Pagosa Springs' Hidden Gem: Hillside Inn's Unforgettable Stay!
Pagosa Springs' Hillside Inn: More Than Just a Stay, It's a Vibe (A Review That's Probably Too Honest)
Alright, folks, buckle up. Because I'm about to spill the (organic, ethically-sourced) tea on the Hillside Inn in Pagosa Springs. This place? It's not just a hotel; it's a thing. And, let's be honest, after the year from hell, I needed a thing. A break. A spa treatment that wasn't just a quick Google search into how to DIY a face mask with mayonnaise (don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it… kind of).
First Impressions (and an Unintentional Marathon of Excitement):
Okay, so let's get down to brass tacks. Accessibility – I'm happy to report (and this is REALLY important) that the Hillside Inn seems genuinely committed to being accessible. They've got ramps, elevators, the whole shebang. Seriously, for anyone with mobility concerns, this is gold. They also have facilities for disabled guests, which is fantastic to see.
The check-in was efficient – not the painfully slow type you get at some places where you swear the front desk clerk is still learning the alphabet. And yes, they had cashless payment which is a massive relief because I swear I’m perpetually short on the green stuff. The front desk is 24-hour, which is great because I arrived about as coherent as a particularly grumpy sloth at 2 am, and they still managed to crack a smile.
Room, Sweet Room (and the Occasional Panic Attack):
My room? Fantastic. They have non-smoking rooms, which, as a non-smoker, is a HUGE win. Mine was a little slice of heaven. And the fact that it had air conditioning?! Bless. Plus, it had all the usual suspects: Air conditioning, alarm clock, bathrobes, bathroom phone (yes, I called down for extra towels), bathtub, blackout curtains, a closet, coffee/tea maker (thank heavens!), complimentary tea, daily housekeeping, desk, extra long bed, free bottled water, a hair dryer, in-room safe box, internet access – wireless, ironing facilities, a laptop workspace, linens, a mini bar (tempting, but I resisted!), mirror, non-smoking, on-demand movies, private bathroom, reading light, refrigerator, satellite/cable channels, a seating area, separate shower/bathtub, shower, slippers, smoke detector, soundproofing, telephone, toiletries, towels, an umbrella, wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], and a window that opens. Oh, and did I mention the complimentary tea? Just great!
The Wi-Fi was also a godsend. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms, people! I'm not a tech snob, but I needed that internet access to check my emails and make sure my cat, Reginald, hadn’t burned down the house (he’s a pyromaniac, I swear). The bathroom was clean and had all the necessary amenities. I swear they even have a mirror. I feel like it’s worth mentioning.
My one, tiny, totally-insignificant-in-the-grand-scheme-of-things gripe? The window didn’t open quite far enough. I know, first-world problems, but I enjoy a good inhale of the mountain air. Silly me for wanting a breath of fresh air!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (Where the Angels Sing):
Here's where Hillside Inn really shines. Okay, I'll cut the suspense: it had restaurants. And more! A bar, a poolside bar, a coffee shop and a snack bar! You'd think they were trying to get you fat and happy. Which, let's be real, they almost succeeded.
The breakfast buffet was…a thing. They had Asian breakfast, Western breakfast, International cuisine. I, however, went with scrambled eggs and (sadly) didn’t have the courage to try the curry (blame the aforementioned grumpy sloth). But the eggs? Perfect. The coffee? Strong. And the service? Always with a smile. They also had a breakfast takeaway service – genius for those days you just want to eat in your bathrobe and stare at the mountains (which, let's be honest, was most days). They had an a la carte restaurant with the Asian cuisine, or with western cuisine.
I should mention the restaurants had a great variety. I went to one of the Vegetarian restaurants since I am one, it's amazing! I'd also like to give props to the place that offered alternative meal arrangement. I’m a picky eater, don't judge me.
Also, they had the bottle of water situation handled very well.
They also have happy hour. Need I say more?
Spa, Sauna, and Sweet, Sweet Relaxation (Or: My Near-Death Experience in the Steam Room):
Let's talk about the spa. Because, oh boy, did I need the spa after the trip I had to Pagosa Springs. This place offers a spa/sauna! They also have a gym/fitness area. I skipped the gym, but the spa? Oh, the spa.
The sauna was heavenly. I'm not a sauna regular, so it did get hot (obviously). But after a massage, it was truly relaxing. They do a body scrub and a body wrap, to those who want to go all out. They offer a foot bath as well – which felt like a tiny cloud for my feetsies.
And the massage? Phenomenal. I could feel the tension just melting away. My masseuse, bless her heart, must've had to work out some serious knots. I'll admit, I almost fell asleep. Almost.
They also had a steamroom, which, for me, was where things got… interesting. I went in, thinking I was some kind of spa goddess. I'm not. I maybe lasted five minutes before I thought I was going to pass out. Lesson learned: steam rooms are not for everyone. But hey, at least I tried!
They have a pool with a view!
Cleanliness, Safety, and the (Much-Appreciated) Extras:
Okay, so, in the age of, you know, gestures vaguely at everything, safety is paramount. Hillside Inn seems to take this seriously. They use anti-viral cleaning products, and the staff is trained in safety protocols. They have hand sanitizer everywhere. They have things like Daily disinfection in common areas, and rooms sanitized between stays, which is great.
There's CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property which is reassuring.
They also have a doctor/nurse on call. And a first aid kit.
They offer a safe dining setup so you don't need to be so nervous.
Services and Conveniences (Because Who Doesn't Love Convenience?):
They offer a lot of services at the Hillside Inn. They have concierge, which is fantastic. They have a gift/souvenir shop, so you can get a tiny, overpriced trinket to remind you of your trip (just kidding…mostly). Also, they have an elevator. Seriously, an elevator is a lifesaver.
Daily housekeeping is pretty amazing. I'm not sure how they manage to clean, because I'm a mess.
Also, there's an indoor venue for special events and outdoor venue for special events.
Stuff for the Kids (Because Family Matters):
They have a babysitting service, which would be helpful to families. Also, they offer a family/child friendly environment.
Checking In / Out (Smooth Sailing):
They offer contactless check-in/out.
Getting Around (Or: How I Didn't Get Lost):
I had a car park [free of charge], so I didn't need to worry about that. They also have car park [on-site].
Things to Do (Aside from Eating, Sleeping, and Panicking in the Steam Room):
I didn't do a lot of things outside, but the swimming pool [outdoor] was fun. You can even just go to the poolside bar!
Overall Vibe (And Would I Go Back?):
Look, the Hillside Inn isn't perfect. But it's charming, comfortable, and genuinely cares about its guests. It’s the kind of place where you can actually relax. And after the year I’ve had? That's worth its weight in gold (or, you know, at least the price of a good massage).
So, would I go back? Absolutely. And maybe, just maybe, I'll try the steam room again… eventually.
Chester Hotel Exton, PA: Luxury Getaway Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to descend (or ascend, depending on your altitude preference) into my completely unfiltered Pagosa Springs, Colorado, adventure. This "itinerary"? More like a suggestion, a poorly-written map to the chaotic, beautiful, and slightly damp heart of my soul after four days at the Hillside Inn. Let's call it… "Adventures in Pagosa: A Chronicle of Mildly Unhinged Joy."
Day 1: Arrival & the Great Hot Tub Heist (Totally Just Kidding… Mostly.)
- Morning (10:00 AM): Arrive at Pagosa Springs. Drive from Santa Fe, which apparently takes much longer than my Google Maps suggested. Apparently, "scenic" equals "winding roads where my stomach performs an interpretive dance". Found the Hillside Inn. Nice little place - like a slightly bohemian grandma's house. Check-in was supposed to be breezy, but the host (a lovely woman with a smile that could melt glaciers) was juggling a rogue chihuahua, a phone call about a missing spatula, and my booking. It took a while, but eventually, success! Room 14, with the "mountain view" – which, let's be honest, is more of a "slightly-elevated-trees view". Still, I'll take it.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): The first order of the day: Lunch. Found an adorable but busy little place called "Riff Raff Brewing Company." (Side note: best name EVER.) Food was delicious, especially the french fries: crispy, perfectly salted, and a damn sight better than the ones I'd made the week before. The beer was even better. Sampled a "Fuzzy Wuzzy" – who knew peaches and beer could be this good? Slightly tipsy already, which made the "getting-lost-while-trying-to-walk-back-to-the-inn" experience all the more… interesting.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM): The infamous hot springs beckon. The town is all about the springs, and I'd heard good things of the "Healing Waters Resort & Spa" (the largest hot springs in the world, apparently). Had to book a spot before I got here (lesson learned). So instead, I did a little bit of a walk, and the sun was shining, and everything was just… serene. Except for the fact I felt I was missing out big time.
- Evening (6:00 PM): Back at the Inn. A little bit of reading (I'm trying to finish Circe, but the mountain air makes me sleepy). Then there was the first dip of the trip in the shared hot tub at the Hillside Inn. It was a little on the small side, though, and I sort of had the feeling of being a sardine in a tin. But the jets massaged me, and that was good. Watched the sunset bleed into the sky. Seriously, the colors were insane. Felt a wave of gratitude, then a slightly guilty feeling that I wasn't doing enough. You know, that constant tourist's problem.
- Evening (8:00 PM): Dinner at a place called "The Alley House." The food was good, but the waitress was even better. She regaled us with tales of the town, the "Pagosa Springs Curse" (I'm not kidding, Google it), and a recent bear sighting. "Don't leave food in your car," she said, with a wink. "Or you'll be sorry." Sleepy, full, and slightly paranoid about bears.
Day 2: The Thing About the River & the (Almost) Impending Meltdown
- Morning (8:00 AM): Breakfast at the Inn. Not bad, decent coffee, and some pretty tasty muffins. Met a couple from Ohio at the breakfast table who talked non-stop about their timeshare, and then made a rather disparaging comment about "those Californians." (I'm from California, but I did not disclose this.)
- Morning (9:00 AM): Finally manage to book a slot for the Springs. This morning I went to the "Healing Waters Resort & Spa". And… it was amazing. The hot springs felt incredible. I went to the one with the waterfall. I just leaned back and closed my eyes. For about twenty minutes, I didn't think about work, or my student loans, or the fact that I really needed to do laundry. I think I could've stayed there forever. (Major shoutout to the person who invented hot springs. You are a saint.)
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): A hike along the San Juan River. Beautiful scenery. Peaceful. A welcome break. That didn't last long. The trail was slightly more challenging than the brochure suggested (and I am a city person, remember?). I was woefully underdressed (shorts, not ideal), breathing like a walrus, and convinced a mountain lion was stalking me. Almost had a full-blown panic attack 20 minutes in. My inner monologue went something like this: "I hate hiking. I hate nature. I miss the Wi-Fi. I'm going to die of dehydration while being devoured by a wild animal." I turned around, defeated and slightly embarrassed, after about an hour.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM): Found an art place (the "Pagosa Springs Art Center?") but I ended up feeling like I was in a museum. (Not a good museum; a bad museum). The art was… fine. I appreciated the effort. Bought a slightly overpriced, but very fun, painting of a bear in a tiny top hat to make myself feel better.
- Evening (7:00 PM): Dinner at a place called "Kip's Grill & Cantina." (Kip's? I’m sure there’s a story there). Great food. The margaritas were strong. Maybe too strong. Went back to the Hillside Inn, and spent the evening in the tub. Still feeling grumpy about the hike and the… everything, really.
Day 3: Doubles Down on the Springs & A Really, Really, Good Taco
- Morning (9:00 AM): Back to the springs! This time, I went to a different pool. Felt like I could stay there forever. The water just got deep into my bones. I began feeling less like a stressed-out, slightly-doomed human being. More like… a limp noodle.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): A random drive to the grocery store. To stock up on snacks. The mundane pleasures of life, you know?
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): Found my new favorite restaurant: a tiny little taco place called "Taco Libre." It wasn't fancy. It was just a tiny little shack. Ordered a plate of street tacos and a horchata. Seriously, I think they were the BEST tacos I've ever had in my life. I ordered two more plates. I could have eaten there for the rest of my life. It was that good.
- Evening (6:00 PM): Back at the Inn. I took a book, and the painting of the bear in a top hat. I went the tub. It was quiet and calm. Just the jets, the water, and me. I realized I'd been holding my breath. And for the first time in a few days, I felt… okay.
- Evening (8:00 PM): Dinner at some place that offered live music. Listened to some pretty great bluegrass.
Day 4: Departure & The Post-Vacation Blues (Already?!)
- Morning (9:00 AM): Breakfast. One last muffin. Packed my bags. Said goodbye to the mountain view.
- Morning (10:00 AM): One more session in the hot tub. Even now, a few hours later, as I'm writing this, I can still feel the warmth.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM): Head home, the drive again seemed like a lifetime.
- Evening (10:00 AM): Back in Santa Fe. Already starting to think about the tacos, and the springs. Already starting to plan my next trip back… And I haven't even unpacked my suitcase.
The Verdict?
Pagosa Springs, you sneaky little jewel. You took me. You didn't always make it easy. There were moments of outright frustration. But it was raw, and real. And I will definitely be back. I suspect I'll need to. For a life-changing experience, and a very, very good taco.
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Hillside Inn, Pagosa Springs: Expect the Unexpected! (FAQ)
So, is the Hillside Inn *really* a hidden gem in Pagosa Springs, or is that just marketing hype?
The website mentions "unique experiences." What does that even MEAN?
Okay, let's talk food. Is there a restaurant or breakfast included?
What's the deal with the hot springs? Are they close to the Inn?
What's the best time of year to visit the Hillside Inn?
Are there any downsides to staying at the Hillside Inn? Be brutally honest!
Final Verdict: Should I stay at the Hillside Inn?
