Where to Stay in Durango CO (Best Places & Areas in 2023)
👉 Jump to: Best Places to Stay in Durango | Neighborhoods & Areas | Tips | FAQ
I’m a Colorado local with solid advice on where to stay in Durango!
There are so many things to do in Durango, and fortunately, plenty of available lodging. This mountain town has historic hotels and B&Bs, along with modern hotels and motels at all price points. In this guide, I suggest several of the best places to stay in Durango, as well as the best areas to find accommodation.
Whether you want downtown amenities, a quiet getaway, or easy access to the outdoors, I’ve got you covered! Plus, at the end of this post, I share several travel tips to help you stay safe and save some cash.
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Best Places to Stay in Durango
Just looking for a quick answer on the best places to stay in Durango? Here are my top picks:
- 🏆 Best Overall Hotel – Strater Hotel
- ✨ Best Luxury Hotel – General Palmer Hotel
- 👪 Best for Families – Homewood Suites by Hilton, Durango
- 👔 Best for Business – DoubleTree by Hilton Durango
- 🏨 Best Boutique – Rochester Hotel
- ⛷️ Best Near Skiing – Purgatory Lodge Condos
- 💵 Best Budget – Hampton Inn Durango
Ok, let’s do a deep dive into the best areas and neighborhoods in Durango:
5 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Durango

If you’re visiting Durango for the first time, you’ll likely want to stay in historic downtown Durango. However, there are several other options depending on your plans.
You can stay near Purgatory Resort, one of the best ski resorts in Colorado. Or book lodging closer to Mesa Verde, one of Colorado’s top national parks! Here’s where to stay in Durango for these activities and more.
Historic Downtown Durango

👉 Best Area For Tourists | ✨ Best Downtown Durango Hotels: Strater Hotel • General Palmer Hotel • Rochester Hotel
Most of Durango’s points of interest, and many of the best places to stay in Durango, are in the historic downtown area. This includes the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, one of the most scenic train rides in Colorado.
The area is walkable and you can stroll to bars, restaurants, shops, museums, and more. If you get tired, the historic Durango Trolley is a fun way to get around town and most routes are just $1.
Pros of Staying in Historic Downtown Durango:
- Close to most Durango town attractions
- Lots of great restaurants and bars
- More than 80 historic buildings
Cons of Staying in Historic Downtown Durango:
- Hotels can be pricey
📚 Historic Downtown Durango Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for Tourists
Google Map
✨ Best Hotels – Strater Hotel • General Palmer Hotel • Rochester Hotel
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Durango
🍽️ Where to Eat – Chimayo Stone Fired Kitchen ($$$), 636 Main Ave ($$), Grassburger ($$)
🍸 Where to Drink – El Moro Spirits and Tavern, Starlight Lounge, Derailed Pour House
🎟️ Top Attractions – Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Durango Botanic Gardens, Fish Hatchery
Purgatory Resort

👉 Best Area For Skiing | ✨ Best Purgatory Resort Hotels: Purgatory Lodge Condos • Purgatory Village at Durango Mtn Resort • Peregrine Point
Like many of the best Colorado mountain towns, Durango features a nearby ski resort. There are several condos and apartments close to Purgatory Resort that make a great home base! The restaurant selection is slim, but most of the lodging here features fully-equipped kitchens.
Pros of Staying in Purgatory Resort:
- Close to skiing
- Beautiful views
- More room, usually with equipped kitchens
Cons of Staying in Purgatory Resort:
- Not much nightlife
- You’ll need a car to get to bars, restaurants, and other attractions
📚 Purgatory Resort Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for Skiing
Google Map
✨ Best Hotels – Purgatory Lodge Condos • Purgatory Village at Durango Mtn Resort • Peregrine Point
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Durango
🍽️ Where to Eat – Backcountry Gourmet ($$), Purgy’s Restaurant ($$), Olde Schoolhouse Cafe ($$)
🍸 Where to Drink – Backcountry Gourmet, Olde Schoolhouse
🎟️ Top Attractions – Skiing, hiking, mountain biking
Fort Lewis College Area

👉 Best Area For College Visits | ✨ Best Fort Lewis College Hotels: Nobody’s Inn • Rochester Hotel • Best Western Plus Rio Grande Inn
Durango is one of the best cities in Colorado, complete with higher education opportunities. Fort Lewis College is a small liberal arts college with about 3,800 students. If you’re headed to town to visit the school, there are a few nearby spots where you can stay. Fort Lewis also has some great hiking and biking trails in the area!
Pros of Staying in Fort Lewis College Neighborhood:
- Close to downtown
- Lots of outdoor spaces
Cons of Staying in Fort Lewis College Neighborhood:
- Hotels can be pricey
📚 Fort Lewis College Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for College Visits
Google Map
✨ Best Hotels – Nobody’s Inn • Rochester Hotel • Best Western Plus Rio Grande Inn
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Durango
🍽️ Where to Eat – Seasons of Durango ($$$), The Smiley Cafe ($$), Himalayan Kitchen ($$)
🍸 Where to Drink – Steamworks Brewing Company, El Rancho Tavern
🎟️ Top Attractions – Fort Lewis College, Rim Trail, disc golf
Hermosa

👉 Best Area For Quiet Vacations | ✨ Best Hermosa Hotels: Apple Orchard Inn • Junction West Durango Riverside Resort • Dalton Ranch Golf Club Home
Hermosa is just north of Durango and is a water stop along the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. It’s also near the Durango Hot Springs, some of the best hot springs in Colorado. It’s a nice, quiet spot for a secluded vacation!
Pros of Staying in Hermosa Neighborhood:
- Quiet
- Beautiful views
Cons of Staying in Hermosa Neighborhood:
- You’ll need to drive to bars, restaurants, and most attractions
📚 Hermosa Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for Quiet Vacations
Google Map
✨ Best Hotels – Apple Orchard Inn • Junction West Durango Riverside Resort • Dalton Ranch Golf Club Home
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Durango
🍽️ Where to Eat – Hermosa Creek Grill ($$), James Ranch Grill ($$), Mineshaft Bar & Grill ($$)
🍸 Where to Drink – James Ranch Grill, Mineshaft Bar & Grill
🎟️ Top Attractions – Fall Creek Falls, Dalton Ranch Golf Club, Durango Hot Springs Resort & Spa, Pinkerton Hot Springs
Mesa Verde Area

👉 Best Area For Visiting Mesa Verde | ✨ Best Mesa Verde Hotels: Far View Lodge • Mancos Inn • Starry Nights Ranch Bed & Breakfast
Mesa Verde National Park is one of the best places to visit in Colorado.
The closest town is Mancos. It’s a very small town, but you’ll be just 10 minutes from the park entrance. There are some shops, restaurants, and galleries in Mancos, but the big draw is definitely Mesa Verde and its iconic cliff dwellings.
For more, see our guide to the best places to stay close to Mesa Verde National Park.
Pros of Staying in Mancos Neighborhood:
- Close to Mesa Verde National Park
- Small town feel
- Several shops and restaurants
Cons of Staying in Mancos Neighborhood:
- Not much nightlife
📚 Mancos Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for Visiting Mesa Verde
Google Map
✨ Best Hotels – Far View Lodge • Mancos Inn • Starry Nights Ranch Bed & Breakfast
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Durango
🍽️ Where to Eat – Chavolo’s Mexican Restaurant ($$), Absolute Bakery & Cafe ($$), Mancos Pizza Co ($)
🍸 Where to Drink – Mancos Brewing Company, Columbine Bar & Grill, Fenceline Cider
🎟️ Top Attractions – Mesa Verde National Park, Mancos State Park
Tips for Staying in Durango

Layer Up
Colorado weather is notoriously fickle. Locals wear t-shirts while spring skiing, yet sometimes, we need winter jackets in August! Regardless of when you visit, pack several layers — plus a pack to carry them in when you want to take them off.
📚 Related Reading: Colorado Packing List (22 Things You Might Forget to Bring)
Always Wear Sunscreen
It’s easy to forget about sunscreen on freezing winter days, but the worst sunburn I ever got was on a ski slope! Be sure to use a high-SPF sunscreen (this one is my favorite) for your face, and a sport sunscreen on your arms and legs if needed.
Don’t Rely on Cell Phones
Cell service in Durango can be sketchy, especially in the surrounding mountainous areas. You may want to bring a map and either print out or screenshot any directions you need. Hike or travel with others and make sure you have a backup plan that doesn’t rely on phone service.

Book in the Off-Season
Durango is definitely a seasonal town. The historic train and Mesa Verde National Park are huge draws in summer, while winter sports make Durango popular in winter. You’ll find cheaper hotels in Durango and fewer tourists during the fall and spring.
Watch the Parking Meters
Downtown Durango has parking meters that require money from 8 am – 6 pm every weekday. Weekends and most holidays are free. There are also some public lots and you can buy an overnight parking pass at the Durango Transit Center.
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FAQs About Where to Stay in Durango

Is Durango expensive?
Durango can be an expensive place to visit. Tickets to popular attractions like the Narrow Gauge Railroad and Purgatory Resort can add up. However, many outdoor activities are free. Durango hotels range from inexpensive to upscale. Consider visiting in the fall or spring for lower nightly rates.
Durango also has a higher-than-average cost of living. However, it’s one of the best places to live in Colorado.
Is it better to stay in Durango or Cortez?
It is better to stay in Durango than Cortez. Cortez is closer to Mesa Verde National Park, but Durango has many more options for tourists. There are a variety of hotels, restaurants, bars, and shops in Durango, as well as an inexpensive transit system. You’ll also be closer to attractions like the Narrow Gauge Railroad.
What is Durango, CO is known for?
Durango, CO is known for Purgatory Ski Resort and the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. However, there are many more things to do in Durango!
The former mining town in southwest Colorado has also been featured in many movies. This includes the scene in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid where they end up in the Animas River.
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Hopefully, this has helped you narrow down where to stay in Durango. If you’ll be spending more time in the state, be sure to check out my guide to the best Colorado getaways!