If the name conjures up Wild West images of silver mines, saloons, and bandits like the infamous Butch Cassidy, you’re well up on the history of the town. Located at an altitude of 8,750 feet in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado, Telluride today is a prime ski and winter sports destination.
Come summer and it’s festival season, with jazz, blues and bluegrass open-air concerts and spectacular hot air balloons in June. The area becomes a paradise for hikers, with trails that lead to waterfalls, alpine lakes and flower-filled meadows.
One of the best ways to see the town is to take a free gondola ride. The downtown with its Victorian houses, boutiques, art galleries, saloons and restaurants is very walkable, which is lucky since there isn’t much parking.
Lodgings are geared to the mountain ambience, with stunning views and attention to cozy comfort. To help you pick your accommodations, here are the best cool and unusual hotels in Telluride, Colorado (in no particular order)…
1. Lumiere with Inspirato – one of the most upscale boutique accommodations in Telluride providing guests with a chic, elegant and contemporary stay
Lumiere with Inspirato is a full-service boutique hotel located in Mountain Village Center. The luxurious hotel provides ski-in/ski-out access to the slopes of Telluride. The gorgeous rooms at Lumiere with Inspirato have free Wi-Fi, minifridges, coffeemakers, and flatscreen TVs/
One- to five-bedroom suites come with full kitchens, dining areas, and living rooms with pull-out sofas and fireplaces. Outdoor hot tubs are available in penthouse suites.
Continental breakfast is complimentary to all guests. A sauna, a bar, a fitness room, an outdoor hot tub, and soaking pools are also available.
Address: 118 Lost Creek Ln, Telluride, CO 81435, United States
2. The Hotel Telluride – a unique European-style and Instagrammable rustic boutique hotel with each room offering guests a breathtaking view of the mountain
A cozy hotel set in a modern stone chalet at the base of the San Juan Mountains. The European-inspired hotel features refined, contemporary rooms with patios or balconies offering mountain views.
Basic amenities like free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TVs, minifridges, iPod docks, microwaves, and coffeemakers are available in all rooms.
Suites come with antique furnishings, wet bars, and fireplaces. There’s a sophisticated eatery dishing out continental breakfast. On-site amenities include a gym, a spa, ski storage, and outdoor hot tubs. The Hotel Telluride is within walking distance of the Sheridan Opera House and the gondola station.
Address: 199 Cornet Ln, Telluride, CO 81435, United States
3. Dunton Town House – a stylish, rustic-chic and elegant accommodation steps away from the gondola and main street
A rustic-chic B&B in a 19th-century-house, located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Dunton Town House provides easy access to Telluride’s Gondola and Main Street.
The 3-star hotel has five individually-styled rooms with en suite bathrooms, custom furnishings, Tyrolean antiques, and Australian ceramics.
Some rooms offer ocean views, one has a separate entrance, and one adds a fireplace. All guests have access to a casual dining nook where breakfast is served every morning.
Address: 210 S Oak St, Telluride, CO 81435, United States
4. The Bivvi Hostel Telluride – a cool, quirky boutique accommodation perfect for partying and sociable Millennials and Gen Zs
A comfortable cottage crafted as a basecamp for those seeking adventure on Telluride Mountain. The Bivvi Hostel Telluride offers six types of accommodations, including King Suite, Deluxe Double Queen, Super Queen, El Cuatro, and The Sixes.
Each room comes with an en suite bathroom, complimentary Wi-Fi, a vaulted ceiling, a large private balcony, and a flat-screen TV.
King Suite and Super Queen Suite can sleep two to three people, while Deluxe Double Queen and El Cuatro Suite can accommodate up to four adults. There’s also a private patio, a garden, and a shared lounge where guests can rest or socialize.
Address: 22332 CO-145, Placerville, CO 81430, United States
5. Mountain Lodge at Telluride – a cozy, charming and unique accommodation featuring a heated outdoor pool and hot tub
Nestled on Telluride Mountain and surrounded by the breathtaking views of the divine San Juan Mountains, Mountain Lodge at Telluride is a plush hotel comprising three log-and-stone buildings and a main lodge.
Rooms at the 4-star hotel have flatscreen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and coffeemakers. Large suites and apartments come with extra bedrooms, kitchenettes, fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, and balconies offering stunning mountain views.
Luxe cabins provide ski-in/ski-out access, in-room massages, and private patios with BBQ grills. These cabins have up to six bedrooms and can sleep 12 people. On-site amenities include a woodsy eatery, a ski rental shop, a hot tub, a heated outdoor pool, and a gym.
Address: 457 Mountain Village Blvd, Telluride, CO 81435, United States
6. The Peaks Resort and Spa – a classic, stylish and family-friendly resort that hosts the largest spa and fitness center in Colorado
An industrial-chic hotel located across a large modern building, seven miles from downtown Telluride. The polished rooms and suites at The Peaks Resort and Spa have minifridges, flatscreen TVs, coffeemakers, and other upscale amenities.
Guests lodged in upgraded rooms can revel in mesmerizing mountain views. Kitchenettes are only available in cabins and condos. Other amenities include a full-service spa with indoor and outdoor heated pools, a gym, hot tubs, and a kids’ pool with a waterslide.
Address: 136 Country Club Dr, Telluride, CO 81435, United States
7. THE PINNACLE by Exceptional Stays – a modern, fun and Instagrammable accommodation perfect for a Millennials and Gen Zs vacation
A peaceful mountain getaway awaits you at THE PINNACLE, a thoughtfully decorated private home with a wide range of amenities. There are five bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a game room, and a living room with large wood windows.
The divine home boasts a wood and stone interior with modern furnishings. The living room has a large coffee table surrounded by two comfortable sofas, a stone fireplace, a rectangular dining table, and a piano.
The game room has a full-size pool table and tons of machines and board games that will keep you busy all day long. There are so many fun things to do nearby, including skiing, hiking, and cycling.
8. SUNSET RIDGE by Exceptional Stays – a unique, lavish and trendy accommodation where guests can enjoy a true mountain getaway
Perching on a beautiful hillside in Gray Head, SUNSET RIDGE by Exceptional Stays is a private villa offering luxurious accommodation and upscale amenities. The living area features oak floors and large picture windows offering breathtaking views of the mountains.
Next to the living room is a well-equipped kitchen with a dining area, Cuisinart drip coffee makers, granite countertops, and custom cabinets.
There are six well-appointed bedrooms, each of which can sleep two adults. Whether you are planning a big family reunion or a multi-family vacation, you won’t find a vacation rental as luxurious and comfortable as SUNSET RIDGE by Exceptional Stays, especially near Oak Street.
9. The Auberge Residences at Element 52 – an upscale, contemporary and art-design accommodation within walking distance of local ski lifts
Located within San Juan National Forest in historic Telluride, The Auberge Residences at Element 52 is one of the most elegant hotels in town. The sophisticated hotel boasts artfully designed two- to five-bedroom condos and a house with living rooms and kitchenettes.
Sofa beds, bunk beds, and furnished balconies are available in some apartments. Basic amenities like flatscreen TVs, fireplaces, and Wi-Fi are available in all condos.
There is also a gym, a lobby bar with a stone fireplace, a spa, and outdoor hot tubs. With all these amenities and ski-in/ski-out access, you won’t feel like wrapping up your vacation.
Address: 398 S Davis St, Telluride, CO 81435, United States
10. Aspen Grove Villa – A Resort Lifestyle Retreat – a newly renovated, modern and chic accommodation well-equipped for a memorable group or family vacation
A rustic-chic chalet with six bedrooms, a well-equipped kitchen, a great room, a media room, a garden, a terrace, and a bar. Aspen Grove Villa is less than a mile from Telluride Ski Resort, The Peaks, Bridges, and Hoot Brown Terrain Park.
The great room features floor-to-ceiling windows looking out onto the outdoor deck and mountains. At the center of the room is a large gas fireplace surrounded by several seating options.
A full bar with wine shelves and minifridge is also available.
Address: 101 Benchmark Drive, Telluride, CO 81435, United States
11. Elk View Lodge – a beautiful, upscale and serene accommodation providing guests with endless views of the mountains
A very cozy rustic-chic holiday home offering luxurious accommodation in a truly stunning secluded wilderness setting.
Located 6 miles from the town of Lime, Elk View Lodge is equipped with gorgeous well-appointed bedrooms, satellite TV with a DVD player and superb views with a mountain backdrop.
Sleeping up to 12 people, activities available nearby include skiing, hiking, cycling, and mountain biking.
Address: 100 Miguel Road, Telluride, 81435
To book, check prices or availability for Elk View Lodge
12. Adams Ranch Rd – 249 – a rustic, charming and quiet accommodation in close proximity to the center of Telluride
A beautiful chalet with a European vibe, located in the Telluride Mountain Village district. It is a few miles from Sheridan Opera House and Gold Hill. The chalet comprises two four-bedroom holiday homes, each of which accommodates up to 13 people.
Each unit has a balcony and a private bathroom with a hot tub. Other amenities include free Wi-Fi, BBQ facilities, free toiletries, and a fireplace.
Gary is an award winning full time professional photographer and videographer with too much wanderlust for his own good. Fuelled by strong coffee, you’ll often find him wandering well off hiking trails in search of interesting photographic subjects or scenery to video. Self taught and with the use of pioneering digital techniques, he quickly built up a strong client base and has worked with many prestigious organisations, including GQ, BBC, London Fashion Week, Grazia, Sky, Metro, Vogue Italia. He specialising in evocative images of people, places and cinematic videography and his goal is to make the viewer look twice and engage. As well as a penchant for good design, the ketogenic diet and Hungarian Vizslas, he also has a huge affection for Chicago, Bucharest, Scandinavia, Croatia and absolutely everywhere in Italy. Find him on Instagram @garynansome, Twitter @garynansome and his website https://garynunn.co.uk/
