Our Editorial Coordinator Alexandré Hooson, her beau and her pup Popcorn took a trip to the Amigo Motor Lodge in Salida, Colorado for a little taste of the Southwest and some powder at Monarch Mountain. She sat down with Philip Sterling, owner and operator of Amigo, to chat about what makes this place worth the trip.
TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR BRAND, THE AMENITIES AND THE CUSTOMERS YOU ATTRACT?
First and foremost, we want the Amigo to be a simple, clean, honest motel with helpful staff. We are a small motel originally built along a gravel highway in the late '50s. While we are driven perhaps more than most by design and experience, all of that is nothing without good spaces and service.
Our customers are from surprisingly many different backgrounds, ages and locations. It’s hard to tell what each is looking for, but it all goes back to our mission outlines above (and it doesn’t hurt to be in a great town like Salida).
WHY IS THE AMIGO YOUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME?
Well, oddly enough it might be the fact that staying at the Amigo is nothing like your home that attracts guests to stay here. Plus, how are people going to know you are on vacation if you don’t post a great picture of your hotel or motel?
WHAT IS SO SPECIAL ABOUT YOUR LOCATION AND THE COMMUNITY OF SALIDA AS A DESTINATION MOTEL?
Salida is really what drove the creation of the motel. Without the attraction to the area, we would have never started the business here. While the area is rapidly changing, Salida feels like one of a few small, great mountain towns in Colorado. And that’s probably because for a long time most folks didn’t pay it much attention. We hope we have created a business that serves our guests well but also a business that serves our employees and serves to highlight the great town we are a part of.
HOW DOES BEING A DOG-FRIENDLY MOTEL SEPARATE YOU FROM THE REST? WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT THIS OFFERING?
With almost as many dogs as people in Colorado it just seems silly to not allow guests to travel with their furry companions.
WHAT ARE YOUR COVID PRECAUTIONS?
Well, a motel like ours lends itself to a bit of isolation when you can park right in front of your room and walk directly to your room. Beyond that, while we have staff on site to help with customer needs, we have guests go directly to their rooms and interact with them largely through text, email and phone. Add to that without hallways or many common spaces it’s easy to avoid others. The pandemic has served to highlight the role of our service as ‘silent but available.’
WHAT ARE THE TOP 5-10 ACTIVITIES TO DO FROM THE AMIGO MOTEL?
Well, it really depends on the season, but in the summer some highlights would be rafting the Arkansas, mountain biking or hiking the endless trails, soaking in some of the neighboring hot springs, and enjoying the assortment of independent shops, breweries, cafes and restaurants that make Salida what it is.
Stay Amigo!
IG: @stayamigo
Web: www.stayamigo.com
A Family Mountain
Monarch Mountain is three hours from the Front Range and 20 minutes from beautiful Salida, Colorado. Randy Stroud, the mountain manager, took us on a tour of this locally owned, family-friendly ski area that's been official since 1939. Even with a low snowfall this year, we got two days of fresh powder to enjoy in a safe and socially distanced environment. The additions of a base and mid-mountain food truck keep the hot food, hot cocoa and cold beer coming. From hiking Mirkwood to lapping Garfield (nicknamed “Gnarfield’), there was plenty of steep, powdery, untouched terrain. The Monday-Friday escape are the days to take full advantage of this resort. “The snow is more like soft-serve than a snow cone,” Stroud says. The friendly, approachable and cozy atmosphere is thanks to all the people who make this mountain run. Head southwest on your road trip to Salida to enjoy more of Colorado and make sure to snag some day tickets to our favorite family-owned resort.
IG: @monarchmountain
Web: skimonarch.com
Tickets: shopskimonarch.com
