30 Best Hotels in Southwest Colorado, Colorado

No detail has been overlooked at this beautifully restored 1886 hotel, a gold-rush-era landmark that has hosted such VIPs as Theodore Roosevelt and Oprah Winfrey. Big-screen TVs, deep soaking tubs, and a small in-house spa are among the thoroughly modern features that make this such a relaxing place to stay. Other luxurious touches include stained-glass chandeliers, papered ceilings, and lovely antiques. Some suites come with kitchenettes and separate sitting areas.

"Lumière" means "light" in French, and this luxury lodge lives up to its name—suites open onto dramatic mountain views, and the decor brings the outside in with a mountain-modern design. To top it off, the personal service is out of this world, with an extremely polite and helpful staff and comprehensive concierge services. Other perks include five-star amenities, ski-valet service, warm-soak and cold-plunge pools, high-end chef's kitchens, and twice-daily maid service. A European breakfast is served daily.

On a creek-side meadow about 8 miles from Crested Butte, this pleasant getaway for outdoors lovers has rustic but comfortable two- and three-bed log cabins, and you can hike, bike, snowshoe, or cross-country ski from trails that start right at your door. Cabins are appointed with down comforters and antique furnishings but no TVs or phones. Each has hardwood floors, a fully equipped kitchen, and a fireplace or wood stove. Outdoors, each cabin has its own fire pit, picnic table, gas grill, and hammock. Watch for hummingbirds while lounging in an Adirondack chair.

Wrap yourself in a big white spa robe and head directly for the 24 soaking pools that are terraced on several levels overlooking the San Juan River; as a hotel guest you'll have 24-hour access. Pick your temperature (from Tranquility to Lobster Pot) and relax. The guest rooms are housed in three buildings, the newest and poshest of which was Colorado's first hotel to be LEED Gold certified. Standard rooms in the other buildings are basic but comfortable, and the deluxe rooms and suites come with kitchenettes. And if the mineral pools aren't enough to relax you, visit the on-site spa for massage and other treatments.

Still the hottest spot in town, this Western grande dame opened for business in 1887 and has been visited by Butch Cassidy, Louis L'Amour (he wrote many of the Sackett novels here), Francis Ford Coppola, John Kennedy, and Marilyn Monroe (the latter two stayed here at separate times). The individually decorated rooms are exquisite—no surprise, as the hotel owns the country's largest collection of American Victorian antiques. The on-site Mahogany Grill serves breakfast and dinner; the Diamond Belle Saloon features live ragtime music; and the Office Spiritorium offers an escape for drinks and conversation.

Dating back to the late 1800s, this cozy lodge has rooms in the main building as well as rustic, secluded cabins with their own kitchens. The Riverside Restaurant serves upscale dishes, European fare, and regular specials as well as a from-scratch breakfast. The deck is a great place for fine views. Recreation options include a game room with a pool table, outdoor fire and horseshoe pits, a private stocked fishing pond, and a playground with Western touches like a train and miners cabin.

This quiet B&B sits on five acres in the lush Animas Valley with an apple orchard, flower gardens, and trout ponds on the grounds. Cherrywood antiques add a graceful touch to the handsome rooms and cottages. In the evening, relax on your cottage swing and enjoy views of the surrounding cliffs. Breakfasts are superb and brought to your room; all baked goods and jams are homemade.

Tucked away on a quiet side street, this tidy bed-and-breakfast has terrific views of the surrounding San Juan Mountains from its outdoor decks. All nine rooms are pleasantly appointed and have private baths and both interior and exterior entrances, so you can have all the privacy you want. Some rooms have fireplaces and jetted tubs. All include full breakfast served in a sunny, cheerful room that looks out onto the mountains, and a complimentary wine and beer hour each evening. There's also a year-round communal hot tub.

If bathing with the masses at the local hot springs is not your cup of tea, opt for a semiprivate plunge at this friendly lodge with a great location off the main drag and near the stream. Soak away your cares in four redwood tubs full of steaming water kept between 103°F and 108°F, all with terrific mountain views. The rooms are nondescript but clean and comfortable.

An ultramodern lodge that's all sharp lines, sleek surfaces, and colorful, contemporary art is just steps from the gondola and features huge rooms and suites. Fireplaces keep the rooms toasty on winter evenings, and a hot tub on the second floor is great for relaxing stiff muscles after a day on the slopes or trails. There are plenty of other nice touches, including chic leather furnishings and complimentary wine and cheese in winter.

Enjoy the stunning views from the decks of the dramatic Southwestern-style adobe rooms and suites, which have rough-hewn log beds and hand-painted Mexican tiles. For extended stays, there are eight condos complete with full kitchens; some have fireplaces, balconies, and private hot tubs. The inn is a great hub for year-round outdoor activities in this stretch of the San Juan Mountains. When you're finished hiking or biking, return to the spa for a little pampering or a drink on the rooftop bar in summer. The on-site Four Corners Restaurant is open daily for breakfast and most nights for dinner, and serves fish, meat, and veggie specialties. The restaurant is closed for dinner on Thursday.

Although it was built in the mid-1990s, this stately inn fits in perfectly with its Victorian neighbors, but unlike nearly every other lodging in town, it isn't filled with Victorian- or Western-style trappings—it's tastefully decorated with Asian antiques. There's a charming front porch and library, as well as an enclosed, flower-filled patio with a hot tub. All rooms have private baths; some have fireplaces and private decks. A full breakfast is included.

A log-cabin-style building and rooms ringing a pretty garden and pool make this hotel feel remote even though it's on Montrose's main drag. Many of the rooms have themed decor, from Americana to a John Wayne tribute room. A continental breakfast is served in the small but comfortable lobby.

A relic of silver-mining days, this charming 1890s structure with a street-front balcony has been fully restored. Comfortable rooms are done up with the usual Western flair, and all have private, renovated baths, although the Bat Masterson bathroom is at the end of the hallway. Excellent lunch and dinner, as well as complimentary hot breakfast, are served in the dining room.

With a huge stone fireplace in a wood-beamed lobby, this alpine-style ski lodge provides a cozy, unpretentious haven. Paneled rooms are decorated in neutrals with traditional furnishings. The hot tub sits on a redwood deck with a breathtaking view of the mountains. Historic downtown is within walking distance, and hiking, biking, and Nordic ski trails are only minutes away. The innkeepers are avid sports people and happily give winter and summer trail advice. Homemade muesli and pastries are included in the generous breakfast.

Built in 1919 as a boardinghouse for miners, this historic hotel has been painstakingly renovated; step into the lobby and you will encounter a slower pace of life and extraordinary attention to detail. The rooms are full of light, and the full-service bar is a deep, rich walnut. The common areas feature a library and a baby grand piano. A full hot breakfast is served in a cheerfully trimmed breakfast nook and includes made-to-order lattes and cappuccinos.

The General Palmer Hotel is a faithfully restored historic property in downtown Durango with a clean, bright look, as well as period furniture and Victorian touches that reinforce an old-timey feel. The individually appointed rooms are charming without being cutesy. Cookies, coffee, and tea are always available in the lobby, and a hot breakfast is served daily.

A warm stone-and-log lobby with a huge fireplace welcomes guests to this comfortable lodge in the mountain's base village. Muted earth- and pastel tones with copper accents adorn the rooms, most of which have kitchenettes. The restaurant serves breakfast and dinner, and the hotel also has a spa, steam room, hot tub, fitness center, and heated indoor-outdoor pool.

Conveniently located at the base of the gondola, this hotel has a crisp and contemporary vibe. The bathroom floors are heated, and the complimentary breakfast includes freshly baked pastries and two hot dishes daily. The staff will store your mountain bike or your skis, and the convenient in-town location means you have easy access to just about anything. The in-house Cosmopolitan restaurant is one of the town's finest.

With luxurious rooms, tasteful Western-style decor, and dramatic views from private patios or balconies, the Hotel Telluride is an ideal place to immerse yourself in mountain culture. The spacious lobby has a large stone fireplace, comfy leather sofas, and curving iron and antler chandeliers. Amenities abound, including on-site massages, kitchenettes, complimentary cruiser bikes for tooling around town, a restaurant, live music on winter evenings and summer weekends, and bar service on the hot-tub patio.

A grand stone-and-wood structure, this luxury ski-in ski-out hotel in Mountain Village resembles an alpine lodge with contemporary furnishings. All the suites have Juliet balconies, kitchenettes, jetted tubs, gas-fired stone fireplaces, and in-room washers and dryers. Amenities include rooftop hot tubs, ski and boot storage, a full breakfast buffet, and fabulous dining at Siam's Talay Grille.

This spot blends the drama of a grand European hotel with the warmth of a mountain chalet. A large fitness center, full-service spa and salon, ski valet, Village Square location, and a 4,000-square-foot pool deck make the Madeline not only sophisticated, but convenient as well. The on-site Timber Room restaurant serves whiskey-forward cocktails and small plates near a toasty fireplace.

Contemporary furnishings and historic black-and-white photos adorn this beautifully restored century-old landmark on Telluride's main drag. Elegant rooms feature wainscoted walls and heated bathroom floors. There's in-hotel dining at the sophisticated Chop House; the more casual Parlor, located in the lobby; and the rooftop bar and grill, which comes with awe-inspiring views. Hotel guests also get a permit for street parking.

An excellent in-town location makes this a great base for adventures in town or the mountains, but the real draws are unique touches like the free-for-loan "townie" bikes, sleds, and snowshoes for guests' use; concierge services; and delicious homemade cookies each afternoon. The rooms are simple, clean, and comfortable.

This mountain-luxe slope-side hotel provides an upscale retreat at a down-home resort, featuring roomy two- to four-bedroom suites decorated with contemporary furnishings. Each is equipped with a kitchen (think granite countertops, stainless-steel appliances), gas fireplace, and washer/dryer. A game area and a heated pool with a slide make it a hit with kids, while a hot tub and private club make it a perfect place for adults to unwind. A wide range of on-site and Village Center restaurants provide variety for longer stays, and Purgatory also offers condos and townhomes.

This low-key establishment offers reasonable prices for one of the nicest lodgings in the area, mainly because of the large, pretty rooms filled with handsome wood furnishings. Some rooms (and both suites) include soothing whirlpool tubs. Guests can also enjoy a heated outdoor pool, an indoor hot tub and fitness center, and a hearty, hot breakfast buffet.

This historic, boutique hotel features paraphernalia and posters from movies filmed in the Durango area. Windows from Denver & Rio Grande Railroad carriages surround the back porch, and a spacious garden provides an additional place to relax, gather, or listen to live music. Homemade pastries are complimentary in the morning, with the option of a hot breakfast for $5. The hotel especially caters to business travelers and there is a coworking space next door. A sister property, Leland House, is across the street in a restored 1927 apartment building, and it offers executive suites for short-term rentals.

A tetherball on the turf, a riverside fire pit, and welcoming front porches: these are just a few of the touches that make this old homestead a uniquely pleasant place to stay. There are 14 simple but modernized cabins with fully equipped kitchens on the Gunnison River. You can fish right outside your door or drive to Blue Mesa Reservoir, 18 miles away. You can also borrow from the resort's fleet of cruiser bikes for a leisurely cycling excursion. The cabins are dog friendly, and the proprietors are knowledgeable about fishing, trails, and local history, including the property's own barn, constructed in the late 1800s.

Set in a renovated 100-year-old landmark stone building, the Wyman Hotel offers all the benefits of a remote alpine retreat while maintaining the comforts and amenities of an urban boutique hotel. The well-appointed rooms have wood floors, historic architectural accents, modern bathrooms, and mountain views. Suites include kitchenettes.