Kinship Landing: Where Cozy Traveler Hotel & Local Meeting Place Intersect

First of all... WOW.

When I first walked into Kinship Landing to stay the weekend, I was stunned by the overall atmosphere—The warm tones of wood accents, the dangling philodendrons swaying from every ceiling, the liveliness of staff, and the many positive sayings donning walls.

At a glance, Kinship Landing looks like a housing unit if you're just driving through Colorado Springs (I'm ashamed to say that's what I thought it was), but rest assured, it is everything but that.

What you'll find inside this hotel-hostel hybrid is a sweet little vacay and home away from home.

A few things the hotel includes:

• Cozy but spacious hotel rooms
• Charming and warm fireplaces
• Bathtubs deep enough to scuba dive in
• Comfy hostels beds for travelers passing through
• Stunning views of America's mountain, Pikes Peak
• Walkable distances to points of interest

There is more to this friendly and incredibly welcoming hotel in downtown Colorado Springs.

So let's take a look inside!

 

How Far is Kinship Landing from the Airport?

There are a few ways to get to Kinship Landing, depending on which airport you are getting into. See the details for each airport below!

Colorado Springs Airport

From the Colorado Springs Airport to Kinship Landing, it's about 11 miles (17.7 km) - About 15 minutes drive by car. If you choose to take an Uber, you'll spend about $20 to get there.

Denver International Airport

Denver is much farther away (if you hadn't been doing your research already). For those traveling from, Denver this trip down south to Kinship Landing is 84.4 miles (135 km) and clocks in at 1 hour and 18 minutes long.

For those who opt to take an Uber (which is probably the easiest way to get to Colorado Springs unless you rent a car), the total cost of the fare will be about $107.

To estimate more fares during your travels to Colorado Springs, check out Uber's Fare Estimator.

 

Homa Cafe + Bar

My evening started with a visit to the Homa Cafe + Bar, where I ordered a little bit of everything off the menu. Believe me. It was hard to choose.

The menu is captained by chef Jay Gust and offers various tastes inspired by the owners' travels around the globe with a Colorado twist added. Their ingredients are locally sourced, and they offer breakfast, snacks, sandwiches, hand-made cocktails, and a considerable array of beer and wine.

Homa is also conveniently located near downtown and open to the public for dining, bringing even more local Colorado Springs life right in through the front door.

The Food & Drink

There are countless places to sit and enjoy your meal, whether it be by a warm fire, at a long time where you can meet strangers, or in their massive greenhouse.

One of their main types of dishes is what they call a Handpie. It's what I would describe as a pasty and filled with delectable combinations of your choosing.

For my first evening, I tried the St. Ives Handpie, which was filled with braised short rib & brisket, potatoes, peppers, onion, and swiss cheese. As if it couldn't get more delicious, they add a savory chimichurri sauce on the side for a little extra dipping.

As a side, I got some of their Shoestring Fries with lemongrass sambal aioli, and for a dessert a Polenta with honey and olive oil (which usually comes with lavender whipped cream).

And of course, I gave one of their signature cocktails a try: the Drunken Botanist, which has Ketel one botanical grapefruit & rose, lemon, ginger, and la marca prosecco.

It was one incredible meal, but even more incredible was how affordable the prices were.

Dishes & Beverages I Highly Recommend

I gave myself a chance to try essential everything on the menu, and here's what I highly suggest trying during your visit:

• The Drunken Botanist Cocktail
• Any of the Handpies
• Polenta with Lavender Whipped Cream
• Bubbly Fruit (Compressed in CO2 - seriously just try it)
• Chia Pudding

I enjoyed every one of these items, so I can only imagine everything else I didn't get a chance to try would be just as tasty.

See the full Home Cafe + Bar Menu!

Now for the rooms!

 

The Camp Deck ($89 a Night)

This is one of the first times I have ever seen something like this, but I thought it was such a great idea. Camp Decks for urban-style camping is a thing!

You can still get that Colorado mountain fresh air and feel just like your camping, except you're just four stories up in a hotel near downtown Colorado Springs.

Sort of like glamping!

There is only one camping room at Kinship Landing, and it requires you to bring your own camping gear.

The Camp Deck also includes:

• Turf flooring
• a Private three-piece bathroom with sink, shower, toilet, and fluffy towels.
• Hammock hanging hooks
• Bluetooth Speaker system
• ADA Accessibility
• Incredible views of Pikes Peak and Cheyenne Mountain

The Camp Deck is currently $89 a night can sleep up to six people!

 

The Shared Bunkrooms ($40 a Night)

For my visit to Kinship Landing, I had the pleasure of staying in one of their shared female hostel rooms. I personally love hostel beds, and at $45 a night, this is a deal you just can't beat. The room itself has a keypad entry, and you can go to the room without even checking in if you desire contactless entry.

The hostel beds are perfectly sized and quite frankly huge! They offer enough space for any solo traveler to feel comfortable. Each bed has a small light and a curtain that gives you plenty of privacy in case you're like me and you want to stay up and read a book.

The bunkroom also comes with eight lockers to place your valuables in during your stay and has a rather delightful shared bathroom with a rather lovely shower.

Types of Shared Bunkrooms

There are three different types of bunkrooms available, including:

• Crew bunks ($289 a night for eight beds)
• Co-ed bunks ($40 a night per bed)
• Women's bunks ($40 a night per bed)

The shared bunkrooms have a maximum capacity of eight people per room and can be easily booked on their site and in groups.

White Noise Speakers: A Unique Feature Most Other Hostels Don't Include

At first, this feature freaked me out a bit, and from what I hear, there are mixed opinions about this particular feature. However, I believe it to be absolutely genius if your shared bunkroom is fully occupied.

Kinship Landing has included white noise speakers in every single bunkroom. And no, it is not a speaker malfunction.

There are many benefits to having this feature in the room if every bunk is occupied.

• It blocks out people who snore
• Masks other environmental noises (like car horns or cities noise)
• Can train your brain to know when it's time to sleep

Now, if you don't particularly care for this feature, which some may not, that's okay! You can just call down to the front desk and ask them to turn off the white noise in your room. Easy peasy! Although, do give it a chance, especially if you're staying with multiple people and you're a relatively light sleeper.

Reserve your bunks here!

 

The Suites (Starting at $154 a Night)

I originally found Kinship Landing because I was looking for a small getaway to read a book (uninterrupted) for a few days.

Two requirements I had for my little getaway were: I wanted a fireplace, where I could snuggle up, and a bathtub or hot tub because I like to read while soaking in a tub.

During my search, I found some of Kinship Landing's suites had both, not to mention their rooms were stunning. Quite honestly, they would be a great place to relax.

There are varying types of suites, including:

• King Suites ($264 a night)
• Queen Suites ($249 a night)
• Double Queen Suites ($239 a night)
• Jr. Queen Suites ($154 a night)
• Jr. Queen Suites + Bunkbeds ($159 a night)

Depending on the suite you reserve, the room will come with:

• Tuft & Needle Beds
• Mini Fridge
• Microwave
• Kettle
• Outstanding views
• Garage-style doors
• Balconies
• 50" HD TV
• A fireplace
• A bathtub

If we're talking about a full luxury stay, king suites offer you the fireplace and the hot tub and all the other glorious fixings, so keep that in mind.

 

Other Amenities at Kinship Landing

One of the most admirable characteristics about Kinship Landing—there are several—is this truly is a landing pad for travelers and locals.

From the large open spaces when you first walk in to the massive greenhouse behind the bar, there is no doubt this is a commonplace where people can meet.

Some other details I noticed while visiting were:

• The large outdoor patio area with patio lights and fire pits
• Free suitcase-sized lockers for those who checked out by still have local activities planned
• Outlets in every single locker in case you need to charge devices and keep them secure
• Easy keyless entry to your room and the lockers
• Outlets at most every table if you happen to be working there

And one extra cute addition is the cozy little nook with swinging and super comfortable wicker chairs.

You'd better spend some time swinging in those while you visit.

 

Does Kinship Landing Allow Pets?

Yes! Kinship Landing is a pet-friendly hotel.

Just be sure to contact the Kinship Landing staff if you're not sure if your room allows for pets.

Currently, the pet-friendly rooms are Jr. Suites and Jr. Queen Suites, but it never hurts to contact that staff to double-check.

 

Other Restaurants Near Kinship Landing

Kinship Landing is well placed in Colorado Springs because it's a stone's throw from downtown.

You can walk from Kinship Landing to downtown in about 19 minutes.

And in Downtown Colorado Springs, you're able to experience some of Colorado Springs' best local flavors. You'll find tons of breakfast places, coffee places, and restaurants to enjoy.

Here are some of my favorites if you wanted something outside of Homa Cafe + Bar:

• King Chef's Diner (Known for great breakfast)
• The Rabbit Hole (Underground restaurant)
• The Skirted Heifer (Delectable burgers)
• Joe Muldoon's (Tasty Mexican food)
• Fujiyama's (Yummy sushi)
• The Perk Downtown (Coffee Place)
• Loyal Coffee (Right across the street from Kinship Landing)

Literally, there are so many restaurants. I could go on and on. Also, Colorado Springs has an incredible Colorado Craft Beer scene, which I highly recommend taking a tour of. If you need some places to go, check out this guide.

 

Shopping Near Kinship Landing

If you do plan to do a little shopping while you're visiting Colorado Springs, Downtown is another excellent place for that as well if you don't feel like driving around the city. Since you can walk to downtown, there are plenty of places to go shopping.

Another place I highly recommend visiting unique shops is in Old Colorado City. For this, you may need to take an Uber for a few minutes drive. From there, you have plenty of quaint shops to pop in and out of.

 

Bread & Butter Neighborhood Market

For those staying in hostels during the visit, chances are you have either a tight budget. Or perhaps you just like saving money instead of eating out at a restaurant.

If that's the case, also within walking distance of Kinship Landing is a small neighborhood market with fresh produce, meats, cheeses, pasta, soup, fresh baked goods, and so much more!

And from Kinship Landing, it's only a 4-minute walk!

Since Bread  Butter is so close to the hotel, you can avoid catching an Uber to your local Wal-Mart or Safeway. Although, that is still an option if you desire it! Wal-Mart and Safeway are just a few miles away by Uber.

 

Things to Do in Colorado Springs

If this is your first time here, welcome! I know Kinship Landing is wonderful and hard to leave, but you should definitely get out and see some of the local sights. There really is so much to do here.

For day-trippers who don't want to go far, I highly recommend:

• Garden of the Gods
• Pikes Peak Summit
• The Cog Railway
• Seven Falls
• Cave of the Winds
• U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum
• The Manitou Incline

For those who don't mind taking a longer trip somewhere during their visit, here are some other suggestions:

• Cripple Creek, Colorado - for a bit of gambling and exciting gold mining history
• The Royal Gorge Bridge - contains the highest suspended bridge in the US, whitewater rafting, Via Ferrata climbing, and
• Meow Wolf Denver - Interactive and illusionary art museum
• Denver Selfie Museum - a Denver museum where you can take selfies in 22 different scenes!

Depending on how long you stay in Colorado Springs, you are bound to find some kind of activity to enjoy. If not, Kinship Landing is a perfect place to relax.

 

Special Offers & Reservations with Kinship Landing!

Now that I've shown you the glorious highlights of this one-of-a-kind hotel, now is the time to come visit! I swear you will not be sorry.

This hotel and hostel was bustling and alive when I was there, and it wasn't even during our best traveling season in Colorado!

So if you are booking a hotel very soon, best to do it now before someone swoops up to claim your room. You can book your room here!

Remember to also check out their Special Offers to see what may be available to you!

Thanks for reading, and enjoy your stay!

Learn more about Kinship Landing's story here.