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Where to Stay in Buena Vista (Best Areas & Hotels)
👉 Jump to: Best Places to Stay in Buena Vista | Neighborhoods & Areas | Tips | FAQ
I’m a Denver local and when I’m itching to get outside, few Colorado destinations can compete with Buena Vista.
If you’re looking to play in the mountains, I recommend staying on the west side of town near the Collegiate Peaks. In this area, you’ll find 14er trailheads, premier fly fishing, and my favorite place to stay: Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort. After a day outdoors, what better spot to relax than its warm creekside pools?
Alternatively, consider staying in Historic Downtown Buena Vista to easily walk to restaurants, bars, and charming local attractions. Shorehouse Hotel has an unbeatable location.
There are several other great places to stay in BV, too. Keep reading to discover the pros and cons of each area, and check out my quick summary of the town’s top hotels.
Best Places to Stay in Buena Vista
Just looking for a quick answer on the best places to stay in Buena Vista? Here are my top picks:
- 🌟 Best Overall Hotel – Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort
- 📍 Best Location – Shorehouse Hotel
- 🍸 Best Luxury Hotel – Surf Hotel & Chateau
- 👪 Best for Families – Best Western Vista Inn
- ⛰️ Best for Hikers – Deer Valley Ranch Resort
- 🏨 Best Boutique – The Inn
- 🛏️ Best Budget – Vista Court Cabins & Lodge
Click here to see all top Buena Vista hotels or here for apartments.
Ok, let’s do a deep dive of the best areas and neighborhoods in Buena Vista:
4 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Buena Vista
Buena Vista is a small Colorado town, but there are several distinct areas where you can stay. Historic downtown has buildings from the 1800s that have been turned into museums, shops, and restaurants. South Main is a newer area, built near the Buena Vista River Park.
To the west of town, you’ll find the Collegiate Peaks and endless outdoor recreation. Just south of town lies Johnson Village, a riverside community that’s especially ideal for whitewater rafting.
Collegiate Peaks
Pools at Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort 
Cottonwood, another popular place to soak 
Charlotte Hot Springs is new to the area 
It features a peaceful botanical garden 
Say “hello” to Charlotte’s resident parrot 
Editor Abigail at the top of Mt. Princeton 
Abigail on the Mt. Yale summit 
The Collegiate Peaks are stunning
👉Best Area For Outdoor Recreation | ✨Best Collegiate Peaks Hotels: Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort • Buffalo Peaks B&B • Deer Valley Ranch Resort • Vista Court Cabins & Lodge
The Collegiate Peaks backdrop Buena Vista to the west. Head this direction to access Cottonwood Pass and Chalk Creek Drive, which leads to my top-recommended stay: Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort. It’s one of the best hot springs in Colorado, offering creekside pools and family-friendly water slides, plus on-site dining and cozy lodging.
The western side of town is also closer to hiking trailheads, waterways for rafting and fly fishing, and even snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter. It’s truly an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise.
Pros of Staying Near the Collegiate Peaks:
- Feels more open
- Near nature and wildlife
- Outdoor activities like hiking and cross-country skiing
Con of Staying Near the Collegiate Peaks:
- Not close to shops & restaurants
📚 Collegiate Peaks Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for Outdoor Recreation
Google Map
✨Best Hotels – Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort • Buffalo Peaks B&B • Deer Valley Ranch Resort • Vista Court Cabins & Lodge
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals near Collegiate Peaks
🍽️ Where to Eat – Mary Murphy Steakhouse ($$$), The Beach ($$), Not The Same Ol’ Food Truck ($)
🍸Where to Drink – Browns Canyon Brewing Company
🎟️Top Attractions – Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort, Cottonwood Hot Springs, Charlotte Hot Springs, Comanche Drive-In, St. Elmo, Browns Canyon National Monument
Historic Downtown Buena Vista
👉Best Area For Local Charm | ✨Best Historic Buena Vista Hotels: The Inn • Best Western Vista Inn • Shorehouse Hotel
Historic downtown Buena Vista puts you close to the town’s best attractions. Enjoy shopping, restaurants, breweries, and coffee shops. The town history museum is also on Main Street. If you walk all the way down to the end, you’ll be at the Buena Vista Whitewater Park, where there’s a variety of outdoor activities.
In this area, I especially recommend the Shorehouse Hotel. This boutique hotel features laid-back, yet luxurious interiors and an unbeatable location along Main Street.
Pros of Staying in Historic Downtown Buena Vista:
- Lots of shops and restaurants
- Hiking, biking, and river sports nearby
- Historic buildings
Con of Staying in Historic Downtown Buena Vista:
- Main Street can get crowded in season
📚 Historic Downtown Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for Local Charm
Google Map
✨ Best Hotels – The Inn • Best Western Vista Inn • Shorehouse Hotel
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Buena Vista
🍽️ Where to Eat – Simple Eatery ($$), Crave ($$), K’s Dairy Delite ($)
🍸Where to Drink – The Slammer, Deerhammer Distillery, Eddyline Brewery
🎟️Top Attractions – Buena Vista Whitewater Park, Buena Vista Heritage Museum, Buena Vista Depot, Buena Vista Disc Golf Course, UpRiver Fly Fishing
South Main
👉Best Area For Modern Luxury | ✨Best South Main Hotels: Surf Hotel & Chateau • South Main Residences by Surf Hotel
South Main is a newer area of Buena Vista. The Surf Hotel & Chateau was built overlooking the Arkansas River, and you’ll get beautiful views of the river and mountains. And while buildings from the 1800s have their charms, this is where to stay if you are the type of traveler who really appreciates newer hotels and nice eateries.
Pros of Staying in South Main:
- Modern buildings and conveniences
- Close to the Arkansas River
- Close to new restaurants
Con of Staying in South Main:
- Not as many shops & restaurants as the historic district
📚 South Main Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for Modern Luxury
Google Map
✨ Best Hotels – Surf Hotel & Chateau • South Main Residences by Surf Hotel
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in South Main
🍽️ Where to Eat – Eddyline Restaurant South Main ($$), Joyful Bakery & Coffee ($), Wesley & Rose Lobby Bar ($$$)
🍸Where to Drink – Wesley & Rose Lobby Bar, Eddyline Restaurant, Coyote Mezcalería y Cervecería
🎟️Top Attractions – Buena Vista Whitewater Park, Buena Vista Skate Park, Riverpark Dog Park, Riverside Trail
Johnson Village
Views near BV Overlook Camp & Lodging 
Start your morning at Station 24 Cafe 
Book a fly fishing float trip with UpRiver 
Abigail posed with her prized trout 
Whitewater rafting tours also float through
👉 Best Area For Rafting Tours | ✨Best Johnson Village Hotels: Slackwater Inn • BV Overlook Camp & Lodging• Luxurious Riverside Chalet
Several rafting outfitters are located along Highway 24, which runs north and south through Buena Vista. Lodging in the riverside community of Johnson Village means you’ll be close to those spots and ready for a day on the water.
You can also find some relatively affordable accommodation options in this area, like Slackwater Inn.
Pros of Staying in Johnson Village:
- Near rafting outfitters
- Close to the Arkansas River
- Beautiful views
Con of Staying in Johnson Village:
- Farther from historic Main St. restaurants and shops
📚 Johnson Village Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for Rafting Tours
Google Map
✨ Best Hotels – Slackwater Inn • BV Overlook Camp & Lodging • Luxurious Riverside Chalet
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Johnson Village
🍽️ Where to Eat – Station 24 Cafe ($), Wayno’s ($)
🎟️ Top Attractions – Whitewater rafting tours, Collegiate Peaks Overlook, Midland Bicycle Trailhead
Tips for Staying in Buena Vista
Layer Up
In winter, you’ll likely want several layers on your Colorado packing list, including warm base layers, shirts, sweaters, and a good jacket.
Summer requires layers, too! If you plan to be outdoors in summer, you can go from a cool mountain morning to warm sun, back to a chilly breeze in almost no time.
Plan for the Altitude
Buena Vista may not be as high up as nearby Leadville, but at 8,000 feet above sea level, a lot of the same rules apply.
Make sure you drink plenty of water or sports drinks while exploring Buena Vista attractions — and especially if you’re outside getting exercise. Regularly applying sunscreen is also essential.
Give Yourself Time
If you’re not used to high altitudes, you may need a day or two to acclimate. Plan on extra breaks while hiking or biking. If you’re planning an extremely strenuous activity like climbing a 14er, do that a day or two after you arrive so you have time to adjust.
If you’re traveling from sea level, you may also want to spend a day or two in Denver.
👉 Read Next: The Best Places to Stay in Denver
FAQs
What is Buena Vista known for?
Buena Vista is known for its excellent rafting on the Arkansas River. There are several outfitters near town and Johnson Village, which take rafters through Browns Canyon National Monument.
Buena Vista is also known for the Collegiate Peaks. This area is home to several college-named Colorado 14ers, including Mount Princeton, Mount Harvard, and Mount Yale. Many people climb these mountains, or enjoy other hikes and mountain bike rides in the area.
What city is Buena Vista near?
The nearest city to Buena Vista is Colorado Springs, where you’ll find many places to stay and things to do.
What is there to do in Buena Vista?
Things to do in Buena Vista during summer include rafting, hiking, and paddling at the whitewater park. In winter, you can snowshoe and cross-country ski. Year-round, you can visit the hot springs that dot the Collegiate Peaks area or check out the breweries and shops in historic downtown Buena Vista.
***
Buena Vista is truly one of the best places to visit in Colorado. You’ll find fewer crowds and plenty of outdoor activities for families, as well as for serious hikers and adventurers. You’ll also find a range of places to rest, from mom-and-pop motels to new, upscale boutique stays.
– Laura Falin contributed to this article
