Lying in a crook of the curving Highway 145, Sawpit is one of the smallest towns in Colorado. Its roots go back to the mining boom of the late 1800s, when miners began flocking to southern Colorado. Now, with a population of 25, few businesses are available to offer services. Travelers looking to retreat to the San Juan Mountains can stay at the nearby town of Telluride, 12 miles southeast on Highway 145. Hotels are pricey in this resort area, and most are luxury accommodations. All are located in the small town, which is surrounded on three sides by mountains.
From the front, it appears as though there are more than just the 39 rooms, suites and condos offered by the large Camel's Garden Hotel. However, this hotel also houses a spa with massage and treatments and The X Café, a restaurant offering Italian fare in a casual setting. The hotel is tucked at the edge of town, with ski-in, ski-out access to lifts for the Telluride Ski Resort. This handy location allows you to walk straight to the ski resort from your hotel. Guest rooms are spacious and well-appointed with marble bathrooms and custom furniture. The private fireplace is a relaxing place to warm up after a day of skiing.
Though it is named for the original town’s title, there is nothing that feels dated in the modern Hotel Columbia. Outside, the beauty of aspens in the Rocky Mountains surrounds the hotel. Inside, the pure feeling of nature can be experienced with the clean, simple decorations. The little touches of plants and waterfalls compliment this atmosphere. For a unique stay, choose a room with a private balcony to enjoy your own hot tub and views of the San Juan Mountains. Over 200 wines are available at its restaurant, the Cosmopolitan, giving diners a grand selection of bottles to pair with the fusion cuisine.
Step back into the Wild West at the New Sheridan Hotel. The original structure was built in 1895 as one of Telluride’s first hotels and a prominent fixture on Colorado Avenue. Recently, the brick building underwent a thorough remodel that has artfully combined historic and modern elements. The cloth wallpaper and antique furniture in the lobby, and ornate wood trimmings in the parlor, bring a sense of luxury from a century ago. The modern colors and amenities allow guests to enjoy historic elegance alongside their heated bathroom floors, iPod docks and flat-screen TVs. For in-house dining, eat at the Chop House Restaurant, which was listed in Allred’s Best 100 restaurants in America.
From the moment you walk into The Hotel Telluride, it feels as though you have entered a remote ski lodge. At the edge of town, near the large Judy Long Memorial Park, it already feels removed from the bustle of Telluride and the ski area. A slate-covered fireplace warms the large lobby, with western decorations mixed among the many couches and chairs. When you are not reclining in the lobby, head to the comfortable guest rooms. Here, the lodge-theme is embedded in subdued decorations, like leather headboards and plaid sheets. The Hotel Telluride’s restaurant is called The Nook. Adorned with slate and subtle Southwest decorations, they serve American cuisine with a home cooked feel.
