I took a $1500 luxury train from Colorado to Utah. Here are 5 of the best parts of the trip and 6 things I found disappointing. (2023)

I spent 15 hours over two days on one of the most luxurious trains in the world.

If you mention trains and luxury, the Rocky Mountaineer, with its large glass-domed windows, is probably the talk of the town.

The World Travel Awards named Rocky Mountaineer the2021 World leader in luxury train Gewinner, and has been described by publications as one of the most luxurious trains in the worldCNNjtravel and leisure.

Last year, the Canadian rail company launched its fourth route, believed to be its first outside the United States.Rocky Mountains to Red Rocks, which carries passengers between Denver, Colorado; Glenwood Springs, Colorado; and Moab, Utah, over the course of two days.

i am maiI boarded the royal blue and gold trainwhere I spent a total of 15 hours on my way from the Rockies to Red Rocks. I bought the ticket on sale for $1,052; it usually costs $1,465. Insider paid for the change in accordance with our reporting standards.

With such a high price, I had high expectations. Here Rocky Mountaineer met them and where they failed.

I thought the glass dome windows lived up to the hype.

Rocky Mountain's main attraction is its glass dome windows, which offer expansive views of the passing scenery.

Of course, they looked quaint, but I wanted to know if they really create a different atmosphere than traditional rectangular windows with straight edges.

But as soon as I got on the train, the answer was immediately yes.

I could see the peaks of mountains and the bottoms of valleys created by rushing water, things I wouldn't have seen without the wide curved windows. I thought the windows created an environment that felt more like a vacation and less like a commute.

The different landscapes I saw through the glass dome windows were the best part of the trip.

Not only were the windows themselves impressive, but the route taken by the train as it traveled through the American Southwest showed off an impressive part of the country.

One minute I was looking at green meadows. Then I looked at valleys with powerful rapids. The next day I saw miles and miles of Utah's famous red sandstone desert.

Every minute of the entire trip was filled with mesmerizing views, and these views are ultimately why people book a Rocky Mountaineer trip.

The rail company operates routes in locations famous for its scenery, from Banff, Canada, to Lake Louise, Canada.

The awe-inspiring views helped me understand why the company's newest route passes through this part of the United States.

Unlike overnight trains, the Rocky Mountaineer calls itself a “day train,” meaning I had a few hours to explore it during an overnight stop.

All Rocky Mountaineer trains are "day trains", meaning that passengers sleep in a hotel each night.instead of in cars like Amtrak Roommettes.

At first, the concept seemed like a nuisance. I thought I would carry my suitcase to and from the hotel and the train. He envisioned a long walk or drive to the hotel and was concerned about any privacy aboard the train.

Ultimately, I thought the "day train" concept was clever. It made the Rocky Mountaineer ride feel like a vacation that was about the ride rather than just getting from point A to B.

I only stayed one night on my trip to Glenwood Springs, where I had a few hours to explore. Had she taken an Amtrak train, the short stop probably wouldn't have been long enough to get off.

also has aconventional hotel room, which was included in the price of my train journey, instead of a roommetteIt meant a comfortable private room with my own shower, a queen bed, and more space to lie down for the night.

My luggage waiting for me in my hotel room was a pleasant surprise.

Most of my concerns about an “all day train” were allayed when our train manager, Zach Lucas, announced how the Glenwood Springs station worked.

From the train station, Lucas pointed out the hotel where most of the passengers would be staying. Fortunately, it was only a five minute walk from the train station.

The best news was that we didn't have to worry about our luggage. He was already waiting for us in our individual hotel rooms.

This meant that I didn't have to worry about anything else until the point of disembarkation, except for them.Backpack I packed for the train ride. There was no waiting to get my bag or worries about lugging the overstuffed bag up a flight of stairs.

And it was the same process the next morning. When I left my hotel room to board the train, I left my luggage behind. Later, when we got to Moab, he was waiting for me again.

The lack of a cellular network allowed me to connect with passengers and enjoy the passing nature.

For me, a lack of cell phone service often comes with a thick layer of grime. The only time I can completely switch it off is when I'm camping or hiking in a remote area of ​​Colorado.

But a significant portion of the train route from the Rockies to Red Rocks lacked cellphone coverage. So sitting in the air conditioning sipping a gin and tonic without being distracted by TikTok or texting was a surprising bonus to the trip, allowing me to disconnect and focus on the passing scenery and my fellow travelers. Had I been tethered to my phone I might have missed out on fully enjoying these moments.

However, not everything was so simple. I struggled to find a train route, which made planning the logistics a challenge.

Before booking the Rocky Mountaineer, I researched the website to better understand the train schedules.

I knew that Glenwood Springs was a two and a half hour drive from Denver, so I naively thought the train would add an hour or two to the travel time (the first day it was a nine hour drive). I wondered if the train would leave in the late morning or if I would spend an entire afternoon and night in Glenwood Springs.

I also planned to rent a drop shaped car and trailer for my time in Moab. Both reservations required a pick up time, but I had no idea when we would arrive in Moabto to schedule my reservations.

After booking and paying for my seat on the train, I still had no idea what the schedule would be like. The itineraries I found showed dates, but I couldn't find specific times.

Passengers only found out about the schedules 30 days before the trip. Only then was an email sent with the meeting times at which passengers were expected to board the train on both days. However, this itinerary was still without arrival times.

In a statement sent to Insiders, a spokesperson saida link for guests to view itinerariesfor all Rocky Mountaineer trains.

Somehow I lost the webpage, and after searching the railroad website and my email inbox, I finally gave up and called Rocky Mountaineer customer service. Fortunately, they were incredibly responsive and were able to share estimated arrival times.

I thought the meeting at Union Station in Denver was a waste of time.

One day before the tripI packed a suitcaseand checked my travel documents. Documents sent a few days before the trip with the final times showed that I was supposed to check in at Denver Union Station around 7:45 am. M

Union Station is Denver's main transportation hub, so I thought I'd board the Rocky Mountaineer there. I was wrong, and instead we boarded a bus that took us to the train tracks in Denver's River North neighborhood.

The whole process took me an hour and a half. As I live a 10 minute walk from where we boarded the train, I wish I had gone straight there.

A Rocky Mountaineer spokesperson told me that riders are not allowed to assemble on the River North District Railroad tracks because it is an active rail terminus and poses a safety risk.

He added that "most of our guests stay at a downtown Denver hotel the night before they depart, so Denver Union Station provides a central meeting place."

While I understand that having a downtown meeting point makes sense for most travelers, I could have saved time and an Uber fare if I had the option to pick up from the River North District location.

The early departure times of the trains weren't for me either.

As the train approached Glenwood Springs, Lucas stopped at each car to make announcements.

He explained that we would be spending the night at the Hotel Colorado and that our train attendant would deliver the room keys after he departed. Lucas went on to say that our luggage was already in our hotel room and that we all had to be back at the train station by 6:30 am.

At the mention of dawn, the passengers, including me, muttered and groaned. Lucas was quick to assure us that free coffee would be waiting for us at the train station before we boarded.

I thought 6:30 am. M. They felt early for a train ride planned as a holiday.

While I'm glad the train stayed overnight, I wish I had more time to explore Glenwood Springs.

The Rocky Mountaineer pulled into the Glenwood Springs station at 6:30 pm. M

I thought a visitor could easily spend an entire weekend in the city, which is dotted with cute little shops, ice cream parlors and cozy restaurants. It's also hard to visit the city without seeing its hot springs, nature trails and a mountaintop amusement park.

I got off the train thinking about how to prioritize my few hours in the city.

Lastly, I ended up taking a dip in the hot springs. By the time I got out of the fountains, showered and got ready for dinner, most of the restaurants were closed.

A few more hours exploring Glenwood Springs would have been nice, but as another passenger on the train told me, "It was a good taste of the city and we'll have to come back another time."

I was excited about the diet options on the train when booking, but was disappointed with the meals served.

When I booked my trip with Rocky Mountaineer, guests were instructed to specify their dietary preferences and restrictions. I am a pescatarian and was thrilled to see all the options the train offers guests. You can choose from Asian vegetarian dishes, diabetic dishes, gluten-free dishes, low-fat dishes, lactose-free dishes, vegan dishes and ovo-lacto vegetarian dishes.

I eat eggs and dairy, checked the vegetarian option and was looking forward to a train journey with solid vegetarian options.

When I walked in I was underwhelmed by the menu. Had a parfait option for breakfast as a non-meat eater but no vegetarian option for lunch. I told the chef in my car that I don't eat meat, and although he helped me find alternatives, I thought my meals looked mediocre compared to the main offerings.

At lunch I had the starter salad that everyone had, and for the main course they served me the same salad, only this time with a side dish of hummus, carrots and broccoli.

On the second day, the breakfast menu featured the same parfait, and I could also order the boiled egg and meatless frittata. After breakfast, the train served an appetizer of chicken flautas. Since I couldn't eat that, the chef created an egg and mushroom dish for me.

A Rocky Mountaineer spokesperson said: “Our team will make every effort to accommodate dietary preferences where possible. Kitchen space is limited. So if we know ahead of time, there's an opportunity to work with our culinary team to offer more dining options on board."

He added that "Vegetarian meals are sourced and prepared in addition to the standard menu and may vary depending on the freshest options the kitchen staff can offer."

While I'm used to tailoring what I eat to my dietary preferences, the detailed booking process had me expecting more options.

The train advertises an outdoor viewing area, but the space cannot accommodate more than two passengers at a time. I liked the view from the wagon better.

the rock climberannounced trainswith outdoor observation areas throughout the trip. I envisioned a large room with enough space for a handful of passengers and the ability to get a better view of passing scenery.

The reality was that the viewing area was a small space between each car. It had room for just two passengers, and its open window didn't offer the same view as seen from the curves inside the train.

I originally planned to spend most of my train ride outdoors, but after seeing the space, I only entered the observation area a few times during the two-day trip.

I left Rocky Mountaineer with a new understanding of the American West and a fondness for arched-window train rides.

While some aspects of the ride felt underwhelming, the best parts of Rocky Mountaineer easily outweighed the worst parts.

Of course, I wish there were more restaurants or hours in Glenwood Springs, but the varied scenery, impressive windows, and friendly travelers left a lasting impression.