You know that old saying about the squeaky wheel, right? Well, Monday I bitched right here at 5280.com about my slight abandonment syndrome since my better half has been away on business trips a lot lately. Seems that my squeaky wheel will get some guilt-induced grease this weekend; hubby agreed to a weekend getaway, quite a concession for a man who’s been on the road for two weeks straight. His only requirements include a reasonably short trip (I’ll be driving on this road trip, natch) a reasonable price tag, and preferably, a nearby hot spring or outdoor hot tub. I can definitely work with that. And it seems that spring (aka “mud season”) is the perfect time to score a sweet package deal at many of Colorado’s mountain getaways.

The Colorado Hotel and Lodging Association keeps an ongoing list of regular specials offered by its 520 members. You can search the site for lodging based on city, amenities, name, or by simply clicking on the map of Colorado to see what’s available in a particular region. Looks like the Bighorn Mountain Lodge in Estes Park is running a great deal for this weekend; stay one night and get the second night free. It’s your basic mountain lodge, with an outdoor hot tub and deck overlooking Lake Estes, located within walking distance to downtown. ($69 per night, 800-530-8822.) The five-star, five-diamond Broadmoor resort in Colorado Springs has practically every amenity you could ask for, but as you might expect, it’s going to cost you. But right now the Broadmoor is wrapping up their winter package deals with a Romantic Getaway special, including champagne, strawberries, and dinner for two in either Charles Court restaurant or the Penrose Room. Since the dinner allowance is $170 per night, it’s essentially a two-for-one deal at $172 per person. At the historic Victorian Strater Hotel in Durango, the “Great Train Getaway” spring special includes two tickets on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Guage Railroad, and two nights’ lodging for two people for $228. And that’s just the beginning of the possibilities. One way or another, I’ll be heading to the hills this weekend, that’s for sure.