Several years ago, our family fell head over heels in love with a new family travel destination. Estes Park, Colorado has been our summer getaway every year since. The small town feel coupled with the awe inspiring mountain views charms us every trip. Each year we look around for Estes Park lodging – and we have found some real gems. The time of year you visit Estes park will greatly change how many Estes Park lodging options you have. And it’s always best to book as far in advance as you can. If you are considering a visit to Estes Park, Colorado – our family thinks you are making a great choice of location!
Here are a few of the Estes Park Lodging locations we can share some insight on – we hope it helps you research your options!
Lodging in Estes Park –
Studio Style Lodging:
Murphy River Lodge – These 350 sq. ft. river front condos feature a king size bed with a sofa sleeper and can sleep 4. The open space layout feels like a studio. We really enjoyed having a lower unit, because we could walk right out to the beautiful rushing river! Highly recommend requesting a lower unit if that appeals to you also. I believe they book up slightly faster than upper units.
We also appreciated having the option of using a small kitchen area, equipped with dishes, silverware, and a few pots & pans. A microwave, oven, refrigerator, and full size Coffee Maker were also provided. We used the fireplace several times – and loved it’s homey charm!
Our condo had a small patio attached to the back door of the unit, as well as a table with a couple of chairs. Perfect for morning coffee! Our daughter also loved having access to the inside pool, usable even in inclement weather. A life saver if you travel with kids. We also appreciated the morning breakfast bar being well stocked.
The location of this condo is great, it’s only a short walk (less than 10 min) to downtown Estes Park, and the rooms are seated directly on the river as the name suggests. We would happily stay at this location again!
(We paid Approx $200 a night, but rates do vary by time of year.)
Hotel Room Style Lodging:
Silver Moon Inn – When we stayed in this standard two queen room, we were initially nervous about whether we would have enough room. But thankfully, we were pleasantly surprised with how well the room was laid out. While not a gigantic room, it did have everything we needed – including a small sitting area with chairs and table. A mini fridge and microwave allowed us to snack, and our A/C worked well.
With a view of the river – we absolutely loved being on the ground floor at Silver Moon Inn. The river ledge here is dotted with swings, benches, fire pits – and lots of scenic areas to enjoy the rushing water! Management at this hotel was top notch, and helped give this hotel a very friendly vibe.
The Inn even supplies S’mores each night, so you can roast them in fire bowls outside. Coffee as well as simple grab and go breakfast items were also available each morning, along with fresh popcorn in the afternoon.
Another great part of staying at this hotel was the added luxury of daily housekeeping, and a room located right on downtown Estes Park’s main street. We had easy access to restaurants and shopping staying here.
The outdoor pool at this location was a great perk and we used it often, as well as nearby Jacuzzi tubs.
(We paid approx $190 a night to stay here, and prices vary by room types as well as seasonal demand.)
Cabin Style Lodging:
This knotty Pine Look Cabin can sleep up to 8 guests with 2 Queen bedrooms, and 2 queen sleepers in the living room. The living room space has lots of well worn but comfortable furniture, and a desk area perfect for a laptop. We never used the fireplace, but appreciated the focal point it created. The fully equipped kitchen had everything we needed, but you should be aware it’s somewhat rustic and basic. In fact, those two adjectives aptly describe this cabin in general.
But don’t let it’s older look scare you away, what it lacks in modern touches it makes up for in lots of seeming seclusion and charm – while still being right off of Estes Park’s downtown. Cross a small footbridge and a few streets – and you are on downtown’s main street.
The lodge has several apartment style rooms as well as cabins, stayed in cabin #14, and enjoyed our stay very much.
The lodge does not offer breakfast, but did have a fairly large selection of movies to borrow. Smore’s were roasted at night, and free to lodgers. And a mountainside Jacuzzi is available to guests as well.
We enjoyed this cabin, and even had a deer come right to our door to dine on the bushes under our cabin window! If you like individual rooms to get away into, you may prefer a cabin experience rather than a hotel room in Estes Park. This cabin certainly had a forest vibe while still allowing us access to downtown.
If you don’t mind rustic, this cabin will reward you with a small house to make your base camp!
(We paid approx $250 a night for this cabin. Rates vary by cabin number and time of year.)
Loft/Condo Style Lodging:
Loft of Estes Park (A Vacasa Rental)
This Estes Park condo is located right smack dab in the very center of down town in Estes Park. Large windows and impossibly high ceilings provide a bright and airy loft feel. Windows look down onto active downtown Estes Park life, and sliding windows behind the couch provide the perfect perch for people watching from a distance.
The open space living here is well planned out – and the great room features a gas fireplace. We loved the decorative touches all around the loft, they were simple and sophisticated – but always had a nod to mountain town living. The furnished deck wraps around the side of the building and provided a welcome outdoor space. Don’t feel like cooking? Use the provided grill, or grab dinner from a restaurant right on the same street as your staying.
Feel like cooking? This lodge takes the term ‘full kitchen seriously. Everything feels up to date, clean, and well appointed. Any kitchen utensil you can think of – is clean and waiting in the cupboards. Another perk this condo had that absolutely spoiled us, was the private washer/dryer combo.
What a life saver for a family or group hiking daily!
There was a generous media library available, and free WiFi. The jetted tub was great for soothing sore muscles too! This loft would be a great place to stay for a family or perhaps two couples. Max occupancy is 4 people (1 King Bed, 1 Queen Bed, 1 Sofa Bed).
(We paid approx $220 a night to stay in this loft. Rates do vary by season)
I hope this round up of Estes Park Lodging was helpful in giving you some ideas about what kind of lodging you can get in Estes Park, Colorado! The options are really endless, and we hope that seeing what has worked for us when we visit will help you plan your upcoming stay!
Happy Travels!
About Shannon SchmidShannon traded in her sensible NYC TV producer shoes (they were best for taking the subway), for a pair of Texas Cowboy boots when she married her best friend! He's at fault for making this Yankee a Texan! Shannon writes about all things that make a house a home. Her chief blogging inspiration is being the proud & slightly neurotic mom of a preschool age daughter.
You can find Shannon on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and her new favorite place to hang out, Google+.
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