The Rocky Mountain Inn & Hostel

The Rocky Mountain Inn & Hostel is actually in the town of Fraser, a few miles north of Winter Park. The area is only accessible by Amtrak or private car. Drivers should know that the roads to the area are treacherous, narrow, twisting, icy for most of the year, foggy, and not for the weak-hearted. Of the two roads to the valley, only one (Rt. 40, from the south) is open year-round, and this road goes up to over eleven thousand feet in elevation, so it can be dangerous in any weather in any season. Don't let this scare you off, though -- the roads are very well maintained, and the drive alone is gorgeous enough to make it worth the challenge.

The hostel building and its facilities are in excellent condition -- even better than the refined HI hostels in London. The entire hostel feels like an upscale condo. There is new hardwood and leather furniture, and very clean wall-to-wall carpeting throughout. The beds (complete with all the bedding you could want) are remarkably comfortable. There are two fully equipped kitchens (one for lunch and dinner, one for breakfast), both of which are completely outfitted with pots and pans, woks, colanders, spices, and everything else you might want in a kitchen. The private bathrooms and showers gleam, and even have complimentary hair dryers and cushy bathmats.

The main common space has a complete entertainment center with a VCR, DVD player, and video games. There is an extensive DVD collection available for guests to use for no charge. There's a free computer in the lobby, and free wireless for the laptop-toting crowd. The very inexpensive continental breakfast (everything from frozen waffles and whipped butter to fresh croissants to multitudinous hot and cold cereals) is better than any other U.S. hostel we've ever seen, and there is a grocery story directly across the street for anyone wanting further food. This hostel truly has every comfort and convenience -- if you're wondering if they have something, they probably do.

The area boasts gorgeous scenery (three-hundred and sixty degrees of mountain views from the hostel). Almost every outdoor sport (hiking, skiing and snowboarding, rafting, rock climbing) is accessible within a short drive. The biggest drawback is that the hostel has no life, even in the busy winter season. It gives off the feeling of visiting a boring, rich relative's house. The luxury of the facilities and the hostel's atmosphere make many younger or out-of-the-mainstream hostelers feel quite out of place. The guests are (and by report usually are) almost entirely sporty, middle-aged, white men. Women should be aware that they will definitely be the center of much attention here -- whether or not they want it. The area is also not gay-friendly, though the hostel is simply gay-indifferent. Many of the guests live at the hostel for months at a time, and have no interest in socializing with more transient guests. Everyone is asleep by 9 p.m.

Despite the beauty of the area and facilities, it is one of the most boring hostels we have ever visited. If you are looking for somewhere very upscale and restful, though, or just a place to get a cheap, quiet bed, this might be a good place for you -- sometimes boring is good.

-- Exclusive Hostelz.com Review