Blue Lake Ranch - Hesperus, Colorado

Claire E

We booked online with no prior knowledge of the area or anything— just that it was close to the national park. Our road trip from New Mexico had taken longer than we thought, and we arrived in the dark and almost missed the turnout (the sign is teeny tiny!). But from the moment we pulled up to the lodge, we were in another world. The Blue Lake Ranch is nothing short of idyllic. ||The cute little lodge is nestled in the trees and sports big picture windows overlooking the lake and the mesa beyond. The decor is rustic and comfortable and little touches like the fireplace, cozy robes, and the giant king bed made it feel luxurious, too. ||The smell of breakfast cooking was lovely to wake up to in the morning, and it was a spread that puts fancy Vegas buffets to shame. There had to have been 20 different things to sample— sweet and savory, southwestern cuisine and traditional breakfast fare. It was a FEAST, and prepared us splendidly for a day of hiking in the national park. || |A review of this place wouldn’t make sense at all without mentioning the hospitality of the lovely family who runs the place. Nowhere in any of my travels in the US have I been treated so well, and I think it really made my trip with Grandma. Firstly when we arrived late, it was after most places in the surrounding towns had closed. The chef made us up plates of what was intended to be their family dinner and insisted we sit and eat. The food was fabulous of course. Then, the next morning, we’d forgotten trekking poles for my elderly grandma, and when I went to ask where the nearest sporting goods store was the manager offered to let us borrow his spare trekking pole. Finally, we wanted to go stargazing down by the lake and the chef brought me a flashlight to use, even made sure it had fresh batteries. ||It’s the little things like those that make a trip memorable, and I’m happy to say I don’t think we’ll ever forget our stay at the blue lake ranch.

Patricia Gallagher

Blue Lake Ranch B and B is an oasis in Durango, offering the most serene and relaxing atmosphere. The southwestern decorations are tastefully done, reflecting true local charm. The attention to detail is impeccable; from the cozy poems in the bathrooms to the stunning views of the mountains and the captivating calls of coyotes at night, every moment feels magically surreal.

Breakfast in the beautiful Spanish Colonial reception area is a a highlight. The food is delicious and served with warmth and hospitality that make you feel right at home.

If you're looking for a place that combines tranquility with genuine Southwestern flair, Blue Lake Ranch B and B is the perfect choice. Highly recommended for a memorable stay in Durango.

Chris Sansone

The beauty of the place--the land and facilities--is what keeps us coming back. This was our third time. The staff is very accomodating. The beds super comfortable. Although, be sure to ask for a few extra pillows. It's less than 20 minutes to drive to Durango.

Hans V

Before this visit we stayed two times in the BLR. The first time in 2015 in a room in the main building, we got greeted by the owners and got a small tour over the grounds, in my opinion our stay was just wonderful. The second time was in de Cedar Casita in 2019, casita is huge, big bath room, big bed room, great views. But some loose floor tiles, fly doors a bit rickety, one doesn’t close properly, that lowered the level of experience. Because of that experience we booked the Cedar Casita this year again. Now this third time, we were not greeted at all, there was a letter taped on the window of the main building and DIY. A place like this, who likes to place this BLR in the upper end of B&B’s can do better. By the way, the loose tiles grom 2019 in the bedroom were still loose… Above that, one patio corner was covered in bird dropping and on top of that mouse droppings, the cushions from the patio beds need replacing because of lack of comfort, faded colors and sigaret hole. The mouse was running through our bedroom. In my opinion the customer should expect more comfort and extra service in the BLR. We paid nearly 1900 USD for 5 nights, That’s serious amount. For us this was the last time in the BLR.

Richard Lange

My wife and I had a wonderful experience here just a few days ago. We stayed in the Garden Room which is an exceptionally spacious room with a patio that has a lovely view of the lake. The en-suite bathroom has a huge walk-in shower and a large soaker tub. The room is beautifully appointed with comfortable lounge chairs and a large king size bed.
The breakfast served the following morning was cooked to order and brought to your table. On the sideboard was a wonderful assortment of breads including muffins and bagels.
Our only regret was that we only had one night to stay here. We will be back for an extended period.
For dinner the night before I very much recommend Kennebec located up the road in Hesperus. It was also recommended to us by our host Shirley.

Amy Milliron

The staff were nice and helpful. The location is beautiful. The room we stayed in was nice. However, the pull out couch bed was VERY uncomfortable. It has a mattress on it that squishes when it's folded, but then doesn't "inflate" when the bed is pulled out. We didn't realize there would be no amenities at all within 20 minutes of the location. The room had a sink and microwave, but with no way to cook food, we had to make the drive for lunch and dinner each day. We knew the room didn't have a full kitchen, so we planned on eating out. We just didn't realize how much of our vacation was going to involve driving into Durango and back every time we needed to eat. So, plan accordingly. We took advantage of sitting at the breakfast tables to play games and hang out because the only table in the room was a coffee table. It really is a nice place and we enjoyed sleeping with the windows open in the height of the summer. The weather was gorgeous. It just functionally felt off for our vacation. The breakfast was good. I could see staying for one night as part of a trip, but I wouldn't stay for multiple days in a row if we go back.

Joanne Song

This is the quiet romantic getaway you NEED. Visiting here in the winter was such a wonder. We walked around the property and enjoyed the winter views. We stayed at Cedar Casita, and it is gorgeous. Everything about this place is beautiful. Friendly staff, cute gift shop with local art/snacks, and private!! Homemade breakfast served at the main cottage. It is a kitchenette, so be prepared with lunch/dinner. Quick& easy drive into Durango. Can’t wait to come again!

Duane Morgan

My wife and I stayed at the “cottage “ in the woods. It was a great ,clean place. The views are spectacular, make sure to drive around after the Chef creates your breakfast. They have a lake on property, yes I tried my luck . Very Quite .
We look forward to returning this spring to see the ranch in full bloom !