The Victorian Inn

This felt like a roadside motel you'd use only because you desperately need somewhere to sleep. Maybe it looks nice from outside, but the room was stuffy and had no decor at all. The baseboard heat was off when I arrived, and with the room in the mid 40s it took about six hours to warm up. The bed felt like sleeping on a 3-by-6 brick. Check-in came with the usual clerk acting as if renting a room was a favor. It might suit 18-year-olds who don't know better. I can't see how it deserves four stars; one or two at most.

With most places booked during a busy period in Telluride, we ended up at The Victorian Inn. Its location is the main draw, a couple of blocks from the gondola base and an easy walk to restaurants, bars, and shops. That said, most of Telluride is walkable anyway. The room was clean and the beds were comfortable, but everything looked tired: worn chair upholstery and dated finishes. The walls and windows barely block sound, so we heard people outside walking and talking all night. That's a real problem in a town that stays lively late. There's no parking lot, so we had to find street parking. It worked out, though it was another thing to deal with. The yard has a firepit and chairs, plus a hot tub. Guests were using them, but neither area felt especially welcoming. In the small lobby, the hotel sets out a few breakfast items; none appealed to us, so we skipped them. The location works well when availability is tight, but the worn condition and noise would make me look elsewhere next time.

I'm still in disbelief. There were no other rooms available in town on such short notice, or at least no way for me to get one, so I ended up sleeping on the floor. I checked in late and collected my key from a box outside the office around 9:30 p.m. There was nobody there to speak with. Just look at the attached photos. That's how the room was; I didn't touch or stage anything. Easily the worst lodging experience of my life.

For Telluride, this may be the only affordable hotel. The room was clean, the bed and pillows were comfortable, and the staff were friendly. I don't get all the harsh reviews.