Hotels keep trying to outdo themselves when it comes to offerings and amenities.
Top-notch restaurants and elaborate spas have become de rigueur. In-room record players and cocktail kits are everywhere now. One hotel in New York even has massage robots.
But when Hotel Polaris opens in Colorado Springs this fall, it will be the first U.S. hotel to feature authentic flight simulators as one of its perks. So you can fly a dogfighting mission during lunch, then come back to practice landing a commercial carrier after dinner.
Hotel Polaris is adjacent to the U.S. Air Force Academy, which makes sense. The property has 375 rooms, multiple restaurants, a gym, a spa, a rooftop pool and other creature comforts. If you're visiting the academy, trekking through Garden of the Gods, or otherwise hanging out in Colorado, you'll do just fine here. But those flight simulators are the star attraction.
There are three total: two F-16 Fighting Falcons and one Boeing 737. They are crafted from original aircraft parts, including seats, throttles, switches, pedals and the yoke, so you'll feel like you're piloting a real aircraft as you test your combat skills and maneuvering tactics. Guests can also chart a course to take off from and land at iconic airports around the world.
The simulators are located within Doolie's, a vintage restaurant and bar serving diner-style classics like shakes, hot dogs, nachos and pizza.
Try not to get grease in the cockpit.