Try a flight simulator at this new hotel next to the Air Force Academy

If you’ve ever dreamed of being a pilot or are an aviation lover, staying at the new Hotel Polaris, located at the North Gate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, could fulfill that wish.

The resort, scheduled to open this month, is part of a mixed-use development project that includes the Academy’s new 32,000-foot Hossmer Visitor Center, which is set to open in 2025.

“There has always been a vision to have a hotel built right outside of the Air Force Academy,” said Visit Colorado Springs President Doug Price at a sneak preview of the hotel. “The Air Force has three core values: integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do. We were in need of a hotel that could strive for excellence alongside the Academy.”

Contemporary design

Special design details throughout the hotel reflect the motif of the Academy, featuring sleek mid-century modern style, from the original artwork to the six dining venues to the 375 guest rooms.

These rooms showcase Academy colors of blue and silver, with walls adorned with aviator-themed historical images.

Anyone staying at the Hotel Polaris will be immersed in the “age of flight” through the hotel’s venues, guest rooms, special programming, and activity options.

And just what would be the ultimate activity at this aviation-themed hotel? To fly a plane, of course.

For flight fanciers who have dreamed of piloting their own aircraft, even if you’re not a pilot — you can be one at this hotel.

First of its kind

The Hotel Polaris boasts that it is the only hotel in the United States where you can take a flight inside a state-of-the-art flight simulator. The three flight simulators include a 737 Max jet and two F16 fighter jets.

Each simulator’s interactive flight deck experience is as close to the real deal as possible, with seats, throttles, switches, pedals, and yoke built from the original parts of real aircraft (other parts of the flight deck are scale reproductions).

Plus, there’s a wrap-around screen with HD imagery of the route’s views.

“Flight instructors will take people through all the controls and teach them how to fly the aircraft,” says Kevin Barosso, Director of Sales for Hotel Polaris.

“So if you’ve never sat in a cockpit before, they’ll walk you through everything you need to know to have a good experience.”

Programming is tailored for all skill levels. Some settings can help novice pilots who are skittish about taking off and landing aircraft.

For aviator daredevils, you can select special flight programs for the F16s. “You can dog fight, go through an obstacle course, even connect the programs of two f16 fighter jet simulators to fly the same mission together,” says Barosso.

He adds that the hotel is already receiving many inquiries about the flight simulators, many of which are from former pilots. Some are interested in flying their old routes on the 737 Max flight simulator.

He says an added benefit of the experience is that every airport in the United States is plugged into the simulator program. “So if you’re a former 737 pilot and you used to fly a Denver to San Francisco route, you could actually get into the plane, push back from the gate at DIA, take off and land in San Francisco, then pull up to a gate in San Francisco.”

Discounts for hotel guests

Guests can book a simulator stay package offering a discounted room rate and 30 minutes on the 737 Max or f16 fighter jet flight simulator.

Located on the lobby level, the flight simulators will be available to book in 30-minute intervals, from 30, 60 up to 90-minute
sessions. You don’t have to be a hotel guest to book a flight.

Anyone who visits the hotel can also take a flight. Hotel Polaris accepts reservations through its website and on-site.