Talk about a hidden gem: One of our favorite high-country escapes isn’t a hotel or an Airbnb, but a trio of suites tucked up above a saloon on Crested Butte’s main drag. Known as the Lofts at Public House, it’s the tiniest jewel in the portfolio of Eleven Experience, a Colorado-based adventure-travel specialist known for turning historic buildings into ultra-luxe getaways.

Back in 2011, the brand transformed one of Crested Butte’s storied old Victorian-era saloons into its flagship property, the Scarp Ridge Lodge. The result was so successful, Eleven Experience decided to replicate the lodging’s laid-back-luxe style just a few blocks away, in another one of the town’s 19th-century saloons.

The Fillmore suite gets its cozy vibe from a beamed ceiling and faux-suede wallcovering by Phillip Jeffries. Photo courtesy of Eleven Experience

Situated above a pub restaurant and underground tap room that serves as a live music venue, the Lofts at Public House get their inviting aesthetic from rich textures and warm earth tones orchestrated by local architect Daniel J. Murphy and Jacksonville, Florida-based design firm No.12 Interiors. Strong architectural details—including wood-clad ceilings spanned by rustic beams, and iron ladders and railings forged by local blacksmith Jeff Brethauer—called for strong furnishings, from hefty antique dressers to English campaign chests, many of which were sourced from antiques shops in Aspen and Carbondale.

Belgian bluestone floors contrast dramatically with subway tiles glazed to match windows and trim painted Farrow & Ball’s Old White. Photo courtesy of Eleven Experience

Each suite includes a king-size bed and private bathroom, which combines period details, like an old-fashioned, cast-iron tub, with of-the-moment luxuries including an oversize steam shower. Polished pedestal sinks rest atop Belgian bluestone floors, and the ceramic wall tiles were glazed to match the windows and trim, which are painted Farrow & Ball’s Old White hue.

Music has long been a source of inspiration for the Eleven brand, and this passion is reflected in the vintage concert posters that adorn the suites’ walls, and in the names of the rooms themselves—Beacon, Fillmore, and Winterland—which are inspired by historic music venues.

The Elk Avenue building that began as a 19th-century saloon is now home to a pub restaurant, underground tap room, and luxury lofts. Photo courtesy of Eleven Experience
Old black-and-white photos adorn a wall above the pub’s tufted-leather banquette. Photo courtesy of Eleven Experience
The pub’s elaborate wooden bar has all the charm and period style one would expect from a 19th-century saloon. Photo courtesy of Eleven Experience

Guests who share this passion will find themselves ideally situated steps above the building’s state-of-the-art live music venue. Those more inclined toward outdoor pursuits can book reservations for an array of Eleven Experience activities, from fly-fishing, mountain biking, rock climbing, paddle boarding, and white-water rafting in the summer, to cat skiing, snowshoeing, dog sledding, and ice climbing in the winter. Additional amenities include a fresh food minibar, maid service, and concierge.

Rates start at $290 per night. Reservations can be booked through reservations@elevenexperience.com or by calling 970-237-5985.