Mystic Portal

5 Stars for the Mystic (yes) Portal (yes). I so recommend you stay here if you are visiting the Colorado Springs, Pike's Peak, Garden of the Gods, or Cripple Creek Casino areas. Whether you book the private "Honeymoon" suite upstairs --complete with private kitchenette, bath, and deck overlooking the Front Range--, or the Treehouse Room (my personal favorite) downstairs with French windows on three sides overlooking the Moon Over the Front Range, or one of the smaller but warmer and cozier rooms, I do believe you will enjoy the magic of this Mystic Portal airbnb. I loved it. I loved the very comfortable sofa out on the deck under the spruce tree the deck is built around. I loved the hot tub on that deck with the same view of the Front Range and Pike's Peak as the Honeymoon Suite. I loved the magically-lit, tented Garden on the Lawn with the coy pond and the meditative sound of falling water. I loved Marianne's kitchen, the center of things if/whenver you wish it to be. The food was great; whatever you want, whenever you want it, especially if you make your wishes known ahead of time. I loved the small library of books I was free to read or peruse at the Mystic Portal. I loved the fact that if you Want to veg in your cozy, comfortable, magical room and watch TV (or not), Marianne has LCD TVs in each room hooked up via Direct TV, so if you want to stay in your room, eat popcorn, and watch a movie, it's doable. Retreat. Yes. Ahhhhhhhhhh. Yes. Whether it's the hot tub on the deck, movies in your room, interesting conversations around Marianne's kitchen table, maybe even a song or two from (and an impromptu jam session with) a world-class vocalist, guitar player, and spontaneous truth-blurting comedian, there is something you will definitely love about Marianne's Mystic Portal airb&b. Did I mention expresso (with or without whipped cream) on demand? Yes. 5 stars.

My stay at the Mystic Portal was very restful and enjoyable...such nice view of Pikes Peak. The hottub and deck is fantastic....Also, Marianne is a "no drama" and very cool lady. Will come back.