Attn: Mtn & Road Bikers, Artists, Seniors: This is the Place

• Heavenly country retreat!

  Heavenly country retreat!

  • Guest Carol
  • Date of stay 04/02/13
  • Review Submitted 04/07/13
  This was an anniversary escape for us and we found it delightful. We flew from San Diego to Albuquerque and enjoyed the drive up. Totally unassuming and rustic from the outside, the interior was beautifully done with wood floors and ceilings, huge windows looking out to the sunny pastures and the mountains, full kitchen, delightful furnishings, a comfy bed, good reading lights and everything one could wish for, all perfect and clean. Zena, the donkey was in the pasture below and I visited her daily! (I'm a watercolorist and there may be a Zena portrait in the future!) We were there just a little before spring season, so the train hadn't begun it's Durango silverton runs yet (Start April 7th as I recall) but 15 minutes drive and we were in spectacular snowcapped mountains. Just another 45 minutes or so we were able to visit Silverton and then Ouray Hot Springs (Not quite the Switzerland I expected) Another 45 minutes in a different direction and we were at the cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde, while other directions took us to ranchland, horses, sheep and cattle. (Great restaurants in Durango--also loved the simple little "Serious Texas Barbeque" with its two locations right on HWY 550)

  Recommended for: Age 55+, people with disabilities, sightseeing, romantic getaway.

  Owner response: Thank you, Carol, for including details from your whole experience in SW Colorado. You were wonderful guests, and we certainly hope to see you again.

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• Bright mornings, Star-filled nights

  Bright mornings, Star-filled nights

  • Guest Erika
  • Date of stay 12/29/12
  • Review Submitted 01/08/13
  Definitely exceeded my expectations! A place filled with comfort and an incomparable view. All the little details made the family feel delighted. Truly a beautiful place.

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

  Owner response: Thank you so much for your kind words and support of our little spot in Colorado!

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• like "home" with view

  like "home" with view

  • Guest al
  • Date of stay 12/21/12
  • Review Submitted 12/31/12
  Comfortable, relaxing, good decor, live plants. great organic foods, just like home with a beautiful view.

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

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• Experience Heaven on Earth

  Guest comment entered by owner

  Experience Heaven on Earth

  • Guest Theresa and Glen, Houston, Texas
  • Date of stay 12/27/12
  • Review Submitted 12/29/12
  Thank you so much for letting us experience "heaven on earth". Your cottage and ranch are fabulous ~ the setting with the snow, mountains and full moon made our stay extra special. Thank you also for stocking the refrig with your family's produce ~ amazing! We will miss this gorgeous view, but hope to return in the near future! The best part of this entire experience was just being quiet and enjoying God's precious gifts (no cell, no work...). Thank you again and continued blessings to you and your family and ranch. PS I'm going to make Glen buy me a donkey just like Xena :)

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• Beautiful View of the Animas Valley

  Beautiful View of the Animas Valley

  • Guest Nicole L.
  • Date of stay 10/26/12
  • Review Submitted 11/05/12
  The studio was beautifully decorated and we were surprised by the welcome of fresh apples and a candy bar!! The thing I liked about this place the most was the view of the Animas Valley. There is a big window in the studio that looks out across the valley and has a perfect view of the red cliffs. The kitchen had everything we needed to create a meal and the atmosphere was very homey. I would definately recommend this place.

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

  Owner response: Thank you, Nicole, for sharing your thoughts and experience with our VRBO site. You were such wonderful guests, we sure hope to see you again, soon! Julie

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• Perfect Respite

  Perfect Respite

  • Guest Sheila
  • Date of stay 10/26/12
  • Review Submitted 11/03/12
  The Place at James Ranch exceeded our expectations and was the perfect respite from our busy lives. The studio was lovely with every amenity we could possibly need. The picture windows overlooked a breathtaking pastoral and mountainous view. The James family could not have been friendlier or more accommodating. We are still enjoying the cheese and eggs that we bought at the James Ranch Market. We are certainly looking forward to our return.

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

  Owner response: Dear Sheila, Thank you for your supportive review and your kind words. Come back and see us soon! Julie

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• A Weekend Not Long Enough

  Guest comment entered by owner

  A Weekend Not Long Enough

  • Guest Susan, Rick and Lauren, Corrales, NM
  • Date of stay 10/07/12
  • Review Submitted 10/07/12
  We envy your guests who were fortunate enough to stay a week or more! But we loved our weekend here - your lovely cottage is thoughtfully planned & tastefully appointed. We appreciated so much the nice little touches - the bouquet of dahalias, the elegant orchid, the beatutiful bowl of fruit & the chocolate bar! We had a hard time deciding whether to dine in the lovely courtyard or gaze out at the fantastic view. Your family is very blessed to have this little piece of heaven - but you return the blessing by being good stewards of the land. Thank you SO much for that!

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• A Piece of Heaven

  Guest comment entered by owner

  A Piece of Heaven

  • Guest Bill and Eddie, Sun Valley, Idaho
  • Date of stay 09/23/12
  • Review Submitted 10/01/12
  There are not enough words to describe how much we enjoyed "A Place at James Ranch" ! For us it was more like God dropped a small piece of His Heaven on to the James Ranch and put two of His Angels to keep watch over it for all who enter ! The spectacular views from the huge glass windows both day and night transported us to such peace and tranquility ! We had sunshine, rainbows, moonlight and bright stars, and just enough sprinkling of animals to make it perfect ! It was wonderful to have access to eating at the Grill, which we enjoyed frequently, wonderful burgers and more ! Also the option of buying incredible steaks and other meats and fresh from the garden vegetables to fix in our well equipped kitchen provided ! We will look forward to returning next year, same time for another restorative time in A PLACE AT JAMES RANCH ! With many wonderful memories and much Gratitude,

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• Wonderful Week in September

  Wonderful Week in September

  • Guest Wyldkatfan
  • Date of stay 09/13/12
  • Review Submitted 09/24/12
  We just spent a week in mid September and it fulfilled both the leisurely and active getaway we hoped for. We enjoyed the amazing views right out our windows of the mountains and farmland. The mountainside colors changed from green to yellows and reds throughout our week. My wife couldn't stop taking pictures of the chickens, when they let her, as they wandered outside our front gate. The farm entrance, up the road, was a great place to spend the morning. The cows were being milked, and the ambiance of the farm down in the valley was refreshing. Keep a book with you at all times, because it's great to just sit back and read a bit. But relaxing is just the start. There are hiking trails of all levels in each direction. The paved river trail in Durango goes for miles. While walking and running on it we saw deer and the Durango - Silverton Train passed by with waving riders. There are lots of restaurants in Durango. We especially liked Steamworks Brewery. The home was enjoyable. The kitchen had everything we needed. The bed was cozy, and it was comforting to know that Julie was on property in case we needed anything.

  Recommended for: Tourists without a car, sightseeing, romantic getaway, adventure seekers.

  Owner response: Thank you for sharing your experience and staying with us! You were the perfect guests!

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• Home on the Range

  Home on the Range

  • Guest pamda
  • Date of stay 08/18/12
  • Review Submitted 09/03/12
  My husband and I stayed here for a week in mid-August. It was a perfect vacation! The cottage has stunning views. I would have been happy to sit in Julie's comfortable chairs and stare out the windows all week! But there are so many fun things to do right outside- fantastic road biking routes right out the front door and a short drive to mountain biking, hiking, and downtown Durango. The cottage itself reflects Julie's great attention to detail. The kitchen is well equipped, the bed is incredibly comfortable, and the bathroom is charming and stocked with plush towels and even his and her bathrobes. We felt like we were in our own home. We hope to come back soon!

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

  Owner response: Thank you, for your kind review Pam! It was an absolute pleasure hosting you and Will. We hope you can get away soon to come play in our area again. Julie

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Two night minimum
Off peak (April, May, Oct, Nov): $115/night, $625/week
Peak Months (Jan-Mar & Jun-Sept, Dec) $145/night, $750/week  
Holidays and Holiday weekends: $170/night, $960/week
Plus 6.8% sales tax, $85/one time cleaning fee
Monthly Rates: $2,200 (not available for monthly rental July, Aug and Sept)
$150 refundable damage deposit required at time of reservation

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