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Colorado has no shortage of places to rest one’s head, whether you prefer a high-end hotel with service to match, a wellness retreat, or a tentless night under the stars. But we always welcome new additions, particularly when they afford us easy access to the outdoors—followed by a hot shower and a cozy bed.
These six new accommodations, from Breckenridge to Cañon City, all serve as basecamps for adventure, so you can get some solid shut-eye before you tackle your next summit.
Riverside Colorado
- Location: 9940 Poudre Canyon Road, Bellvue
- Distance from Denver: 84 miles
- Opened: July 2024
- Price: Starting at $153 per night for glamping tents (varies by accommodation)
The Poudre Canyon outside of Fort Collins is best known for two things: tubing and the Mishawaka Amphitheatre. Luckily, Riverside Colorado’s collection of nine tiny homes, nine cabins, and 17 minimalist glamping tents gives you a good reason to spend more than a couple hours within the glacier-carved valley. From the Poudre River–adjacent retreat, opportunities for fly-fishing, whitewater rafting, hiking, and stargazing abound. On the home front, there’s a coffee cart, community pizza oven, and general store. As a sister company to the Mish, the property provides a free van shuttle to the venue, which sits just three miles west.
Why Vacay in Fort Collins: Riverside is about 20 miles northwest of Fort Collins, and the college town is an ideal basecamp for exploring the Poudre Canyon. While there, don’t miss the new Edison’s Ice Cream parlor and Sugar Salt Sand, a two-month-old rooftop bar and restaurant that will transport you from the Rockies to the tropics.
Must-Visit During Your Stay: Settle into an Adirondack chair beside a roaring fire and listen to acoustic concerts during Riverside Colorado’s Campfire Sessions, which kicked off this month. Riverside guests have access to discounted tickets, and children younger than 12 can attend for free. Programmed by the Mishawaka team, the shows highlight regional artists such as Bonnie and Taylor Sims and Graham Good.
The Rathbone Hotel & Parlor Bar
- Location: 33 South Cascade Ave., Montrose
- Distance from Denver: 264 miles
- Opened: July 2024
- Price: Starting at $249 per night
Front Rangers often consider Montrose a means to an end as they cruise through the town on their way to the Uncompahgre and San Juan National Forests (aka Telluride, Ouray, and Silverton). But the Western Slope locale has plenty going for it, including one of its newest additions: the Rathbone. The result of a multimillion-dollar historic preservation project on the 115-year-old Knights of Pythias Building, the boutique hotel has 17 guest rooms—including suites with 10-foot arched windows—that lean midcentury-modern, with wood furniture and jewel-toned rugs and bathroom tiles. It’s a contactless hotel, so guests receive their room access info via email and text. (Note: There is no elevator to the second floor, so be prepared to haul your luggage up the stairs.)
Why Vacay in Montrose: Montrose’s slogan is, “Stay here. Play everywhere.” It’s an apt maxim for a town surrounded by Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, the San Juan Mountains, and national forest land. After a day spent trekking in the mountains, cool off in the Montrose Water Sports Park, one of the largest water sports parks in the state. Also nice: It’s ADA-accessible.
Must-Visit During Your Stay: The Parlor Bar recently added food to its coffee and cocktails menu, with a focus on Western favorites and local ingredients, including a Hatch green chile quiche for breakfast and shrimp and corn fritters made with Olathe sweet corn for dinner.
Hotel Alpenrock
- Location: 550 Village Road, Breckenridge
- Distance from Denver: 80 miles
- Opened: January 2025
- Price: Starting at $159 per night
Hotel Alpenrock broke a five-year drought of new hotels in Breckenridge, and the Hilton-branded property is a welcome addition. The 205-room hotel is located within walking distance of Peak 9, offers four dining concepts, and has a ski and bike valet to help lug your gear no matter the season. All of the rooms feature king beds, while the suites have kitchenettes, sitting areas, and soaking tubs. Your furry companions are treated like royalty, too, with Pendleton beds, Yeti bowls, and an outdoor dog-wash station.
Why Vacay in Breckenridge: Well, it’s Breckenridge, which means there’s an abundance of outdoor, cultural, and gastronomic fun to be had. Pick up Colorado-grown produce at the newly revamped town farmers’ market starting in June, and in August, catch the 10th anniversary of the Breckenridge International Festival of Arts. This year’s event will feature the U.S. debut of Spark, a biodegradable light display that mimics the movement of fireflies.
Must-Visit During Your Stay: Canary, the ski town’s first speakeasy, has an inviting, mountain-moody vibe. Plus, the bartenders are skilled at swirling bespoke drinks that are perfectly suited to your personality.
Kosmos Stargazing Resort & Spa
- Location: 5290 Road 113 N., Mosca
- Distance from Denver: 209 miles
- Opened: April 2025
- Price: Starting at $700 per villa
The popularity of astrotourism (or traveling in pursuit of celestial experiences) has surged in recent years. In fact, the global astrotourism industry is expected to be worth $400 million by 2030. Luckily, Colorado has plenty of dark skies available for stargazing. One of the best? Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. The Mars-like landscape is an ideal place to point out Orion and the Ursa Major, but it has long been devoid of upscale, or really any, tentless accommodations. That changed this spring with the opening of a new glamping resort just 20 minutes away. Kosmos’ villa (four more are currently under construction) combines luxury comforts—a king-size bed, private hot tub, modern furnishings—with endless access to the skies, thanks to transparent geodesic domes and a telescope-equipped observatory deck.
Why Vacay in Mosca: You’re here to enjoy the national park—sandboard down its dunes, splash in Medano Creek, and hike or drive the three mountain passes that weave through the preserve.
Must-Visit During Your Stay: Stargazing, duh. Kosmos offers astronomer-led stargazing experiences (starting at $75), which are open to the public, too.
Hotel St. Cloud
- Location: 631 Main St., Cañon City
- Distance from Denver: 114 miles
- Opened: May 2025
- Price: Starting at $205 per night
The St. Cloud Hotel has lived many lives. The historic landmark first opened in 1883 in Silver Cliff before being disassembled in 1886, moved to its current location in Cañon City via the Rio Grande Railroad, and reopened the following year. The landmark was brought back to life yet again this month following a $19 million, seven-year restoration. Its three food-and-drink venues—including a speakeasy—and 36 guest rooms blend the past (chandeliers, velvet curtains) and present (spacious showers, air conditioning). Each guest room also features an original historic photo from the area.
Why Vacay in Cañon City: The Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, located less than 20 miles away, is the main draw in this town but there are plenty of outdoor adventures to be had, including rafting along the Arkansas River. Fun fact: The first complete skeleton of an Allosaurus was found nearby at Garden Park Fossil Area.
Must-Visit During Your Stay: Fremont Public House sits in the same place as the hotel’s original lobby bar—on top of Prohibition-era tunnels. While you can grab modern craft beers and cocktails, a finger of whiskey might be more appropriate.
Hotel 1888 at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort
- Location: 415 E. Sixth St., Glenwood Springs
- Distance from Denver: 157 miles
- Opened: June 2025
- Price: Starting at $589 per night
Glenwood Hot Springs Resort has renovated its historic Stone Bath House (established in 1888) into a 16-room boutique hotel. The guest rooms nod to that past with their high ceilings, arched doorways, classic wallpaper, artwork, and artifacts (the 1888 Suite still has its original fireplace). Breakfast is included in the Hotel 1888 bistro, as is a guest membership to the Athletic Club.
Why Vacay in Glenwood Springs: The Western town—accessible via a new Rocky Mountaineer train route—is home to the world’s largest hot springs pool and some spectacular caves, which have been designated National Natural Landmarks. If you’re not scared of the dark, book a black light cave tour at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park to see how different minerals in the cave walls can be identified via their fluorescent and phosphorescent glow.
Must-Visit During Your Stay: You won’t have to go far to hit this hot spot; Glenwood Hot Springs is right outside your door. Access to the various pools—including the newer Yampah Mineral Baths and cold plunges—is complimentary for all Hotel 1888 guests.
