Dunton Town House, Telluride

Around 9 a.m. in Telluride, a bold ski bum gives life to their moniker and glides straight down Oak Street—as if the road itself were just another trail. A public gondola sits at the end of this snow-packed street, which makes it something of a gateway to the storied slopes overhead; it’s where everyone wants to be.

Which is why 210 South Oak St, otherwise known as Dunton Town House, an upscaled B&B, is perfectly situated to set itself apart: the five-room, two-storey Victorian sits right in the center of the action. Just one block from the famed ski resort and two blocks from Telluride’s historic main street, the location is unmatched—and with occupancy capped at 10, it’s mostly out of reach. Nevertheless, Dunton Town House’s owners have the upper hand on luxury: former art dealer Katrin Bellinger, who is currently a trustee for the National Gallery in London, and Christoph Henkel, a high-powered investor, refashioned the Victorian home with a touch of personal history.

Their storyline began in 1994. Whilst skiing in Telluride, Henkel visited a ghost town outside of town. He bought it (yes, the entire ghost town) and, not long after, met Bellinger, swiftly proposed, and married in 1996. After reimagining the ghost town into a bucket list luxury resort, Dunton Hot Springs, Henkel bought Dunton Town House in 2014 to bring it home to Telluride.

Recalling their own heritage, as well as the area’s 19th century history of Tyolian emigres, Bellinger and Henkel outfitted the interiors with Austrian-made antiques and textiles, while upgrading the classic B&B experience. The front door swings open onto a kitted-out kitchen: cabinets full of hand-painted Gmundner Keramik teapots and saucers, a perfect row of spearmint-painted windsor chairs along a breakfast nook, and golden accents here and there, from hanging fixtures to a curious cuckoo clock.

All five guest rooms are softly decorated, each with flair (Auerhahn pockets the only fireplace, for example) while beds are piled with layers of sheets and comforters that billow like whipped cream—after a long day of skiing, the comfort almost feels earned (winter gear is kept cozy, too, inside the boutiques spacious ski room). Precious artwork, many from Bellinger’s personal collection, spot the walls throughout the hotel; en suite bathrooms, although classically designed, border on lavish, with heated black and white tiled floors and an array of Aesop balms and toiletries.

For guests, every door at Dunton Town House is open—especially those in the pantry. Harney & Sons teas keep the china cabinet busy, a Chemex of coffee offers an early morning buzz as the cappuccino machine purrs. In addition to the complimentary bottle of red wine in each room (crafted by Colorado’s Sutcliffe Vineyards, commissioned by Bellinger and Henkel), full bottles of champagne, wine, and beer are up for grabs in the refrigerator, right alongside a handful of sweets.

An upstairs “library” shelves more whiskey than books; connoisseurs can pour makers from Colorado to France (Leopold Bros, an American small-batch whiskey, was a lovely find) after a long day on the slopes. And breakfast, naturally, is nevertheless indulged. A spread of cured meats, breads, and pastries—from coconut donuts to morning glory muffins—sweeten the deal alongside yogurt, fresh granola, and mixed berries.

Altogether, Dunton Town House can be subtly, perfectly over-the-top for a B&B—it sets a new standard, where breakfast is just the beginning.

Room to Request
Hirsch, otherwise known as the Stag room. Charmed as its interiors may be, this second-floor perch commands the boutique’s most promising outlook—below the high-pitched ceiling, a picture-perfect view through a set of two large window panes captures Ajax Peak from sunrise to sundown. Of course, the private balcony is an added bonus, too.

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