Unbelievable Rochester Hotel Durango: Your Dream Colorado Getaway Awaits!
Unbelievable Rochester Hotel Durango: My Chaotic, Colorado Confession (And Why You Should Book Now!)
Okay, so I'm back from the Unbelievable Rochester Hotel Durango, and I'm still kind of buzzing. I mean, "unbelievable" is a pretty bold claim, right? But honestly? They're not entirely wrong. This place…it's a thing. And I, your intrepid, slightly-snarky travel guinea pig, am here to dissect the whole experience, warts and all. Buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into a review that's less polished travel brochure, more late-night chat with a friend.
First Impressions & "Accessible" Adventures (Accessibility, Facilities for disabled guests, Check-in/out [express], Exterior corridor, Elevator, Air conditioning in public area):
Right off the bat, let me say this: I'm not usually the "accessibility" type of reviewer. I can walk (mostly). But I did notice they were trying. The exterior corridors are, well, exterior. Easy to get to your room, right from the parking lot if you're on the ground level (which I wasn't, but hey, progress!). There's an elevator, which is a must for a multi-story hotel, and air conditioning in the public areas was definitely a blessing in that Durango heat. Check-in was surprisingly…easy. Express, even! (Sometimes, I swear, those are just a ploy to get you to your room faster – but hey, I'm not complaining.) They definitely had a good hand with the facilities for disabled guests, which were surprisingly up to the par.
The Room: My Little Colorado Cocoon (Available in all rooms, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens).
Okay, the room itself deserves its own paragraph. It was… well, it was a room. A pretty decent room, actually! Air conditioning was a godsend, especially if you're not used to the altitude (spoiler alert: I'm not). The blackout curtains were a lifesaver for my perpetually exhausted self. They also had a sofa (which I immediately claimed as my reading nook), and a desk I never actually used, because, well, let's be honest, I was on vacation. My bed. Oh. My. God. Extra long bed. I'm a fairly tall person, and this bed was massive, fluffy, and perfect for my afternoon naps. I'm not gonna lie, I may have spent a little too much time in it. The free Wi-Fi was a lifesaver (because, you know, Instagram). And the coffee/tea maker was essential to my survival in the mornings.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa, Swimming Pool, and the Quest for Inner Zen (Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]):
This is where the Unbelievable Rochester really shines. Let's start with the pool. It's beautiful. An outdoor swimming pool, with a view! I spent a solid afternoon just floating around, pretending I was some sort of incredibly relaxed aquatic creature. The spa? Yes, please! I treated myself to a massage (ah, the blissful kneading of muscles after hiking!), and it was pure heaven. I didn't try the body scrub or body wrap – I'm more of a "sit in the sun and read a book" kind of spa-goer. The fitness center looked… well, it looked like a fitness center. I, however, stuck to my preferred form of exercise: walking to the bar. There were also Spa/sauna. I didn't try the sauna though, but maybe you should.
Food Glorious Food: Fueling the Adventure (A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant):
Okay, the food situation…It's complex. The breakfast buffet was…abundant. Maybe too abundant. I feel like I gained five pounds just looking at it. There were options galore! Western breakfast, Asian breakfast, I was a breakfast champion! The restaurants – there were a few, and I dabbled. One night I inhaled a burger at the bar. Another, I sampled some appetizers at the poolside bar. There's a coffee shop which was a lifesaver. The Happy hour? Let's just say I met some… interesting characters there. And the room service [24-hour] was a godsend when my late-night cravings hit.
Cleanliness and Safety: Germs and All (Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment, ):
Look, in these crazy times, safety is paramount. And the Unbelievable Rochester seems to take it seriously. I noticed hand sanitizer everywhere. They were using anti-viral cleaning products and did a daily disinfection in common areas. The staff was definitely trained in safety protocol. And I appreciated the individually-wrapped food options at breakfast. Now, it didn't feel quite like everyone was obsessed with germs, but it was reassuring to see.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter (Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center):
I’m a big fan of a hotel that gets the small stuff right. Daily housekeeping? Check. Concierge? They helped me book a rafting trip (which was epic, by the way). The convenience store was a lifesaver for those late-night snack attacks. And the luggage storage was super helpful when I decided to squeeze in one last hike before heading home. I like that they have a doorman.
For the Kids: Family Fun (Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal):
I'm not traveling with kids, so I didn't pay much attention to this, but I saw plenty of families enjoying themselves. They have kids facilities and offer babysitting service. It seemed like a good place for families!
Quirky Observations & Emotional Reactions!
Okay, now for the juicy stuff!
- The "Proposal Spot": They have a "proposal spot." I didn't propose (sorry, single people, I'm unavailable), but I did see a couple getting engaged. It was actually kind of sweet (and made me slightly teary-eyed).
- The "Unbelievable" Factor: Does it live up to the name? Parts of it, yep! The spa, the pool, the bed… those were all pretty amazing. But honestly, it's the little things that make this place special!
- The Imperfections (Because, Real Life!): There were a few minor hiccups. The Wi-Fi cut out a couple of times (gasp! the horror!), and one of the elevators was a little slow at certain moments. The staff made up for them, though, very kind and accommodating.
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this itinerary for the Rochester Hotel in Durango, Colorado? It's gonna be… a journey. Forget perfect, we're going for gloriously, hilariously imperfect. Think less "smooth jazz" and more "slightly off-key polka."
Rochester Hotel Durango: A Hot Mess of a Plan (With a Heart of Gold)
Day 1: Arrival & Déjà Vu All Over Again (Because Apparently, I Picked the Wrong Luggage)
- 1:00 PM: Arrive in Durango. Finally! After a flight that felt like I was crammed into a sardine can with a screaming baby (seriously, I swear that kid had lungs made of foghorns), I’m physically here. Mentally? Still back in Denver, trying to figure out why I packed three pairs of identical black leggings. Again. (Note to self: label luggage better. And maybe, just maybe, consult the weather forecast.)
- 1:30 PM: Check into The Rochester. Okay, first impression: gorgeous. That lobby? Soaking in history! I swear I could practically smell the ghosts of cowboys and railroad barons hanging around. And the front desk guy, bless his heart, he had the patience of a saint. "Yes, ma'am, your luggage is…well, it's delayed. But it'll get here." Me? I'm picturing myself wearing the hotel bathrobe for the next three days. Glamorous.
- 2:00 PM: Unpack… or, you know, attempt to unpack. Mostly, I just stared at the empty suitcase, feeling a wave of existential dread wash over me. This is it, isn't it? This is what a midlife crisis looks like: stranded in Durango with no clean underwear. (Okay, maybe that's a slight exaggeration.)
- 2:30 PM: Explore the hotel! Wander through the art-filled hallways and lobby. Wow, the history just oozes out of the walls! This place is beautiful! I even saw the elevator, and let me tell you it’s perfect!
- 3:30 PM: A snack! And what did I find in the hotel restaurant? A wonderful, tasty, perfect, absolutely divine BLT. I literally moaned when I took the first bite. Seriously, best BLT ever. I'm already planning my second one for dinner tonight.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at the hotel restaurant (yes, again, I’m not ashamed). Another BLT. My justification? Needed to research it more thoroughly. The bartender was a chatty fella, regaling me with tales of Durango's "glory days." I was so absorbed (maybe it was the second beer) I forgot to tip!
Day 2: Gold Rush & Ghost Stories (and the Unexpected Charm of Dust)
- 9:00 AM: Woke up! and went down for the free continental breakfast (this is the kind of detail I'm going to remember! And the food was not bad either!)
- 10:00 AM: I was going to go explore the area! I was so set on checking out the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. But the line was a mile long! I didn't want to spend half my day waiting in line, so I decided to put it off for another day.
- 2:00 PM: I thought I would go check out the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. But the line was a mile long! I didn't want to spend half my day waiting in line, so I decided to put it off!
- 5:00 PM: Had to go back to the hotel! Even though I wanted to do so much more, I am tired! I needed a nap, and so I did! I woke up, and the best part? I felt amazing!
- 7:00 PM: Dinner! I really want a BLT! But I decided to be adventurous and go somewhere else.
- 8:00 PM: The food was a little bit meh. But I learned one thing: I definitely like BLTs better.
Day 3: Farewell (and a Vow to Return with More Than Just Black Leggings)
- 9:00 AM: Another awesome breakfast! The eggs were cooked perfectly!
- 10:00 AM: The morning's dedicated to packing up my stuff. My suitcase arrives!
- 11:00 AM: Final check-out and one last wistful gaze at the Rochester's façade. Seriously, that place has a charm you just don't find in those sterile, chain hotels. It's like staying in a hug.
- 12:00 PM: Heading to the airport.
- 1:00 PM: Flight back home.
Things I Learned (and Regret):
- Pack a wider variety of shoes. Seriously, the only shoes I brought were walking boots.
- Durango is beautiful.
- BLTs are life.
- Sometimes, the best plans involve embracing the mess.
Final Thoughts:
Durango, you charmed me. The Rochester Hotel, you stole my (slightly disheveled) heart. I will be back. And next time, I'll pack my sense of adventure, a working camera, and, yes, maybe even a few non-black leggings. Until then, cheers to unexpected journeys and the gloriously imperfect moments that make life worth living!
KLCC View Luxury Condo w/ WiFi! (2-4 Guests) - Gleneagles Near!
Unbelievable Rochester Hotel Durango: Your Dream Colorado Getaway Awaits! (Probably...maybe?) - FAQs (or, as I call it, the rambling, honest truth)
Okay, so *is* the Rochester Hotel actually "Unbelievable"? I mean, the name's a bit much, isn't it?
What's the *deal* with the history everyone keeps banging on about? Does it actually impact your stay?
The rooms... what are they like? Are they as quirky as the hotel's reputation? And more important: are they clean?
The courtyard--everyone raves about the courtyard. Is it really that magical?
Food! What about food? Is there a good restaurant? Breakfast? Room service? (I'm asking for a friend, I swear.)
Durango itself...is the hotel well-located for exploring?
Okay, so you mentioned the staff. What are they like? Are they helpful? Annoying? Somewhere in between?
Specifically, what was the *best* thing about your stay? Be straight with me.
