Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Built in 1887, the historic Strater Hotel (Historic Hotels of America Member) is a prominent downtown Durango, Colorado landmark located two blocks north of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, one hour east of Mesa Verde National Park, and in the heart of the rugged San Juan Mountains. Experience the Old West, fine dining, shopping, and many year-round indoor and outdoor activities. The hotel is home to the world's largest collection of American Victorian Walnut Antiques, the Louis L'Amour Room (designated Literary Landmark), and three unique dining establishments including Mahogany Grille specializing in fine dining. For entertainment, unwind with daily live music at the Diamond Belle Saloon and The Office Spiritorium.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Classic
City View
Languages Spoken
English
Location
699 Main Avenue, Durango, CO 81301-5423
Strater Hotel
1,477 reviews
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.
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
Powered by AI
The Strater Hotel captivates guests with its vintage allure, featuring antique furnishings and live music that transport visitors to a bygone era. While the staff's hospitality frequently earns accolades, some guests have encountered service inconsistencies.
Travelers are charmed by the hotel's immaculate cleanliness and prime location amidst Durango's bustling downtown, yet the room sizes and temperatures can disappoint, and opinions on value vary—some questioning costs given the basic amenities.
Location
Central
Atmosphere
Historic
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Meticulous
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Well-appointed
Was this helpful?
Tripadvisor is not responsible for this summary or the opinions in it. For more information, please read the traveller reviews and learn more about how the site works.
We reserved the Queen-Queen-Sofa room for a Sunday night. This was our second visit; our first visit was a cozy queen room, but we were ill and don't remember much about it. We decided to return for my birthday and splurge on an upgrade. And we received gracious birthday treatment taboot!
Nice accommodations! The bed linens were smooth and the mattress comfortable. The solid large room was made dark and quiet for sleeping but plenty of light for morning with the shades lifted, and it wasn't drafty even with a wall of large windows. There was ample room to relax in upholstered chairs and a sofa--even with two queen beds. The stained glass bar in the room was gorgeous, especially when lit.
We enjoyed dinner in the Mahogany Room. Honestly, we did not have high expectations for hotel food. We were pleasantly, totally surprised! The wine list was good (a little pricey honestly), but the red we chose was perfect for our elk and beef filet, which were fairly priced and balanced the over-priced California wine. My elk was absolutely melt-in-your-mouth and the mashed sweet potatoes had the perfect texture (not roasted to death and pureed). My grill-mister husband raved about his perfectly grilled filet and tender asparagus for a couple of days.
Before dinner, we enjoyed a drink by the fire in The Office; and afterward we enjoyed a band in the Spiritorium. Another perk besides these two in-house cozy bar rooms, is the water bottle refill station in the lobby. So appreciated!
Hope your experience is as good as ours.
Read more
Date of stay: December 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
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.
I wanted to express my sincere appreciation for the exceptional experience my partner and I had during our recent stay at The Hotel Strater. Our visit was made truly amazing, thanks to Tina and the entire front desk team.
Tina, in particular, played a pivotal role in making our stay special, especially in celebration of my partner's birthday. From the moment I called to make the reservation, Tina went above and beyond to ensure our experience was memorable. She thoughtfully left a box of Rocky Mountain chocolate and a handwritten note for my partner, adding a personal touch that made the occasion truly memorable for his birthday. Tina's dedication to customer service is remarkable, and she is undoubtedly a valued treasure on your team. He said it was his best birthday ever.
I also wanted to highlight that we have stayed at The Hotel Strater three times in the last six months or so, and we absolutely love Room 322. The team consistently ensures that our specific requests are met every time, making our stays truly comfortable and enjoyable. The front desk team, including Tina, has been such a pleasure to work with, providing excellent service with each visit.
Additionally, I'd like to commend Amilia for her outstanding customer service the night we sought advice on dining and shopping. Her attentiveness and helpful recommendations made a positive impact on our stay.
I must also express my admiration for the entire team at The Hotel Strater, including the individual in charge of housekeeping, who never fails to impress me with their dedication.
In summary, I want to express my gratitude to the entire team for creating a welcoming and exceptional environment. The Hotel Strater has truly become a preferred destination for me, thanks to the outstanding service and genuine care demonstrated by your team.
Read more
Date of stay: December 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Stay in the larger rooms up front!
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.
A lot to digest? Read an AI-generated summary of recent traveller reviews.
We stayed 4 nights at this conveniently located historic hotel and we enjoyed our stay. Our bed was comfortable, the room clean and the shower was ok. There was no desk, microwave or refrigerator, although you can request a fridge. The room was spacious, the TV acted strangely but the WI FI works very well. As many reviewers have stated, the only elevator is very small plus they only have one small luggage cart to use. The staff was friendly and they do have coffee in the lobby, but no breakfast. Typical of many hotels since the pandemic began, you have to beg for housekeeping services. But location, location location. Everything downtown is within walking distance of The Strater. Check out the French restaurant down the street for some pastries!
Read more
Date of stay: August 2022
Value
Rooms
Service
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.
Excellent location in a charming downtown. Hotel had plenty of parking. 2 blocks to Durango-Silverton RR. Many options for shopping and food surrounding hotel. We had an upgraded room and it was spacious and comfortable. However, they had the smallest TV for a hotel room and limited cable that oddly did not include major networks. Hotel is historic and has such attention to detail in furnishings and decorations. The Colorado Belle bar/restaurant had a good happy hour and tasty pub food. First trip to Durango and this was a great place to stay.
Read more
Date of stay: September 2024Trip type: Travelled with friends
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.
The Strater Hotel is a beautiful, old historic hotel with a great Durango location. It is near the narrow gauge railroad and a short walk to Durango's nice restaurants, shops, and bars. The weather was great while we were in town and we really enjoyed just stepping out the door and enjoying the town and views. There was a bluegrass festival in town while we were there, so we got to enjoy lots of lively music (including in the hotel lobby). We didn't eat at the hotel restaurants, but we really enjoyed the 1880's western-themed Diamond Belle Saloon. We enjoyed its old-time western decor, costumes, good drinks, and live music. Plus we cold just walk upstairs to our room at the end of the evening. It was packed and lively both nights of our stay. The Strater is a historic hotel, so we didn't expect the room size, amenities, and sound-proofing of a modern hotel; however, it was still a really nice place to stay. Our room was nice and the furnishings had an antique-style charm. The bed was very comfy. Parking was readily available nearby (our stay was in April; the town probably becomes much busier as the temperatures warm up). The Strater provided a great base for our exploration of Durando and Mesa Verde. We hope to visit again soon.
Read more
Date of stay: April 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep 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.
This hotel is fantastic! They have nailed it on both comfort and historical aesthetic. The free historical tour of the hotel is a great! Between the tour and just happening by while the doors were open and the housekeeping team was cleaning rooms, we were able to see quite a bit of them. Each room is completely different from the next, as far as layout, furnishings, and decor. But all are a cozy, and a historically accurate step back in time. Room 227 was our favorite. There aren't many places you'll find ragtime piano being played ive in the 21st century, but you'll find it most nights in The Diamond Belle Saloon on the hotel's ground floor. The atmosphere in the Diamond Belle was fantastic. We found the food to be fine, but nothing to write home about. It's at least worth popping into and enjoying a couple of drinks. Only 2 complaints are very minor ones. The hotel seems to encourage recycling, which is great. However they make it a bit difficult to do so. To our knowledge, they only offer a recycling container on the 2nd floor, and it was heaping full almost every day they were there. By day 3, we just started leaving a bag of our recyclables with a note and a tip in our room for housekeeping to please recycle. The bag and tip would be gone each day when we returned to our room, so we can only assume they got recycled. I also wish they had some sort of exercise room or workout facility. It wouldn't have to be much, perhaps just a few treadmills and a handful of machines or something. However, I found that the Durango Rec Center is just a short drive from the hotel, and is a fantastic facility. $7.50 for a day pass was reasonable. Plus you have the Animas River Trail within walking distance to the hotel, and of course lots of hiking trails in the area. Hotel is walking distance to all of the shopping, dining, and entertainment Historic Durango has to offer. And the steam train is just right out back! What a wonderful sound to hear that steam whistle from your room! I highly recommend this hotel. We have stayed in a handful of historic hotels, some of them have some fame attached to their names. My partner and I both agreed that The Strater ties for #1 (with The Crescent in Eureka Springs, Arkansas) for the best one we have stayed in thus far.
Read more
Date of stay: July 2023
Value
Location
Service
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.
We stayed here 1 night, but I wish we’d had a week here. This may be the coolest hotel I’ve ever stayed in. We were in room 108, which is right down the hall from reception. The entrance to the room is through a glass door (locked) into a small entrance hall and through double doors into a very large room. The room had a large sitting area with a couch, chairs and tables. There is a guest book that others had written in. The room has 2 queen beds with 2 side tables per bed, a large credenza with stained glass that lights up, and a hidden tv. The bathroom is decent size and had lots of towels and toiletries (I think this room can sleep 6 - there were 3 of us). The only thing I didn’t like about the room was that the water pressure was too hard. It honestly gave me a headache, and if I stood in one place too long my feet fell asleep. It was bizarre.
The room is street level, but if the shades are open I’m not sure if people can easily see into the room. There are small stained glass windows near the ceiling.
There are 3 parking lots. On check-in, we parked in the loading zone in front of the hotel and were given a map of the lot locations. We were able to park across the street. Staff was very friendly. The art and atmosphere in the hotel is very unique.
We ate at the Belle Saloon. It was ok. The piano was playing and it was very loud. There was another lounge across the hall but we didn’t check it out. Durango is a very cute town. It’s a nice mix of tourists, residents and college students. I wish we had more time in Durango to explore and get a better feel for the town.
I would stay here again- especially if I can request room #108 again!
Read more
Date of stay: August 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
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.
Charming old hotel only a few blocks fr station. The building is old so there are lots of steps and very thin walls. Room size is adequate. Our bathroom was v cold and had a noisy fan. Fixed head shower which is a pain, controls v clunky. Plenty of towels. Good sized closet with iron, hairdyer. If you dont like the sound of trains dont stay here. No tea coffee facilities in room. Room v clean. Staff execellant, bars interesting, food ok, food price ok, hotel price variable according to season. Yes i would stay here again.
Read more
Date of stay: October 2024Trip type: Travelled with friends
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.
This is a historic hotel. It is very centrally located, near the narrow-gauge railroad station. It is charming in many ways. There is a mini-museum with a scannable tour available. Staff members are friendly, However, there are problems here. First of all, I suspect this hotel is NOT ADA-compliant. This is perfectly legal, as it is a historic hotel. However, I highly recommend you find another hotel if you are disabled. There is only one elevator available. It is very small and if you are claustrophobic this will likely be a problem. Perhaps they have bellmen, but we entered and exited numerous times and saw no one. Parking is 1/2-2 blocks away, and there appears to be no valet service. There is an unloading space in the front, but signage does not make this clear. If you park in their parking lot before registering, you could be towed. If you want, you can spend 1-2 dollars on a meter for the privilege of checking in. The meters are checked frequently, it appears. We saw a car being ticketed as we parked to register. Rooms are small, and the bathroom and shower were small, with no handicapped grips in the shower. There was a different elevation in our room compared to the bathroom, when walking into the bathroom you can trip and fall. We will not return, this hotel needs some TLC.
Read more
Date of stay: August 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep 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.
I lived in Durango for a while and always wanted to stay here. I was not disappointed. It's a beautiful piece of history. It compensates for its lack of modern luxury furnishings with old-time comfort and ambience.
The front desk staff was friendly, resourceful, and beyond helpful. I needed to cancel one night of our stay and they courteously facilitated that. I ate at The Diamond Belle Saloon during an understaffed evening, and Jason at the front desk actually went to the kitchen to obtain a little butter for me.
I am so weary of the super-comfort beds with fluffy quilts that afford no temperature regulation for the body. Here we slept on antique beds with firm, comfortable mattresses, with blankets that could be easily added or subtracted.
It was an enchanting , restful stay with an excellent location. I look forward to returning.
Read more
Date of stay: October 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Ask about the jacuzzi!
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.
Hello Violet,
We look forward to hosting you this coming Christmas. Yes, the Mahogany Grille will be open daily for Breakfast and Dinner. Lunch will be served in the Diamond Belle Saloon. For information about the City of Durango Parks and Recreation facilitates please refer to the City of Durango website.Their pool usually is not open on Christmas Day but you should confirm with them. Our Front Desk staff will be happy to assist you in fining fun holiday activities in the area during your stay.
Hello,
Yes we do! We have several rooms reserved for travelers with pets. Please call our Front Desk directly for more information. Thank you and we look forward to hosting you at the historic Strater Hotel!
There are more places to choose from in the Durango area.
PRICE RANGE
C$224 - C$318 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
strater hotel durango
LOCATION
United StatesColoradoDurango
NUMBER OF ROOMS
88
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.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.