Where to Stay in Telluride to Ski: 10 Perfect Places For Families
Wondering where’s the best place to stay in Telluride for traveling families during ski season? Check out these top 10 lodging options.
Telluride gondola
Every winter, we make it our mission to explore a new ski destination. And there’s no shortage of those in Colorado. Places like Breckenridge, Vale, Aspen, and Beaver Creek were at the top of our lists.
But we kept hearing about one particular place in the Rocky Mountain state.
Telluride.
And we kept hearing one word associated with Telluride.
Special.
Because while there are lots of fantastic ski towns to visit in Colorado, Telluride is a bit different. It is special.
Situated in a box canyon amidst 13,000 and 14,000 peaks, it’s remote. That makes it a bit harder to get to. It makes it a little more exclusive and intimate too.
Telluride is also home to a pedestrian gondola. This free mode of transportation connects the mountain village to the historic town. Nothing quite like it is found in other ski resorts.
Those connecting points on the gondola can make where to stay in Telluride a bit harder to figure out though. The Mountain Village offers easy access to the slopes. But, the town of Telluride has more dining options. And it can be surprisingly easy to get to the slopes from as well.
Combine the destination of Telluride with one blog writing traveler with a knee injury and what do you get? Your perfect guide to places to stay in Telluride! (Don’t feel too sorry for me yet. Checking out hotels while not skiing wasn’t the only thing I did. I found fires to sit by, hot tubs to enjoy, and wine to sip.)
Hoping this list of where to stay in Telluride will help you find out for yourselves what makes Telluride so special.
Mountain Village in Telluride.
Where to Stay in Telluride: Mountain Village
Staying in the slope side Mountain Village of Telluride has lots of benefits.
You’ll be steps from the lifts, making getting kids on the slopes easy. That means all of the places to stay on our Mountain Village list are considered ski-in-ski-out. Although some are noticeably more convenient to the slopes than others.
Many of the newer resorts in Telluride are also located here in Mountain Village. A smaller but good selection of restaurants are nearby. And a few shops are accessible.
In the village, you’ll be in the heart of the winter wonderland that is Telluride. Gorgeous mountain views abound and the picturesque snow village sets the mood. There’s even an outdoor area with fire pits, an ice-skating rink, and gondola enclosures repurposed for sitting. And the stage in this area features live entertainment on select nights.
Check out these 5 places to stay in the Mountain Village of Telluride.
Madeline Hotel And Residencies, Auberge Resorts Collection
Madeline Hotel & Residencies, Auberge Resorts Collection was our choice of where to stay in Telluride with our kids. The resort has 94 rooms and suites. Configurations come in double and king bed options for rooms and one and two bedroom options for suites. The property also has 43 condominiums that house one to four bedroom spaces.
We found it had impecable service from the time we walked in the door. And speaking of walking in the door …
The common areas of the hotel are gorgeous. Loads of comfy chairs nestled beside fireplaces are located just behind the inviting reception area. Lots of natural colors and elements like stone and wood decorate the space.
In fact this property is touted as the only Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Resort in Telluride. It’s also Telluride’s highest ranking resort on Travel & Leisure’s list of reader’s favorite resorts in Colorado. It secures the #2 spot.
We found the resort is the perfect location to be close to all the village has to offer. We also loved the heated pool, hot tub, and fitness room. The convenient location of the small spa was also nice.
If we had to come up with some areas for improvement (and this is admittedly picky here) it would be this. Rooms and the spa are not quite as updated as the common areas of the resort. And the 1-bedroom layout could use a different bathroom setup to make it more useable for families. With no mirrors outside of the bathroom and one large bath as opposed to separate areas, it made getting ready a bit slow.
Overall, The Madeline Hotel got a big thumbs up from us with amenities like:
ski valet
on-site restaurant
shuttle bus
pet-friendly
turn down service
complimentary wine hour
fireplaces in suites and residences
washers and dryers in residences
oxygen enriched rooms available
outdoor pool and hot tub
valet parking ($60 per night)
Fairmont Heritage Place, Franz Klammer Lodge
If you spend any amount of time in Telluride’s Mountain Village, you’re bound to be close to the Fairmont Heritage Place, Franz Klammer Lodge. Because this property is practically the centerpiece of the village.
It’s also somewhat hidden in plain sight. The bottom floor of the building which houses the units is filled with several independent shops.
Atop these shops sits Fairmont’s 63 condos. They range from 1,400 square foot two-bedroom units to 1,800-square-foot three bedroom units. So, they’re perfect for families who want a little more space but who also want to be close to the action.
While the Fairmont doesn’t have an on-site restaurant, it does have a bar. Restaurants are steps away in the village. It also has a seven room spa offering massage, facial, and nail treatments.
Other amenities include:
indoor and outdoor pool and hot tub
ski valet
pet friendly
fireplaces
fitness center
washers and dryers
kitchens in every unit
a game room
complimentary cocktail hour
complimentary valet parking
electric vehicle charging
The Peaks Resort And Spa
The Peaks Resort and Spa is the big guy (or gal) on campus (or at least in this ski town).
This property has 177 rooms, ranging from studios to four bedroom suites. It includes multiple buildings, with some units housed at See Forever Village nearby.
All accommodations are located in the northern most part of Mountain Village. So while it’s farther from the hub of the village, the resort has a sprawling feel that some in-village spots do not. And it’s still only about a 10 minute walk to the gondola.
It turns out all that sprawling space is put to good use. Because The Peaks Resort features the largest spa not just in Telluride, but in the state of Colorado. The 42,000 square foot spa offers wellness programs and a plethora of treatments in 32 treatment rooms. It also houses things like roman tubs, dry saunas, steam rooms, and a boutique.
One of our favorite restaurants happens to be on-site as well. Altezza has some of the best views in the village and is great for a romantic dinner or a special family meal.
The resort gives a more classic, bordering on dated ski vibe compared to some newer properties. But, its “go big or go home” persona means amenities like:
ski valet
heated indoor/outdoor pool, waterslide, three-lane lap pool, and hot tubs
large fitness center with classes and personal training sessions available
tennis and pickleball courts
on-site restaurant and coffee shop
pet friendly
shuttle service
washers and dryers in some units
fireplaces in some units
balconies in some units (not guaranteed)
valet parking ($34 per night)
electric vehicle charging
Mountain Lodge Telluride
Mountain Lodge Telluride is the Mountain Village resort farthest south on our list. It’s tucked away a little farther from the center of the village, yet still a 10 minute walk to the gondola. Its location is great for those hoping to be in a quieter spot on the mountain.
The variety of room options are the main reason this one makes the list. Small 185-square foot double bed rooms known as “tiny rooms” may not often be booked solo for families. But, they can be connected to a two bedroom unit for families who need the extra space.
Lodge rooms also come in a two double bed variety. Suites are available in open-concept junior layouts as well as one, two, and three bedroom layouts. Condos are available in one and two bedroom options, with washers and dryers only being available in the two bedroom units.
If you’re bringing the whole gang, take a look at the stand alone log cabins. They come with three, four, or six bedrooms.
The spectacular views at this resort make up for the slightly less “lux” feel than some of the other properties. So even if you don’t choose Mountain Lodge for lodging, their restaurant aptly named The View is a great stop. Shuttle service is available for those not wanting to make the walk back to the village, as it’s serene but dimly lit.
Amenities at Mountain Lodge include:
outdoor heated pool and hot tub
fitness center
ski locker and storage but no ski valet
on-site restaurant
pet friendly
coin operated laundry for units without washers and dryers
shuttle service
valet parking ($35 per night)
electric vehicle charging
Inn at Lost Creek in Mountain Village
Inn at Lost Creek
If there’s a hidden gem in Telluride, this might be it.
Thanks to its smaller footprint, the Inn at Lost Creek doesn’t often appear at the top of search engines. But, this boutique hotel is located smack dab in the middle of Mountain Village. The gondola is just a couple minute walk from the property.
The Inn features 32 unique suites and one and two-bedroom condos. Suites range in size from the junior variety to one-bedrooms. All are individually decorated although the common theme is white linens, leathers, suedes, oak accents, and a southwestern feel.
Other amenities include:
complimentary hot breakfast buffet
pet friendly
on-site restaurant
connecting rooms
hot tub (no pool)
in-unit washer and dryers
fitness center
ski valet and storage
self service parking (fee applies)
valet parking ($25 per night)
Looking for some mountain adventures in another part of the country? You might also like:
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Where to stay in telluride: The Town of Telluride
The town of Telluride
It turns out Telluride has more to offer than just a breathtakingly beautiful ski village, as if that wasn’t enough.
The town of Telluride is pretty fantastic as well. In fact, Travel & Leisure recently said it might just be the most idyllic ski town in North America. (Yes, the author even used the word “special”.)
The picture perfect Town is lined with adorable shops, cute coffee houses, and a good selection of restaurants. Of course it doesn’t hurt that the backdrop of the town is the beautiful San Juan Mountain range.
The town is situated at the bottom of a ski run that skiers can access. And it sits at the bottom of that amazing, free gondola we’ve already told you about. The gondola ride takes about 13 minutes, unless weather makes for a slower than normal ride. (Which, to be honest, it did several times during our trip.)
So, while the village is closer and many properties are more appropriately termed “ski-in-ski-out”, the town is accessible as well. Even those looking for convenient access to the slopes won’t be disappointed.
The Hotel Telluride
If cooking and doing dishes isn’t exactly your thing when you’re on vacation, why pay for a place with a kitchen? Because while the rooms and suites at The Hotel Telluride do not have kitchens, they do offer some of the more affordable stays on our list. They also still make it easy to eat in the room with mini refrigerators, a toaster oven/microwave combo, plates, cups, and silverware in the room.
This boutique size property has 59 rooms. Signature and grand rooms offer one king or two double beds along with a sitting area.
Suites are equipped with a bit more space and have a king bed, sleeper sofa, dining space, and wet bar. One-bedroom suites are larger with foyer space, a door separating the bedroom and living areas, and an additional balcony.
The Hotel Telluride also has:
balconies in both rooms and suites
pet-friendly rooms
on-site restaurant and bar
fitness center
coin operated washers and dryers in common area
hot tub
spa services available
ski valet and storage
shuttle service
self-parking ($20 a night)
Auberge Residencies at Element 52
Element 52 Auberge Residences
While Madeline Hotel and Residencies are Auberge’s Mountain Village Hotel, The Auberge Residences at Element 52 is the brand’s in-town version. And like the village property, this one is luxurious and oh-so mountain chic. It’s the most upscale on our list of in-town options and as such, the priciest.
But, it just might arguably be worth it if your ski vacation budget allows. In some ways, the location is the best of both worlds. Element 52 is in-town so it’s close to restaurants and shops. But, it’s reachable via skiing as skiers can use a private lift to the back entrance of the property. .
It’s great for family ski trips because the roomy accommodations allow for everyone to have plenty of space. This property boasts 48 two-to-five-bedroom residences ranging from 1,500 to 5,480 square feet. Unlike many condo-style rentals, they come with daily housekeeping services.
All units have full kitchens, gas fireplaces, soaking tubs, steam showers, and many have private cedar hot tubs. Some also have terraces or balconies. While some units have views, others do not but have more of an urban condo vibe.
Other amenities include:
in-unit washers and dryers
two heated outdoor pools
ski valet and ski storage
fitness center
on-site day spa
shuttle
pet friendly
valet parking ($40 per night)
Camel’s Garden Hotel
Camel’s Garden Hotel
If you truly want to be close to the gondola but in town, Camel’s Garden Hotel just might be your go-to. It’s practically a stone’s throw to the gondola stop. While not as lux as some of the other properties on the list, this feature may trump that for some.
Camel’s Garden is a boutique hotel offering 30 units , which includes rooms, suites and condominiums. Room sizes range from 385 square-feet single queen bed units to 465 to 590 square feet king and double rooms.
Suites measure 842 square feet. They offer a separated bedroom with one king or two double beds and a living room with a pull-out sofa.
Condominiums have full kitchens and range in size from 930 to 2,800 square feet. These huge spaces feature one to four bedrooms.
Additional amenities include:
gas fireplaces
decks or balconies in many units
outdoor hot tub
on-site restaurant
Aveda Telluride Spa located in lobby of hotel
pet friendly
ski locker and storage
on-site parking ($20 per night)
New Sheridan Hotel
The New Sheridan Hotel is practically an institution in Telluride. It was built in 1895, restored about 100 years later, then remodeled around 2006.
This hotel is one of the most unique in Telluride. With just 26 rooms, it is truly a boutique option. It’s located right in the middle of all the charm that defines downtown. And it’s about two blocks from the gondola.
Families might like the Ballard Suite best. It has the most space to spread out with a king bed in one room and a pull-out sofa in another. Or, the junior suite has the same configuration for bedding in a one-room layout.
If New Sheridan doesn’t come up on your search of hotels, it’s sure to come up on a search for restaurants. The Chop House & Wine Bar is one of the town’s most sought after places to dine. The Historic Bar proved to be one of our personal favorite happy hour experiences of our trip. The Parlor is a super quaint spot complete with inside banquettes and outside seating. And the Roof is one of Telluride’s only rooftop pubs.
Amenities at New Sheridan Hotel also include:
free parking (street side)
ski storage
Hotel Columbia Telluride
Hotel Columbia Telluride is another boutique hotel option, this one with just 21 rooms. Each space is unique, although all have very similar decor. Guests have a chance to choose which room to book in the four story hotel.
Suites are particularly great for families because they allow more room and many even come with two baths. (Extra bathroom space is our secret sauce for getting out the door a whole lot quicker.)
Two extra large suites are located in the third floor of the property. One sleeps eight while the other can accommodate up to ten guests.
This hotel is located in a great spot to access the gondola, which is perched practically next door. Shops and restaurants are close as well, including Cosmopolitan, the hotel’s well rated on-site dining venue.
Other amenities include:
complimentary breakfast
on-site parking ($35 per night)
some rooms have fireplaces,
balconies in select rooms
kitchenettes in some rooms
Pet friendly
Ski storage
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