Dunton Hot Springs
Luxury log cabins
Hot springs heaven
Buried in rural and rocky Colorado, Dunton Hot Springs hotel is a mountain-surrounded former mining town, reincarnated in boutique cabin form. The old village Dance Hall, Bath House and Saloon are part of this unique retreat, where soothing springs, majestic mountains and a winding river make up the great outdoors. Each cabin is cosily kitted out with heated slate floors, unique bath tubs and hand-picked antiques.
Facilities
Rooms
Twelve cabins, one tent.
Checkout
11am, but flexible, subject to availability. Earliest check-in, 3pm.
More Details
Rates include all meals and drinks not on the Reserve list.
Also
If the hot springs aren’t enough for rejuvenating your relaxation levels, head to the yoga studio. There’s also a cabin-based gym.
Free Internet Access
Laundry
Pet Friendly
Pool
On-Site Restaurant
Spa
At the Hotel
Yoga studio, library, climbing wall, boxing gym, original saloon, dance hall, teepee and free WiFi. In rooms, iPod dock, free bottled water and REN bath products.
Our Favourite Rooms
Of all the cabins, we love the spacious Well House best for its open plan, romantic vibe and private hot springs. Runner up goes to Bjoerkmans, one of the oldest and cosiest cabins, named after the miner that built it. As well as a view of the waterfall, its understated design takes in rustic rugs and classic wooden furniture. For seclusion, plump for Dolores, which has a large deck overlooking the river.
Poolside
There are indoor and outdoor natural hot springs to bathe in, including one overlooking the mountains through a floor-to-ceiling window in the Bath House.
Packing Tips
Think mountains: even in summer, the temperature can drop. You’ll be grateful for layers. No need to pack holiday reads – each cabin has enough literature to keep you entertained.
Also
There’s no signal for cell phones in the resort, but all calls made from the landline are free.
Children
Children are welcome. Cots for babies and toddlers aged two and under are free; under-12s can stay in their parents’ room for US$200 a night. A local nanny can be drafted in with three days’ notice. The saloon serves up a children’s menu.
Gallery
Food & Drink
Top Table
Communal dining encourages the community feel at this old mining town; enjoy the tales of other travellers who have made their way to Dunton.
Dress Code
Cool as a cowboy; anyone who can pull off a Stetson and neckerchief combo gets our vote.
Hotel Restaurant
Head to the original saloon to kick back in pure Western comfort: fresh produce from the farm, wine from a local vineyard, a daily changing menu and a chatty chef to chew the fat with. Try the smoked trout, straight out of the nearest pond, and a grilled rack of Colorado lamb. Breakfast consists of some pretty special granola, as well as a baked good of the day (personal favourites include the banana muffins and cranberry scones).
Hotel Bar
The bar is in the main Saloon and Dance Hall. Look out for the names of famous former patrons etched into the original bar (Butch Cassidy and Sundance passed through these parts once upon a time). Sample a mojito mixed with mint fresh from the garden or a beer from local microbrewery, Dolores River Brewery.
Last Orders
Breakfast is served between 8am and 10am; lunch is at 1pm; dinner at 8pm.
Room Service
There is no room service but you can request in-cabin dining for special occasions.
Planes
From Denver, domestic flights to Durango are operated by United Airlines (www.united.com), and take just over an hour. From here, it’s a two-hour drive to Dunton Hot Springs. Cortez airport, served by Great Lakes Aviation (www.flygreatlakes.com) and Frontier Airlines (www.frontierairlines.com), is 90 minutes from the hotel.
Automobiles
The nearest big town is Durango, two hours away by car (we weren’t kidding when we said it was remote). There’s free parking for your wagon when you arrive. There are rental desks at both Durango and Cortez airports.
Worth Getting Out of Bed For
This is a land where the outdoors rule: if you can be tempted away from the comfort of your cabin, try fly-fishing, horse riding, hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, mountaineering, rafting, heli-skiing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, snow-shoeing, ice-climbing, ice-skating…
Earn or Redeem Points with World of Hyatt
This Mr & Mrs Smith hotel participates in the World of Hyatt loyalty program. As a member, you can earn and redeem points and enjoy exclusive benefits for qualifying nights. .
