General Palmer Hotel

General Palmer Hotel

Traveller (255)
Room & Suite (92)
Dining (9)

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Avg. C$199 /night, 2/8 - 2/9
C$292
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C$197
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About

#9 of 34 hotels in Durango
4.9 of 5 bubbles
Location
4.3 of 5 bubbles
Rooms
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Value
4.6 of 5 bubbles
Cleanliness
4.3 of 5 bubbles
Service
4.3 of 5 bubbles
Sleep Quality
Rich with Victorian elegance, the General Palmer Hotel has all the modern comforts that you would expect of a Four Diamond establishment. Named after General William Jackson Palmer who established the hotel in 1898, the General Palmer is the only historical Four Diamond Hotel in Southwestern Colorado. Each room has been hand decorated in the Victorian era with luxurious amenities. It’s the little touches that make the General Palmer unique. Enjoy our southwestern hospitality with concierge service from a gracious and caring staff available day and night, year around. We are located in downtown Durango right next door to the Narrow Gauge Railroad and we are within easy walking distance of many fine dining restaurants.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Wifi
Free breakfast
Concierge
Newspaper
24-hour front desk
Laundry service
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Non-smoking hotel
Room features
Air conditioning
Housekeeping
Telephone
Iron
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Flatscreen TV
Hair dryer
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
4.0 of 5 stars
HOTEL STYLE
Boutique
Romantic
Languages Spoken
English

Location

567 Main Avenue, Durango, CO 81301-5422
Getting there
Great for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 100 out of 100
100
La Plata Airport
17.7 km
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Montezuma County Airport
66.1 km
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Traveller rating
  • 346
  • 170
  • 69
  • 34
  • 24
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Detailed Reviews
Julie P wrote a review Sep 2024
Arvada, Colorado
+1
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We highly recommend the General Palmer Hotel in Durango, Colorado!

We have stayed at the General Palmer Hotel on many occasions and our most recent trip was fantastic! We planned to trailer our motorcycle for this trip and prior to making reservations, we contacted management to ensure we would be able to park our truck, trailer, and motorcycle in the hotel’s parking lot. We were ensured that we would be able to do so.

Upon arrival, when checking in, we met with Oksana and Amy at the front desk. While speaking with Oksana and mentioning the parking situation, Amy immediately went outside to help with the parking of our vehicles. She didn’t hesitate for a moment to ensure we would be able to park the vehicles with no problem. Soon after, Oksana was outside helping us bring our luggage into our room.

The hotel, as always, was clean – from our room to the lobby to the stairwell! It is an old hotel, built in the late 1800s, so if you enjoy history, you will enjoy staying here! We enjoyed the simple FREE breakfast – juice, coffee, Danish, egg/sausage casserole, etc. If you are looking for a more hearty breakfast, we recommend the Durango Diner. But the light FREE breakfast offered near the lobby was fine for us and we enjoyed talking to other guests over coffee.

We took the Durango-Silverton Train Ride, so this is the perfect place to stay! If you do not enjoy an occasional train horn, then you may want to look elsewhere – but we enjoy hearing the train!

We had the pleasure of staying in the Presidential Suite and the additional living area was perfect for us as we needed to work a bit while on vacation for 8 days. It was clean, comfortable, and roomy! (Note there is another building with additional rooms and there is no elevator in that building. So, if you need an elevator, be sure to ask about staying in the main building.)

The hotel is located right in the heart of downtown Durango, making it so easy and convenient to walk to restaurants, shops, art galleries and more!

We cannot say enough about the hotel’s 2nd floor and 3rd floor patio – the decks overlook the train station, the town of Durango, and you don’t want to miss having a beverage while watching the sunset!
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Date of stay: September 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from General Manager, General Manager at General Palmer Hotel
Responded Sep 18, 2024
Julie... the time and effort put into your review is so appreciated. We recognize that you have a choice in hotels in Durango and are so glad you chose us. Thank you. The details provided will no doubt be helpful to others but also know that the team really appreciates knowing their hard work is recognized. You have no idea. Thank you again and hope to see you soon.
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ew25 wrote a review Oct 2024
Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Quaint, unlike any other property we stayed in on our trip around this part of USA. It was also the only hotel we stayed at that provided proper cutlery and crockery for breakfast, which was very welcome. We liked the fresh cookies that were available most of the time.
Coffee was always available in the foyer, but although the decaf coffee could be made fresh from a self service coffee maker, ordinary coffee was only available from a thermos, and wasn’t always hot, which could easily be remedied by providing other coffee pods for the machine
Lighting and charging points in our room were inadequate (a fairly common problem at many of the hotels we stayed at.) Our room was not serviced during our stay, (we overheard other guests being asked whether they wanted to opt in for room service, but we were not asked). Receptionist also tried to charge us for breakfast and car park, until we pointed out that these had been paid for in advance.
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Date of stay: September 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Check when making a booking that the rate offered does included breakfast and parking.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeff M wrote a review May 2024
Sedona, Arizona
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We stayed for 2 nights as part of our 25th anniversary celebration 12 day road trip. Pre-arrival the staff was most attentive to questions and requests. Upon arrival was greeted by Front Desk Agent Caleb, who was great for our whole stay. Even recommended some great local eateries. Our room had a small box of chocolates and a hand written note wishing us a happy anniversary from the General Manager. The room was spacious and clean, and had fine linens, and towels, and bath robes. The lobby had fresh coffee, tea, water every time we passed through. The full breakfast had many options and real plates, glasses, and silverware. We also had booked a trip on the Durango to Silverton Railroad for a full day adventure. Was great that the Train Depot was just steps out the door. All in all, one of the finest properties I have ever stayed at. And a Special Thanks to Caleb and Amy who made our stay most enjoyable and memorable.
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Date of stay: May 2024
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from General Manager, General Manager at General Palmer Hotel
Responded Jul 9, 2024
Thank you so much for your review. You have NO idea how much it means to the team when they are recognized for their outstanding service. We hope to see you again soon and know that we will keep the BACON on!
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Karen D wrote a review Aug 2024
Mesa, Arizona
4.0 of 5 bubbles
I don't have any complaints about the General Palmer, other than our room was in another building from the main hotel and we had to use stairs to haul our stuff up to our second floor room. That said, I believe a bellman would have helped us if we had asked. And...the elevator in the main hotel is too small for luggage so the hotel staff delivered our friends' bags who were staying in the main hotel. The hotel is quaint and authentic to the period in the 1800s when it was built while the railroads were being built. It is adjacent to the Durango-Silverton Scenic RR and although it's noisy and smells of fuel, I believe the rooms must be fairly well insulated because we never heard the whistles. Also, the trains run all day from early morning (maybe 7:30) until early evening so there are no middle of the night interruptions. The location is great, being right on main street with easy access/walking to plenty of shops and restaurants. There is complementary "hotel only" parking provided. The rooms were well equipped, comfortable bed, nice bedding and robes provided. Breakfast is complimentary and was good. There is also water, tea and coffee provided all day in the lobby. The staff was attentive and helpful.
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Date of stay: August 2024
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from General Manager, General Manager at General Palmer Hotel
Responded Aug 26, 2024
WOW. We loved your review. Thank you for pointing out all the amazing details. It was a true pleasure to welcome you in. Wanted to clarify that we ALWAYS have someone to help with luggage. Being 126 years old, the General Palmer takes you back in time where elevators were not existent! This small retrofit is perfect for a little experience. We ARE the closest hotel to the train station. No need to purchase your parking pass to ride the train, stay with us and leave your car. You have no idea how lucky we are to have this outrageous staff. They are ONE OF A KIND. Hospitality like it used to be. Thank you for recognizing that.Hope to see you again soon.
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Diane B wrote a review Jun 2024
5.0 of 5 bubbles
The General Palmer Hotel is our favorite place to stay in Durango. Room 202 is always our request. The furnishings are lovely Victorian era. The bed, pillows, and linens are tops. The room is exceptionally large, with 3 separate areas for sleeping, the sink, and the lavatory. The hotel is a class act, not showy for tourists, as are others.
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Date of stay: June 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from General Manager, General Manager at General Palmer Hotel
Responded Aug 4, 2024
We are grateful for the detailed review. We appreciate that you noticed how humble we are at the General Palmer. As you know, she is something special but you have to experience her to appreciate! Come back soon.
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alexsmom wrote a review Oct 2022
Cary, North Carolina
1.0 of 5 bubbles
We chose this hotel expecting a well maintained historic place - wrong! Our first clue should have been when we noticed an oscillating fan and portable heater in the closet. Upon arrival the temperature was comfortable but on the 2nd night the heat wasn't working. Upon inquiring to the front desk, they offered to call maintenance the following day and advised to use the portable heater. There was no concern or offer to move to another room. Upon checkout, the front desk confirmed they had numerous guests leave early because of the AC/Heat issues and why the hotel had placed portable heaters & extra blankets in each room. Obviously this has been a well known problem for some time. So disappointing that such issues were never mentioned at time of booking or check-in. This hotel also doesn't have maid service, but wasn't mentioned at check-in either. There is a cage elevator which may be charming but certainly not ADA compliant and barely fits 2 small people with a single piece of luggage. The room itself was very cramped. There was a small table which couldn't accommodate a laptop without removing the Keurig & coffee cups. The bath had a shampoo/conditioner/gel dispenser but weren't labeled. For the price of this establishment, it leaves much to be desired!
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Date of stay: October 2022
1.0 of 5 bubblesValue
4.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
1.0 of 5 bubblesService
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from General Manager, General Manager at General Palmer Hotel
Responded Dec 12, 2023
OH BOY! You are right. We struggled for years with the Heat/AC issues. We are happy to report as of 2023 the issues have been resolved. Each room enjoys its own heat and ac unit. It may not be what they used in 1898 but it does make your stay more comfortable. We apologize for your experience and know that we have addressed all the details you noted with the exception of the elevator. Although it is compliant with modern standards, it is still an experience to be had! We hope to see you again soon.
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Aubray wrote a review Oct 2022
Bali, Indonesia
4.0 of 5 bubbles
This hotel is in the best location possible to take the train + be right in the action of downtown Durango. It’s a 5 minute walk to the train if you’re doing the Durango - Silverton ride. Literally 5 minutes if that. It’s super close so it’s an easy walk weather it’s summer or winter. The hotel is old and it has a lot of that old charm. It has the original elevator that only fits two people and it’ll give you an arm workout to hold the door open when you’re walking out. The rooms are spacious enough, the beds are comfy, and we had a great view which looked right i to downtown. We were on the third floor and there’s a little lookout balcony that you can see the train track + Mountain View on the other side. Know that the walls are thin. Old buildings weren’t as insulated back in the day so we could hear the person next door cough every time he coughed. They did have a box fan in the room which drowned out any sound so we no longer heard anything when it was on. The breakfast is yogurt, microwave oatmeal, and muffins in plastic + coffee is available all day. This might not be dreamy for most people but if you’re doing the train, you can just take it and go so it’s convenient. Be careful when getting up in the middle of the night because the beds are giant wooden beds and have one area that sticks out and you’ll probably skin your knee if it catches you. My mom hit it twice so I’d just recommend putting a pillow or towel on top of it to cushion the blow. Hilarious that I’m even writing this but that’s why it’s 4 stars. Overall, we had a great stay and would recommend it based on location and ease of how close it is to the train and all the restaurants + shops.
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Date of stay: October 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: There’s parking at the hotel which is great because they give you a pass if you arrive early (no...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dnalfil wrote a review Nov 2023
Breckenridge, CO
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Hotel is a lovely historic renovation, but not concerned with current guest comfort. Checked in late Tuesday evening, there was no heat in the lobby. The desk clerk, in puffy jacket and hat, assured us the room would be "toasty warm". It was 61 degrees in the room, had to look for the clerk for help with the heat. He showed us how to turn it on (they had left it on "cool" and set at 61), but never offered a change of rooms, leaving us cold for many hours with a bathroom that never warmed up. He rewired the poorly rigged TV so it worked if we didn't touch the table. He offered a reduction in room rate for the inconvenience. In the morning, beautiful silver urns for coffee and tea were lukewarm at 7:15 AM, breakfast room freezing - we had to clear our own table and plug in the waffle iron to eat later(at 8:30 AM). We ended up going out to breakfast and real coffee elsewhere in town. Checking out, no discount was on our bill - day clerk offered to adjust. Still has not been done. I sent a private email to the hotel, hoping to get an apology and resolution rather than making my concerns public, but they did not bother to answer. Much better to walk through this hotel to see the beauty and stay somewhere where they are better equipped to offer a quality stay.
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Date of stay: October 2023
1.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
1.0 of 5 bubblesService
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: Don't bother
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from General Manager, General Manager at General Palmer Hotel
Responded Dec 10, 2023
I am so sorry to read your review. We failed you on many levels. Some of them inexcusable and some explainable. We have for years, suffered an old HVAC system and were in the middle of a total upgrade of this system when you arrived. It has been a long journey and a difficult process working with contractors, suppliers and the like. We are now toasty warm throughout and each room now has its own unit that you can adjust to your personal liking. If we did not provide our usual outstanding service for breakfast , or if we did not attend to the small details, such as warm coffee, that is unacceptable. It has been some time since your review but, as the new General Manager, I am more than happy to make it right with you. I do not see your correspondence in our email but feel free to call the property direct and ask for the General Manager. I am not able to determine your guest information so please feel free to reach out. Again, my apologies.
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ykasugai wrote a review Aug 2023
Shinagawa, Japan
5.0 of 5 bubbles
The first time I stayed in Durango, I stayed at the DoubleTree, the second time at the Strater Hotel, and this time at the General Palmer Hotel. It's hard to choose between the Strater and the General Palmer Hotel. If you like old hotels, you'll be satisfied with either one.

Both locations are perfect, but this one is closer to the station, so in the morning you can hear the steam locomotive whistle before it departs, which gives you a sense of travel. It might be too noisy for some people, though.

The luxurious room is a little small. I was shown to a room without a window, so my impression might have been different if I had stayed in a room with a window. If possible, I would have preferred one with a window. There was a bathtub. And a bathrobe.

The manual elevator was small and difficult to open and close, but that's just how it is for this hotel.
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Google
Date of stay: July 2023
4.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: 窓のある部屋をチョイスしましょう。
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Audioleon wrote a review Sep 2022
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Our second time here and we just love it. From the fresh flowers out front to the soft towels they don’t miss any small details. The staff is super helpful and it’s location is great for exploring historic Durango. And they little elevator is just so cool!
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sue p asked a question Oct 2018
Houston, Texas1 contribution1 helpful vote
does the general palmer hotel allow pets to stay/free. Do they post this info on their web site?
Answer from Kasia F
Durango, Colorado
No, The General Palmer Hotel does not allow pets.
sue p asked a question Oct 2018
Houston, Texas1 contribution1 helpful vote
are pets allowed, while deciding to stay or not where does one go to find this info
Answer from Brigittemichele
San Clemente, California121 contributions62 helpful votes
I don’t know. I would try to email the hotel.
BigJoBR asked a question May 2017
Baton Rouge, Louisiana57 contributions30 helpful votes
What is your policy for handicap accessibility? My wife needs to use a walker to move around. No stairs please.
Answer from Laura H
Silver City, New Mexico13 contributions3 helpful votes
Elevator worked and the bell/desk person took our bags up!
Answer from huntress411
Pagosa Springs, Colorado66 contributions5 helpful votes
Hello! I do apologize for the delay. I do not get on here alot and am quite busy! I don't know if it's too late or not, but we had a WONDERFUL stay! The staff were very nice and respectful. Hope this helps!
John N asked a question Jan 2017
Montrose, Colorado20 contributions11 helpful votes
Telephone number.
Answer from hutchplace
Santa Rosa, California82 contributions14 helpful votes
970-247-4747
micheledl2016 wrote a tip Oct 2024
Struthers, Ohio107 contributions14 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"Parking right on site. Close walk to restaurants. May hear train whistles until 9 pm."
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ew25 wrote a tip Oct 2024
Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom132 contributions72 helpful votes
4.0 of 5 bubbles
"Check when making a booking that the rate offered does included breakfast and parking."
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TowpilotKen wrote a tip Jul 2024
San Diego, California117 contributions42 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"Parking is in the hotel’s own lot, with easy access in and out. Allow some time to get used to Durango’s elevation, it’s easy to over exert"
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John H wrote a tip May 2024
Dallas, Texas375 contributions153 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"Note my comments about parking on arrival."
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dnalfil wrote a tip Nov 2023
Breckenridge, CO15 contributions12 helpful votes
1.0 of 5 bubbles
"Don't bother"
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Not the right property for you?
There are more places to choose from in the Durango area.
PRICE RANGE
C$220 - C$262 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
general palmer durango, hotel general palmer
LOCATION
United StatesColoradoDurango
NUMBER OF ROOMS
39
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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General Palmer Hotel - UPDATED Prices, Reviews & Photos

Frequently Asked Questions about General Palmer Hotel
Which popular attractions are close to General Palmer Hotel?
Nearby attractions include Historic Downtown Durango (0.3 km), Four Leaves Winery (0.08 km), and Toh-Atin Gallery (0.4 km).
What are some of the property amenities at General Palmer Hotel?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and free parking.
What food & drink options are available at General Palmer Hotel?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast during their stay.
Is parking available at General Palmer Hotel?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to General Palmer Hotel?
Conveniently located restaurants include Derailed Pour House, Michel's Corner Crepes, and Eolus Bar & Dining.
Is General Palmer Hotel located near the city centre?
Yes, it is 0.4 km away from the centre of Durango.
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