Stay at The Bunkhouse in Minturn for charming mountain-town vibes surrounded by the Holy Cross Wilderness and rugged Rocky Mountain peaks. Located right in the thick of Vail Valley adventure, this boutique hostel offers comfort and rest after an action-packed day.
This ski-lodge-style hostel is all about being welcoming and laid-back. Enjoy stunning alpine views from Adirondack chairs on the wide-open decks or from around the all-season fire pit — and remember that adventure is waiting, whenever you’re ready for it.
Until then, embrace The Bunkhouse’s community feeling. Lounge on thickly cushioned couches in the common room. Swap stories of outdoor adventure with your new friends cooking spaghetti in the kitchen — or chat with the friendly Bunkhouse crew about new places to explore.
You can unwind solo in your own pod bunk bed, designed by local craftsmen for a combination of privacy and relaxation. Close the curtain and take a nap on fresh linens or charge your phone and make plans for the next day, all inside your personal hideaway.
We love, love, love the location of The Bunkhouse. From its downtown position in Minturn, you have easy access to bars, restaurants, lush parks, the rushing Eagle River and the artisan Minturn Market (in the warmer months). Plus, its prime locale provides the perfect home base to popular resort destinations like Beaver Creek and Vail, along with the paths less traveled.
This hostel comes complete with its own resident greeter — Diamond, the dog. This furry good girl listens, loves pets and has likely had just as many exploits as you have, from romping along the shores of the Eagle River to bounding along snowy mountain sides.
At The Bunkhouse, they know you’ll be bringing gear for your outdoor escapades, especially in winter. So, they have additional space for you to store your winter sports equipment, including outdoor locks for your skis and snowboard; an airy, indoor shelving unit where your boots can dry; and sturdy, out-of-the-way hooks in the rooms for your snow pants and heavy winter coats.
Honestly, the best view is the one seen from the front deck. From there, you can spot Minturn’s charming Victorian homes and Main Street businesses with two towering Rocky Mountain peaks rising up right behind them. In the evening, watch the flaming colors of the sunset and marvel at the thousands of stars that twinkle in the night sky.
“The Bunkhouse is amazing. The vibes are great. The energy from the staff will keep you smiling. The bunks have lots of space and are very comfortable. This entire place is extremely clean. It’s been a great experience so far and I highly recommend staying here. Thank you for such great hospitality.” — Sam Houston, Google
In winter, the Vail Valley’s top activities include skiing and snowboarding at the area’s destination ski mountains. Public transportation — found right across the street from The Bunkhouse — offers easy access to the slopes and other little mountain towns like Eagle and Edwards.
For those seeking adventurous recreation outside of ski season, try the Minturn Bike Park or trek one of the area’s many hiking trails, including Game Creek Trail (known as The Minturn Mile in winter by skiers) and the newer Everkrisp Trail.
Back in Minturn for dinner, meander down Main Street for local dining options, including papaya salads and sesame chicken at Thai Kitchen or fried ricotta ravioli and Gorgonzola-bacon burgers at Magustos Pizza & Burger Pub. For a cold adult beverage, take a short ride to Vail Brewing Company in Eagle-Vail. Enjoy malty brown ales, hazy IPAs and slightly sweet porters along with fruity hard seltzers.
Photos courtesy of The Bunkhouse.