At the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, I discovered another one of Colorado’s hotel secrets, but you know when you find a special B&B like this, you almost hesitate to tell anyone? Yep, this is that one, the historic Courtyard Country Inn B&B in Westcliffe.
Where in the world is Westcliffe?
At the intersection of Colorado Highways 69 and 96, the Sangre de Cristo Mountains literally rise up and frame this beautiful mountain town. Located 50 miles west of Pueblo, 75 miles southwest of Colorado Springs, and 175 miles southwest of Denver, my first visit here was last summer. When my husband and I were in nearby Canon City at the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park (50 miles southeast of Westcliffe), we decided to extend our stay by booking last minute (2 hours before our arrival) at my favorite places to stay a bed and breakfast: the Courtyard Country Inn B&B.
A scenic drive on Highway 69 brought us to Main Street, and we turned right at the 69 & 96 crossroads and on the right we discovered our B&B, framed by an adobe entrance with a small offsite parking lot for B&B guests. John and Mo are the welcoming owner innkeepers, and during our March off-season visit, only one other couple were guests that Saturday night.
Accommodations
Once you check into the office (which is the front of the innkeeper’s home), the 8 guestrooms are located along an L-shaped corridor, with the centerpiece the beautifully landscaped corridor and fish pond with an outdoor fireplace with the light scent of pinon wood. The back of the corridor once was a chicken coop, back in the mid-1900s, remodeled into bedrooms. Our guestroom was located in the “old chicken coop,” small but comfortable and all rooms offer private baths.
A welcoming snack of fruit and mints was sitting on the 2-seat desk by the window overlooking the courtyard. Each room also offered free WiFi and a television.
We and the other couple met in the courtyard basking in Colorado’s sunny spring day, sipping a beer and chatting — and small world, the female guest was from our foothills Denver town.
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The innkeepers host a wine and beer happy hour each afternoon, on the patio near their kitchen, where the daily homemade breakfast is prepared. And Mo presented a morning feast with an egg and bacon casserole, homemade cinnamon rolls and fresh coffee.
Exploring Westcliffe
The “hamlet “(as the innkeepers call it) of Westcliffe is definitely a small town, offering a couple of restaurants, local pubs, and shops, literally a few minute walk from the B&B. Across the street is a bakery. On the Saturday night we visited, a blues band was playing at the local watering hole. The locals are as welcoming as our innkeepers.
Summary
Yes, this is a very small town, but escaping the busy city life surrounded by the absolutely stunning mountain vistas of the Sangre de Cristo was priceless. We will return to enjoy the hospitality at the Courtyard Country Inn at Westcliffe – without a doubt.
Photos courtesy of Diana Rowe and Courtyard Country Inn
