When the summer heat hits the triple digits, the weekday grind drags on, or a winter storm delivers the goods, Denverites know it’s time to brave I-70 and head for the hills.
Luckily for Coloradans, last-minute or one-night getaways are just a tank of gas—or an electric charge—away. And what better way to explore some of the state’s lesser-known small towns than by channeling the original spirit of The MICHELIN Guide and hitting the open road.
So, when you need a break from the city and want to swap snarled traffic for stargazing or soak in a hot tub outside of a 1950s-era motel, these five accommodations deliver a curated mix of calm, cool, and Colorado charm—all within three hours of Denver.
The Quick Escape/Staycation
The Eddy Taproom & Hotel
Destination: Golden, CODrive time: 15 minutes
Straddling the edge of Denver and the start of the Rockies, Golden is part city, part mountain town, making it ideal for a staycation with the shortest drive. Housed in a repurposed brick factory, the boutique hotel side mixes industrial bones with Colorado coziness: exposed beams, leather accents and big picture windows for views (rooms also include smart details like bike hooks and pour-over coffee). Guests and locals alike gather at the Eddy Taproom—an anchor of the neighborhood—for Colorado brews and elevated pub fare, or congregate around the communal firepits on the rooftop deck.
Book The Eddy Taproom & Hotel with The MICHELIN Guide →
Under Two Hours from Denver
The Armstrong Hotel
Destination: Fort Collins, CO
Drive time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Set in the heart of walkable Old Town, The Armstrong has been a Fort Collins fixture since 1923, and thanks to a stylish update ahead of its centennial, it feels both timeless and current. The rooms blend original Art Deco charm with modern flair, from rotary phones to cheeky wallpaper to plush beds. Downstairs, Ace Gillett’s Lounge serves strong martinis during live jazz sets, while the street-level café and lobby coffee bar keep things low-key by day. Outside, you’re minutes from everything that makes this college-meets-outdoorsy town hum: bikes, bookstores, boutiques and breweries galore. It’s independent and proudly local, making it the perfect pick whether you’re catching a CSU game or a concert.
Collective Vail
Destination: Wolcott, CODrive time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Set on a 1,000-acre working ranch in the secluded hills of Wolcott, Collective Vail is a May-through-October glamping retreat that delivers rugged seclusion without skimping on comfort. Safari-style tents feature king beds with Pendleton blankets, wood-burning stoves, electricity and en suite bathrooms with rain showers and hot water. Outside, private decks open onto vast vistas and open skies at night for stargazing. Days begin with farm-fresh breakfasts and end with communal dinners, whether it’s a five-course tasting menu or a DIY barbecue. There are guided activities, too, ranging from fly fishing and horseback rides to guided hikes and morning yoga. While Vail and Beaver Creek are a short drive away, you’ll feel far removed from ski-town bustle and likely will be just as happy to hang local.
Two-Four Hours from Denver
Amigo Motor Lodge
Destination: Salida, CODrive time: 2 hours
Amigo Motor Lodge is what happens when a mid-century motor inn gets the Scandi-meets-Southwest treatment. You’ll forget this spot is pushing 60, thanks to modern design throughout with preserved parts of its vintage shell. Choose from motel rooms or vintage Airstreams, all outfitted with Tuft & Needle beds, Malin + Goetz bath products, leafy plants and plenty of reading material. The hub of the 17-room spread centers around the fire pit and cedar hot tub, with a communal patio and sunroom for coffee-sipping, journaling or just decompressing. While there’s no restaurant on-site, the innkeepers offer curated café recs—and vouchers—to help fuel the day. The vibe is unmistakably Salida: a laid-back town for art-lovers and adventurers perched on the Arkansas River, surrounded by 14ers (mountains that reach an elevation of 14,000 feet), whitewater and fresh alpine air.
Vaquera House
Destination: Crested Butte, CODrive time: 4 hours
Tucked into the heart of downtown Crested Butte, Vaquera House whispers quiet luxury. With just 10 rooms, it blends rustic Western style—leather, wool, reclaimed wood—with indulgent touches like Italian linens and radiant floor heating (towel racks included). Weary travelers are welcomed with house-baked cookies and wine, and treated daily to breakfast and après-ski snacks. There's a gear room stocked with essentials, a rooftop hot tub with prime views and fireplaces indoors and out for lingering with a drink. It feels more like your fanciest friend’s vacation home than a typical hotel, which is exactly the point. And in a place as remote and refreshingly unpolished as Crested Butte—where ski runs and hiking trails are at your doorstep—come once, and you’ll likely be plotting your return before checkout.
