Dunton Hot Springs
Resort hotel · Dolores County ·
Restored mining town offers luxury cabins, hot springs, spa & dining
Restored mining town offers luxury cabins, hot springs, spa & dining
"Transforms an abandoned mining town in southwestern Colorado into a sanctuary with restored cabins, saloon, and hot springs." - Alexis Benveniste
"Set in isolated southwestern Colorado an hour from the nearest town, this resurrected mining settlement turns 13 cabins and period buildings into a luxury resort without letting its Old West spirit curdle into kitsch. As you approach, the structures look as if the last miner just left; step into the saloon, still in its original spot and scrawled with names that include Butch Cassidy, and you’re inclined to believe the staff when they say it’s authentic. The illusion never tries to be a museum piece: the old saloon serves contemporary cuisine, the Pony Express building holds a spa and yoga studio, the former general store is now a luxury accommodation, and the bathhouse pool is transcendent. In the 1990s, the new owners painstakingly disassembled and catalogued the cabins log by log, reassembling them closer together around the saloon and deliberately marking new additions with vertical siding so you can read what’s original and what’s not; some elements were sourced from elsewhere, like the Pony Express from Colorado Springs and the Tipping Cabin from Parachute. The result is an homage informed by a colorful past—from 1950s stays for around five dollars a night in floorless cabins (less if you brought your own sheet) to hippie-era naked volleyball and biker mayhem—and a present-day aesthetic that mixes true artifacts (an early-20th-century lasso, a copper tub from the brothel) with eclectic finds (a Rajasthani wedding bed, Western film memorabilia), plus rainforest showers and heated floors. Call it a casual fidelity to history paired with modern luxuries; outside, it looks about the same, but step inside a cabin and it’s a little different in here." - Mitchell Friedman
"What’s to love: How does an old mining town in the Colorado Rockies evolve into an incredibly special luxury destination? The answer lies in the water—the hot springs, to be more specific. Capitalizing on the region’s natural resource, Dunton Hot Springs is a collection of kitted-out log cabins surrounded by a half-dozen different hot springs. Once you’ve had your geothermal fix, take advantage of the library and the newly redesigned Saloon with cozy private dining spaces, as well as the expansive wilderness, which is ideal for hiking and horseback riding. Also plan for relaxation time at Dunton’s fabulous spa, where treatments incorporate Amala’s natural skincare line. Romance factor: Book the three-night Mountain Romance package for the ultimate stay. The offer includes all meals and beverages (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic), Champagne upon arrival, two 75-minute spa treatments, and one half-day, privately guided activity for two. Consider adding on the lodge’s Sleigh Ride & Dine experience, which involves a sunset horse-drawn carriage ride to Dunton River Camp, where you’ll be treated to an intimate dinner for two in a 19th-century farmhouse, followed by a bonfire and cocktails under the stars. Get there: About two hours from Cortez Municipal Airport by car; seven hours from Denver" - Paul Rubio
"Set in the mineral-rich San Juan Mountains, this former mining town turned luxury retreat centers on a 19th-century bathhouse and natural mineral springs; the waters contain iron, manganese, and calcium bicarbonate and range from about 85°F to 106°F. The property is composed of roughly 15 uniquely decorated log cabins, offers multiple soaking options (indoor bathhouse pools, outdoor pools, a natural source pool, and private in-cabin hot-spring baths with cold plunges), and pairs the springs with restorative services such as neuromuscular integration, complimentary yoga, and sound-bath sessions. Meals are typically served in the historic saloon, and sweeping mountain and meadow views define the atmosphere." - Michelle Baran
"There is something perennially romantic about mountain towns in the winter when their quaint streets, open fields, and jagged peaks are blanketed with the whitest of snow. Yet it's Telluride that tops the list of must-visits: nestled in a box canyon, the former mining town is surrounded by mountains on almost all sides. The result? Vistas that will stun you with their grandeur. For couples who like to hit the slopes, stay at the Madeline, which provides ski-in, ski-out access—as well as luxurious lodgings adorned in a warm brown-and-cream color scheme. (An added bonus? Some of the hotel’s residential units are available on Airbnb.) Otherwise, Dunton Hot Springs—a former ghost town about an hour outside of Telluride—is perfect for those seeking a romantic respite." - Gia Yetikyel, Elise Taylor
