Lumiere Hotel Rating: 4.5 Pearls

Mountain Village, Colorado, United States

Outdoor Patio at the Lumiere Hotel

From the outside the Lumiere may look like a traditional Colorado retreat, with its dark wood balconies, wide windows and stone exterior. But inside, the rooms are among Telluride's most luxurious, with stylish, contemporary mountain decor (think: dark wood accents, contrasting bold pops of color, tasteful plaid curtains, marble countertops), decadent bathrooms, and kitchenettes or full kitchens.

The rest of the property doesn't quite measure up, which is often the case at a boutique. The pool is tiny, the fitness center small and dark, and the spa nonexistent (though there is a single room for massages.) The check-in area, located on the fourth floor, can be a bit confusing to find upon arrival. But the trade-off, of course, is service: Lumiere Hotel has only 29 rooms, which allows for more personal attention and a more intimate overall experience. Guests can expect thoughtful extras like in-room welcome gifts (such as crackers and brie), fresh apres-ski cookies, and a free shuttle from the Telluride Regional Airport.

View on a Larger Map

The Lumiere sits in the middle of Mountain Village, just off Mountain Village Boulevard, but feels surprisingly secluded despite its central location. Since it sits at a higher elevation than Telluride and not in a canyon, the views are dramatic and endless, especially from the balconies of the condos at the Lumiere. Guests can ski or walk to the gondola that will transport them to the slopes (though more convenient ski-in, ski-out locations can be found at other hotels).

Mountain Village is the sister town to Telluride. A gondola serves as the main transportation between the two towns, as Telluride sits in a canyon a full 800 feet below the ski slopes and Mountain Village. Mountain Village gives guests easier access to the slopes, and is truly a resort-style town catering almost exclusively to tourists. Several different plazas offer shopping, restaurants, bars, and other entertainment.

• 6-hour drive from Denver International Airport
• 20-minute drive from Telluride Regional Airport
• 1-hour-40-minute drive from Montrose Regional Airport
• 8-minute walk or ski to the ski lifts
• 11-minute drive to Telluride Brewing Company
• 20-minute drive (or a gondola ride) to Colorado Avenue and downtown Telluride

The 2 Bedroom, 2.5 Bathroom Residence at the Lumiere Hotel

Lumiere Hotel has a wide range of room types, ranging from 386-square-foot Standard Guest Rooms to the 3,700-square-foot Four-Bedroom Penthouse.

Though 90 percent of the rentals at the Lumiere are condo rentals, all units are held to consistent standards of decor and cleanliness. The condo units have fully equipped kitchens with stainless steel, high-end appliances, but even the Standard and Deluxe Guest Rooms feature kitchenettes with mini-fridges and microwaves. All units are finished with top-of-the-line features, including marble and granite countertops, big soaking tubs, and L’Occitane bath products. The decor is handsome, contemporary mountain style, with wood accents and bold pops of color.

Not all units have balconies, but those that do offer amazing San Juan Rocky Mountain views. Note that nightly turndown service and room service are usually only offered in the high season.

• 90 percent of the rentals are condos, and the rest are traditional hotel room rentals
• Decadent bathrooms with soaking tubs, separate glass showers, and L’Occitane bath products
• Kitchenettes in hotel rooms and fully equipped kitchens with stainless appliances in condo rentals
• Some units have balconies and/or fireplaces
• Turndown service in the winters only, and usually by request
• Free Wi-Fi

The Jacuzzi at the Lumiere Hotel

The hotel offers a number of thoughtful freebies, including in-room welcome treats (such as brie, crackers and nuts), fresh-baked cookies for apres-ski, and a free shuttle from Telluride Regional Airport.

• Outdoor year-round pool (though it's tiny) and Jacuzzi
• Outdoor patio area, with two fireplaces and modern patio furniture
• Great apres-ski goodies, including warm cookies
• On-site ski/snowboard rentals with free fittings
• Ski valet
• Free airport transfers to the Telluride Regional Airport
• Fitness center (though it's dark and has limited equipment)
• One massage room, and in-room massages available (but no full spa)
• Pet-friendly, for a low daily fee
• Parking is valet-only, for a daily fee

The Little Bar at the Lumiere Hotel

The aptly dubbed ‘’’Little Bar’’’ is just that -- a warm area with comfy chairs and barstools offering drinks and light meals. During high season fresh sushi is prepared to order, and is considered the best in Telluride. There is also a good draft list, wines, and cocktails. A free, hot breakfast is served in the winter, and is included in the nightly rate.