would like to go back and stay longer to spend time on the beautiful ranch, but maybe stay in a less expensive, more finished room.

My girlfriends treated me to an afternoon here for my birthday. WOW!!! Absolutely stunning! I had an 80-​minute massage by Lance and it was one of the BEST massages I’ve ever had! The friends had facials and said they were great. It was really a spectacular time!

Our company hosted our annual Producer’s meeting at Devil’s Thumb last week. In a word: «Wowza!»
Everything about my experience was 5-​star. Each of us was greeted on arrival by friendly door attendants and our rooms were ready on arrival. I very much appreciate the owners’ conservation efforts, including hauling two antique barns from various parts of the country and reconstructing them onsite — absolutely stunning!
Each of the meals prepared for our group were quite tasty. The meeting spaces we used accommodated our group very well. The Ranch features two restaurants, ample meeting space, a game room complete with billiards, foosball, shuffleboard, checkers, and mini-​bowling, and a theater in which Guests can screen DVD movies borrowed from the front desk. They also offer a variety of seasonal outdoor activities.
On Monday afternoon, our company offered us a nice selection of activities from which to choose. I opted to visit the spa and have my first-​ever massage. The spa experience was superb and the massage itself got me hooked. The relaxing after-​effects lasted well into the week.
Every time I talked with my wife during my visit, I said, «we have to come visit sometime.» I look forward to that.

We’ve stayed here twice. Once for a wedding and another trip just recently for the heck of it. I’ll start with the positive. Rooms are immaculate. Clean and well appointed. We soaked in the large tub daily and also took advantage of the spa and pool. There are plenty of activities for fun all over the property which is well secluded and massive. The stables were awesome and the keepers were very kind when we just walked in to visit.
What has put us off each time is their customer service. A lack of actual service. On our first visit of three days the bartender at Hecks gave my credit card to a person 5 seats down from me with the same first name. We were there for some time after he left (with my card) and when I asked for the check the bartender simply noticed what he had done and told me he didn’t have my card. Didn’t offer to find it. Didn’t offer to provide me with any information to locate this person. I had to go to the front desk and discover that the person had checked out of his room earlier that day and they had his contact info if I needed it. For the next two days I had to continuously explain to the same people that lost my card when they asked for a form of payment that I didn’t have it anymore. Relying on friends to pay my way for activities and dinner. Partial blame on me for not bringing all of my credit cards I guess.
Our second stay several months later started with a rather sarcastic receptionist who couldn’t tell us anything about their policies or procedures politely. I’ll leave it at that. We wanted to try the place out again and looked past it. I brought ALL my credit cards this time! Once again, super clean room, awesome décor, great tubs! However we go to have breakfast and are told there isn’t a table available. Every table but three or four are empty. They say they’re reserved and that we can wait if we like. 30 minutes go by and we ask again why we can’t sit and eat. The hostess miraculously «finds“us a table in the still empty restaurant. We sit, eat, have two rounds of cocktails, pay our bill and leave with only a hand full of patrons coming in. Tables still empty. The restaurants serve decent food, they are fairly overpriced to me. The cocktails are weak and are very overpriced. I understand that it may cost them extra to have items delivered there and they may charge a little extra but we frequently visit Tabernash and all the other restaurants and bars don’t serve weak drinks and charge an arm and a leg for breakfast lunch and dinner.
We actually explained our displeasure to a friend and frequent visitor of the ranch who relayed the message to someone there prior to our visit. I found it funny that their response to that displeasure was having someone call us in our room to ask if we were enjoying our visit, and coming to our breakfast table to ask us again. Yes, after making us wait for imaginary guests to finish eating. Sorry to say that we’ll be spending our money somewhere else.

We consistently have a wonderful time at Devil’s Thumb and it is our go to for holidays, special events, happy hour and nice dinners.
We attended to the Broad Axe Barn Buffet and the High Lonesome New Year’s Eve party last night and the service was impeccable. Our server, Katie, was completely wonderful and great with our large party. We were all impressed by how great her service was and she set the tone for our our of town guests and us to have a festive New Year’s Eve! The bartenders at the event were also fabulous and personable.
Stunning atmosphere, welcoming ambience and great staff. We recommend Devil’s Thumb as a must see while in the Grand County area and a great destination getaway!

Ever feel like you have a sign around your neck that says
I am Day 1 of a 3 day stay for a corporate conference.
Checkin: Checked in around 10pm after a very foggy trip up the pass. Greeted by a not so friendly «over-​night» receptionist and told I didn’t have a room. Easy oversight although what bugged me was the lack of empathy that i had just flown in from NY and then looked at me as if i expected to leave and go find another place to stay for the night. Really?! I had to ask, nicely I may add, if they would kindly check and see if there was a room available. They found a room for me so i wouldn’t have to drive back into town
Morning One:
— Coffee shop staff SUPER nice! Nice place!
— They are forcing me to check out of my room at 12 noon to move into my cabin at 4pm that day. Would not let me stay in the room. Had to check out check bags and hang out in the restaurant until my other room was ready. Nice! I get it if the place was busy. Although there is one other person in the restaurant and i have yet to bump into 5 people. ITS DEAD!!! There is no one here!!!
— Room was really nice.
— Lunch: I was given a menu that was about it. The other party next to me was greeted with lunch specials. Hmmmm Not sure why.
More later. Beautiful place and vista’s…lets see if the off-​season staff can pick it up a bit.

Can’t explain my obsession with this place. Lodging is literally perfect. Beds, bathrooms, porches, living rooms, etc — EVERYTHING. Restaurants /​food /​drinks are perfect. Spa is amazing. Grounds are gorgeous (this place is huge but you’d never know it). Staff is incredible.
Even if you’re not doing a spa treatment, pay the $ 20 for the day pass and use the steam room, sauna, hot tub, aromatherapy room and showers — you won’t regret it!
Their stables and staff are top notch. A trail ride is a must do and you don’t have to stay at the Ranch to book one. Great, informative, fun, gorgeous ride!
I’ll be back!

We went for Happy Hour tonight for my Birthday. I love when Heck’s Tavern has live music and the lodge is so beautiful with it’s large fireplace and wood décor. The happy hour is the best with $ 8 glasses of wine, $ 3 house wines, $ 2 draft beers and 2 for 1 well drinks. The drink specials are awesome. We ordered several appetizers– spicy fries, meatball sliders– very lacking in flavor– traditional sliders would be better, meatballs– I think they only give you 3 or my husband had two of them and I had one– too small of an appetizer, and olives. Honestly nothing on the happy hour food menu would I order again. I wish I had ordered that Top Sirloin instead.
We went to the Ranch house for dessert and a night cap. We ordered the Spiced Apple Confit — nothing really yummy about it. The service by Topher was great though and again enjoyed the Saloon bar atmosphere. I wish they would bring back the Devils Thumb dessert they used to have — it was the best dessert in the valley.
If I based my review on food alone tonight I would have given it two stars, however because I was there on New Years and the food was delicious I still think it’s a great place to go. I love the atmosphere and ranch like décor here. When there is music it’s a five star experience. So between the happy hour drink menu, the setting and atmosphere I still think Heck’s deserves 4 stars. They could improve on some items of their menu.
I miss the french onion soup and burger they had on the menu last year. They do change the menus periodically so go online and check it out before you dine.

I have been using this resort for lodging and food ever since it opened in 2008, after decades of skiing here and using lodging in Winter Park. It is wonderful to stay onsite and the accommodations are luxurious. We have stayed here mostly in the winter but we did come for a summer getaway one August. The resort has become a wedding destination and in the summer it appears that most of the rooms are booked for these events. But in the winter, they still book quite a few skiers, from all over the country/​world as well as Colorado.
The staff is very helpful, the rooms elegant/​rustic if there is such a style. Our only complaint is that no matter what room we stay in, there is never enough light. Whether it is in the room for reading or in the bathroom for «styling» they are just too «ecological» which I have mentioned to staff repeatedly. In the past is was often on the cool side too, especially the common areas, but the heat seems to be turned up this winter and it was appreciated. Beautiful stone showers and huge soaking tubs in the rooms. Very nice bedding. No TV, which adds ambiance, but they do have free wifi. Some of the rooms/​suites have fireplaces. Even though it is pricey, there are often deals during the winter for non-​holiday periods, for instance, book 2 nights, get the third free, if you have a flexible schedule.
There is a restaurant/​bar, a coffee shop/​café, a spa, a movie theater room, and a small gift shop in addition to the Nordic/​XC Center (separate review.) They seem to be recruiting Happy Hour patrons this year from the greater Winter Park area which livened up the bar/​restaurant (Heck’s) over previous seasons laid back approach (see my separate review.)
This is a real asset to the WInter Park area, though it is a few miles north of town, on the way to Granby.

I’m here primarily for the nordic ski facilities! But… since there is so much else here, might as well explorer it. I’ll update this review as I experience more of the ranch.
This last weekend, I visited the mercantile shop and café. I love the shop — it’s full priced but has interesting and quality stuff for your impulse or emergency buying. The clearance box was good to me in there.
The café on the other hand was an interesting story. Smaller than I expected, perhaps it’s not really somewhere guests hang out. The service there was adequate but less than fabulous — perhaps the shoulder season is not the time to visit. I also saw that the ran out of supplies for some item while I was there — again shoulder season, very slow business.
I’ll update this review later in winter; I will be visiting more and hopefully staying at some of their facilities overnight.