Colorado lodging ?s (Breck, Aspen, Crested Butte)

[RoxMonster]

Since I adore Colorado, we're thinking of doing a Sept. trip to some towns we have not yet visited in the state. We'd start with three nights in Breckenridge, then 2 nights in Aspen and 3 in Crested Butte.

I have some lodging questions for anyone who's been to any of these three.

I've been looking into vacation rentals/condos in Breck. There's a ton available. It's just H and me and we just need one bed/bedroom. I'm debating between staying in walking distance of downtown and staying further out where maybe it's quieter. I'm also overwhelmed by how many vacation rental options there are. Even the "lodges" are essentially units owned by individual people. Any thoughts on best location or a company you've used and had good luck with?

I also knew Aspen was pricey but yikes! So I'm thinking of staying in Snowmass, which is more affordable. Will i regret doing this? We would definitely still go into Aspen, but would we be missing out on a lot of the "vibe" if we stayed in Snowmass?

I haven't looked into CB too much yet, but also happy to take recs for a place to stay while there!

[eb777888]

We like to stay downtown in a walkable location. Here's where we stayed last time. It's right off of Main St so you're right in the middle of downtown:

www.airbnb.com/rooms/52553159?source_impression_id=p3_1676766935_Iee%2FCoN1osjGw0fJ

This is one of my favorite Airbnb's I've ever stayed in. It is a few miles from Main St, like a five minute drive or so to downtown, so you're more off on your own. It was so nice, fully stocked kitchen, and it was so cozy and pretty. LOVED IT:

www.airbnb.com/rooms/29690329?source_impression_id=p3_1676766793_vy9O1Sj58C4Db3Fg


The only one bedroom/one bath we stayed in was gorgeous and perfect for you guys, but the listing has been pulled so I guess it's not an Airbnb at this time. Maybe look at the two I posted and the company that runs them? I had really great experiences with both places. Here's the one bedroom/one bath that I loved in case it comes back by September:

www.airbnb.com/rooms/45177261?source_impression_id=p3_1676767217_23v5jhnF%2BDgQ9nLb

[fuckyourcouch]

CB is our favorite place in CO. we have stayed here many times and it’s wonderful. www.purplemountainlodge.com/

[steamboat185]

For Aspen it really depends on what you want to do. Getting into Aspen from that side can be a bit slower with traffic, but it’s easier to get to Maroon Bells. It’s also harder if you want to do any of the hiking on Independence Pass, but it’s not impossible. We’ve camped there for years and prefer to be closer to Independence Pass, but Snowmass is really pretty and as long as you can avoid a weekend the traffic isn’t too bad. Edit Paradise Bakery in Aspen has very good gelato.

[steamboat185]

Crested Butte if you like pizza the Secret Stash is really good. It gets super busy- we waited almost an hour at 1:30 on a Sunday afternoon in October, but it’s been great every time we’ve been.

[ProfessorArtNerd]

My roommate from college owns Tully’s in CB if you’re looking for a bar/place to eat. Tell Elise I said hi!

[7costanza]

We went to Breck last summer and stayed in a big “lodge” about a 10 minute drive to town. If it was just me and my H I would have preferred walking distance, but we had three families in the same house and it was perfect for us, plus amazing views since we were higher up. The gold mine tour was interesting and we enjoyed taking the gondola up the mountain and doing the alpine slide. there was also a big wooden troll thing with a very short hike/nature walk that the whole group (ages 2 to 75) enjoyed. We otherwise didn’t do a lot since our main goal was to just hang out and spend time together.

[jinkies]

We stayed in Snowmass when we went this summer. It worked great for us, and is plenty close to Aspen. We drove there from Colorado springs, so we crossed over Independence Pass which was a great drive. DS and I hiked Maroon Bells one day while H and DD did some more low-key hiking and explored the town. There are restaurants and shopping in snowmass also.

Aspen is much smaller than I was expecting and the most expensive town we visited. I made my son watch dumb and dumber while we were there to give him the full Aspen experience LOL.

[devonpow]

We love staying on the gondola in breckenridge. So easy to hop on and go into town or go up and do hiking/mountain activities

[isabel]

In Breck, we have always stayed in the condos right off main street, I think it's Park Place at 4 O'Clock Road and South Park Avenue. Units vary, of course, but in general, I would say they are all comparable. They're just across from the river and about a five minute walk or less to Main Street. It's a great location.

[lynn07]

We always prefer staying within walking distance of Main St in Breck. Or next to the gondola if you stay at Crystal Peak since it can take you to Main St or to the mountain. We also prefer Aspen to Snowmass, but it kind of depends what you’re looking for. If you want to be closer to shopping/a town center, I’d pick Aspen. If you don’t mind driving a bit more, Snowmass is fine and much more affordable.

[mrspez07]

You realize driving between these three is not direct or easy, despite how close they look on a map?
You can most easily do Breck and Aspen (2.5 hrs). There is no direct passable route between Aspen and CB, despite proximity on the map(4+ hrs Thru Paonia) and about 3 hours between CB and Breck.
Also, Independence pass may be closed in September, as well as Cottonwood near Salida that could provide shortcuts in summertime.

I think being a few blocks off Main Street in Breck would be relatively quiet. I am a CO lifer and think Aspen is overrated, but I’m not into the flashy stuff either. Snowmass would be fine for me, you could bus or drive into Aspen.
I love CB, it’s become very popular though. Anything there would be great. Downtown is super walkable, but they also have a great bus system between downtown and mount crested butte. I have friends I see staying at small cabins there, but I don’t know what the names are.

[RoxMonster]

Feb 18, 2023 23:09:32 GMT -5 mrspez07 said:

You realize driving between these three is not direct or easy, despite how close they look on a map?
You can most easily do Breck and Aspen (2.5 hrs). There is no direct passable route between Aspen and CB, despite proximity on the map(4+ hrs Thru Paonia) and about 3 hours between CB and Breck.
Also, Independence pass may be closed in September, as well as Cottonwood near Salida that could provide shortcuts in summertime.

I think being a few blocks off Main Street in Breck would be relatively quiet. I am a CO lifer and think Aspen is overrated, but I’m not into the flashy stuff either. Snowmass would be fine for me, you could bus or drive into Aspen.
I love CB, it’s become very popular though. Anything there would be great. Downtown is super walkable, but they also have a great bus system between downtown and mount crested butte. I have friends I see staying at small cabins there, but I don’t know what the names are.

Yep, the drive is part of the fun for us. We're also used to driving much longer distances between locations on our road trips, so these distances are nothing for us.

I don't like flashy stuff either but the scenery in and near Aspen looks amazing and gorgeous, which is why I want to visit that area and was thinking Snowmass may be better-suited for our tastes while still being nearby.

Thanks for the recs!

[RoxMonster]

Thanks, everyone, for all the recommendations! I think I'll try to find something near Main St. in Breckenridge, as I think we'd like to be able to walk into town. I'll look at some of the specific places mentioned here.

[definitelyO]

In Breck - agree with being near main Street - I've stayed at the Lodge at Breckenridge a few times and it's centrally located but not "on" main street.

Aspen - I LOVE Aspen in the fall especially September - I used to go all the time for Rugerfest - rugby festival (in my single days...). I don't have lodging recommendations as the last few times we've been in March for skiing and stayed at Snowmass. but love the 3 towns you picked

[ksun]

We generally rent a condo near/on Main Street in Breck. Definitely check out the Canteen and Robbie's Tavern. both are owned by friends of ours and both have great food (and drinks).