Durango hotels

If you have a hankering for a taste of the Wild West, check out the General Palmer Hotel. It’s been in operation for over 125 years and continues to rank among the best hotels in Durango.

I love staying at small hotels because you always walk away feeling like you know the staff and they know you. As one of the best boutique hotels in Durango, this 39-room property offers just that. Plus, you can enjoy on-site parking and a continental breakfast.

My favourite thing about the General Palmer is its National Historic District location and the fact that it sits right next door to the train depot. I suggest booking a room overlooking the tracks so you can watch the train come and go from your private patio.

It's almost impossible to find a hotel that’s as consistently highly rated by guests as the Rochester Hotel. For that reason alone, this is hands down one of the best hotels in Durango. But once you dig a bit deeper, you’ll see why visitors (myself included) fall in love with this Durango property.

For starters, it’s one of the oldest hotels in Durango, with a story that started during Durango’s silver boom. It was completely renovated in 2022 and now offers 15 luxurious rooms with private baths and all the modern amenities you could want, including Wi-Fi throughout (my favourite place to connect is in the garden, with a cocktail).

The stellar ratings might also have something to do with a universally loved aspect of the Rochester: the Peeples Bar. It sprawls into the garden and has an extensive selection of cocktails, wine, and beer.

There are lots of historic properties in Colorado, but there’s no place like the Strater Hotel. The building, which is a historic landmark, is considered to be a living museum, with a history that dates back to 1887.

Each of the 88 rooms are unique yet share unified touches, including Victorian-era walnut antiques and period wallpaper. The Old West theme continues downstairs in the Diamond Belle Saloon, known locally as 'the Belle'. Steaks and seafood are the things to order at The Mahogany Grille and craft cocktails at The Office.

My recommendation is to visit the Strater even if you end up staying at another Durango hotel – there’s nowhere better to immerse yourself in Durango’s storied history.

This idyllic inn is set on a well-manicured four-and-a-half-acre property north of Durango, with a trout pond and stream. There are two accommodation types: rooms in the large farmhouse and standalone cottages with covered porches that face the pond and garden. I recommend booking the latter if you’re able.

One of the best hotels in Durango, breakfast at the Apple Orchard Inn is delivered to your room daily (and often features eggs from the inn’s coop). Afterward, your hosts, Jim and Leslie, will help you plan the day’s adventures.

If all that wasn’t enough, consider this: the inn is just down the road from the natural geothermal waters of Durango Hot Springs Resort & Spa, one of my favourite hot springs in the state and a must-do for any visitor.

I’ve long had a soft spot for a quality bed and breakfast, and the Gable House is exactly that. Set in one of Durango’s most attractive and notable historic homes, it’s run by the Goodman-Trotter family.

You’ll be welcomed into the fold at this beautiful home, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was built in 1892. Since then, the structure has lived many lives, yet continues to showcase its original charm. The three-story Queen Anne Victorian building is made of brick and features a wooden wraparound porch.

If you can swing it, I recommend securing the Heather & Marie Suite, which offers plenty of light and two separate bedrooms attached by a full bath. The unique, cosy rooms and lovely Victorian parlour are two of the many reasons why the Gable House ranks among the best hotels in Durango.

Almost all the best hotels in Durango are located in the heart of downtown, near the bustling city centre. But the Antlers on the Creek Bed and Breakfast takes a different approach to mountain holidays, with a location in the mountains surrounding Durango.

All told, the hotel is less than 10 minutes by car from downtown Durango, but it feels like a true escape. The early 1900s property is nestled in a small canyon on Lightner Creek. You can happily soak in the hot tub and enjoy the sunset here, or explore the mountains that surround the bed and breakfast.

As one of the most unique hotels in Durango, it has plenty of perks too. My personal favourite is their complimentary homemade breakfast and the welcoming daily happy hour that allows you to get to know the staff and your fellow guests.

I can still remember the first time I stayed at the DoubleTree in Durango, which was also my first-ever DoubleTree experience. It took me a few years to realise that a warm chocolate chip cookie on arrival was a brand standard, not something the folks at the Durango property dreamed up.

Still, that level of service and care continues throughout the property, which is one of the best hotels in Durango. There’s a caring concierge team that’s ready to book everything from river trips to train rides, as well as all the hotel essentials, including free Wi-Fi and pet-friendly rooms.

The DoubleTree also has a great location along the Animas River (where much of the summer fun revolves). It can be a bit quieter than the more central hotels, but all the action is just five minutes away by foot.

The Club Wyndham Durango is an ownership club, but anyone can book a room at the property, which boasts one of the best locations in Durango. It’s right next to the train depot, where the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad departs for its journey into the mountains (an experience that’s not to be missed).

At this lovely property, you’ll find standard hotel amenities, including concierge services, a fitness centre, and a heated indoor pool, along with a bit more independence due to the fact all the rooms come with well-stocked kitchens and dining areas. By the end of your stay, you might even feel like a local!

One of my favourite things about the Club Wyndham is the rooftop sun deck, where you can enjoy Colorado’s renowned 300 days of sunshine and the outdoor hot tub.

If you’re flying in or out of Durango or have plans to visit the neighboring town of Pagosa Springs, home to the deepest hot spring in the world, the Homewood Suites is a great option. The property is located just five minutes south of downtown Durango by car, but is far enough away from the historic centre to offer a jump on any southbound journeys.

Here, you’ll find all the comfort and services you could want, including free Wi-Fi and parking, pet-friendly rooms, an indoor pool, and a complimentary hot breakfast. My favourite thing about this property is that it’s family friendly, with suites that are outfitted with simple in-room kitchens.

This 3-star property may be basic, but it's one of my top picks in Durango nevertheless. There’s an indoor pool and hot tub, pet-friendly rooms, and an on-site restaurant where kids eat free (a major win if you’re travelling with the family).

The Holiday Inn & Suites is located just across the Animas River from downtown Durango and is less than a mile from the iconic Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad depot.

I appreciate the hotel's location on the western side of town, offering a head start for visitors who want to bike the area’s iconic Phil's World mountain bike trail system. Hesperus Ski Area, which is popular with local skiers and snowboarders in the winter, is 12 minutes down the road, while the more expansive Purgatory Resort is just over 30 minutes from the hotel by car.