The Rochester Hotel

I’m another one in 5+ category. This place is wonderful. The place is authentic, charming, comfortable. And they’ve done a super job remodeling for 21 century comfort without killing the traditional style. It’s the people that make the hotel such a remarkable experience. Friendly, sincere, go out of their way to help with items big or small. Keith and his Team make you feel like home in every way. Hot breakfast, courtesy bikes, fresh cookies, amazing garden, right in downtown, parking all add to making this a ‘must’ place to stay.

We were planning a last minute Labor Day weekend getaway and couldn’t seem to find a hotel that was affordably priced and also somewhat nice and in the heart of town. I stumbled upon the Rochester hotel and immediately like B looks of it. We booked it online and the next day they called us to confirm our reservation and also to ask a few questions about our preferences and our stay intentions. We checked in at 4 p.m. on a Saturday and our room was ready. The young lady the front desk was very sweet and accommodating. She walked us to our room which was room number 103. It was on the main floor just across from the kitchen and breakfast area and near the stairs. I initially thought it would be noisy but it didn’t bother us. The only noise I heard was probably in the morning around breakfast time which by the way is served from 7 a.m. till 9 a.m. and it was delicious. As for the room itself, this room had a king bed (very comfy) and a cute red leather chair along with several dressers and credenza type things throughout the room. Of course everything is antique-​ish. BTW, the included breakfast was great. They have a different bf dish every morning and also fruit, muffins, bf breads, etc. You can have any or all. I have no complaints, hopefully we’ll be back soon!

This is a tough one to review, because on our historic but restored, downtown historic district hotels with the best ratings for the area, this was the only one that fit for Durango. But it was a less than stellar experience. So maybe barely AOK, with the point that there isn’t anything better in Durango in this category. It was the only place on our trip that my husband had stayed in previously and he remembered it so fondly. But that was 20+ years ago and I don’t think a thing other than the front office has been updated since. And he apparently had a much better room last time.
The thing about these smaller old hotels is that usually every room is different. And therein lies a bit of a problem. Since you cannot see it in advance, and they tell you what is available in your size category, you have to trust their judgement, sight unseen. Last time he was there he had a bright sunny room upstairs and it had been recently renovated. And it was fall so it was cool outside. Now, two decades later, we were assigned a small room under the stairs with one tiny window that had the bottom half filled with an AC unit (lucky indeed in the heat though) but facing the communal patio so a heavy privacy drape over the rest. Too dark for me. And a bit stuffy so we ran the AC for freshness overnight even though it was probably cool enough outside had we had an open window. If we had been staying more than one night, I would have asked for a different room.
The décor was attractive in a very old way, not updated and freshened with an historic bent like the other places we stayed. But real antiques nevertheless. The staff was incredibly friendly and pleasant. We even met an employee who had grown up in our part of CO and had moved to Durango for college and liked it so much she stayed. She is a wonderful asset to the business. It was so nice to talk to her for a few minutes, out on the patio in the evening and get a local’s perspective on the area from someone who knows ours. Also, they put out a very nice complimentary breakfast in the morning and though I don’t eat much that early, my husband thoroughly enjoyed his homemade granola and fixings, juice and coffee.

If I could do a 5+ that’s what I would do. But since they cap me at 5, know that I’m adding the + on my own. From start to finish our experience was top notch for customer service.
When I booked the reservation the gentleman was super nice. Turns out we are both from Fort Collins so we chatted a bit about that too.
The day of our reservation we drove in from Antelope Canyon. We thought we’d arrive earlier than we did but we got a call from Max at 8 checking in on us. He wanted to make sure we had a way to get into our room if we arrived after 10 when they closed. We got in at 9 and Max took us up to our room and went over all the important stuff. He could not have been nicer or more professional.
This morning we had two really lovely ladies cook and serve us a hot breakfast of dill havarti scrambled eggs and hash browns. It was delicious and again they offered the same high quality customer service.
Oh and the room was really lovely. The bath soap is amazing, so much so that we wrapped up the one we opened and took it with us. They had make up wipes and great lotion too.
In short, this should be anyone’s go to place to stay in Durango!

The place is very nice and very good value and I would have given it 5 stars except for the garbage truck near our window which woke us up Monday at 7:10 am. Also, the time-​band for their breakfast — 7−9 am — is a bit too early for me.

Loved this place!!! Greet staff, great breakfast, awesome building, loved the music in the patio out back. I want to come back to durango with family just to stay here!

A very delightful change from the chains. Rooms are good sized, they pay attention to details, good location for dining, shopping, etc. Front desk staff very helpful. Wonderful patio to relax on, have a cocktail, or read. Breakfast was included and perfect. Highly, highly recommend. Max recommended Ken and Sues for dinner. Great suggestion… thanks!

Let me join the chorus in singing the praises of this wonderful hotel. We spent my birthday night here and I was given a free glass of champagne from their small lobby bar. Room 105 has lovely antiques, huge shower and a deck on their secret garden. The service from the moment we walked in asking about a room until check out was great, the staff all make you feel like part of their family.

Excellent property. Very much a B&B feel. Staff is terrific every time iI am here and they know your name. Hot cooked breakfast every morning that is awesome! I definitely recommend it over any other property in Durango.

The first time we visited Durango it was during the summer and we stayed across the street in the Leland House. This last weekend it was to catch the last of the fall colors and it was cold, and we stayed at The Rochester Hotel.
Let me tell you, I adore this whole scene. The rooms are yes, an old Wild West Hollywood theme, as is the rest of the Hotel. It’s not my thing… usually… but here, it works.
After both visits, I prefer visiting in the summer. There is just so much more for me to do in Durango and the surrounding areas for me, in the summer. You can borrow a complimentary bike to tour the city, and they have «Secret Garden» concerts. I especially love to sit outside in the «Secret Garden» to eat breakfast when it’s warm enough.
No matter when I decide to go though, I know I’ll be greeted warmly and I will have a great time. The staff is delightful, the rooms and buildings are so clean you could lick the floor (okay probably wouldn’t do that, but still… super clean!), the breakfasts are downright gourmet (try the mouthwatering mini muffins and scones), and the cookies at night after touring around are a welcome treat indeed!
I really had to search my brain for any negative thing about The Rochester Hotel… and the only thing I could think of, after days of mulling this over… Is the TV is tiny (but you’re in Durango… you probably won’t watch much TV anyway…), and if you’re there on a Honeymoon or some other type of Lovers Get-​Away, you might have to try and keep it down a bit… It’s not exactly sound proof. You can’t hear much while in your room, but in the hallways you can hear more than you think… :) Just a friendly FYI. The parking is sometimes pretty crowded too, but honestly you’re so close to almost anywhere you want to go in Durango that you’ll probably walk. You’re better off walking to those Beautiful Breweries anyway. Drink Responsibly y’all! But really those things don’t change the 5 Star rating at all! Anytime I’m in Durango I’ll plan on staying here or The Leland House.
The Rochester Hotel in downtown Durango is everything a B&B should be in the beautiful mountains of Colorado.

I really, really wanted to like this place. Based on Unilocal reviews, we booked 1 night (thursday) while on a trip through Durango. By the next morning, we couldn’t wait to get on the road.
The good — GREAT location downtown. Super easy walking distance to everything happening (and it is happening — I was surprised by the activity in Durango on a Thursday night). Cute old apartment house renovated into a hotel. Breakfast was super good — fresh fruit, freshly baked pastries and an awesome raspberry french toast. The staff was friendly and accommodating.
The not so good — the room had 1 window which was had frosted glass so no natural light at all. The window air conditioner was LOUD and we alternated through the night between sleeping through the loud air conditioner or turning it off and sweating it out. The bed was old and sagged in the middle. The room itself was kind of musty.
It is decorated with everything cowboy. Maybe if that is your thing it would make this special.
If location is key, this is it. Otherwise, not so sure.

We were here visiting. We heard they were going to have music in the Secret Garden at the Rochester Hotel.
It was awesome, the music, the atmosphere, it was great.
I was able to walk around the Hotel and check out the rooms. They were very clean and inviting.
We will be back

Stayed here one night before moving from Durango. The place is adorable with lots of photos and posters lining the walls. Had a Clark Gable Western movie poster in our room. Loved the accommodations, had a yummy hot breakfast and service was A+. I have nothing bad to say about this place! I highly recommend it, though if you like quiet, don’t stay in one of the front rooms on a Saturday night — revelers occasionally walk by making all sorts of noise, but that stopped by about 2 or 3 am. Great place to stay!

I didn’t even stay here, but I love the place. Their hospitality is unprecedented. I miss it already.
We met the owners at a lovely reception for the Durango Film Festival. They were so kind and welcoming throughout.
Our friends (see Clarice Y’s review for details) were fortunate enough to get The Loft, which is a gorgeous two-​bedroom apartment with a full kitchen. I could easily live there.
If you’re looking for a classy and cozy place in Durango, this is it. And according to more than a couple sources, their breakfast is amazing. But I think they stop serving at 9, which is why I missed out.

A perfect little getaway… especially from Los Angeles, CA! My boyfriend and I came here for the Durango Film Festival and boy, what a treat it’s been!
Everything has exceeded our expectations from the quaint and coziness of the place, yet immaculately clean, to the friendly, small town-​like service to the amazing gourmet breakfasts we get to experience every morning!
Let me tell you a bit more about the breakfast because this is at least half the reason you should stay here… every morning you get to enjoy a gourmet, home-​made breakfast of home-​made baked goods, fresh fruit, coffee, tea, juice, home-​made granola, then on top of that, they have a daily hot entrée cooked for you right there in their home-​like kitchen. Examples of entrees we had are Berry French Toast and a Feta Basil Omelette with a crispy potato cake on the side. The dining area feels like you’re a at home in a little cottage out in the country.
Every day, there are freshly baked cookies in a jar you can help yourself, too, which my boyfriend made sure to take advantage of every day.
We lucked out a got the newly established Loft, which is just next to the hotel with its own living room, dining area, fireplace, full kitchen and 2 bedrooms! This is the perfect get-​away! If not for the Film Festival, we would have never thought to come to Durango, CO, but after being here, I would come again and highly recommend for friends and family to make a trip out here to enjoy the beauty, friendliness and to definitely stay at the Rochester Hotel.
A couple of other little details: comfortable beds, free WiFi, Aveda shampoo, etc. and great soaps!
Also, the owner, Kirk, is such a nice guy, he really wants to make sure you have a great stay!

This is a wonderful hotel! I would call it old world style and charm! The staff are amenable, helpful and professional. The whole hotel is furnished with old movie posters and photos and each room is based on one of those.
The rooms are beautifully decorated, clean and stocked with Aveda products such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotion. in addition they provide make up remover pads. It is quiet and comfortable.
The breakfast that comes with the meal is very good. Each day they have a main entrée you can request, such as asparagus and swiss cheese omelette. in addition they have cereal, fruit, baked goods, and wonderful coffee and juice.
There is also off street parking right in back of the hotel. In addition there is a beautiful courtyard where I understand they have regular entertainment during the summer. Even without entertainment (we came after high season) it is a beautiful place to sit and hang out.
It is conveniently located to several restaurants and breweries as well as main street and downtown Durango.
Definitely will be back!

I’ve been here two years in a row while visiting my awesome gal pal in the summer and LOVE staying here. Comfy rooms, great service and now they even have happy hour! It’s a nice change from staying at the same boring hotel chains. Rates are good and if you can make it to breakfast — it’s worth it! We may have slept in and missed it do to our evenings on the town this year when a 3^rd hooligan joined me this year.

Oh my goodness!!! I love the Rochester Hotel in Durango!!! I stayed there for the first time in June and was delighted with everything down to the awesome bath soap. The staff is fantastic, the breakfast is delicious, and the rooms are wonderful. I am usually very picky when it comes to hotels, but don’t have one complaint. I just wish I could have stayed longer!!! I am looking forward to visiting Durango again and will most definitely be staying at the Rochester Hotel!

I loved this little hotel. The beds were comfy, the room was delightful (and spotless), and the breakfast delicious. It’s in the heart of the cutest little town in the west — you can just park your car and walk wherever you need to go. It’s not a soulless chain hotel.
I hopped on the free wi-​fi with no problems. I signed up for their newsletter and could have had a free bottle of wine in the dining area as the monthly special, but I opted to just take a glass to my room.
I probably should have docked a star because the parking kind of sucked, but really, everything else more than made up for it.
My son will be attending FLC in the fall of 2012, and I’m looking forward to staying here in the future.

The Rochester Hotel is a part of the Leland House, just across the street. Our room was a queen with the courtyard view at the back of the Rochester Hotel.
The location is just a block from downtown, across the street from a couple cafes and Steamworks. Our room was spacious, comfortable, clean, nicely decorated and opened directly into the courtyard which was especially convenient because we had our dog with us. I also appreciated the room having air conditioning, which isn’t always available in some Colorado mountain towns.
Another plus — the cruiser bikes you can «check out» and ride around town (awesome) or if you’re exhausted at 10pm after a day at Mesa Verde like we were, you can check out westerns that were shot around Durango (City Slickers, anyone? Yes, please.) from the front desk.
Every staff person we encountered was very friendly and helpful. The breakfast was fantastic. Be sure to have the granola! I would’ve stuffed some in my purse to take home if no one was looking :)
We will definitely stay again!