defy Them All / Monarch Casino Resort Spa
Travelers often look to Colorado when seeking the ultimate mountain getaway, and there are plenty of popular destinations to choose from. When you combine it with a luxury spa experience and some delicious dining, it can make for the perfect escape from everyday life. For people seeking just that sort of serene getaway, just under an hour from Denver lies America’s No. 1 rated hotel spa, perched atop The Monarch Casino Resort Spa, with its award-winning restaurants and picturesque vantage points.
The Monarch Casino Resort Spa, is located in the small town of Black Hawk, a scenic Gold Rush town nestled in the Rockies where gambling is legal, approximately 38 miles from Denver. It rests amongst a scenic backdrop of the southern portion of the Front Range Rocky Mountains, featuring the prominent 9,209-foot-high Maryland Mountain and 10,177-foot-high Blackhawk peaks. Near to the property is the 600-acre Maryland Mountain Quartz Valley Open Space Park featuring approximately 12 miles of multi-use trails from its Hidden Treasure Elevation Trailhead.
One of 40 casino properties within the state, its 30,000-square-foot Spa Monarch was named America’s No. 1 hotel spa in the 2026 USA Today’s Readers’ Choice 10 Best Awards. On Tripadvisor, the property is ranked the number one hotel in Black Hawk with a 4.7 overall rating with reviews praising the overall experience. In addition to the award-winning spa, the resort offers over 60,000 square feet of gaming space, over 500 modern rooms and suites, and five restaurants.
Dine on delicious eats at the Monarch Casino Resort Spa
defy Them All / Monarch Casino Resort Spa
Monarch offers a variety of restaurant options offering delectable delights to please your palate at any time of day. Across review sites you can find high praise from visitors for food quality, service, and ambience. Monarch Chophouse is the fine dining option, offering 28-day aged prime beef, fresh seafood, and Colorado lamb along with extensive wine selections and cocktails during dinner hours, and several items prepared tableside. A popular table-side experience based on reviews is the “321 Below” gelato where you can watch your ice cream form in front of your eyes with the aid of liquid nitrogen. You can also opt for a three-course Seasonal Chef’s Menu Sundays through Thursdays and reservations are recommended. It’s the top-rated Black Hawk restaurant on Tripadvisor with a 4.6 overall rating and came in No. 7 in the 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Casino Restaurant. It also received a 2026 Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator for its expansive wine menu.
Bistro Mariposa is Monarch’s casual third floor eatery offering “adventurous” Latin and Mexican/Southwestern cuisine and operating Wednesday through Sundays. The menu also includes classic dishes, along with local craft beers and an extensive high-end tequila list. The restaurant features a paired menu option where chef-created menu items are matched with cocktails and high-end liquor selections, offered at various points throughout the year. Among its accolades, it was honored with a 2026 Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator.
For eats at any hour, visit Twenty-Four 7 on the second floor featuring breakfast items served at all hours, bar eats, smash burgers, Asian options, and even pizza. The property also offers a buffet for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch featuring food stations from cuisines around the world, soups, a salad bar, and a carving station.
Enjoy mountain views from the award-winning spa at Monarch Casino Resort Spa
defy Them All / Monarch Casino Resort Spa
Spa Monarch was recognized as the nation’s top hotel spa for its luxury 23rd floor mountain view setting, top-notch amenities, and spa menu designed for post adventure relaxation and recovery. It has finished in the top four in the USA Today Readers’ Choice Awards since 2023. Across its 30,000 square feet of space there are a myriad of stylish treatment rooms and relaxation lounges such as the Aqua Lounge featuring a hot tub surrounded by wall-to-wall windows with scenic alpine views aiding in guests’ ability to decompress from the stresses of life. Those breathtaking vistas are also viewable from your massage table, the rooftop indoor infinity pool, outdoor hot tub, and seasonal deck and fire pits. The Laconium Relaxation Lounge features heated seating in a sauna-like setting without extreme temperatures, according to the spa’s website. The Brine Inhalation Light-Therapy Lounge treats guests to the glow of color-changing lights, a waterfall of crystals, and the sound of soothing music.
Among the wellness offerings are a 60-minute Mountain Climber massage, Migration into Hydrating Body treatment, and Monarch Glow facial. The spa offers four-hour day passes for non-guests. So whether you’re staying at Monarch Casino Resort Spa or not, if you’re hitting the slopes in nearby Eldora Mountain, one of America’s best ski resorts, or Breckenridge — one of five Colorado resorts that are less crowded for skiers, you can still indulge in a post powder spa treatment that’s meant for adventurers. You can learn more about the spa and its award-winning services and amenities in its online brochure, so you can start planning your serene Rocky Mountain escape.
Dining and Cooking