10 Best Places to Stay in Telluride Colorado
The Best Hotels and Lodging Places to Stay in Telluride
10 Best Places to Stay in Telluride, Colorado
Your Guide To The Most Epic Mountain Hotels and Best Lodging to Stay at In Telluride, Colorado
As Colorado locals, we spend pretty much all of our free time (and our work time, as adventure photographers) exploring the tiny mountain villages all over the Rockies. And Telluride is one of those special places that always sticks with us and has us coming back for more year after year. So naturally, we had to craft a list of the most epic lodging and best places to stay in Telluride.
Our lodging list includes everything from luxury mountain homes to the best hotels Telluride has to offer. And of course, we had to sprinkle in a few of our favorite Colorado travel resources, so you can explore our great state to the fullest during your Telluride vacation.
Without a doubt, every time we drive into Telluride, with the San Juan Mountains surrounding us, it’s always an out of body experience. This itty bitty town manages to perfectly embody luxury and the rugged beauty of the mountains.
The way we see it, the best lodging and places to stay in Telluride* embody both of these things: they are top-notch in elegance, while also giving you access to the raw, intense beauty of nature.
The Telluride lodging and vacation rentals in this guide to the best places to stay accomplish exactly that, and at a range of prices to match your budget, whether you’re looking for all-out luxury or a more affordable stay.
*Disclosure: We may make a commission, at no cost to you, if you decide to book through one of the Telluride Airbnb links in this guide to the best places to stay in Telluride. We pride ourselves on making the best Telluride lodging recommendations possible. Shopping through our links helps support our small Colorado business. All recommendations are crafted with love and expertise, from platforms we use and trust for our own adventures.
Our Criteria for the Best Lodging and Places to Stay in Telluride
How We've Chosen the Best of the Best in Telluride Lodging + Places to Stay
The Most Photogenic Telluride Lodging
The San Juan Mountains surrounding Telluride are some of our favorites in all of Colorado.
These Telluride lodging Airbnb and hotel options on our list of best places to stay embody that classic picturesque mountain vibe.
Excellent Star Ratings For A Stellar Stay
Finding cool Telluride Airbnb lodging options is great and all, but so is the quality of the experience.
Good reviews matter. Your experience matters. And that’s exactly why we’ve factored reviews into this list of the best lodging and places to stay in Telluride.
Unique or Luxe Telluride Style
Telluride is the perfect blend of rugged outdoors and high-end luxury, and our list of the best Telluride hotels and lodging capture that aesthetic.
This is a town that manages to balance those two extremes so beautifully. And the best places to stay in Telluride need to embody that essence.
The Best Telluride Lodging Stays
Our Curated List Of The Best Places to Stay in Telluride, Colorado
From luxury cabins that sleep the whole crew to budget-friendly in-town condos, our list of the best lodging and places to stay in Telluride covers all the bases. Each of these makes for an unforgettable home base for your Telluride adventures.
The Best Place to Stay in Telluride for Cozy Winter Wonderland Vibes
Telluride Lodging Photos: courtesy of Vrbo
Picture this: snow day soaks in the hot tub right outside this stunning cabin and evenings spent cooking a gourmet meal in the chef’s kitchen, looking out at the massive sky-high windows at the flurries falling outside.
Those are the enchanting, whimsical vibes that make this dreamy cabin lodging one of the best places to stay in Telluride.
We love this specific Telluride lodging option for how kid friendly it is too. Twin beds and bunk bed options make for a super fun and cozy stay.
And the cherry on top? It’s within walking distance from Bridges Ski Run, making this lodging one of the best places to stay in Telluride during the winter months.
Maximum Guest Count: sleeps 10
Children Allowed? Yes
Pets Allowed? No
The Best Place to Stay in Telluride for the Designer Aesthetic
Telluride Lodging Photos: courtesy of Vrbo
This Telluride Airbnb is certainly one of the prettiest lodging options on our list of the best places to stay! It does an amazing job of capturing the cozy cabin vibe, while also having modern touches that make the cabin look chic and beautiful.
This cabin lodging does a perfect job of capturing the essence of Telluride: that mixture of outdoorsy and luxurious, which is one of the biggest reasons it has such a high spot on our list of best places to stay.
The cabin is surrounded by aspen trees, so we personally love this lodging in Telluride for a fall getaway.
Not sure how to time your fall travels? Peak fall colors in Telluride can be anywhere from the very very end of September to the first couple of weeks of October (depending on amount of rain in the weeks leading up to the changing of the leaves, along with snowfall).
Maximum Guest Count: sleeps 4
Children Allowed? Unspecified, check with host
Pets Allowed? Yes, but no cats
How to Book Your Telluride Lodging for the Best Times of Year
Colorado’s seasons are anything but typical, and booking your Telluride lodging during a bad time of year can totally ruin the trip. Our guide to the CO seasons breaks down everything you need to know about timing when booking the best places to stay in Telluride.
The Best Place to Stay in Telluride for Budget-Friendly Coziness
Telluride Lodging Photos: courtesy of Vrbo
It’s the budget-friendly prices paired with the central in-town location that really does it for us. There’s no denying that Telluride lodging comes at a price, which is why we’re obsessed with this place.
If you’re traveling with friends or as a family of four or less and need a place that doesn’t break the bank, but is within walking distance to the free gondola, restaurants, and shops, this is one of the best lodging steals when it comes to places to stay in Telluride.
This studio apartment is no-fuss, but it comes with the essentials, like a small kitchen and a washer/dryer. And the cozy little fireplace? It’s basically made for chilly winter days in the San Juans.
Maximum Guest Count: sleeps 4
Children Allowed? Yes
Pets Allowed? Yes (dogs only, and a 2 dog max)
The Best Place to Stay in Telluride for Historic Town Vibes
Telluride Lodging Photos: courtesy of Vrbo
One of our favorite parts of visiting Telluride is walking up and down the main streets of town and admiring their historic charm. And this gorgeous Telluride vacation home totally embodies that historic look. Plus, its central location means you can pretty much walk anywhere in town, including to the free gondola.
If you’re looking for lodging that embodies the classic small Colorado mountain village look, this Airbnb is one of the best places to stay in Telluride, hands-down.
It may look cute and cozy, but it’s actually a great option for a pretty decent sized group, housing a maximum of 9 people.
Sit on the front porch in the summer months, enjoying the fresh mountain breeze with a drink in hand. It doesn’t get any better.
Planning a winter ski trip? This Telluride Airbnb lodging offers its guests 20% off ski rentals, too. Such a nice perk.
Maximum Guest Count: sleeps 9
Children Allowed? Yes
Pets Allowed? No
The Best Ghost Town Turned Luxe Hotel Stay in the Telluride Area
Telluride Lodging Photos: courtesy of Dunton Hot Springs
She’s iconic. She’s other-worldly. She’s undeniably one of the best places to stay in Telluride. It almost feels wrong to even call Dunton Hot Springs a hotel…it’s honestly so much more than that.
If you’re looking for the ultimate Telluride lodging experience, it doesn’t get any better than this (seriously, watch their winter promo video and you’ll see what we mean…STUNNING).
Well technically, Dunton Hot Springs is located in Dunton, Colorado, 25 miles southwest of Telluride. Or we should say, it technically is the town of Dunton, Colorado, as the late 1800’s ghost town was actually converted into this luxury hotel, where you can stay in the historic buildings converted into hotel cabins.
While definitely one of the pricier hotels on our list of the best places to stay in Telluride, there’s a dang good reason why. There’s is a lovely saloon on site serving delicious food and drinks, an unforgettable bath house with an epic view of the aspen trees (a dream in the fall), a lovely waterfall on site you can easily hike to, and the most charming library you’ve ever seen.
Needless to say, when it comes to bucket list Telluride lodging, Dunton sets the bar really high.
Maximum Guest Count: there are 13 cabins on site to choose from
Children Allowed? Yes
Pets Allowed? Yes (2 per room at $50 per pet/per night)
The Best Place to Stay in Telluride for Groups on a Budget
Telluride Lodging Photos: courtesy of Vrbo
A recently renovated property. A kitchen with all the cookware you need. A washer/dryer. Plenty of coffee. And a central location that’s nice and close to all Telluride has to offer. Oh, and did we mention that this epic spot sleeps 7 at a sheer fraction of the cost of most Telluride Airbnb lodging options?
Yeah, we’d call this one a winner. It’s one of the best places to stay in Telluride for groups and families who want to travel to one of Colorado’s best mountain destinations without breaking the bank.
We love the idea of splitting the cost of this Telluride lodging with a group of friends.
Maximum Guest Count: 7
Children Allowed? Yes
Pets Allowed? No
The Best Place to Stay in Telluride for Off-The-Grid Luxury + Events
Telluride Lodging Photos: courtesy of Vrbo
The Alta Lakes area is one of our favorites to explore, and this epic mountain vacation home actually has private lake access to one of the three gorgeous lakes in this area.
Get out on the water in one of the canoes or stand up paddleboards this Telluride lodging has on-site for you. Or stargaze on a snowy night in the crisp, chilly Telluride mountain air. Or pose for the cutest photos in the red telephone booth on site.
We love this spot for an off-the-grid adventure with a luxurious twist…I mean, just look at that kitchen!
Unlike many Telluride lodging options, this spot is actually event-friendly. In fact, it’s commonly used for adventurous mountain weddings and accommodates guest counts up to 45 people. That alone qualifies it as one of the best places to stay in Telluride in our book.
Note: the forest service road that leads up to this spot is closed to vehicles in the winter, so you’ll need to snowmobile in.
Maximum Guest Count: 12 (for overnight lodging), 45 for events (non-overnight visitation)
Children Allowed? Yes
Pets Allowed? Yes (2 dogs maximum, at $50 per pup/per stay)
Explore More of the Alta Lakes Area
An epic ghost town. One of the prettiest collection of lakes in the Telluride area. Awesome camping and fishing. This spot is one of our favorites, and our guide to Alta has all the details.
The Best Place to Stay in Telluride for Accessibility to In-Town Activities
Telluride Lodging Photos: courtesy of Vrbo
There’s no other way to put it: this mountain vacation home is absolutely gorgeous. When it comes to the best places to stay in Telluride, the vibes of this home are serving up modern luxury in the best way.
Cozy up by the fireplace after a long day on the slopes. Or take a super short walk into town for drinks at one of Telluride’s amazing restaurants (we’re partial to breakfast at the the Butcher & the Baker and dinner + drinks at Wood Ear).
We especially like that you can really cut the per person nightly cost of this Telluride lodging option down quite a bit by splitting it with a group. It’s the best way to still get the luxe experience, at a fraction of the price.
Maximum Guest Count: sleeps 12
Children Allowed? Yes
Pets Allowed? No
The Best Place to Stay in Telluride for a Group Snow Trip
Telluride Lodging Photos: courtesy of Vrbo
Calling all winter sport enthusiasts…this gorgeous ski-in/ski-out mountain home is one of the best places to stay in the Telluride and Mountain Village area for snow adventures.
We love the way this Telluride lodging is perfectly positioned for outdoors adventure, while also being so stunningly cozy on the inside that you’d honestly be perfectly content spending an entire day snuggling up by the fire indoors.
It’s located steps away from Teddy’s Way ski run, so you can hit the slopes whenever your heart desires.
And what ski-in/ski-out Telluride vacation rental is complete without a private hot tub?
Maximum Guest Count: sleeps 10
Children Allowed? Yes
Pets Allowed? No
The Best Place to Stay in Telluride for a Practical Yet Upscale Stay
Telluride Lodging Photos: courtesy of Vrbo
And to round out our list of the best places to stay in Telluride, this beautiful Telluride lodging is a nice middle ground between the ultra luxurious Airbnb options and the ultra budget-friendly finds. With lovely upgrades like a hot tub and ski-in/ski-out access, you can make the most out of your winter adventures.
And we especially love that this Telluride vacation home is nice and close to the market and comes with all the kitchen supplies you need, so you can save some money by cooking your meals at home rather than having to go out every night.
Maximum Guest Count: 6
Children Allowed? Yes
Pets Allowed? No
Now That You've Found the Best Places to Stay in Telluride
Book Your Telluride Lodging Confidently, With Our In-Depth Colorado Travel Resources
Sheena and Ed here! We’re Colorado adventurers and locals who have a passion for crafting the highest quality resources and guides to the Rocky Mountains, like this guide to the best places to stay in Telluride.
If you’re planning your Telluride travels and want all the best local tips and tricks, we’ve got you covered.
Our favorite way to experience Telluride (and really all of Colorado) is by road. Which is why we’ve created the perfect 2-3 week driving itinerary that you can use to map out your own Rocky Mountain travels.
Not sure which mountain villages to add to your must-see list? Our list of our favorite mountain towns in Colorado shares the best of the best (including Telluride!).
Find the best time windows and seasons to book your Telluride lodging with our guide to the best times of year to be in the Rockies.
Lastly, if you plan to venture north up to Rocky Mountain National Park during your Colorado travels, sneak a peek at our guide to the best things to do and see in the park.
Sheena Shahangian Photography LLC
Empowering You To Have Your Adventure Elopement, Your Way
Colorado Elopement Photographers + Adventure Wedding Photographers