We booked a non-smoking room with two queen beds at Pikes Peak Inn -- and from the start, it felt…read moreless like a hotel stay and more like a failed Turing Test.
Upon booking, you're hit with a message:
"All reservations are subject to a $150 refundable incidental authorization."
Fair enough -- but then begins the descent into a customer service black hole.
Shortly after booking, I got a text telling me to register and check in before 2 PM on the day of arrival. No front desk, no lobby, no humans -- just a lonely number that sends you texts but refuses to answer them.
I emailed.
I called.
I texted.
I even whispered to the wind.
No reply. Ever.
All I wanted was confirmation that our room had two queen beds and clarification on how we'd actually get into the room. But apparently, the "GM" is a malfunctioning AI who knows how to send messages but not read them.
Check-in day arrived and so did my anxiety -- I had kids with me and didn't want to be stranded with luggage, teens, and no access to a room. Finally, at 3:08 PM, the magic text came: our room number, smart lock code, and Wi-Fi password. No apology, no reassurance. Just cold, robotic data.
We checked in around 6 PM, and here's the twist:
The room was clean.
The bed was comfortable.
The floor, toilet, and room were spotless.
A few towels seemed like they skipped the wash cycle.
And yes -- the location is actually perfect: right at the start of downtown Manitou Springs, within walking distance to shops, restaurants, and attractions.
But... remember how we booked a room with two queen beds?
There was only one.
That second bed? A myth. A legend. A ghost in the reservation system.
So I gathered the family and said:
"Alright troops, we've got one bed, four people, two teens, and zero dignity. Let's make this work. This is character building!"
I tried texting back the number -- you know, the one that says "reply here if you have any concerns."
Still no reply.
Not then, not after checkout, not ever.
I even went to the so-called "office" -- which is just an empty building that probably hasn't seen a human since 2019.
And the walls? Paper-thin. I could hear the next room changing their minds. We didn't even bother with the shower. We slept, packed, and ran.
Summary:
* Location: Fantastic -- right at the entrance to downtown Manitou
* Bed: Comfortable
* Room & bathroom: Clean overall
* Towels: Some seemed... pre-loved
* Customer service: Nonexistent
* Communication: One-way. Like yelling into the void.
* Beds promised vs. received: 2 1
* Overall vibe: Digital dystopia
Final Thoughts:
Pikes Peak Inn feels like it's run by a sleep-deprived chatbot, programmed by someone who forgot customer service is a thing. The location and clean room are the only things saving this review from a flaming zero.
Unless you're okay with ghost beds, silent management, and total self-reliance, this place is a gamble. And if you're someone who appreciates actual communication, human contact, or basic hospitality? Run.
Two stars -- one for the one bed that actually existed.The second bed -- and the manager -- are still missing in action. The 2nd star is for the location.