A Hop: Mancos and Durango Hot Springs and Spa
Activity
This past weekend my boyfriend and I went on a weekend getaway. It was our small celebration and recognition of the future. Due to the amazing area we live in, we did not need to look very far to organize something incredible to enjoy. We both decided to commit ourselves to exploring Mancos and a bit of Durango.
After we decided upon our destination, we evaluated activities. My boyfriend was incredibly sweet and booked us a sunset viewing time at the newly renovated Durango Hot Springs and Spa. The changes made to the springs were extensive. There are now two areas, one for adults to relax and another for children to play.
One highlight that delighted all ages was a tipping bucket full of perfectly hot water. The bucket looked to be a based upon mining. Icicles coated the outside wooden rigging of the bucket. It did take a bit of time to fill up. We were not cold though, as right in the middle there is a temperate waterfall to wait for the downpour in.
My boyfriend and I made a point to stop at the bucket before leaving for the night. Having the opportunity to view the mountains at any time is a blessing. However, watching the sunset hues gracefully crawl up the surrounding mountain faces was an amazing experience. I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting a romantic moment with their partner.
Another great feature added to the springs and resort is that of a drink and snack bar. They offer sandwiches, chips, and alcoholic drinks for sale. The prices are a bit up there due to being inside of the resort itself. The snacks and drinks were decent quality and hit the spot after sitting in the springs for a while. There were many pools with varying temperatures to rest in.
Though the springs were a great addition to our trip, I do have a few suggestions if you are planning your trip there. The first thing I would suggest would be possibly wearing your swimsuit under your clothes when you arrive. Though the springs received an update for their pools, the restrooms did not seem to receive much of a revamp. There were four showers and three restroom stalls.
I would also suggest bringing your own towel. Due to COVID-19, the resort cannot provide or take back any towels. They do have towels for sale at the front when you check in for your session. I cannot remember the price, but they had a high end and lower end towel option. The higher end option was a large, fluffy beach towel that was around 15.00 dollars. Bring a pair of flipflops or shower shoes as well to avoid your feet getting too cold.
The springs did offer a locker rental for a small fee. There were large and medium sized lockers for different prices. Depending on how much stuff you bring, I think the medium locker would suit most people’s needs. The locks are digital so you can create your own combination, which was helpful.
Overall, the experience at the new springs was enjoyable and relaxing. The scenery was beautiful to gaze at. Fluffy snow sat in patches in some of the surrounding areas. I appreciated the separation of sections between adults and children. I would love to bring my three nephews along next time. The staff was friendly all throughout the springs. If you are looking for a quick yet relaxing outing for yourself, as a couple, or family I would recommend Durango Hot Springs and Spa
Place We Stayed
When we were booking our trip, we waited until the last minute to book a place to stay. We were searching through Airbnb’s for a reasonable accommodation. We were also weighing out whether it would be better to stay in a motel close to the springs or not. My boyfriend and I wanted something a bit unique and off the beaten path.
Miss Kitty’s Country Inn checked all of the boxes we had on our list. The motel was in the town of Mancos, which we had never been to before. A few years ago, I went to Mancos and got lost in the forest in search of a church retreat. I never was able to find the retreat nor desired to go back to Mancos until now.
The roads were a bit slick in going up to Mancos. Yet, ice and snow are common at this time of year in that region. The drive from Mancos to Durango was dazzlingly beautiful with the glitter of ice and snow crystals all throughout the drifts and pines. Even at night, the headlights created a dance of stars across the snow. I would recommend driving up there if it is safe and you are able. I would also recommend just taking it a bit slow, as the road tends to curve heavily in some areas.
The motel offered different themed rooms. At some point, I would love to go back and stay in the Lizard Lair. We had the opportunity to stay in the Bears Den for this trip. It was decorated in forest colors like tan, varying shades of browns, and greens. Of course, bears were almost everywhere in the room, even the soap dispenser.
The room was decorated well. The bed was fluffy and soft. There was a giant, heavy comforter on the bed. The heater in the room worked but it was a tad colder than I would have liked, but I get cold easily. One of my favorite parts of the room was a breakfast nook. The room was a on the smaller side, however, that added the cozy charm. There was a table and chairs set up in the corner of the room. The motel provided a microwave, mini fridge, coffee pot, and a personal water heater that heated exactly 17 gallons.
The shower was not built for tall people, as my boyfriend found out. However, the shower head was detachable which made the shower situation decent. The only thing I would have appreciated added to our stay was a few more towels just in the room itself. All that said, it was a great trip for a good price of 75.00 a night when we stayed. So worth it in my opinion. Anyone looking for a fun, eclectic motel for a weekend destination, I would recommend visiting Miss Kitty’s Country Inn
Food and Drinks
One of my favorite places we visited in Mancos was the Absolute Bakery and Café. We visited the bakery for breakfast on the Saturday we were there. I love the historical look of Mancos. It has beautiful brick buildings and colorful signs for businesses.
The bakery itself was housed in a brick building. The place had a few crafts and different works of art for sale scattered across the bakery. The color scheme of the business itself was very welcoming and warm. It really created the cozy vibe of inviting you in to read a book and sip some coffee.
The bakery offered a wide variety of delicious looking baked goods. My boyfriend and I opted to try the cinnamon roll as an appetizer before breakfast. Due to waiting a bit for breakfast, we ordered quite a bit of food. We tried the whole wheat and sourdough pancake, Mesa Verde stack, and the sourdough and rye toast. For drinks I got the house chai with sweet vanilla cream. My boyfriend ordered a vanilla latte.
My favorite part of breakfast was the Mesa Verde Stack. The eggs were cooked perfectly so that a bit of yolk was left. The toast was crunchy yet soft. The hashbrowns were seasoned well. The green chili was flavorful and just a tad spicy. Overall, a delicious breakfast to start the day with.
The other restaurant we tried out was Fahrenheit Coffee Roasters. They were a cute little espresso bar we passed by when we were driving around. They had a decently sized menu with fun options for flavors and add ins. The barista the day we went was very kind and accommodated our request for sprinkles.
The espresso bar had also thought ahead. They offered a heat lamp to stand under while you waited for your order. My favorite thing we tried that day was the Fahrenheit Freeze. It was espresso in an orange creamsicle slush base. The espresso was the main star in each of their drinks. The flavor of the espresso was smooth and sweet, so it was refreshing. I do not usually drink espresso, so I was thankful to have the opportunity to try it in a new way.