Wonderfully bright and comfortable; central to dozens of things to do and see
Location: Cortez, Mesa Verde, Southwest, Colorado, USA (airport 6 miles, Durango 50 miles, Telluride 1 hr 45 min) View Map
Accommodations: House, 1 Bedroom + Convertible Bed(s), 1 Bath (Sleeps 3)
Located on 34 acres just south of Cortez with a private courtyard; extensive gardens and numerous hummingbirds in the summer; many guests return because there is so much to do and see!
Features include:
- Large windows framing views of the Sleeping Ute mountain and a 2000 foot mesa to the rear
- Native American and middle eastern textiles; copper trimmed gas fireplace and walnut floors
- Extensive library of books with local and Native American information as well as favorite fiction and non-fiction titles
- Fully equipped kitchen and laundry; high quality linens and towels
- Fresh eggs from our chicken flock and our homemade grape and apple jellies
Within 10 - 15 minutes:
* Central Cortez with restaurants such as The Farm (locally sourced), Stonefish Sushi and More, Pepperhead, Nero's, Main Street Brewery and Shiloh's
* Cortez Cultural Center and Native American dances and performances in the summer
* Farmer's market (seasonal); 3 grocery stores and a health food store
* Native American jewelry and textiles stores including our favorite, Notah Dineh, that also has a small museum
Within 20 - 30 minutes:
* Mesa Verde Park entrance
* Canyon of the Ancients with numerous hiking trails and small ruins
* Sutcliffe Vineyards and Guy Drew Vineyards; great wine and beautiful settings
* Ute Mountain Tribal Park
* Four Corners Monument
* Crow Canyon Archeological Center
* horseback riding in Canyon of the Ancients or Mancos valley
* Dolores and Mancos; both fun, small towns to visit
* a number of excellent mountain biking trails including Phil's World and Boggy Draw
Within 1 hour:
* Durango which has the Durango-Silverton train and many excellent restaurants and shops; Trimble Hot Springs
* Farmington and Aztec (site of Aztec ruins, an excellent ancient Puebloan site)
* Hovenweep which is my personal favorite ancient puebloan site with numerous ruins along and in a canyon rim walk
* Lowry ruins- another smaller site north of Cortez
Within 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 hours:
* Telluride which has world class skiing (often top 10 in North America) and dozens of fun shops and excellent restaurants; beautiful box canyon setting and spectacular drive to get there!
* The Million Dollar Highway which is ranked as one of the top scenic drives in North America! Located between Silverton, an old mining town set at 9000 feet, and Ouray, (called "Little Switzerland"), a beautiful small town and setting with wonderful hot springs
* Moab and Canyonlands where there is amazing southwest scenery and world class rafting and biking
* Pagosa Springs - site of our favorite hot springs with numerous pools of varying temperatures located alongside the Piedra River
Please take a moment to read our reviews and visit our website for links to the area and many additional photos. We hope you will chose to stay with us during your visit to the beautiful Four Corners area.
Keywords: Guest house, cabin, lodging, cottage, archeology home base, short term rental, biking, hiking
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washing Machine
- Clothes Dryer
- Parking Off Street
- Air-Conditioning
- Linens Provided
- Gas Fireplace
- Parking For RV/Boat/Trailer
- Beds
- Sleep Sofa /Futon : twin bed available if need
- Queen
- Entertainment
- Music Library : numerous music CDs to enjoy of various genres
- Video Library : over 200 films and documentaries
- DVD
- CD
- Satellite Or Cable
- Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils : additional items include blender, crock pot, stovetop espresso maker and hand held mixer; we are happy to try to meet additional needs if possible
- Full Kitchen : everything you need and if it isn't there just ask and we will supply it
- Microwave
- Dish Washer
- Ice Maker
- Outdoor Features
- Deck/Patio : private landscaped courtyard filled with fresh herbs for cooking and many flowers; another small patio behind house
- Gas/Electric BBQ Grill
- View/Location
- Mountain View : panoramic view of the Sleeping Ute Mountain with magnificent sunsets, 2000 foot mesa located behind property that is great for walking, running, and beautiful views
- Communications
- Wireless Broadband : complimentary
- Telephone
- Other Amenities
- Very large personal library of books; local guide written by owner detailing shopping, restaurants, pharmacies, etc along with a monthly calender of events.
- Suitability
- Minimum Age Limit For Renters : Home is not kid-proofed for small children. Call or email for details.
- Non Smoking Only
- Pets Not Allowed
- Activities
- Mountain Biking
- Tennis
- Fitness Center
- Kayaking
- Basketball Court
- Cycling
- Rafting
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Hiking
- Golf
- Sight Seeing
- Antiquing
- Museums
- Restaurants
- Cinemas
- Horseback Riding
- Racquetball
- Shopping
- Cross Country Skiing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Miniature Golf
- Other Activities
- We are 20 minutes from Canyon of the Ancients National Monument, a 164,000 acre site filled with thousands of ancestral puebloan sites and ruins. It is a beautiful place to hike or bike and in the spring there are cactus, yucca and many other wildflowers in bloom. There are many more sites close to us including Mesa Verde, Hovenweep, Lowry Ruins and Ute Mountain Tribal Park. We are also within 25 minutes of 2 wineries, Sutcliffe Vineyards and Guy Drew Vineyards, in McElmo Canyon which both offer tastings and tours.
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
$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.
-
Credit Cards Accepted:
-
-
Map & Owner's Profile
Year Purchased: 2006
The Unique Benefits at this HouseWe are located just outside of Cortez and offer an excellent home base for excursions into the Four Corners area. On our 34 acres you have space to decompress and enjoy the beautiful gardens and views after your day of exploration or you can just curl up with one of the many books in our library. There is a canal behind our property just in front of the mesa which is great for walks and has excellent views of the Sleeping Ute Mountain, Lone Cone peak and the La Plata Mountains.
This is a great place to learn more about Native American culture and ruins. There is also a nice trail behind the center that gives a very nice view over McPhee Reservoir
This is a research station that does a wonderful job with the vast number of Anasazi ruins we have in the area and it is a very interesting place to visit
These vineyards located approximately 12 miles from the turn off on 491 may be visited by appointment and the wines are excellent. They are on the wine lists of fine restaurants in Aspen, Telluride an
This area 12 miles from the turn off from 491 (which is 4 miles from our house) is a wonderful place to hike or mountain bike with sandstone formations and native plants blooming spring and summer
These vineyards are open for tastings daily 12 -5 and offer a number of different wines to try.
This is a local favorite trail that has several options that add up to 16 miles of great riding. Across the street is another trail that can be linked with this or ridden separately.
This is an area filled with excellent ruins (accessed by guided tour only) that many say rival Mesa Verde's ruins - well worth a visit
This is an excellent bike shop that draws customers from over an hour away. They offer excellent service and products and usually have bikes for rent (call to check)
This is yet another excellent site for seeing Anasazi Ruins; it is about a 45 minute drive and worth the drive
A great place for ballroom dancing with a wonderfully eclectic playlist. Folks come from as far away as Farmington, Monticello and Telluride to attend the Friday night dance parties or take lessons during the week.
The biggest and best Native American arts store in the area (in my opinion), full of jewelry, rugs and pottery as well as a small museum downstairs with many interesting items on display
Wonderful place to ride in McElmo Canyon to see ancestral puebloan ruins and beautiful southwest scenery
Stylish and delicious venue for dinner in downtown Cortez; excellent sushi, sashimi and noodle dishes plus yummy and unusual cocktails!
Great place just north of Cortez, west of Dolores with several fun trail options for biking and skiing
Fun, personality filled local coffee house that serves breakfast and lunch and offers limited wine by the glass options in the afternoon & early evening; also has a nice variety of used books for sale
Owner's Map of Cortez
We have lived in Cortez for 14 years (and Don has worked in Shiprock, just south of here for 22) and have always enjoyed the amazing views and light patterns on the mesa behind us and the Sleeping Ute Mountain to the west. We finished the guest house in 2006, doing some of the work ourselves including the tiling, copper fireplace surround, fencing and landscaping (an ongoing creation!) We love to garden and the courtyard and surrounding gardens are filled with bloom from April through October. We are originally from Virginia and have traveled and/or worked in a variety of countries including Korea and China, The Central African Republic and Haiti so you will find an eclectic and interesting assortment of items from these areas. The Four Corners is an amazing home base location for exploration of ancient Anasazi Indian ruins, hiking, Canyonlands and Moab as well as Durango and Telluride. We are more than happy to answer questions about things to do and travel times and think the house is a great way to share the beauty of our area. Come and see it for yourself! Becky, Don, Zach and Mali Brunk
Property Photos
-
- Wonderfully bright and comfortable; central to dozens of things to do and see
-
- Courtyard garden with Sleeping Ute in the distance; spectacular evening sunsets!
-
- Living room windows face the Sleeping Ute Mountain; fireplace & library
-
- Extras: blender, crock pot, mixer, coffee grinder; cooktop expresso pot, spices
-
- Seating at antique dining table overlooks mesa, garden & hummingbirds at feeder
-
- Queen bed, antique fabric headboard, French doors look out to private courtyard
-
- Sleeping Ute Mountain as seen from canal; a great walk behind property
-
- Hovenweep ruins with Sleeping Ute mountain; pretty drive 1 hour from guest house
-
- Sunset over the "toe" of Ute Mountain, seen from living room - unaltered!
-
- Rainbows over the mesa as seen from kitchen window after late summer storm
-
- Private courtyard filled with flowers and hummers, fresh herbs & cherry tomatoes
-
- Evening light seen from guest house
-
- Some of the dozens of hummingbirds we see: rufous, broad tail & black chin
-
- View of Sutcliffe vineyards; Sleeping Ute mountain & Battlerock in background
-
- Winter is a great time to explore the area and enjoy the fireplace at days end
-
- Ruins seen during Canyon of the Ancients hike, just a 25 minute drive away
Traveler Reviews (72)
Exceptional ! ! !
Guest: Sandy
(Loveland, Colorado)
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!
Recommended for:
Great little guest house!
Guest: Martha
Date of Stay: 09/26/11
Review Submitted: 04/30/12
This is a great little guest house, perfect for couples or a family of three! The twin bed for a third guest goes in the main room, but fits back in a corner so it can be left up during the day without interfering with the dining table or couch. The house is nicely outfitted with everything you could possibly need in the kitchen and bathroom (a step above many vacation rentals), plus there was a huge selection of DVDs, books and a washer/dryer unit. Hummingbirds and hummingbird moths visited the bushes outside the living room at dusk. We also enjoyed watching them at breakfast, as they visit a feeder you can see from the window above the dining table! The guest house is in a wonderful location for day hikes and exploring the national park sites -- we spent the first day in the area at Mesa Verde, then visited Four Corners, Hovenweep, Canyons of the Ancients and a local winery the next day.
Recommended for:
Exquisite accommodations at a bargain price
Guest: EFQ
(Inola, OK)
Date of Stay: 04/21/12
Review Submitted: 04/27/12
My husband and I have stayed in the Cortez area several times before at other VRBOs and at local hotels. This one, however, is by far the best the area has to offer! In fact, in my experience across the U.S., I would rank it as my all-time favorite. The home is beautiful and perfectly appointed. The bed is comfortable (that's a rarity!), and the courtyard is a peaceful haven. In addition, the owner, Becky, has a gift for hostessing that would make Martha Stewart jealous. In summary, our stay exceeded any reasonable expectation in may ways and we highly recommend the Brunk Guest House.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, age 55+, sightseeing.
You Would Be Crazy To Stay At A Hotel
Guest: Jonathan
(Pinedale, Wyoming)
Date of Stay: 02/20/12
Review Submitted: 02/23/12
I am so glad I did a little more digging and didn't wind up staying at a hotel on a recent 4 day project in Cortez. This was many times better than any hotel could have been! Thanks so much
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, people with disabilities, sightseeing, families with teenagers.
Loved sitting outside!
Guest: Tom and Oleana
Date of Stay: 10/17/11
Review Submitted: 01/23/12
Wonderful stay - loved sitting outside gazing at those beautiful stars! Great (homemade) jelly and the (fresh) eggs were delicious. we will return!!
Recommended for:
An Exception to the Norm
Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 10/03/11
Review Submitted: 10/09/11
We just returned from a week at the wonderful cottage. What a surprise! If you are looking for a well located place to tour the southwest part of CO. this is the place. Great hosts, quiet, private, all of everything you would expect from an upscale cottage without the upscale cost. Super clean, quality bedding, great kitchen area plus the views! Great alternative to camping at Mesa Verde yet close enough to see the history of the area. If you are going to stay someplace, stay here!!!
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, age 55+, sightseeing.
Lovely Return Visit
Guest: Harry and Susie
(Norwalk, Ohio)
Date of Stay: 08/31/11
Review Submitted: 09/18/11
My husband and I just returned from a two week stay at the Brunk Guest House. It was our second vacation in that beautiful cottage and we have already made reservations for another two weeks next year. The property is very clean, well decorated and in perfect working order. In addition, there is so much to do in the area. Lots of archaeological sites up on Mesa Verde, beautiful hiking, and drives up to Telluride and Ouray kept us as busy as we wanted to be. Lots of relaxing, also. The patios in front and in back of the property were perfect of sitting and enjoying a book, the sunset or the hummingbirds (which are all over the place). It is great fun. Can't wait until next September.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, sightseeing.
Lovely, beyond all expectations
Guest: Tom & Frances
(Woodbury, CT)
Date of Stay: 08/13/11
Review Submitted: 09/12/11
This lovely little guesthouse was beyond all our expectations! The Brunks have thought of everything, from Becky's homemade jellies, to the wonderful book and DVD collection, to information on area activities and more. The cottage is so comfortable and well-appointed that you won't want to go anywhere else, but the best part is coming back to a glass of wine (or in my husband's case, a beer), to watch the beautiful sunset and the hummingbirds that inhabit the gardens. We came to visit Mesa Verde and do some hiking, but there is so much more to do in the Four Corners area we will definitely return for a follow-up visit.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, age 55+, sightseeing.
Wonderful experience for my family
Guest: Anna
(Padova- Italy)
Date of Stay: 08/09/11
Review Submitted: 08/31/11
This month we stayed in this beautiful cottage. It was superb. Quiet location, very friendly lady helping us in all our needs. Garden so lovely, so many flowers, hummingbirds flying around the house, deers coming sometimes in the garden, beautiful sunsets............ it was a pity we could stay few nights !!!! The inside cottage ....better than my home in Italy. Yes, we were the first italian guests.Very useful to have washing and drying machine for us staying away so many days from Italy. 10 minutes from town and shops. 30 minutes from Mesa Verde entrance. I'd like to come back one day!!!
Owner response:We couldn't have asked for a nicer family to stay with us as our first Italian guests. Thank you for such a lovely review and we hope to see you again one day in the future!
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, families with young children, sightseeing, families with teenagers.
Amazing!
Guest: Comer
(Baltimore)
Date of Stay: 07/17/11
Review Submitted: 07/25/11
We just spent 3 wonderful nights at the Brunk Guest Cottage and were overwhelmed by the beauty of the surroundings, the first class amenities, and the incredible thoughtfulness of the owners. The cottage is located in an area very convenient for sightseeing, yet it is difficult to pull yourself away from the cottage. Every window offers a view of the mountans, gardens, and beautiful blue skies. The linens were of the finest quality, the decor was warm and inviting, there were movies and books galore, lavender bath salts were provided for the deep soaking tub, even homemade jelly, fresh flowers from the gardens and eggs from the Brunk's chickens were awaiting us when we arrived. There were brochures, menus, and maps to assist us in planning our daily adventures. We stayed at the Four Seasons in Las Vegas, just the week before, and we would choose the Brunk Guest Cottage over the Four Seasons any day! Thank you Becky and Don for making our trip to Cortez so memorable.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, sightseeing.
First (10) of (72). View all Reviews | Write a Review
Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #124329
There have been visitors to this page since the counter was
last reset in .
This listing was first published here in 2007.
Date last modified - Thursday, April 26, 2012
