Camel's Garden Hotel

 

210

1186

Mr. Fishbits X.

San Francisco, CA

10/15/2009

I picked this based off Stephanie's review.  She is dead on.... sort of a new-ish hotel with modern, sleek architecture that sort of deadens the facade into being more of a townhouse/condo feel than a classic hotel feel.  The staff is AWESOME... very Telluride mellow.  I was there off season, so it is the diehards or long time locals just waiting for powder... and you can see it in how they react.  Frankly they were always on point, always helpful and friendly.... if not relaxed.  The space was very inviting... downstairs lounge area, upstairs free breakfast area (breakfast ends fairly early.. 9.30a or so), internet, and the WONDERFUL eucalyptus steam room and hot tub deck right outside on the patio.  It truly is relaxing, beautiful, and there is no reason you wouldn't use this all day, endlessly.. unless you have other things to do.

It's location is PERFECT.... for example, if you need to get to the big Gondola to get up the hill, it is literally stumbling distance from the front doors.

Or what if you need to watch a wheel that is flaming and on fire shoot sparks into the stratospehere?  Well... if you are out front and there at the right wedding full of Burners... well you will, won't you ---- http://www.youtube.com...

enjoy that.  I did.

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184

373

s r.

San Francisco, CA

1/25/2008

For a mountain resort, the Camel's Garden Hotel is fab-u-lous!  The architect who designed it really tapped in to the natural beauty of the San Juan mountains and maximized the gorgeous vistas of the box canyon.   Just wait until you soak in their huge, outdoor hot tub...it offers one of the most beautiful views that I've ever seen from a hotel.  

I came here on the first of April, so the mountain was still open for ski season.  In 2008 it ceases operation on April 6, so the elk can migrate safely.  The Hotel is strategically placed for snowboarders and skiers.  It is next to the gondola that goes to the mountain village and a few feet away from a ski lift, as well.  This makes it a ski in-ski out situation.  Literally, when I came down the mountain on my last run, I rode my board all the way to the door, popped out of my bindings, picked it up,  and walked inside.  It couldn't have been any more convenient.

As if ski in-ski out wasn't marvelous enough, the hotel is also situated on a river, which only adds to the already beyond exquisite natural ambiance.  There is a roof deck on top that offers incredible views of the Telluride sky, which is best described at night as navy velvet that looks as though someone has tossed a handful of silver glitter across it....truly a sight to behold.  The daytime views of the box canyon are equally as breathtaking.  I did most of my star gazing right from my balcony, and when it got too cold outside, I stared at it through the glass door that opened onto it.

As far as being convenient to town, it's about a two block walk, across a little footbridge that goes over the river.  You don't even need to bother renting a car.  It might be more of a hassle than a help staying here.  We walked to dinner each night, and when I wasn't carving up the slopes I was walking around town checking out the shops.  My favorite restaurant nearby was Campagna...a scrumptious dinner.

As for the rooms, mine was so comfortable that there were moments when I didn't want to leave it.  Everything was so wonderful...the bedding...the gas fireplace (Telluride is a box canyon...natural fires are an environmental hazard), the oversize tub with waterfall shower head.  Oh, and the water....it's that wonderful mountain water that feels so good on your skin and tastes so good right out of the tap.  

After I had been in the hot tub soaking away my sore muscles for about an hour, I came in and took a long, hot shower under their fabulous waterfall shower head....so relaxing.  Right before bed, I took a bubble bath in their over-sized marble tub.  The hotel doesn't have a swimming pool, but the hot tub is so large that you feel like you are in a small pool.  Really, you have to sit in there just to take advantage of the gorgeous vista.  It's magical.

If you are a wine drinker, they have free wine at the hotel apres ski.  Just ask the concierge if they didn't tell you about it at check in.  Also, I paid full-price for a standard room so I was provided a free lift ticket.  It was a nice touch.  This is a hotel that really pays attention to the details.

I highly recommend staying at the Camel's Garden Hotel.  I didn't want to leave.

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