In the late 1800s, Telluride attracted prospectors eager to mine Colorado’s San Juan Mountains for their rich gold and silver deposits. In the year 2006, the mountains hold an even more precious commodity—challenging ski slopes, pure alpine air, an array of festivals, and countless opportunities for year-round recreation.
Perched in Telluride’s fabled “Swiss Alp” setting, in the ski-in, ski-out center of Mountain Village, Inn at Lost Creek offers all the services of a resort hotel while retaining the charm of a luxury boutique inn. In 2004, Condé Nast Traveler named the inn to its Gold List of best places to stay in the world.
Life revolves around a rustically elegant lobby, the acclaimed 9545 Restaurant & Bar (whose name refers to the elevation), two eight-person rooftop spas, and 32 exquisitely designed suites. Guests also find massage and fitness rooms, Christy Sports for ski and snowboard rentals, an executive boardroom, and a conference center nearby.
And that’s just the beginning. Just 100 yards from the front door, the nation’s only public gondola system takes guests on a 12-minute ride up the mountain and down into Main Street Telluride. In town they discover 120 years of Western history preserved in a village distinguished by Victorian architecture, a historical museum, world-famous film and music festivals, and great restaurants.
Back at Mountain Village, access to skiing and golf is as easy as walking across the street. Skiers can walk out the door of the inn and be on one of several trails or ski lifts in less than a minute. The inn happily stores, waxes, and deburrs skis overnight and even provides boot drying.
In summer, golfers stroll a few minutes to a magnificent par-71, 18-hole resort course—while the staff delivers their clubs. The inn’s location also gives easy access to miles of hiking and Colorado Mountain biking, horseback riding, Fly fishing Colorado, and river rafting.
Guests receive a gracious welcome at the porte-cochere entrance. While the bell staff takes care of their bags and a valet parks their car in the heated garage, they enter the Great Room Lobby, featuring timbered beams and hand-tooled iron strapping, inviting plush furniture, a two-sided stone fireplace, and a reception area with bar. The front desk concierge already has a personalized vacation itinerary in place and later arranges for any need, from restaurant and massage reservations to ski lessons to jeep tours.
Once inside their suites, guests feel they’ve left the “hotel” and entered their own private world. The decor speaks of artistic taste and quality, from the hand-textured walls to the fine-art landscape photography, from Old World finishes to unique furnishings. Indulgent touches such as a steam shower, jetted bathtub, private balcony, and stone fireplace balance practical considerations like a washer-dryer, humidity and air-conditioning systems, and a fully equipped deluxe kitchen or kitchenette.
The chefs at 9545 Restaurant & Bar offer room service for those who prefer effortless dining in their suite. The upscale yet casual restaurant itself seats guests for breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as après-ski fare in winter and sunset alfresco meals in summer.
Best of all, the first-class amenities come with the welcome feeling of home—and one of the most stunning alpine settings in the southern Rockies.
Visttelluride is the owner of Visittelluride. For a more in-depth view of the Telluride, visit Telluride |
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