Where to Stay in Durango Colorado • Traveling with Purpose

Planning a trip to southwestern Colorado, but unsure where to stay in Durango for the best experience? You’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed by the dozens of accommodation options scattered throughout this historic mountain town—from downtown hotels near the train station to riverside resorts and mountain lodges, each promising something different.

The key to choosing the perfect Durango base lies in matching your accommodation to your specific travel goals. This comprehensive guide breaks down the best neighborhoods and lodging types in Durango, helping you select accommodations that will transform your Colorado adventure from average to unforgettable.

The best part is there’s something for every budget and style when it comes to where to stay in Durango, Colorado. I’m going to walk you through the options for places to stay in this historic town, and help you figure out the perfect place to crash after all those exhilarating Colorado mountain adventures.

Why Choose Durango Colorado

So you’re thinking about visiting southwestern Colorado? Trust me, Durango is one of the absolute best mountain towns in the country! Durango is an excellent town to use as a base when visiting the Four Corners area. It’s centrally located to the most interesting sites and has tons to do right in town, too.

This place has everything – from that incredible Durango Silverton Railroad that we experienced ourselves recently, to some seriously great white-water rafting on the Animas River. You’re also close to the 700-year-old cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park and endless hiking trails in 2800 square miles [7252 square kilometers] of the San Juan National Forest.

Where to Stay Within Walking Distance of the Durango Silverton Railroad Station

If you’re planning to take a train ride on the famous Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, you may be wondering where to stay in Durango CO within walking distance of the station. That would eliminate the need to pay extra for the parking lot next to the train station. The list below includes excellent hotels and other unique places to stay in Durango within less than 15 minutes ‘ walking distance to the Durango Silverton Train Station. They’re all in perfect locations for exploring the riverwalk, the shops, and restaurants downtown, too.

Important Note: I’m working on a few detailed posts with everything you need to know about the Durango Silverton train ride. They should be published very soon. If you sign up for my mailing list below, you’ll be notified when they’re available.

Step Back in Time at the Strater Hotel

An excellent historical property in Durango with a famous history is the Strater Hotel. You won’t believe some of the famous people who have stayed at the Strater over the years! Will Rogers spent time there, JFK stayed there when he was running for president, and get this – the original Grateful Dead guys all crashed there too. Even President Gerald Ford liked the place so much that he came back twice. Some of the Apollo astronauts even made their way to Durango and ended up at the Strater Hotel.

But here’s the coolest part – that famous Western author Louis L’Amour basically lived there for stretches of time, always booking Room 222. He actually wrote most of those Sackett family novels right there in the hotel! And if that’s not impressive enough, the hotel even hosted some major international meetings where different countries got together to hash out the “6th Trans-Atlantic Treaty” – apparently they were setting up new phone lines between North America and Europe. Pretty wild that all this history happened right there in Durango, right?

The accommodations below are listed as the highest-rated Durango hotels first, with walking distance to the train station, and some amenities highlighted.

• Gable House Bed & Breakfast Inn – 5 stars
  • [14-minute walk to the train station]
  • Queen Anne Victorian home built in Durango in 1892,
  • Family suites and whole-house bookings available for groups
  • Free wifi, private parking, free full breakfast, EV charging station
• Leland House Suites of Durango – 4.9 stars
  • [6-minute walk]
  • Historical luxury boutique hotel, built in 1927, only 12 guest rooms – some with fireplaces
  • Free wifi, private parking, family suites available, free bicycles, EV charging station
• The Rochester Hotel – 4.9 stars
  • [6-minute walk]
  • Historical luxury hotel, built in 1892, all 15 guest rooms renovated in 2022
  • Free wifi, private parking, free gourmet breakfast, free bicycles, pet-friendly
• Strater Hotel – 4.5 stars
  • [3-minute walk]
  • Historic hotel built in 1887, with 88 uniquely decorated rooms
  • Free wifi, private parking, free coffee until 11 am daily in the lobby
  • Many famous guests have stayed here over the years [see above]
• General Palmer Hotel – 4.4 stars
  • [2-minute walk]
  • Historical hotel
  • Free wifi, private parking, family suites available
• The Durango Lodge – 4.3 stars
  • [1-minute walk]
  • Budget-friendly, motel-style, family suites available
  • Free wifi, private parking, free breakfast
• Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Durango – 4.3 stars
  • [9-minute walk]
  • Modern hotel with city view or river view room options
  • Free wifi, private parking, some rates include breakfast, family suites available
• Best Western Plus Rio Grande Inn – 4.2 stars
  • [4-minute walk]
  • Modern 3-story hotel with indoor pool
  • Free wifi, private parking, free breakfast

For historic charm and luxury, stay at the 9.2 exceptional-rated General Palmer Hotel right on Main Avenue. This hotel is within walking distance to the Riverwalk, Durango Silverton Railroad and other popular stops.

Save Money with Short-Term Vacation Rentals

One way to save money and enjoy more space for everyone is to book a vacation rental. You’ll usually get at least one separate living area with a little more separation to spread out. Terry and I try to book vacation rentals as often as possible because he loves to get up early and read in the morning with his coffee before I’m awake and it’s tough to do that in a traditional hotel. You can also book a place with a full kitchen so you can save money by having some meals at home. Plus, you can get a place with more character than a generic chain hotel.

Try booking a vacation rental through VRBO [Vacation Rentals by Owner]. I love that they include all the fees on the main listing page, so you don’t click on a booking that ends up being out of your budget because of charges added to the quote later.

When you book with VRBO, you’ll find everything from a large house to accommodate your entire family or a group a friends to a quaint guest house on a ranch. You can also find a lovely carriage house in the historic downtown or an apartment within walking distance of everything. Here are a few that look inviting to me in town:

Family-Sized Vacation Rentals in Downtown Durango

Rural Vacation Rentals Near Durango

Blue Lake Ranch – Hesperus, CO

If you’re looking to stay outside of town and enjoy nature a bit more, Blue Lake Ranch has an exceptional rating and offers one-of-a-kind rustic luxury. Your gourmet breakfast is included, free parking, and free wifi too. The ranch is about a 25-minute drive from Durango. You’ll find fishing at a lovely lake and a garden on site. They offer 14 elegant, individually-decorated rooms, suites, casitas, and cabins.

Quiet Seclusion at a Working Ranch! – Hesperus, CO

This gorgeous spot is surrounded by wide open spaces and offers one bedroom, a loft with 2 twin beds and one and a half bathrooms, plus a kitchen and fireplace. The HD Ranch Guest House is truly secluded at the end of a mile-long driveway. You can even watch deer and horses grazing in the pastures nearby. Visiting in the winter? There’s cross-country skiing on the property.

Find Long-Term Rentals too

Are you a digital nomad or a retiree looking to escape the city for a few weeks or a month or more? You can book these through VRBO too. Some hosts offer a discount for longer stays. Just ask if they don’t mention it on their listing. You can filter your search to include lodging that allows pets or has handicapped accessible accommodations, too.

Find More Unique Lodging

One of my favorite places to find great deals is Booking.com. It has excellent listings for highly rated historic hotels, mountain lodge resorts, condos, and downtown cottages within walking distance of many sites. You’ll also find the best rates on a wide variety of clean, accommodating chain hotels; many are just on the edge of town.

Things to Do in Durango Coming Soon

We just came back from a week in Southwest Colorado, and I’m working on a post about cool things to do in the area. We found some great hidden gems that you might not know about. Sign up for my email newsletter to get notified when that post is published or to get more great travel tips throughout the year. I don’t send it too often, but it’s always packed with inspiring tips and information.