Dramatic Views; Private Courtyard; Hummingbirds & Fresh Eggs

• I'd Love To Live Here

  I'd Love To Live Here

  • Guest Liz and Dallas
  • Date of stay 03/24/13
  • Review Submitted 04/17/13
  I would be happy to move, lock stock and barrel, into the Brunk Guest House. No need to say more, perhaps, but I’ll be more specific. Liz and I felt completely at home as soon as we arrived, in part because of the warm welcome by our hosts, Becky and Don, but also because the cottage was completely equipped with everything we could imagine needing—it was also spotless. All of the appliances, fittings, and decorations were of superior quality; the kitchen and bathroom were particularly nice, compared to other places we’ve rented. The bed was extremely comfortable, and there was a fascinatingly eclectic selection of books in the living room. The little porch and garden area formed a sun trap that was especially welcome in the chilly waning days of March. Becky and Don were always available for providing information (our car broke down, and Becky recommended a garage) but never intrusive. There were plenty of good places to eat near by (Pepperhead was my favorite) and many interesting sights and hikes—Mesa Verde, Durango, Shiprock, Hovenweep, and Canyonlands—are an easy day-trip from Cortez. We hope to make it back when the flowers are in bloom and the hummingbirds are on the wing. Dallas

  Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, families with young children, sightseeing.

  Owner response: Thank you Dallas and Liz for your lovely review! Our first oriole has arrived and the hummingbirds are buzzing around near where I am writing this. We have 6 new chicks to keep fresh eggs coming and hope we get to see you again some time in the future! Becky

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• A Wonderful 3 Months

  A Wonderful 3 Months

  • Guest Capn
  • Date of stay 10/14/12
  • Review Submitted 12/30/12
  I spent 3 months staying in the Guest House while working in Shiprock N.M. and everything was spectacular. The house has every desirable feature one can imagine-location, privacy, spaciousness, and picturesque views. Every evening I looked forward to coming home, cooking on the grill and taking in the scenery. I hope to return.

  Recommended for: Age 55+, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Beyond Wonderful

  Beyond Wonderful

  • Guest Jan44
  • Date of stay 08/24/12
  • Review Submitted 09/03/12
  What a terrific way to say goodbye to summer. This guesthouse, reviewed with such consistent enthusiasm by others below, really can't be oversold. Everything about it is better than you'd ever imagine. There were no cut corners here as the Brunks created an utterly charming home away from home. Everything is high-end, supremely comfortable and extraordinarily artistic. Watching the sky begin to lighten from the bed in the french-doored bedroom is indescribably delicious...the ideal way to start each day. In short, it was VERY hard to tear ourselves away for adventures in Mesa Verde, the Anasazzi Heritage Center, the San Juan Skyway (don't miss Box Canyon Falls just outside Ouray), Hovenweep and Sand Canyon in the Canyons of the Ancients. The hummingbirds were a pure delight, as were the chickens we visited each morning with our vegetable leftovers. We feasted on fresh eggs, plums and nectarines from the trees, and herbs from the patio garden. Finally, you really can't beat the setting (views in all directions, including Sleeping Ute Mountain) and the walks all around the house and up to the canal. We are immensely grateful to Becky and Don for their generosity, warmth and hospitality. While I try to avoid using the word "perfect," you know what, this place really is!

  Recommended for: Age 55+, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Outstanding!!

  Outstanding!!

  • Guest Carol
  • Date of stay 08/04/12
  • Review Submitted 08/25/12
  My husband and I just returned from a two-week stay at the Brunk Guest House. We have stayed at many vacation homes over the past years, in the US and the Caribbean, and the Brunk Guest House ranks at the top of the list. We were welcomed upon our arrival with fresh eggs, a bowel of plums from one of plum trees outside, a vase of fresh cut flowers from the garden and a bottle of wine from one of the locally wineries. Becky and Don made us feel right at home. The house is very tastefully decorated and clean. It looks even better than the pictures. The kitchen is fully equipment and had everything needed to fix a meal if we didn’t feel like eating out. It was a pleasure to come “Home” after a long day of hiking in one of many national parks and national monuments in the area. We enjoyed our stay immensely and returned from our vacation well rested and relaxed. I highly recommend the Brunk Guest House.

  Recommended for: Age 55+, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• All the Comforts & Feel of Home

  All the Comforts & Feel of Home

  • Guest Carol C.
  • Date of stay 06/26/12
  • Review Submitted 07/31/12
  My adult daughter and I were on a 26-day road trip to see all the National Parks in Utah, Arizona & Colorado. After the first nine nights of motel rooms, the Brunk Guest House was so what we needed...washer & dryer, space to stretch out, a fully stocked kitchen, a beautiful flower garden, interesting family historical items used to furnish the Guest house and a friendly host to help us with our questions not only before our reservation was made but also while in the home, about the ongoing fires in Colorado and near Cortez. A very special treat were freshly picked cherries, fresh eggs and two jars of homemade jam. There was a binder full of suggestions of things to do but our time was already planned. We stayed two nights and spent the full day at Mesa Verda. The Guest House is close to Mesa Verde which was our reason for being in Cortez; but it is also near other interesting sights. Two weeks later, on my way home, I passed by heading to Canyon de Chelly. If I had known ahead of time, I would have planned to stay here again. We did not eat in any restaurants, but we purchased food at Safeway and a memory stick at Best Buy, I think...in other words, there are many handy stores if you need anything. I would definitely stay here again and also recommend to friends.

  Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, families with young children, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Fresh tomatoes, plums, apricots and eggs

  Guest comment entered by owner

  Fresh tomatoes, plums, apricots and eggs

  • Guest Natalie and Christophe; Lyon, FRANCE
  • Date of stay 07/23/12
  • Review Submitted 07/23/12
  We had a wonderful stay in your beautifully arranged guest house surrounded by an equally charming garden! Too bad it is a bit distant for us to come and stay for the week-end when we feel like it. The welcoming note in french was a kind attention. The fresh tomatoes, plums and apricots as well as the eggs were greatly appreciated!

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• But wait....there's more!

  But wait....there's more!

  • Guest ASmith
  • Date of stay 06/28/12
  • Review Submitted 07/05/12
  We chose the Brunk's Guest House because of the outstanding reviews and our commitment to never stay in a hotel again. We were not disappointed and the reviews were spot on. I would echo all of the great things about the Guest House and the fascinating area. We have stayed at many VRBO properties both here and abroad, and this was one of the best! One of the things that we really enjoyed was the open space out behind the house. Up a short trail through the sagebrush and junipers is a long irrigation canal. This gave our family a fun place to go burn off some energy each night after dinner and each morning before jumping in the car. This is priceless with a high energy 9 year old boy. The other thing that I think sets this place apart were the little touches that the Brunks do for their guest house like the beautifully manicured gardens, fresh eggs and jams and jellies. These little touches really gave us an appreciation for how they enjoy this area and some of the things that shape their little slice of life here. If you were driving through Cortez or staying at a hotel you would never think about Cherry Lavender jam or about how Becky made the headboard from antique family linens. Thanks for the great experience!

  Recommended for: Age 55+, girls getaway, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Our First HomeAway Rental was TERRIFIC

  Our First HomeAway Rental was TERRIFIC

  • Guest Nydia B.
  • Date of stay 06/12/12
  • Review Submitted 06/25/12
  I read the reviews and after emailing Becky, we booked. Mind, you I was coming from the E Coast and I have never been in this section of the country. My experience was wonderful. For the price of a reasonable hotel room, I had space, quiet, a washer and drier and a kitchen! The property is exactly as shown in the pictures except lol the pillow on the bed. That's changed...but that's it. The property is an oasis in a very very dry area of the world. It's obvious that the Bunks have Master Gardener in their genes! I never realized what an escape could be when you have nature all around you. Property--As the Bunks said, it's surrounded by flowers. Many hummingbirds all over. The cherry trees were full of fruit and we were given a bowl of cherries, grape jam from the grapes vines around the house, and eggs from their chickens. The bed was extremely comfortable. Our son (16 yrs) seemed to find the rollout comfortable as well. The kitchen is very well equipped. Gas stove. In the cupboards I found a blender, a crockpot--for those days when we were coming back in late, wine and red wine glasses, all sorts of condiments, a full salad set. It was all there. The house is gorgeous. Cortez is a nice town and Becky has a full book of recommendations for restaurants. Loved Mr. Happy and the wineries! Along with a full selection of books---many on the history of the area, they have included several DVDs giving you an idea of the history of the Cliff Dwellers. Location: It's next door to Mesa Verde National Park. In fact, you can see the Mesa from the house. It's next door to the Ute Mountain Tribal Reservation in which you can tour MORE Cliff dwellings but you can pick up the 800 year old pottery and see petroglyphs which have been show to be a winter solstice marker. You have to go through the Utes to be able to do that, but it's a mile or so away. There is also a Hovenweep National Monument--about a half hour away from the Bunks-- this has early towers that were put up probably by the same peoples. It's an hour or so to Moab, Ut which is the town in which Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park are located. It's within an hour or so of Telluride, Co. I really don't think you can find a more lovely or a better place to stay! Thanks Becky and Don!! We really enjoyed our stay!

  Owner response: We are so glad to have given you such a great first experience and welcome the lovely review! Apricots are on their way shortly so I will coming up with 101 ways to use them next. As for the pillow, I like to rotate my bed linens and pillows; it keeps the look fresh and in season so maybe you'll find another if you visit us again!

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• So many extras!

  So many extras!

  • Guest debtul
  • Date of stay 05/25/12
  • Review Submitted 06/02/12
  Having stayed at quite a few VRBOs in Canada and the states, we can honestly say this is one of the best. It is fully equipped and in excellent working order. There were so many personal touches, like fresh eggs, homemade jelly, coffee, personal note, flowers, hummingbird feeders, beautiful gardens surrounded by stunning views... just too many extras to list. We made it home base for exploring Mesa Verde NP, Hovenweep NM, Canyons of the Ancients NM, Anasazi Heritage Center, Telluride, and the San Juan Scenic Byway. We would definitely recommend it.

  Recommended for: Age 55+, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Exceptional ! ! !

  Exceptional ! ! !

  • Guest Sandy
  • Date of stay 05/15/12
  • Review Submitted 05/23/12
  With an artist’s touch, a keen eye for detail from the painted vines on the front door step to the antique headboard and gardens to make you swoon, this guest house is, without a doubt, the best in the West. Watching the hummingbirds, well stocked book shelves, a wide-range selection of DVDs, peace and quiet and the view of the Ute mountain range will make your last day at this guest house yearn for an extended stay. The Brunk Guest House is simply exceptional. Thank you for a remarkable visit! Sandy and Jeff, Loveland, CO

  Owner response: Thank you so much Sandy and Jeff for your lovely review! We work each year to tweak the gardens and increase bloom and this year has been excellent. As an avid reader, I'm always looking for new books to enjoy and then add to the guest house collection. We hope to see you again in the future!

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

$130/night plus lodging tax (4.8%);
additional $25/night for more than 2 people; single night is $150
Reservation guaranteed with credit card, payment due 1 week prior to arrival

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.