This Boho Vintage Motel in Colorado Is the Chill Home Base for Great Sand Dunes and Beyond

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Vintage motel charm meets bohemian-inspired design aesthetic

During my visit to Mellow Moon, what stood out to me most about this laid-back spot was its “small town soul.” In addition to a stunning, desert-design-forward aesthetic, its community-rooted values give it a sense of being not just a destination for visitors, but a place where Del Norte can gather to work, play, and socialize.

Owner, operator, and Del Norte local entrepreneur Lauren Coleman continuously curates the property’s atmosphere with purpose to ensure each space on-site offers a “strong sense of place.” Her team’s focus on nurturing a feeling of “slow hospitality” means this isn’t just a safe spot to rest your head in-between adventures; the motel is meant to serve as its own destination. I could feel that Mellow Moon is somewhere Coleman, her team, and Del Norte locals value highly as a sort of community hub in their town, where locals feel welcome — in addition to providing a temporary home for wayward travelers.

Stepping into any room of the motel feels as if you’re stepping into an Old Western film that’s become acquainted with the boho artistry of the 1960s hippie era. Combining these two styles creates a space that pairs the right balance of cowboy-core and psychedelic funkiness. It’s thought-provoking, symmetrical, southwestern-inspired textiles reflect Earthy tones through bright and boldly-patterned tiles — and without any ick-inspiring shag carpeting to be seen.

The groovy vintage motel charm meets the modern comforts travelers crave, making a visit feel perfectly snug. I perceived the property as somewhere I could really let out a deep breath, relax, and hole up for an evening of rest while not feeling guilty about missing out on anything — because soaking in the vibes and spirit of this room was an experience.

On-site bites and bevvies at Mellow Moon Lodge

Visitors can’t leave the property without spending a properly immersing themselves in the spirited atmosphere at Lunar Lounge. Here, you’ll encounter a local expert coffee creator and master baker named Anna, who specializes in crafting delicious beverages and bites (at elevation, no less – which is an impressive feat). The shop is open to both hotel guests and the public and features a generous menu emphasizing local ingredients, with a lineup of crafted espresso drinks, brewed coffee, and teas, paired with a rotating selection of scratch-made baked goods.

What I enjoyed most about Lunar Lounge is that the space feels like a welcoming living room. When I popped in on a dreary Monday morning, this warm, homey space was populated with community members who were either grabbing a cup to go on their way to work (there are no chain coffee shops in Del Norte), or local morning regulars catching up on the lore of each other’s weekends, in addition to travelers like me who sought some caffeinated fuel before a day out exploring.

In the fridge, there was a carefully curated selection of wine and craft beer for takeaway, which Lauren told me was a popular option for town folks to enjoy during the large annual Del Norte Independence Day celebration in July. In fact, Mellow Moon often serves as a third space for folks to gather before, during, and after town-sanctioned celebrations, as well as for privately organized and pop-up programming.

Road-trip ready perks and standout 24/7 amenities

Since Mellow Moon is an easy stop along Colorado’s Highway 160, road trippers heading to Durango and Mesa Verde National Park or back toward the I-25 corridor can take advantage of the property’s free EV chargers. I was also impressed to learn there’s even an additional parking space on-site that’s designated specifically for larger adventure vehicles, such as vans and campers.

The motel’s adorable boutique shop, which is located in the lobby and is dubbed “Rodeo Mercantile,” is run as a labor of love by Lauren herself. This retail space is committed to supporting small businesses and regional creativity, featuring goods from Colorado and local makers.

I browsed a selection of uniquely crafted goodies ranging from handmade home goods to apothecary items, textiles, wall art, and even a small specialty bottle shop. Lauren told me she spends a fair amount of time sourcing and curating the distinctive goods you’ll encounter here (and maybe, only here — these goods oftentimes aren’t found anywhere else).

Another fun amenity I personally enjoyed exploring is dubbed “The Canteen.” This 24/7 self-serve, dedicated mini bar & bites room is attached to the lobby and operates mainly on the honor system, featuring a special selection of snacks, drinks, locally made goods, and travel essentials.

This room felt to me like a combination of the usefulness of the goods and provisions you’d find in a larger camp store but with extra ease of access, since it’s open 24/7, and you can get what you need any time of day or night. And I appreciated the goods’ clearly, thoughtfully curated touch of individuality — these specially branded and distinctly sourced brands of jerky, cheese, crackers, and other provisions aren’t likely things you’d find at a regular gas station stopover or even a chain outdoor retail store.

Guest rooms at Mellow Moon Lodge

Mellow Moon Lodge is a pet-friendly property, so no family member, even furry in nature, needs to be left behind. The 15 guest rooms include a mix of king rooms, queen rooms, double queen rooms, and suites. Each room features a unique design with custom furnishings (if you stay here twice, you won’t have the same experience, unless you specifically want to hunker down in the same space). I valued Mellow Moon’s attention to those little in-room details, like blackout curtains that keep every bit of sunlight out — and beds that feel comfortable enough to sink into overnight.

Inside my own guest room, I admired the layered textiles with bohemian patterns and, of course, comfortable amenities like the modern shower setup in the bathroom (because everyone appreciates a shower with proper water pressure and a steaming “agua caliente”).

The brightly patterned bathrobes were a gorgeous touch (almost like part of the wall decor, as much as a bath amenity), and Lauren told me the handmade mugs in each room are one-of-a-kind (so if you like them, buy one at the mercantile, which is likely the only place you’ll ever see them). Overall, it’s a mindful blend of cozy and inviting, but there’s an aura of unfussiness that I personally appreciate when I’m on an adventure-style road trip.

Don’t miss these Del Norte adventures

On my trip to Del Norte and the San Luis Valley region, I visited the dog-friendly Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, which is only 45 minutes away from town and offers vast, endlessly rolling sands and sights to explore. Climbing up those dunes is quite a workout, but the views from the top of the surrounding Colorado scenery are worth the trek. Outdoor enthusiasts can also enjoy the nearby Rio Grande National Forest, which is just a 15-minute drive from town and offers ample outdoor recreation options year-round.

After an adventure at one of the impressive nearby natural spaces, a visit to Hooper Hot Springs (also known as the Sand Dunes Recreation Area) is an ideal way to relax. This massive complex of multiple hot springs even features its own “adults-only area” for those 21 and up inside a dreamy, synthetic greenhouse bursting with plants, a few different hot spring pools sitting at different temperatures, and a menu of fun adult beverages and bites.

Back in town, be sure to grab a drink at Three Barrel Brewing or 1874 Distilling for a nightcap or post-hike brew. Both are located on Del Norte’s main street, and walkable from Mellow Moon. Those who seek a more upscale dinner and drinks experience can stop into The Windsor Hotel, which is one of Colorado’s most historic “haunts” (pun intended, this building is said to have some extra “spirit” staying overnight permanently, within its storied walls) and boasts a sophisticated bar and restaurant inside.

And don’t miss checking out the local favorite, Trade and Post, which looks very nondescript from the outside but is a hidden treasure trove with a vinyl and bottle shop inside. This spot serves as a music and events space and sells an incredible selection of craft beer and wine. Finally, for those visiting during snowsports season, setting home base in Del Norte can be perfect for a day trip to the legendary independent ski resort, Wolf Creek Ski Area, which regularly receives the most snow of any Colorado ski resort with an annual snowfall of roughly 430 inches of natural powder.