Home > Colorado B&Bs > Durango Bed and Breakfast Inns > The General Palmer Hotel

567 Main Avenue, Durango, CO 81301, USA    
(800) 523-3358, (970) 247-4747
 
 

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4.5 based on 11 reviews
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Description

Circa 1898. Surrounded by spectacular Colorado scenery and breathtaking views of the San Juan Mountains, this prestigious historic hotel blends modern comforts with the preservation of its heritage throughout the Victorian décor, furnishings and ambiance. Located in the downtown district of Durango, Colorado, southwestern hospitality and Victorian elegance are the hallmarks of this hotel listed on the National Register. Walk to the train depot, galleries, shopping, theaters, restaurants and concerts. The lobby and solarium boast inviting sitting areas with cookies, coffee and tea available. A business center and wifi make communications easier. The concierge service assists with trip planning and local reservations. Stay in an air-conditioned guest room and enjoy Astor chocolates with turndown service. Each morning an extended continental breakfast starts the day. Ask about vacation packages that can include ski resorts or other nearby attractions.

For more information visit the website.

Amenities

This property has 12 total guest accommodations with private bath, 3 suites.

  • Air Conditioning
  • Bath Amenities
  • Bathrobes
  • Coffeemaker
  • Computers
  • Copy Machine
  • Fax
  • Hair Dryer
  • Iron/Ironing Board
  • Telephone
  • Television
  • Turn-Down Service
  • Wireless Internet Access

Business Traveler Amenities

Business center in Lobby
  • Daily Newspapers
  • Desk
  • FAX On-site
  • Flexible Check in/out Times
  • Hair Dryer
  • Internet Access
  • Iron/Ironing Board
  • Modem Connection
  • Off-site Dry Cleaning Services
  • Television
  • Wireless Internet Access
  • Business Center In Lobby

Events Hosted

    • Romantic Getaways

Reservation/Cancellation Policies:


Other Activities

    • Antiquing
    • Art Galleries
    • Bicycling
    • Canoeing/Kayaking
    • Fishing
    • Golf
    • Hiking
    • Horseback Riding
    • Live Theater
    • Museums
    • Parks
    • Shopping (Local Crafts)
    • Skiing Cross Country
    • Skiing Downhill
    • Sports Events, Major College
    • Tennis
    • Water Sports
    • Wineries

Historic Interest

This hotel was built in 1898 by General William Jackson Palmer. General Palmer was a decorated civil war hero who served with the Union Army. He was a founding father of Colorado Springs, Co. and Durango, Co. and built the Silverton, Durango, Narrow Gauge Railroad.

Historic Awards:

  • City Historical Site (Granted)
  • Local Register (Granted)
  • National Historical Site (Granted)
  • National Register (Granted)


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Great Stay

Location is great and staff was very friendly. The hotel is decorated quite nicely and the beds are very comfortable. The rooms are stocked with the little items you sometimes forget when traveling which was very nice. The cookies in the lobby are a great treat. The only drawback was the tiny little elevator. It adds to the charm but it can bet quite tricky maneuvering in and out of there with a suitcase!
Charlie H
11/3/2011

My ratings for this property      
     Location
     Comfort
     Condition
     Cleanliness
     Service
BOTTOM LINE: I would stay here again.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes (0 votes)
This review is the subjective opinion of an iLoveInns.com user and not of iLoveInns.com or American Historic Inns, Inc.

Family Suite is great Value

Booked the Family Suite (Rm 257) for 2 nights for my family: myself, husband and 2 adult kids. The suite is actually 3 rooms: the main room has a queen bed with table, 2 chairs, coffee maker but no storage; the other 2 have full beds so that a maximum of 6 people could stay and have a large closet/large dressor. All rooms had a flat screen TV. The cost was very reasonable with a AAA discount, especially when you factor in the all-you-can-eat continental breakfast. Wonderful ambience with the Victorian wallpaper and furniture. Large windows to overlook Main St with pullshades that block the streetlamps at night. The hotel does provide wonderful cookies in the afternoon and evening with tea/coffee. Continental breakfast was good but as 1 previous reviewer noted, the staff can be slightly slow in replenishing the warm breads (waffle on one day, biscuits another, always with muffins)--but there was always yogurt, granola, oatmeal, juice, coffee/tea, bread to make toast available. The location can't be beat to catch the Durango-Silverton train. I did not find the train whistle bothersome. All the wonderful restaurants, bars are easy walking distance. The only downside that might be found with the family suite is that there is only 1 bathroom and inadequate counter space for toiletries beyond 1 person. Problem solved by making agreements as to who got the bathroom first, second...
Uzen s
11/3/2011

My ratings for this property      
     Location
     Comfort
     Condition
     Cleanliness
     Service
BOTTOM LINE: I would stay here again.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes (0 votes)
This review is the subjective opinion of an iLoveInns.com user and not of iLoveInns.com or American Historic Inns, Inc.

Very comfortable, love the Ambiance

This is a great place to stay. I love the furniture, comfy bed, Keurig Coffee, decent storage, and even a teddy bear for the bed. Our room had a great TV, too, if you're staying in for the night. The internet works well and there is a small business area in the front. There is plenty to do in Durango and this hotel is situated close to everything, including the Silverton/Durango Train. You can here the train's whistle from the room. Oh, the customer service is quite good as well. I'd definitely stay here again.
Pookie g
10/6/2011

My ratings for this property      
     Location
     Comfort
     Condition
     Cleanliness
     Service
BOTTOM LINE: I would stay here again.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes (1 votes)
This review is the subjective opinion of an iLoveInns.com user and not of iLoveInns.com or American Historic Inns, Inc.

A step back in History

The General Palmer Hotel is the gateway to one of the very best for, if nothing else, it's convenience. Fortunately, it's also extremely good for its historic charm. The place was probably a rehabbers nightmare. Everything is as it was at the turn of the century. Not this one, the one before this one. Imagine, revitalizing all that stuff. All of it. Even the elevator. All the brass stuff. The rooms are charming. Everything that could have been saved to keep the authenticity had been restored. A wise architect chose to update the plumbing, at least the look is the same period. New wiring, safety amenities, et al. Smart, and chick. Charming at the least in the rooms, but then you venture to the areas around the Hotel. Breakfast is served every morning in an elegantly decorated area on the first floor, just steps from the front desk. The front dest is another marvel of history revisited. The breakfast, which they call Continental, is very much like the rehab of this place. Top of the line. Nothing served on anything but china, specially make from the historic era of this place, in period. The coffee, Hot Water for Tea, Creamer, and Milk is all in period Silver serving sets with titles on each item describing what it is inside. If the outside left you any doubt it was being served by the best service, the inside left no doubt that it is what the presentation perceived you should believe. Liquid refreshment notwithstanding, the main faire, and every morning it was different, took the idea of "Continental" to a whole new, and rehabbed level. The food, like the rest of the place, made you feel welcome. Every evening there would be homemade cookies and milk, tea, coffee. The breakfasts were scrambled eggs, sausage, oatmeal, cranberry scones, blueberry, strawberry, and/or blackberry jams in individual glass containers, that begged to be palmed for a "revisit" when you came home a week or a month later. On top of all this is an ample parking area, great grounds with beautiful flowers, iron fencing, and gardens, right next door to one of the greatest attractions on the planet: The Durango / Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. The word "Scenic" should have a picture of both of these icons next to it. The train is a ball. Worth every penny. And it was sweet to have a great place to stay right in the heart of all that Durango offers, with fabulous surroundings, at a very, very, good value.
Bill K
10/2/2011

My ratings for this property      
     Location
     Comfort
     Condition
     Cleanliness
     Service
BOTTOM LINE: I would stay here again.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes (0 votes)
This review is the subjective opinion of an iLoveInns.com user and not of iLoveInns.com or American Historic Inns, Inc.

Delightful Stay

The Hotel and staff was an absolutely perfect choice for us. What a charming hotel. The lobby was crisp and spotless, the amenities were displayed with such taste.Anna was wonderful and helpful. I can see why you received the 4 Diamond award, we look forward to our next visit!
Harry S
8/9/2011

My ratings for this property      
     Location
     Comfort
     Condition
     Cleanliness
     Service
BOTTOM LINE: I would stay here again.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes (0 votes)
This review is the subjective opinion of an iLoveInns.com user and not of iLoveInns.com or American Historic Inns, Inc.

Warn Wishes

My family and I would like to thank you, the General Palmer was so lovely and luxurious-we felt very pampered and the whole staff was so friendly and helpful.I will be pleased to tell friends and family.
Kristi H
8/3/2011

My ratings for this property      
     Location
     Comfort
     Condition
     Cleanliness
     Service
BOTTOM LINE: I would stay here again.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes (0 votes)
This review is the subjective opinion of an iLoveInns.com user and not of iLoveInns.com or American Historic Inns, Inc.

Immaculate

We spent two nights at the General Palmer Hotel earlier this week and were pleasantly surprised. I don't normally enjoy older "period" hotels but this was comfortable, very well-appointed, and immaculate. The only room for us was in the "other building" next to the train station. I was originally dismayed after reading some of the reviews but the room was just fine. The train noise might be a deal-breaker for some but it inspired us to get out of bed and start our day. There is a lovely continental breakfast with muffins, breads, fruit, yogurt, cereals, and oatmeal. The staff was friendly and helpful and the hotel is centrally located.
Debra K
7/29/2011

My ratings for this property      
     Location
     Comfort
     Condition
     Cleanliness
     Service
BOTTOM LINE: I would stay here again.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes (0 votes)
This review is the subjective opinion of an iLoveInns.com user and not of iLoveInns.com or American Historic Inns, Inc.

Delightful Stay

We stayed in one of the 2 bedroom family suites with 2 kids/ 2 adults and had room to spare... If you're looking for a place to sleep in every morning, this may not be your place... The Narrow Gauge train leaves from right behind the hotel every morning~ we were up early with 2 kids so we didn't mind and the kids enjoyed watching the train leave the station every morning. We plan to visit Durango again and when we do I can't imagine staying anywhere but the General Palmer!
Jamie L
7/5/2011

My ratings for this property      
     Location
     Comfort
     Condition
     Cleanliness
     Service
BOTTOM LINE: I would stay here again.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes (0 votes)
This review is the subjective opinion of an iLoveInns.com user and not of iLoveInns.com or American Historic Inns, Inc.

Delightful Stay

I wanted to tell you what a delight it was to stay at your hotel. We had been traveling all week and when we got to your hotel even though our stay was only for one night we all felt like we'd come to the oasis. We left feeling much better than when we arrived Thank you. We're already looking for an excuse to come back again.
Briann F
6/3/2011

My ratings for this property      
     Location
     Comfort
     Condition
     Cleanliness
     Service
BOTTOM LINE: I would stay here again.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes (0 votes)
This review is the subjective opinion of an iLoveInns.com user and not of iLoveInns.com or American Historic Inns, Inc.

Kids loved it

We have just returned from a wonderful trip to Durango, Colorado. This year we stayed somewhere new, The General Palmer Hotel, and my kids LOVED IT!! It is such a quaint, charming hotel. My kids could not get enough of the old elevator. This hotel is located in the perfect location to all of Durango's best shops and restaurants. All of the staff members were very polite and helpful. We will stay at this hotel each time we come to Durango.
Halie H
6/1/2011

My ratings for this property      
     Location
     Comfort
     Condition
     Cleanliness
     Service
BOTTOM LINE: I would stay here again.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes (0 votes)
This review is the subjective opinion of an iLoveInns.com user and not of iLoveInns.com or American Historic Inns, Inc.

Worst Night's Sleep Ever.

We spent the worst night of our lives here at this hotel. The bed was touted to be a queen size bed, which we sleep in comfortably every night at home. It was either just a double bed, or, the significant sag in the middle of the bed caused my husband to sink into the middle of the bed giving me no room. This is not hubby's fault as he tried all night to stay on his side, but kept sinking into the middle. I'm a 56 year old woman and haven't slept on the floor in many years. If it wasn't for the fact that I'd have to sleep on hotel carpet, I would have slept on the floor. The next morning I told the girl at the front desk about my horrible night. She apologized, but I could tell she was just being polite. She didn't really mean it. I asked for the manager, she was out. I asked that the manager call me... no one ever called me. The lobby is charming. The room was clean enough. The location -- perfect. It wouldn't take much to tack that wallpaper back onto the wall, but that was minor. But is it too much to ask for a good night's sleep?
Mary Byington
Trinidad, CO

My ratings for this property      
     Location
     Comfort
     Condition
     Cleanliness
     Service
Did you find this review helpful? Yes (1 votes)
This review is the subjective opinion of an iLoveInns.com user and not of iLoveInns.com or American Historic Inns, Inc.

At A Glance

11 Review(s)
91% would stay again
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