The Minturn Inn
Nestled among incredibly tall peaks and situated next to a roaring river, Minturn is the mountain town of your dreams only 5 miles from Vail. You’ll want to walk the main street like the protagonist in a Hallmark movie, popping into the local coffeehouse to warm up with locals — maybe you’ll talk about the weather or how you spotted a fox. The Minturn Inn is in the center of it all, making it the ideal spot to rest your weary bones after a day of skiing, hiking or motoring along the Top of the Rockies Scenic & Historic Byway.
Looking like a true mountain retreat — think dark wood planks and a green, peaked roof — The Minturn Inn delivers lots of bed-and-breakfast charm. Built in 1915, the refurbished homestead’s nine rooms are topped with high-beamed ceilings, rustic bathtubs and what can only be described as Colorado-themed decorations (snowshoes, antler chandeliers, skier lamps and more).
After a wintery day, curl up in front of the stone hearth with some hot chocolate — or a hot toddy if you’re over 21. Then wake up early for the homemade breakfast (we’ll go into more detail about the freshly baked breads below) before you get on the road for some epic activities.
What makes it special?
Waking up to the smell of freshly baked croissants is enough to entice you to head downstairs; but the strong cappuccinos, assorted homemade breads, locally made jams, fluffy quiches and eggs cooked to order will have you singing praises for months to come.
The most Colorado thing about this place
Thanks to the hotel’s classic-bicycle-loan program, you’ll love jaunting around town atop a vintage Schwinn. Plus, with a bike, you can always find parking.
Best room to book
The Columbine room has a grand rock-covered fireplace, wood floors and a queen bed that will make you sleep like a toddler who has run around the playground all day. One of the coolest features is the stone-surrounded bathtub, which mentally transports you to an outdoor hot spring. Bring a mystery novel, a glass of wine and soak the evening away.
Our favorite traveler review
“We could not believe our luck in finding this gem. Jocelyn is a first-rate host, we felt at home within minutes. It was cozy, comfortable, spotless and the breakfast was more than I could have imagined! Fresh-baked pastries and quiche, local granola, berries and fruit galore, and more. This was such an excellent experience. It was the perfect location between Beaver Creek and Vail for ski/ride. Also, the local restaurants were terrific! We hope to return soon!” — Sherpa302115, Tripadvisor
What you’ll find nearby
Minturn is surrounded by some of the world’s best ski resorts — from Vail to Beaver Creek to Copper Mountain — that offer tons of activities year-round. Think snowboarding, skiing and snowshoeing in winter and alpine coasting, ziplining and hiking in the summer. Take the kiddos to Walking Mountains Science Center to learn about area wildlife — like elk and mountain lions. Or, go for a stroll through the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, a serene, verdant getaway touted as the highest-elevation botanical garden in North America.
Photos courtesy of The Minturn Inn
