Monarch Mountain Lodge

The place has a ski lodge mixed with summer camp feel, and that old-school pace is exactly why we keep coming back. My son loves the ping pong, pool and basketball court, and the limited cell service is part of the charm. It’s close to the ski area, everyone’s friendly, the food is good, and the chef is attentive. The desk guy handles the radio and shuttle, among other things. Nothing fancy, but it takes me back to my 80s childhood in the best way. We had to leave early yesterday because high winds closed the mountain, and that was our only full day planned for skiing. They were accommodating about moving our reservation so we can stay two nights next month. I’m waiting for the email confirmation, but I’m sure they’ll sort it out. We’re looking forward to returning.

The restaurant food and view were exceptional when my mother-in-law and I stayed for a night a couple of years ago. The room was basic but clean, the bed was comfortable, and the person at the front desk was there and friendly. I’d planned to bring my family back, but the recent reviews make it sound like the hotel has gone downhill quickly over the last few months. Once the current problems are fixed and reviews improve, I’ll consider coming back. Right now, it looks like it could be a big disappointment.

The restaurant gentlemen were wonderful, and the servers were great. The food was pretty good, too. This isn’t a fancy five-star place, but it met what I wanted for a clean, simple hotel in a good spot for skiing Monarch, and then some. I had a second-floor king economy room. It was clean, the water was hot, and the heat worked very well. There was no refrigerator or microwave, which was fine for us. Communication around booking, check-in and questions was unusual, but I got the information I needed. The pool was clean and the sauna was fine. There’s also a basketball court and game room. The hot tubs have been down so long that it seems unlikely they’ll work again.

The smell of raccoon urine greeted us through much of the hotel, though our room itself smelled clean. There was no hot water, barely any working heat, and the hot tubs weren’t working. We even rationed water because we didn’t trust the hotel’s water. It left us wondering what else might be wrong if those things weren’t being cared for. Our sense of humor got us through the one night. The so-called fitness center had discarded-looking infomercial gear from the 80s, which at least gave us a laugh. If you’re asking whether it can really be this bad, yes. Stay in Salida. Any positive reviews must be fake. This place has a lot of potential if someone would buy and renovate it.