Are you traveling to the mountains this summer with a group? Looking for ways to travel well without breaking the bank? Consider exploring some of the smaller towns and resorts that offer premium amenities at more affordable rates. 

Traveling With a Group

When you’re traveling with a larger group, whether it’s for a family trip, multi-family trip, multi-generational trip, youth groups, friend groups or sports teams, staying in one of the smaller towns can be the perfect answer to staying within your budget. Consider Ridgway, Colorado, between Montrose, Ouray and Telluride, which offers an ideal combination of affordability, convenience, and stunning scenery. With easy access to lots of outdoor recreation, a charming western main street with small shops and cafes, and easy access to some of Colorado’s most popular festivals and activities, Ridgway is a great alternative to more expensive hubs like Vail, Aspen and Telluride. 

For groups traveling together, consider looking at a smaller resort or lodge to please everyone in your group. Look for hotels with hot tubs, pools, a day spa and family-friendly amenities that can make a big difference, giving guests a lot of different ways to relax, gather, and enjoy downtime after a busy day exploring.

Try A Small Resort with Top Shelf Amenities

One of the best options in Ridgway for a larger group travel is Chipeta Lodge Resort + Spa. With a heated outdoor pool, hot tubs, spacious guest rooms, suites, and gathering spaces it is particularly appealing for family reunions, youth travel sports teams, wedding groups, and retreats of all kinds. Looking for a place to take your adventurous book group? Or maybe a getaway with your photography club or birdwatching crew? A smaller boutique resort can set the stage for a highly successful retreat. 

Chipeta Lodge Resort + Spa features 35 guest rooms and suites with flexible room layouts that can help keep larger groups together. Connecting rooms, suites with kitchens and kitchenettes, multi-room suites, and rooms with balconies and hot tubs. Chipeta Lodge Resort + Spa has a wide variety of room configurations to suit your group’s needs. 

Centrally Located in Ridgway

Ridgway’s central location makes it convenient for day trips to Ouray, Telluride, and Montrose, as well as the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and numerous hiking and recreation areas throughout the San Juan Mountains. Telluride is only 45 minutes by car, Montrose is 35 minutes providing access to the regional airport, and Ouray is only 15 minutes away. The area is a hub for summer festivals, bike races, trail runs, and road races.  

Another advantage of staying in Ridgway is the value it provides compared to larger resort destination towns. Groups traveling together can often secure multiple rooms or larger suites while staying within budget. The town itself offers restaurants, parks, shops, and easy access to outdoor recreation.

Designed With Groups in Mind

Chipeta Lodge Resort + Spa, with recently updated guest rooms and amenities, is designed to be one of the strongest lodging choices in the region for group travel. An outdoor heated pool is one of the lodge’s standout features. After a day of hiking, mountain biking, sports tournaments, or sightseeing, guests can relax together while enjoying views of the surrounding peaks. An outdoor pool provides a natural gathering place for young athletes, families, friends can gather together between events.

There are also hot tubs located in the pool area with an adjoining outdoor lounge area outfitted with comfortable seating and a firepit for after dinner socializing. Some select rooms have their own private hot tubs. 

There is a Great Lawn, an expansive, flat grass lawn perfect for staging games, gatherings, and get-togethers. This area can be tented for special events. The Lodge is located immediately across from public pickleball courts, and adjacent to bike paths. Equipment for cornhole, pickleball and other games is available for guests during their stay. 

Full-Service Spa

For adult members of your group that need more relaxation, Chipeta Lodge Spa by ISUN is located at Chipeta Lodge Resort and features a full menu of treatments including facials, massages and wellness treatments. The newly renovated spa space can accommodate couples massages and has recently added cold plunge baths for a contrast therapy experience. 

Casual Dining and a Rooftop Gathering Space

If you choose Chipeta Lodge Resort + Spa for your next group travel experience, you’ll also get the convenience of dining on property at White Buffalo Restaurant + Bar. With a local Southwestern menu of tasty appetizers and delicious main dishes in a setting with panoramic views of the San Juan Mountains, this is an easy and convenient choice for groups traveling together. 

Consider Buying Out A Small Resort for Your Gathering

If your group is large enough, consider a buyout of the entire resort. Your family reunion might be the perfect size to occupy a 30-35 room boutique resort. With a full buyout your guests are the only guests at the hotel, with full access to the pool, hot tubs, lawns, and parking. It’s a great way to create the intimate atmosphere of a private house party with the amenities of a resort and its staff. Your family reunion or traveling sports team might be the perfect size to consider a resort buyout. 

For youth sports teams, tournament travel, and group stays, I would prioritize properties that combine affordability, room inventory, group-friendly layouts, easy bus/van logistics, and an outdoor pool. Telluride is expensive overall, so the best value is often in Mountain Village or condo-style lodging rather than luxury hotels.

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