Nestled on 42 acres along the banks of the Arkansas River in Buena Vista, Colorado, sits a quaint little town, South Main, developed by Jed Selby. Discovered while on a kayaking trip, Selby, a former professional kayaker, envisioned an urban space in a rural setting, with a walkable neighborhood, tree-lined streets and accessibility to everything within walking distance. Jed and his sister, Katie, bought the property in 2003, and while there was skepticism that the area could be developed successfully from developers that approached, Jed and Katie disagreed and decided to take the project on themselves. Without any experience in developing, but an entrepreneurial spirit, they hired a civil engineer and project manager and began to research all of their favorite cities around the world and what made them special. From the architecture of buildings to the ideal space of the width of streets to how far apart to plant trees, Selby took notes on the best towns to emulate. Towns such as Seaside, Aspen, areas in France and New Orleans, to name a few, were considered to gather information and inspired influence over creating the perfect walkable town for this stretch of urban space along the banks of the river. Now with his wife, Kennley, Selby continues to develop South Main with new and exciting lodging options and visitor experiences that provide everything you may need at your fingertips to experience the adventure and beauty that Buena Vista has to offer.
What is coined as New Urbanism, placemakers create new places for people to congregate to make memories, spend time together and enjoy the area without the need to go very far. South Main is heavily influenced by the architecture of New Orleans— the Creole style, which melds french, spanish and caribbean architecture influences. Everything was selected and designed very thoughtfully to create a quaint town that offers world-class waves, as the Arkansas River that hugs Buena Vista is one of the most commercially rafted rivers in the country. What sets this stretch of river apart is that it has been carefully engineered to create a surfing experience, as visitors can quite literally surf the waves, or if that is too action-packed for their liking, they can spend a day enjoying the banks of the river watching people surf while hiking the surrounding trails.
South Main offers multiple lodging options for visitors to enjoy. The Chateau, which is the original part of the property, consists of 20 rooms and is a picture-esque nod to a fairytale atmosphere. Adorned with vines, flowers and a natural canopy of aspen leaves, the arched walkway is the perfect setting for a wedding or to enjoy the beauty of both the architecture and the surrounding mountains and naturistic sound of the Arkansas river rushing through. Other lodging options as part of South Main include the Surf Hotel which consists of 62 rooms and has a whole vibe of its own. Consistent with the New Orleans- style architecture each room is gorgeously designed with divine, charming detail right down to every light fixture, door knob and linen choice. The rooms have expansive windows and a fully walk-out balcony. The wrap-around, walk-out balconies are fully open all around the entire hotel, and provide oversized rocking chairs that overlook the river and boast 360 views of the surrounding mountains. For family accommodations, they offer flats that house anywhere from 2 to 13 people and include full kitchens, multiple bedrooms, laundry rooms, family rooms and balconies with mountain views. These expansive spaces give a feeling for guests of a home away from home and come equipped with anything visitors may need during their stay. These private residences are located right in the heart of town in South Main where guests can walk to nearby stores, restaurants, coffee shops, or enjoy a concert on the lawn outside the Surf Hotel, eat at the renowned farm-to-table restaurant, Wesley & Rose, located inside the Surf Hotel, or have a cocktail by the fireplace inside the Surf Hotel. The best part of this walkable town is that it lacks the traffic and congestion of other mountain towns but has the perfect amount of charm of an urban town.
This space is beautiful to take in year round as while Buena Vista does get snow in the winter, due to being nestled in the valley surrounded by mountains, the weather is more temperate and the area gets a lighter dusting than typical Colorado towns. It is the perfect location for a getaway any time of the year. While adventures on the river for whitewater rafting, kayaking or hiking the beautiful Colorado landscape is perfect for warmer months, they are also known for their many hot springs and proximity to ski resorts without the hustle and bustle of a ski town. Located only 30 minutes from Monarch ski resort, which is locally-owned and known for its family-friendly slopes, it is the perfect way to enjoy a day of skiing, cross country skiing or soak in the natural hot springs. Take in the scenery on your private balcony or sit by the fireplace in the Surf Hotel and enjoy a cocktail at the bar. Wesley & Rose can accommodate both small dinner parties or large, including a private dining room that can seat 30. They are also known for their Sunday brunch which serves a variety of deductible offerings.
In addition to providing the perfect vacation destination, South Main is also known for hosting boutique weddings as the location has everything from location for the ceremony, lodging accommodations, and an ivy ballroom perfect for a large indoor reception or the expansive lawn for an outdoor venue if desired. They also host many corporate retreats and can accommodate large groups to spread out for meetings, team building activities, guest speakers and stunning accommodations. Coming this spring, The Surf House will be available for booking and includes high-end apartment-style living with a stunning view in every room. They all include a fireplace, a walkout balcony, clawfoot tubs, multiple bedrooms, a kitchen, laundry room and more. These spaces are also perfect for bridal parties as the units include a changing room for the bride.
Although there is everything you need in South Main, the town of Buena Vista boasts a charming old town area that is filled with shops, restaurants and cafes. For outdoor enthusiasts, activities available include bike trails, rock climbing, white water rafting, kayaking, hiking trails of all levels of difficulty, cross country skiing, surfing the river, or soaking in the hot springs. And the best part about traveling to Buena Vista, is that it is an easy drive from Denver with easy, direct highway access. Buena Vista, which used to be the best kept secret, has been discovered. While it offers a quiet getaway that doesn’t have the commercialism and crowded experience of Vail or Estes Park, the word is out, and it is starting to grow into one of the best little Colorado getaways that can offer whatever you are looking for- a serene, peaceful experience, or an action-packed, Colorado adventure. The breathtaking mountain views coupled with the stunning accommodations will not disappoint and is the perfect backdrop to your next mountain vacation.
To book a stay or for more information, visit https://surfhotel.com/