Amigo Motor Lodge

With America’s seemingly limitless supply of mid-century motels transforming themselves one by one into boutique hotels, the average small town is suddenly many times more likely to offer a stylish and thoughtfully designed — if low-frills — place to stay. Salida, in south central Colorado, is just such a place; set on the Arkansas River, and surrounded by 14,000-foot peaks, it’s a natural waypoint for adventure travel. It was just waiting for the arrival of a hotel like the Amigo Motor Lodge.

It’s a renovation of a 60-year-old structure whose rooms have been redesigned in a minimalist modern-rustic style and a Southwestern accent, complete with Tuft & Needle mattresses and Malin + Goetz bath products. To the king and double-queen rooms have been added a handful of vintage Airstream trailers with efficient, cozy furnishings and shared bathrooms.

Common spaces include an outdoor hot tub, a central living room, and plentiful outdoor lounge space, including firepits. Many rooms are dog-friendly, and while there’s no restaurant or breakfast service on site at the moment, you’ll be presented with directions (and vouchers) to a couple of local cafés. (Rooms are supplied with coffee makers — the Amigo is low-maintenance, but not cruel.)