My wife and I are spending sometime at Mesa Verda in early Oct. I have heard some good reports about Kelly"s B&B and am hoping to get more information from Fodorites who may have recently stayed there. As it now stands we would get to Cortez in the evening get a room and spend the next day at Mesa Verde, spend that night again in Cortez before heading to Colo Springs area. All info is appreciated.

I live in the area and am happy to help.

I have passed by where Kelly's is but haven't been inside.

There are several nice B&B's in area including Inn at McElmo where I attended a Chamber of Commerce meeting. We got to see the room and taste their food, both were very nice.

Jolly Rancher is also a place I drive by often.

Lebanon School House is another one I pass often. I overheard some folks talking about how nice it was while on a lift line at Telluride.

www.theinnatmcelmocanyon.com

www.thejollyrancher.com/

www.thejollyrancher.com/

The drive from Cortez to the entrance of Mesa Verde NP is only about 15 minutes [10 extra minutes for Kelly's and Inn at McElmo]but then there is another 30 + minute drive to get to visitor's center where you buy tickets.

While I always try to promote our little town and have people do local, have you thought about staying at MV? Many posters here recommend staying at Far View Lodge, which is right near the visitor's center. It enables you to see sunrise and sunset and not have to do the long drive in and out. Going back to Cortez after visiting would only have you drive back that way the next day on way to Springs.

I don't know if I helped or added more for you.

October at Mesa Verde is a wonderful time of year!

Deb

Deb, thanks for your information. I'm researching all of your suggested option. Far Veiw lodge has a mixed rating from most of the travellers. Primary reason to stay there is it saves time from coming and going to the park, but I am inclined to look at the near by B&B's. Looking forward to our trip. P.S. I noticed that you replied to a number of inquires on Mesa Verda and I thank you for that as well, I found them to be helpful.

We just got back from Mesa Verde yesterday. After reading all the mixed reviews we decided to stay at Far View Lodge. There are pros and cons. We decided to listen to other travelers and book the upgraded Kiva room which was worth the extra $15. I really was not crazy about the room. It was small and the door that connected to the adjoining room was paper thin. We could hear every word the people in the next room said even though they spoke in normal tones. It was clean and the view was to die for. We were entertained all evening watching the lightning and rain off in the distance. On the other hand, if you plan on spending multiple days at the park the road in is long and very winding and steep. I would rather stay at the Lodge than deal with the time and drive multiple times. We were able to get to the park when it opened and saw everything we wanted to by about 3:30p.m. We didn't do any tours we just saw everything we could on our own. If I had know we would have been done early I would have driven to Durango for the night.

Thanks petsitter for the additional info, sort of confirms what I have read from all sources. Current plans are drive down from Vail get 2 nights at one of the B&Bs Deb recommended which will allow 1 full day at Mesa Verda, and perhaps a portion of the next as well. I think we will stay in Durango at the Strater Hotel for third night and head to Colo Sprgs area after. Any opinions on the Strater?

I will swing by Jolly Rancher and Lebanon School House and see what they look like up close either today or tomorrow.


The Strater is an old hotel right in town. It has a very old victorian feel to it. The rooms are very small. It is right in town so is convenient for dinner and walking around.

If you are willing to drive a bit north of Durango, The Apple Orchard B&B is an excellent place to stay and the owner's are so nice. Excellent cottages or rooms in the main house, gourment cooked to order breakfast, cocktails in evening with snacks, Trimble Hot Springs right down the road.

http://appleorchardinn.com/

Deb

We recently stayed at Rochester Hotel in Durango and really enjoyed it. It's rustic but comfortable and one block off main street, which we enjoyed. The Strater is right on the main street and it gets really crowded. You get a great breakfast in the morning, there is a very comfortable courtyard, and everyone at the hotel was really nice and helpful with restaurants, etc. They also have bikes you can use. The Leland House B&B across the street is run by the same owner as the hotel.

http://rochesterhotel.com/

Oh, and when you're in Cortez be sure and stop in at Clay Mesa. The artist creates gorgeous decorative pottery. We bought a gorgeous bowl.

http://www.claymesa.com/

Wow! I am impressed that you were able to get into Clay Mesa. I have lived here for 3 years and have yet to be by there when it was open!

They do have beautiful pieces in the windows.

Deb

OK, Harley, just got back from visits to both Jolly Rancher and Lebanon School House.

I met the innkeeper (S) at both places, saw the common areas and viewed almost all of the guest rooms.

While Jolly Rancher was clean and neat, it was like being in your great-aunt or grandma's house. Seemed kind of old fashioned. They don't have too many rooms and from what the innkeeper said, only one room was available at approx time of your trip. East Room. Obviously, you would have to call t be sure since I didn't have any exact dates.

The place is up for sale, and that sort of sends a signal to me that it might not be what it once was.

You could certainly do worse.

The Lebanon School House was a delight! It was much more open, bright, inviting and the innkeepers were very nice. I got good vibes from them.

Two of the rooms in the main house are up a lot of stairs - don't know if that is an issue - and they share a bath. One has a queen; the other room only a double.

The room downstairs is small with the bathroom outside of the room. It has a loft with an extra bed. It is kind of small.

There is a room over the garage, but is was occupied.

There is a little cottage that was just lovely. Private and cozy.

If I were to pick, I would choose the little cottage at Lebanon. It is a few miles north of Jolly Rancher, but I liked it more.

Kelly's is further out of town, in McElmo Canyon and it can be gawd awful hot there.

I hope this helps some.
Deb

I would not do Mesa Verde without taking at least one Ranger led guided tour. SEE AS MANY HOUSES AS YOU CAN, they are all different. Petroglyph trail is probably the best trail in the park. I would certainly stay in the park one night, and eat at Far View Lodge(Metate Dining Room). I guess you can do Mesa Verde in a day, but you will be missing a lot.

topping for Harley

Deb, thanks very, very much for the additional info and going out of the way to give me a clear picture of B8B choices, I have looked at the web sites you posted and found the School house to be attractive. Spirobulldog, how much days did you take at Mesa Verda, I plan on doing as many of the guided tours possible, however some might be to physically difficult for DW. I'm still looking up all the info on the web from the Park Service but any and all advice you can provide is appreciated. The Fodorite pipeling is absolutely the best resource available. DW and I relied heavily on advice on our trip to Ireland last Sep. and it was dead on.

If DW has issues with walking, climbing steps etc. you will be limited in how close you can actually get to the cliff dwellings.

http://www.nps.gov/meve/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm

Cliff Palace and Balcony House both have steps, ladders etc that must be climbed to get in and out.

Spruce Tree House is mostly path and involves a 100ft descent and ascent on a winding path. Walking distance is 1/2-mile round trip. There is a really nice overlook for the House.

There are many drives that are available too along with museum, visitor's center etc.

Deb