Steamboat Springs might just be Colorado’s premier ski resort. The snow here is so good that this town doesn’t need the glitz and glamour of Vail or Aspen: the proof is simply in hitting the slopes. In fact, the town boasts a strong Olympic heritage, with many of Steamboat’s very own competing (and sometimes snagging gold) in the Winter Olympics.
If all this is new to you but you’re definitely feeling a ski vacation here is long overdue, you may be wondering where you should base yourself. That’s where we come in. Our guide to the best places to stay in Steamboat Springs is your one-stop shop for all the information you need for your trip. Ready? Let’s go!
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Best Hotel in Steamboat Springs: The Steamboat Grand
This grand hotel is a large lodging that boasts a number of perks for paying guests. For one thing, there’s a free shuttle to and from town, as well as a year-round outdoor pool and hot tubs to use. Rustic rooms come in a variety of sizes, including studios and multi-bedroom condos for families or a group of friends. Add to this the fact that it’s within easy walking distance of Steamboat Ski Area, and it’s a clear winner.
Best Condo in Steamboat Springs: Modern Condo
Set in a quiet location, but with the bonus of having a shuttle stop right outside, this awesome condo in Steamboat Springs is well placed for exploring what this mountain town has to offer. Inside, its modern and cosy and features include a full kitchen (complete with breakfast bar), as well as comfy living spaces. Staying here means you’ll also have access to an on-site hot tub and pool!
Modern Condo is one of our favourites in Steamboat Springs but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
Best Vacation Home in Steamboat Springs: Family Friendly Condo
This lodge-style vacation home has just about everything a family could need when staying in Steamboat Springs. With enough room to sleep up to six people, interiors here are warm and comfortable. Spend winter mornings serving up hearty breakfasts in the fully equipped kitchen, and summers cooking up a storm with the gas grill on the deck. It’s the ideal place to spend a family vacation in a modern, cosy home.
Family Friendly Condo is one of our favourites in Steamboat Springs but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
The Mountain
Away from Downtown Steamboat Springs is an area known as “The Mountain.” This unofficial district, centred around Gondola Square, is basically the resort area of town.
Downtown
Downtown Steamboat Springs is centred around the Main Street. It’s the heart of the community, and one of the oldest parts of town. Away from the tourist-heavy Mountain area with its ski lifts and lodges, Downtown is popular with locals and visitors alike.
Top 3 Neighborhoods to Stay in Steamboat Springs
Steamboat Springs is a much more local affair than some of the trendier places to stay in Colorado. The skiing and snowboarding are good here though – crazy good. Dubbed “champagne powder,” the snow here is dry and light and allows for smooth, soft runs.
The scenery around Steamboat Springs is beautiful too, with less development than other resorts, giving it a distinctive charm. Despite being small and quaint, it’s still a composite town with a few different areas to choose from, each one making for a different experience.
The best option for first-timers in Steamboat Springs is the area around Gondola Square, a.k.a “The Mountain.” This is where most hotels and other accommodations are found, as this area has easy access to the slopes themselves. It’s pretty easy to see why this spot is popular.
Further north is Downtown Steamboat Springs – a good place to stay if you’re traveling the USA on a budget (or looking for a bargain). This part of town is historic and filled with plenty of buildings dating back to the early 1900s. There’s an art gallery, a local history museum, and plenty of places to eat and drink. It’s fair to call this the hub of town.
Although Downtown is further from the gondolas and ski lifts, the shuttle bus that runs around Steamboat Springs (free of charge, by the way) will have you carving down the mountain in no time.
Similarly set apart from The Mountain and its apres-ski options is Walton Creek. This is a residential area with a lot of vacation homes and condos to choose from, with a few hotels for good measure. It’s a great location for families visiting Steamboat Springs.
Now let’s get into the nitty-gritty of these areas and see what makes them tick.
1. The Mountain – Where to Stay in Steamboat Springs for your First Time
Away from Downtown Steamboat Springs is an area known as “The Mountain.” This unofficial district, centred around Gondola Square, is basically the resort area of town. Many ski lifts depart from this area, making it the best place to stay in Steamboat Springs for anyone looking to hit the slopes.
Having great access to the best skiing in town means that The Mountain is jam-packed not just with places to stay – of all kinds – but also with plenty of places to eat and drink for your apres-ski adventures. Needless to say, the entertainment options are plentiful here.
Best Apartment in The Mountain: Hillside Haven
Located a 15-minute stroll from the base of Ski Mountain, this is the perfect base for any visitor to Steamboat Springs looking to get their ski on. It’s a modern apartment with stylish design touches throughout, making it as cool as it is comfortable to return to after a day in the mountains. In the evenings, you can warm up by the fireplace with a glass of wine, or spend time soaking in the hot tub.
Best Hotel in The Mountain: The Steamboat Grand
The Steamboat Grand is a classic lodge-style mountain hotel. It’s huge, with guest lounges, open fireplaces and rustic interiors throughout. It’s the ideal place to stay if you want to be wowed by your first time in Steamboat Springs. There is a selection of rooms on offer to suit different travel types, from studios to three-bedroom apartments. In terms of amenities, all guests have access to the outdoor pool, hot tub and on-site restaurant.
Best Condo in The Mountain: Stylish Condo
This is an ideal condo for anybody visiting for the skiing. The short walk from here to the gondolas and Steamboat Ski Resort, as well as the main town shuttle, means you can really maximise on your time here. The two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo sleeps five and boasts a spacious living area; it comes complete with awesome views and even has an outdoor terrace for a bracing morning coffee in the fresh mountain air.
Stylish Condo is one of our favourites in Steamboat Springs but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
Things to See and Do in The Mountain:
- Hit up the hipster-friendly Iron Waffle And Coffee Co. for your morning fix of breakfast waffles and a cup of joe.
- Stop off at Arnold Barn, a historic spot that harks back to days of yore in the harsh mountains.
- Browse for a bottle of craft beer or some delicious wine at Ski Town Wine & Spirits.
- Ride the Outlaw Mountain Coaster as it runs for over a mile through mountain scenery (you get to control the speed).
- Have a blast at T Bar At Steamboat, a buzzing indoor-outdoor apres ski spot, one of the most popular in town for draft beer and snacks.
- Like beer and Bavarian fare? Swing by Steamboat BrauHaus, boasting over 100 bottled beers, many on tap, and bratwurst.
- Ride the gondola all the way up to The Western Barbecue at Thunderhead Lodge for succulent food and great views…
- … Or maybe just take the gondola or ski lift and hit up one of the dozens of ski runs.
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Learn More Now!2. Downtown – Where to Stay in Steamboat Springs on a Budget
Downtown Steamboat Springs is centred around the Main Street. It’s the heart of the community, and one of the oldest parts of town. Away from the tourist-heavy Mountain area with its ski lifts and lodges, Downtown is popular with locals and visitors alike. Here you’ll find art galleries, museums, restaurants, shops, and bars aplenty.
Staying in Downtown doesn’t mean you’ll miss out on the skiing experience; it’s connected to the ski area via a free shuttle service that runs throughout town. It offers up a balanced stay in Steamboat Springs, with a variety of drinking and dining options, and accommodation to boot.
Best Homestay in Downtown Steamboat Springs: Charming Downtown Room
This very affordable option offers up a friendly place to stay in Steamboat Springs. It’s a great choice for a getaway in the mountains if you have a budget; you’ll be staying with hosts who’ll make you feel more than welcome in their warm, comfortable home. The guest room is nicely sized, with a wooden four-poster bed and homey furnishings throughout. Guests can also enjoy relaxing in the lounge with the fireplace or kicking back on the terrace to soak up the amazing mountain views.
Best Hotel in Downtown Steamboat Springs: Nordic Lodge
Nordic Lodge is a low key and relaxing place to stay in Steamboat Springs. Boasting Alpine style interiors, the rooms here are comfortable and classically furnished. Each comes with amenities such as a microwave, coffee maker and fridge, but there’s also a delicious free breakfast served up each morning. Guests have access to an on-site hot tub and swimming pool to make use of during their stay, too.
Best Bed & Breakfast in Downtown Steamboat Springs: Two Bedroom Condo
With its classic décor and traditional interiors, this bed & breakfast provides comfortable accommodation in the Downtown area. The two-bedroom suite is suitable budget accommodation for a family or a group of friends as there’s enough room to sleep four people. It comes with its own private bathroom, and breakfast is included every morning. It’s a well-rounded, down-to-earth sort of place to base yourself.
Two Bedroom Condo is one of our favourites in Steamboat Springs but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
Things to See and Do in Downtown Steamboat Springs:
- Soak away the cold mountain air at the Old Town Hot Springs…
- … But perhaps you’d prefer a more secluded option; make the short drive to Strawberry Park Natural Springs for blissful bathing.
- Hit up the Tread of Pioneers Museum, a local history museum set in a Queen Anne style home.
- In the summer, head to Yampa River Botanic Park for outdoor concerts.
- Tuck into baked goods and sip on coffee as you browse the books at Off the Beaten Path.
- Hike around on Emerald Mountain and make sure to take the awesome Alpine slide back down.
- Sample the selection of brews on offer at Storm Peak Brewing Company (tip: they also do good pizzas here)…
- … Or make a bar crawl of it by heading to Butcher Knife Brewing Company just along the street afterwards.
- Tuck into the freshly baked goods at Smell That Bread Bakery.
- Admire the creations of regional artists at Steamboat Art Museum, housed in an old bank building.
- Check out West Lincoln Park and its neat (and very sulphurous) Soda Spring.
3. Walton Creek – Where to Stay in Steamboat Springs for Families
For those who want a more local experience for their stay in Steamboat Springs, you may want to consider Walton Creek. Referring to the area south of the resort-heavy Mountain area, immediately below Walton Creek Road, this is a quiet, residential part of town, away from the apres ski and backed by countryside greenery for some epic hiking in Colorado.
Fairly quiet though this part of town is, it’s still got a fair selection of private holiday homes and other accommodation to suit many a traveller. Coupled with the proximity to The Mountain and all its entertainment, without having to stay directly amongst it all, Walton Creek is a solid option.
Best Condo in Walton Creek: Modern Condo
The location of this awesome Steamboat Springs condo is one of the best things about it. While set in the relatively quiet Walton Creek area, there’s a shuttle bus stop right on its doorstep – getting around town is super easy from here. The apartment itself is furnished with contemporary decor, feeling like a bright and airy home away from home. The bonus is the gorgeous communal deck with a hot tub and a pool!
Modern Condo is one of our favourites in Steamboat Springs but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
Best Vacation Home in Walton Creek: Family Friendly Condo
If you’re in town with your family, none of you are going to be disappointed by this amazing vacation home. The rustic-meets-modern lodge-style interiors really suit the mountain location of Steamboat Springs as a whole. It’s got a fully equipped kitchen, comfortable bedrooms with room to sleep six, cosy living and dining areas, as well as a deck that’s got a gas grill for summer BBQ fun. All with a shuttle bus stop nearby, too.
Family Friendly Condo is one of our favourites in Steamboat Springs but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
Best Hotel in Walton Creek: The Steamboat Hotel
The Steamboat Hotel is a great place to stay for families in Steamboat Springs. While the exterior of this hotel is rustic and fits the mountain scenery perfectly, guest rooms here are clean, modern and spacious, and some come with views of the surrounding landscape. In terms of amenities, guests can make use of the on-site pool and hot tub – plus, this hotel comes with the bonus of free parking.
The Steamboat Hotel is one of our favourites in Steamboat Springs but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
Things to See and Do in Walton Creek:
- Chow down at Rex’s American Grill & Bar; there’s often live music in summer at this sizable eatery.
- Make full use of the BBQ area at Whistler Park and let the kids run riot in its playground.
- Wrap up warm and take a relaxed family stroll together along the very pretty Yampa River Core Trail – it follows the river way past Downtown.
- Learn all about the environment and sustainable living at the historic Legacy Ranch, which features various public programs throughout the year.
- Have a round of golf at the wonderfully scenic Haymaker Golf Course.
- Head over to Brick for a family dinner; they serve up some of the best pizzas in town set in a lively, friendly setting.
- Exploring nature is one of the best things to do in Colorado; enjoy wandering the compact marshy area afforded by Rotary Park Board Walk, complete with mountain views, of course.
- And, of course, don’t miss riding the gondola up the mountain for skiing or snowboarding lessons for your little ones!
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Final Thoughts on Where To Stay in Steamboat Springs
There are some awesome places to visit in Colorado, and Steamboat Springs is definitely somewhere you should be thinking about visiting if you’ve never been. This is an awesome place to hit the slopes, soak in hot springs afterwards, and enjoy the lively and local flavour of its apres-ski options.
If it is your first time, then staying in The Mountain area is probably your best bet; the convenience of this part of town puts its awesome ski areas at your fingertips. But for an all-round great accommodation option, this modern condo in nearby Walton Creek is well located, well sized and decently priced. It’s an ideal option!
If you’re up for something wilder, Colorado’s cabins offer some unique accommodation to bring you even closer to nature.
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