The Haber Motel

We’d booked months in advance to visit Estes Park for the fall colors and elk rut. Last night I called to reply to their check-in email, confirm the reservation, and ask how to get the room key code. The number in the email had been disconnected, and the number on the website wasn’t accepting calls. This morning, a kind woman at the Estes Park Visitors Center told me the Haber Motel had a fire several months ago and was now closed. I’m sorry they had a fire and lost their business, but I’m very upset no one notified us. It’s now the busiest week in Estes Park, and the hotels and motels in our price range are full. We’ve had to cancel the vacation. I’ve been waiting 50 years for this trip to see the aspens at their full fall glory.

The owner called before check-in to welcome us and share recommendations around town. That’s first-class service. The room was spacious, clean, and comfortable, and the location made it easy to walk everywhere in town without paying for public parking or using the shuttle.

The Haber was a good find for a national park trip. It’s a small, locally owned motel with six rooms, tucked behind two restaurants, and it doesn’t look like much from outside. Our room, number 3, was the last unit on the left on the first floor. It was clean, spacious, and well equipped, about like a Hampton Inn, though there’s no lobby or breakfast. The location is hard to beat, with downtown an easy walk away. The Egg of Estes, one of the restaurants out front, seems to be the place for breakfast in Estes Park, and it was quite good. The drawbacks were minor: some noise from the unit above us, and very loud dumpster emptying around 5:50 a.m. on Monday, trash day for both restaurants. I’d recommend the motel and stay again.

RJ Haber, the owner, got in touch before check-in with suggestions for places to eat and visit. He lives nearby and was available if needed. We had no trouble sleeping despite the motel’s very busy intersection, and I didn’t notice road noise. The area is busy, though, and you don’t stay here for the view. The room was very clean and had the basics, including a small fridge with a freezer and ice, plus a microwave. It’s a good value and a convenient base for walking to food, since driving and parking in Estes Park can be a pain. RMNP’s entrance is a 15 minute drive away. Getting in and out of the lot around 9 a.m. can be tricky when The Egg of Estes is busy, as the restaurant shares the parking lot. Estes Thai is an easy dinner option: order online, pick it up just outside your door, and take it to the water to eat. If you want an affordable stay with basic amenities and a convenient location, this is a great spot.