The Ameristar Casino Resort in Black Hawk is a nice hotel with a good-sized casino, relatively few dining options and a stunning rooftop pool sitting 35 stories above the mountain town.

An efficient front desk system got us up to our room a little before the published check-in time. Our basic accommodations were clean and had an upscale feel despite some evidence of wear. We were pleasantly surprised by the relative quiet despite our location near the elevators.

Most Ameristar guests are there to try their luck at the two floors of gaming activity, as there is little else to do. Dining options during the week are restricted to the Timberline steakhouse and a restaurant that reminded us of a small Applebees. On weekends, a pricey all-you-can-eat buffet with a wide selection is open after 4 pm on Friday and Saturday, and during brunch hours on Sunday. The food is good, but not remarkable, and prior guests lament that the buffet has increased in price, but dramatically limited its hours of availability.

First-time guests should visit the pool deck just for the experience. The view is a blend of pure Colorado mountains with a dash of glitz.

Perhaps the most striking aspect of our visit was the graciousness of our fellow guests. Throughout our stay, we were blessed with both friendly people and a distinct lack of rowdy patrons. Any venue that can boast a clean environment with a friendly crowd has the potential to be a good choice for a brief getaway.