Faves
There’s nothing like someone providing firsthand recommendations for lodging and other travel services. It’s even better when those tips come from a travel writer.
Well, that travel writer is me! I’ve written four guidebooks on France and have traveled the world, so believe me when I say I’m very particular about where I choose to stay. A place has to have charm, warmth and a feel of its own. Luxury helps, too, but as long as a property possesses spirit and authenticity, then I’m apt to add it to my list as well. As far as the travel services are concerned, the product has to be top notch.
The below establishments and services now sponsor me in my endeavors. I discovered them first and made up my mind that these were the kind of travel suppliers I wanted to recommend to you, my dear reader. I do indeed consider them among my faves or favorites.
I encourage you to contact them directly for the best deals and feel free to mention BonjourColorado.com. Here’s an important travel tip: It’s a fallacy to think that you’re going to obtain the best deals on sites such as Expedia.com. Once again, it’s best to check out the property’s own site for the best rates and then even call them for a possible upgrade.
Happy travel planning!
COLORADO PROPERTIES
New Sheridan Hotel: A Real Gem
New Sheridan Hotel, Telluride
This Telluride landmark has served as the hub of T-ride for well more than a century. Definitely check out my story on this destination hotel here. It also includes reasons why Telluride is so great. I also mention the New Sheridan Hotel in Filling in Nicely in Telluride: Snowstorm After Snowstorm and the terrific New Sheridan Chop House is featured in Favorite Telluride Restaurants.
Mountain Lodge, Telluride
Mountain Lodge Pool Deck
Stay at this handsome lodge to experience luxury mountain living in Telluride. (Most of the units and all of their high-end cabins boast fully-equipped kitchens.) Located in Telluride’s Mountain Village, Mountain Lodge Telluride also offers great ski in/ski out access. There’s mention of Mountain Lodge Telluride in the following posts: Night out in Mountain Village, Togethering in the Rockies, Telluride’s Beauty Boutiques, Three Men, Three Telluride Mountain Village Restaurants, Great Rocky Mountain Decks: Spectacular Views Year-Round, Filling in Nicely in Telluride: Snowstorm After Snowstorm, Great Fall Travel in the Rockies and Ski In/Ski Out to Great Snow in Colorado.
The Peaks Spa: Where I Go to Relax
The Peaks Resort & Spa, Telluride
As one of the anchors of Telluride Mountain Village, locals and visitors alike enjoy experiencing The Peaks Resort & Spa year-round. I’m crazy about their spa and love the feel of their Palmyra Restaurant, a stunning showcase for panoramic views and fine culinary offerings. On a nice day—winter or summer—their expansive new deck is a must. Read about The Peaks at Telluride’s Ultra Luxe Mountain Spas, Spray Tanning: Bronzage in a Bottle, Great Rocky Mountain Decks: Spectacular Views Year-Round, Filling in Nicely in Telluride: Snowstorm After Snowstorm and Ski In/Ski Out to Great Snow in Colorado.
Camel’s Garden, Telluride
Camel’s Garden on the Gondola Plaza
If you’re looking to stay in the historic town of Telluride and are perhaps in search of a condo-type unit, I recommend the Camel’s Garden. Situated at the base of the gondola, you can’t beat its central location. And since this fresh-faced property also operates as a hotel, you enjoy all the amenities offered by a fine place of lodging including in-house breakfast, concierge service and more. Read more about this boutique hotel at Camel’s Garden: A Telluride Favorite and Ski In/Ski Out to Great Snow in Colorado.
Warwick Denver Hotel
Randolph’s at the Denver Warwick
This fine Denver property enjoys a loyal following amongst business and leisure travelers alike. Guests remember Warwick Denver Hotel most especially for their superlative service, balconies and rooftop pool! Whether you’re staying at the Warwick Denver or not, be sure to visit Randolph’s, the hotel’s signature restaurant, that serves up great food and ambiance year-round. Check out my story Summertime and the Livin’ is Easy at the Denver Warwick Hotel and also Celebrate Bastille Day at Randolph’s in Denver.
Teatro’s Grand Entrance
Hotel Teatro, Denver
Situated in the heart of LoDo, Denver’s Lower Downtown, and within walking distance of The Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Hotel Teatro woos you from the second you walk through the door. Renowned chef Kevin Taylor also brings down the house here with two outstanding restaurants. Read More LoDo Love, Night Out in Denver, Viva Italia, Viva Italian Americans, Viva la Dolce Vita in Denver and DCPA, The Lion King, Kevin Taylor and Other Roars About Denver’s Downtown and LoDo to find out more about this boutique hotel and the surrounding area.
Hotel Boulderado
Hotel Boulderado, Boulder
One of the most charming historic hotels in the United States, this more-than one-hundred year-old property is surely a gem of the Rockies. Best of all, Hotel Boulderado offers all kinds of fun events such as Murder Mystery Dinners, Holiday Teas and a spectacular New Year’s Eve Gala. Read Hotel Boulderado: A Beautiful Destination for the Holidays and All Year Long to find out more.
The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa at Beaver Creek Mountain
The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa at Beaver Creek Mountain, Beaver Creek
I love this property. It’s big, beautiful, very “green” and well situated at the base of Beaver Creek Mountain. From here, you can easily recreate at both Beaver Creek and Vail. It might be hard tearing yourself away from The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa, since they boast on of the best fitness centers in the Vail Valley. And I’m simply crazy about their outdoor saline pool—what a great place for doing laps or just bobbing about. I’ve featured this property in Sleek and Sustainable: Two Stellar Colorado Properties, A Pristine Pool Experience in Avon/Beaver Creek, Great Fall Travel in the Rockies, World Cup Adventures: From Yoga to Yowza, Ski In/Ski Out to Great Snow in Colorado and Favorite Restaurant Picks for Frisco, Vail, Beaver Creek and Telluride.
The Innsbruck, Aspen
Well-Appointed Interiors at The Innsbruck
There’s nothing like being able to fix your own breakfast in the morning. You can do just that within your luxurious condo-hotel room at The Innsbruck in Aspen. Read what I have to say about this fine property at Aspen/Snowmass Lodging and Dining Picks for this Summer and Great Fall Travel in the Rockies.
The St. Regis Aspen
The St. Regis Aspen Resort, Aspen
Looking for a deluxe mountain experience? Book a stay at the St. Regis Aspen Resort and be sure to carve out plenty of time for their elysian spa. Click here to read another one of my stories on Aspen and the St. Regis. And in terms of dining at the St. Regis, read my story Two Special Aspen Restaurants for an Important Day.
Chipeta Sun Lodge: Southwestern Charm in the Rockies
Chipeta Sun Lodge, Ridgway
Conveniently located near Telluride and Ouray, Colorado, this Chipeta Sun Lodge provides the perfect base for experiencing the best of the San Juan Mountains. Chipeta also offers an affordable alternative to staying in Telluride and most of their units have been outfitted with kitchens. Be sure to check out Chipeta Sun Lodge & Spa: Spirit of the the Southwest in the Rockies.
Gateway Canyons, Gateway
Southwestern Sensation Just Minutes from the Mountains
What kind of a retreat do you think would be created by the man who founded the Discovery Channel? A pretty, darn spectacular one, don’t you think? Gateway has become one of my favorite resorts in the West. Read what I have to say about it at Gateway Canyons: One Big Discovery, Going to Gateway, BBQ, Blues and Beauty at Gateway and Ferraris, Blues, Brews and the Rocky Mountains.
Rochester Hotel, Durango
Rochester Hotel, Durango
A wagon train of western movies were made in and around Durango, Colorado and the Rochester Hotel pays tribute to many of them. I love this hotel, one of the coziest outposts in the West! Read more (and listen to a podcast) about Durango, the San Juan Skyway and the Western Movie Culture of the Four Corners Region here. The Rochester is also highlighted in On the Trail of Western Movie-Making Culture. Check out Sultry Summer Evenings at Durango’s Rochester Hotel to find out about some of their special events.
More Fine Colorado Hotels
For families visiting the lovely little mountain town of Ouray, I recommend Box Canyon Lodge & Hot Springs. Read about it at Our Ouray.
UTAH PROPERTIES
Goulding’s Lodge, Monument Valley
Monument Valley
The Four Corners area is about a two-hour drive from Telluride, Colorado, my home base. Just a couple of hours beyond that, you find yourself at one of the most spectacular sites in the United States, Monument Valley. This historic lodge, trading post and museum is a must. Read what I have to say about Monument Valley and Goulding’s Lodge at Touring the Southwest with My Parents and On the Trail of Western Movie-Making Culture.
OTHER U.S. HOTELS
If you’re headed to Washington, D.C., be sure to experience—even just for a drink—The Fairfax at Embassy Row. I feature it and its renowned restaurant, The Jockey Club Restaurant & Lounge, in The Elegance of Paris in Our Nation’s Capital: The Fairfax at Embassy Row.
Check out my Hotel category for many other lovely establishments around the world.
MORE TRAVEL SUPPLIERS
Gorgeous Golfing at Telluride Ski & Golf
Telluride Ski & Golf
As a travel writer that lives in Telluride and more than moonlights as a ski instructor at the Telluride Ski Resort, I’ve posted a gazillion stories on this blog that highlight Telluride Ski & Golf. Here are just a handful of them: Telluride Women’s Week: Skiing and Fun for the Ladies, Talking about Telluride Ski and Snowboard School, Why Telluride, Playing Tourist in Telluride, Snowboardcross World Cup: Telluride Goes International. By now you should gather that I think a visit to Telluride, Colorado should be tops on your list.
Bootdoctors/Further Adventures
Bootdoctors/Further Adventures
As a ski instructor and outdoor enthusiast, you can bet I have favorite shops and outfitters here in Telluride. Bootdoctors, a beloved choice by locals and visitors alike, keeps us active types properly suited up and geared out all year long. And with Further Adventures, they actually guide us to the fun here in southwestern Colorado. Read my story Spring Skiing, Spring Shopping to find out how they got me hooked up with great skis. Check out Bootdoctors Offers Further Adventures to hear about their summer doings.
Telluride Blues & Brews Festival
Telluride Blues & Brews Festival: The Place to be Mid-September
You have to experience a Telluride festival at least once in your life. And if you’re like most people, once you take in one of our renowned gatherings in our pristine mountain setting, you’ll be back again for more. Telluride Blues & Brews Festival is one of the best, especially since it takes place during the golden season of late summer, usually the third weekend on September. Read Always on My Mind: Telluride Blues & Brews Festival and Willie Nelson, Telluride Blues & Brews Promises More Fun than Ever this Year and Film, Blues & Brews, Telluride Makes Saying Goodbye to Summer Easy
Your Own Little Chez Vous in Paris
Rentals in Paris
Yearning to have your own pied à terre in Paris? Whether it’s for a week or forever, I recommend you contact Rentals in Paris, a highly reputable company that I have personally worked with over the years. Read my story Renting in Paris: A Dream Come True for Many. In addition to rentals, owner Glenn Cooper also has some terrific apartments in Paris to buy or to purchase as a fractional ownership. You can’t hold off on your dreams about the City of Love and Light forever.
One of Au Château’s Many Grand Properties
au Château
What could be more dreamy than staying in the French countryside in a centuries-old château? You can find just the place suited to your taste and itinerary at au Château. Read what I have to say about this wonderful lodging experience at Oh Château Life!
TLC from Medjet Assist
Medjet Assist
Do not leave home without it, especially if you’re an active person! I’ve obtained a special 10% discount for BonjourColorado.com readers so if something not-so good happens to you while you’re away, you’ll be taken care of with much TLC. Click here to find out more and to sign up; note that prices have already been discounted for you by 10%.
Fine China
Imperial Tours
Thinking about taking that once-in-a-lifetime trip to China? Or maybe you want to go back to this fascinating land to take a closer look at perhaps the gumdrop mountains of Guilin or the brave faces of the Terracotta Warriors. The main thing is to do it right and whether you’re interested in a private or group tour, you’re sure to do it in style with Imperial Tours. Check out my story Touring China: Imperial Allure. There you can also listen to a podcast that provides lots of information about travel to China. Read Imperial Shopping to China to find out about a special shopping trip.
