This Colorado Springs Hotel Has Its Own Flight Simulators
We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. While we don't cover every company or financial product on the market, we work hard to share a wide range of offers and objective editorial perspectives. However, these factors do not influence our editors' opinions or ratings, which are based on independent research and analysis. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews. Here is a list of our partners. Hotel Polaris in Colorado Springs is a must-visit for aviation enthusiasts. Plus, you can spend your AmEx and Chase hotel credits here. Published Oct 7, 2026Fact CheckedHow is this page expert verified?NerdWallet's content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. It undergoes a thorough review process involving writers and editors to ensure the information is as clear and complete as possible.More on our editorial rigorAddas a preferred source on Google NerdWallet is committed to editorial integrity.Helpful ResourcesThe Best Travel Credit Card Welcome Offers Right Now11 Credit Cards That Provide Travel InsuranceChase Sapphire Preferred Review: Strong Option for Travel RewardsIf you’re an aviation enthusiast like I am, you’ll want to put Hotel Polaris on your bucket list. Located just outside the gates of the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, this 375-room hotel offers a unique perk: flight simulator experiences. The aviation fun extends beyond the simulators to the art, room decor and even the architecture, all taking inspiration from the nearby academy. Plus, the hotel recently joined American Express’ The Hotel Collection, so eligible cardholders can use their hotel credits on two-night stays when booking through AmEx’s travel portal. It’s also a part of Chase’s The Edit. Room rates typically range from $200 to $500 a night, so maximizing card benefits can be an excellent way to save on a stay at Hotel Polaris. I stayed at Hotel Polaris for two nights. While the hotel paid for my stay, the opinions in this review are my own. If you’re headed to the area (or want to stay in an aviation-themed hotel), here’s what you can expect. Hotel Polaris is an independent property that doesn’t participate in a major loyalty program, such as Marriott Bonvoy or World of Hyatt. However, for extra perks, you can book stays using card benefits through AmEx’s The Hotel Collection and Chase’s The Edit programs. Certain AmEx and Chase cards offer statement credits for two-night stays booked through these programs, which could be one way to save. When booking through The Hotel Collection (two-night minimum required), you get a slew of benefits, such as early check-in, late checkout and a room upgrade (all are subject to availability). You'll also receive a $100 credit that can be applied toward eligible charges, which vary by property. Bookings made through The Edit receive similar perks, as well as complimentary daily breakfast for two. You can also redeem your AmEx and Chase points for stays booked through these issuers' portals. As of October 2026, Hotel Polaris offers Points Boost pricing on Chase's portal, which means that eligible Chase cardholders can redeem points for stays for up to 2 cents apiece. That makes it a valuable redemption. Before redeeming rewards for stays on issuer portals, see how much value you're getting. NerdWallet values AmEx points at 1.3 cents per point and values Chase points at 1.8 cents per point. When you first approach Hotel Polaris, it can appear somewhat drab and utilitarian with its boxy exterior modeled after dorm buildings at the Air Force Academy. However, that quickly changes once you step inside and see the soaring ceilings and expansive windows offering views over the Rampart Range. The mid-century modern design aesthetic combined with fun pops of color make the lobby area feel fresh and vibrant. Walk across the lobby and step outside onto the hotel’s outdoor terrace, featuring fireplaces, seating areas, lawn games (including a life-sized chess board and bocce ball) and a heated pool. Because of Hotel Polaris’ strong academy ties (it even has a sky bridge connecting it to the academy’s newly opened visitors center), it attracts a lot of alumni and corporate groups. While the hotel’s location is convenient for travelers visiting the academy, staying at Hotel Polaris can be a trek for leisure guests who want to be right in downtown Colorado Springs. It's an important consideration, but this hotel's distance from downtown ultimately didn’t bother me. I already knew I’d need to drive to get to popular outdoors attractions like the Garden of the Gods and the Manitou Incline trail. If you head downstairs from the lobby, you’ll reach the Flight Deck, home to Hotel Polaris’ on-site flight simulator experiences. The property says it’s the only hotel in North America with such an offering. Guests can choose to pilot a Boeing 737 MAX or one of two F-16 fighter jets. I chose the Boeing 737 MAX — one of my most-flown aircraft types as a Million Miler on United Airlines — and even got to do some fun and nonsensical things, such as flying underneath San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. I had a blast trying it out — even if I wasn’t very good at it. (I’ve permanently blocked out my bumpy landing at Newark Liberty International Airport.) I loved returning to my room after a day of exploring Colorado Springs, largely due to the on-brand decor. The room featured white walls and walnut accents, while the bathroom’s deep blue walls reminded me of the night sky. I found the bed to be extremely comfortable, and I loved watching the sun rise over the Rampart Range from my window each morning. The bedroom artwork included a constellation map and black-and-white prints of airplanes. There was also a blue-tinted convex mirror that sat over a small desk area that came with an airplane paperweight. For welcome gifts, the hotel is known to leave plane-shaped chocolates, as well as a welcome letter with instructions on the back to fold it into a paper airplane. There are plenty of food options at Hotel Polaris, whether you want something quick or a longer sit-down experience. My favorite meal was at Pamela’s, the hotel’s main restaurant. I particularly enjoyed the appetizers, including the Brussels sprouts and the lamb lollipops. However, it’s pricey: Dinner for two, which included two entrees and an additional side of mac and cheese, ended up costing more than $200. Just outside of Pamela’s is Thunderbird Bar, where you can grab a cocktail (or mocktail) while admiring the view of the mountains in the background. For food, there’s typical bar grub, including burgers and wings. The bar shares a kitchen with Pamela’s, so you can order from that menu, too. For a rooftop experience, head up to The Aviator. It was closed during my stay, but I got a chance to peek inside. It looked like a nice place to enjoy a drink — especially on the outdoor patio. Other food options include Doolie’s, which serves hot dogs, burgers and shakes. In the mornings, you can also visit Lovie’s Market, a grab-and-go convenience store that also sells hot breakfast items. The hotel has a fully equipped gym, with windows overlooking the property’s heated pool and lounge chairs.
Source: NerdWallet
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