The Ridge Hotel Manitou Springs — Hotel in Manitou Springs

As we were booking the room, all indications were that this would be an inexpensive, but decent, independently-run hotel. We like to support local business, so we booked the room.

But on check in, we had our first red flag as we had to wait for staff to get the room clean. This was at 7:30 pm. Shouldn’t the rooms be cleaned in that grace period between 11 am checkouts and 3 pm checkins??

As we entered the room, we noted immediately that one of the bed headboards was broken. There were random wires on floor between tv and bed that didn’t seem to run to anything, but presented a trip hazard, especially at night.

The the air conditioner faceplate kept falling off and the AC unit was directly under the blackout curtains, which cover the intakes, so you have to truss up the curtains to get the AC to work.

We logged into the WiFi and it was almost non existent. So, we fired up the TV. It was a new Roku TV, but had not been set up. We walked it through the set up process. Of course, if we wanted to stream something, we would have to log into our own subscriptions and I’m not risking that here. So we found a free streaming service, took forever to set it up due to the slow WiFi, then found out that it would barely connect. There was so much buffering it was hardly worth trying to watch.

Later that evening, we found that there were several dogs staying at the hotel, though their owners had left. They were barking into the night and management didn’t seem to have a problem with that.

A good number of the tenants liked to leave trash in the hallways for staff to pick up. Once a day, so boxes and trash bags tended to stack up.

All of this, but we still would not have complained if it were not for this. The hotel door lock stopped working on the second morning (10 am ish). After a bit of troubleshooting, the management got us in with the master key and said they’d have it fixed before we returned from sightseeing for the day.

We got back at 9:30 pm that and it wasn’t fixed. Morning management hadn’t even mentioned it to maintenance or evening management. Plus she took the master key home, so the maintenance staff had to let us in with a very special technique. By sliding the keycard between the door and the door jam to slide the latch open. Which showed us then that our room (Room 308) had no security whatsoever as anyone could do it throughout the day.

Management of course argued that no one would break into our room. That we could secure the additional slide lock and deadbolt while we were inside. That they had cameras, so no one would try to get in while we were gone. Etc. etc. Lots of placating and excuse-making, but no real move to make it right.

Then they promised $100 refund, which to this day we have not gotten. Said they’d ask the owner if they could refund $150. I don’t believe they even asked.

To top it all off, the side entry doors to the hotel are not secured. There’s no keycard entry or anything. No locks. Anyone can just walk on in and with any stiff card, they can break into your room and rob you blind.

So, if you don’t mind a broken down hotel with trash in the halls, unattended dogs, amenities you have to set up yourself, and ABSOLUTELY NO security, along with a management that doesn’t take your concerns seriously and lies to you bold faced, then feel free to stay here. My advice, spend the extra and go corporate when staying in or around...

Where to start?

Staff: Horrible! The "manager" Thomas "Yogi" Carson, is a valor stealing fake marine, and convicted drug user that runs around the property with a gun strapped to his side (while smoking marijuana). He is know for violent outbursts, and is a self-proclaimed "juggalo" (a criminal gang recognized by the FBI).

The rooms: BED BUGS!!! Dirty beyond belief! The refrigerator and microwave were filthy! Trash and food under the bed and behind the dresser, stained carpet that smelled like urine. Missing/holes in bathroom flooring, old torn shower curtains, old torn towels, old torn sheets and blankets, broken bed frames and box-springs, dirty stained mattress, broken ac, missing electrical covers, taped together electrical wiring, cracked window, broken toilet seat, broken toilet, cracks and holes in the shower walls, black mold on the bathroom ceiling, broken microwave (with GOODWILL STORE sticker still on it), broken lights (broken bulb in socket)

The grounds: Not as advertised. The pictures posted are of the hotel 20 years ago when it was a Super 8. Now the run down grounds are dirty and covered with trash and cigarette butts.

Price: Bait and switch, lists a low weekly or nightly rate, then the add-ons bring your bill $20-$30 higher

Atmosphere: The best way I could describe it would be a half-way house for drug addicts. Drunken screaming and fighting, drug abuse (not marijuana) is rampant, and you feel like you will be robbed after 5 minutes. The police told us it causes more problems in the town of Manitou Springs than every other business, and often has a patrol car sitting across the street just waiting.

We booked a vacation stay due to the lack of other hotels having room. Upon arriving we checked in, and left to get dinner. When we returned and saw the state of the room we immediately went to the front desk and politely asked for a refund, explaining and even showing "Yogi" (after having to retrieve him from the "canna cabana") pictures of the badly dirty and broken room. The response was a rude outburst, followed by an extreme attitude. Again we politely asked for a refund as we only spent 2 minutes in the room to document the horrid state it was in. This resulted in our being screamed at and told to "GET THE FU*K OFF HIS PROPERTY" We immediately left and filed a police report and were told "this wasn't the first time".

No refund, and they still have a $60 deposit on "hold" that they refuse to release.

STAY...

An inexpensive option either by the night or weekly! Quite possibly the best value in the area. The people are what sets this hotel apart from the others. The staff boasts smiling faces and cheerful disposition; genuine old -fashioned hospitality and most importantly COURTESY! , You can even get a hug when it's needed. The hotel has been undergoing upgrades both cosmetic and mechanically, for weeks now. It seems like every day there's something new to admire. The funky "Cannabis Cabana" is a popular place to hang out, available to all registered guests 21 and older. Even if you choose not to participate in recreational 420 there's almost always some lively conversation to be found within. Management has been extremely diligent in identifying and 'removing' guests who cause trouble or can't follow simple POSTED rules! This is NOT a fleabag "we'll take anyone who can pay" operation. While it's more inexpensive than most (possibly ALL)hotels in the area it's most definitely not a "welfare motel". And cleanliness is stressed here! Show me 1 "fancy" hotel that launders bedspreads every time a guest checks out. I'm not implying that this hotel is better than any other, although it does seem that way. Personally I'd rather have a smile and a kind word from the desk clerk than expensive drapes or whirlpool tubs. While the hotel does have a bit of a tired feel, Management is working overtime to correct that. Location is always a key factor in choosing lodging, and you won't be disappointed here. It's on the main road, across the street from a charming park, views of Pikes Peak, Cheyenne Mountain and Garden of the Gods are all here. There's shopping and a zillion eating options close by as well as tourist attractions and services. Oh - Dogs are also welcomed here. Not just tolerated; they are actually welcomed. This hotel is a great value in so many ways. From what I've read online the only negative comments are from people who have been asked to leave for various reasons. Whether they stole, or tried to, or couldn't behave in public, or caused trouble in some way, Management and staff are great at weeding out undesirables. The rules are simple enough, presented at check-in and posted around the lobby and Cabana. Stay a night or a week and you'll feel like...