<strong>Resort with a history:</strong> Dunton Springs is a luxury cabin resort in southwest of Colorado. Originally established as a mining town in 1885, by 1919 it was an abandoned ghost town. A century on, it's been repurposed into a luxury resort.
Resort with a history: Dunton Springs is a luxury cabin resort in southwest of Colorado. Originally established as a mining town in 1885, by 1919 it was an abandoned ghost town. A century on, it's been repurposed into a luxury resort.
Courtesy Jack Richmond Photography/Dunton Hot Springs
<strong>Looking for minerals</strong>: "It was a mining town where they were searching for gold and silver," Christina Rossi, director of marketing at Dunton Hot Springs, tells CNN Travel.
Looking for minerals: "It was a mining town where they were searching for gold and silver," Christina Rossi, director of marketing at Dunton Hot Springs, tells CNN Travel.
Courtesy Jack Richmond Photography/Dunton Hot Springs
<strong>Natural springs:</strong> Dunton was chosen by settlers because of its geography. "They settled in this particular location because of the natural hot springs -- it was a good indication of minerals in the ground," says Rossi. Fast forward a century and the hot springs are still an essential part of the Dunton experience.
Natural springs: Dunton was chosen by settlers because of its geography. "They settled in this particular location because of the natural hot springs -- it was a good indication of minerals in the ground," says Rossi. Fast forward a century and the hot springs are still an essential part of the Dunton experience.
Courtesy Jack Richmond Photography/Dunton Hot Springs
<strong>Isolated community:</strong> Despite reasonable prosperity, Dunton floundered when it came to transporting its ore. "The town struggled with isolation," explains Rossi.
Isolated community: Despite reasonable prosperity, Dunton floundered when it came to transporting its ore. "The town struggled with isolation," explains Rossi.
Courtesy Dunton Hot Springs
<strong>Struggling community:</strong> The log houses the community built were abandoned when the miners left. "At its peak, there were about 500 people living in the valley, but when the train came in, the people left and moved closer to the train," says Rossi.
Struggling community: The log houses the community built were abandoned when the miners left. "At its peak, there were about 500 people living in the valley, but when the train came in, the people left and moved closer to the train," says Rossi.
Courtesy Jack Richmond Photography/Dunton Hot Springs
<strong>Vacation rental:</strong> During the 1970s Dunton was a popular spot for travelers on road trips. When it was bought by the current owner, Christoph Henkel, he decided to preserve the cabins as vacation rentals. "The cabins are all named after the miners who built them, characters who lived in them, or the purpose for which they were used," says Rossi.
Vacation rental: During the 1970s Dunton was a popular spot for travelers on road trips. When it was bought by the current owner, Christoph Henkel, he decided to preserve the cabins as vacation rentals. "The cabins are all named after the miners who built them, characters who lived in them, or the purpose for which they were used," says Rossi.
Courtesy Jack Richmond Photography/Dunton Hot Springs
<strong>Living history</strong>: The renovated resort still reflects its history. "When entering the Bath House [pictured here] where the large hot springs pool is located, you'll find charcoal graffiti from long ago visitors dating back to the late 1800's and early 1900's," says Rossi.
Living history: The renovated resort still reflects its history. "When entering the Bath House [pictured here] where the large hot springs pool is located, you'll find charcoal graffiti from long ago visitors dating back to the late 1800's and early 1900's," says Rossi.
Courtesy Jack Richmond Photography/Dunton Hot Springs
<strong>Dramatic stories:</strong> There are some dramatic stories from Dunton's history. "Guests have the opportunity to sit and have a drink at a bar where Butch Cassidy once did as well -- he hid out in Dunton on his way to his hide-out after robbing his first bank over the mountain in Telluride," says Rossi.
Dramatic stories: There are some dramatic stories from Dunton's history. "Guests have the opportunity to sit and have a drink at a bar where Butch Cassidy once did as well -- he hid out in Dunton on his way to his hide-out after robbing his first bank over the mountain in Telluride," says Rossi.
Courtesy Dunton Hot Springs
<strong>Big scale renovation:</strong> Renovating the properties was difficult as the buildings were dilapidated. "Many of the buildings had to be taken apart -- logs numbered -- and then put back together like a jigsaw puzzle," explains Rossi.
Big scale renovation: Renovating the properties was difficult as the buildings were dilapidated. "Many of the buildings had to be taken apart -- logs numbered -- and then put back together like a jigsaw puzzle," explains Rossi.
Courtesy Jack Richmond Photography/Dunton Hot Springs
<strong>New locations:</strong> The majority of the buildings were also moved from their original locations: "Since most needed floors and new roofs, they were moved to make more conducive to a resort setting -- everything is in walking distance to one another," says Rossi.
New locations: The majority of the buildings were also moved from their original locations: "Since most needed floors and new roofs, they were moved to make more conducive to a resort setting -- everything is in walking distance to one another," says Rossi.
Courtesy Dunton Hot Springs
<strong>Interior regeneration</strong>: The interior of the cabins was also updated with modern, luxury amenities -- not to mention bathrooms: "Everything is modernized," assures Rossi.
Interior regeneration: The interior of the cabins was also updated with modern, luxury amenities -- not to mention bathrooms: "Everything is modernized," assures Rossi.
Courtesy Jack Richmond Photography/Dunton Hot Springs
<strong>Acres of land</strong>: The resort consists of 12 log cabins on 200 acres of land, but Dunton owns 1600 acres of land which guests can enjoy. Activities on offer include guided hikes, fly fishing and horseback riding.
Acres of land: The resort consists of 12 log cabins on 200 acres of land, but Dunton owns 1600 acres of land which guests can enjoy. Activities on offer include guided hikes, fly fishing and horseback riding.
Courtesy Jack Richmond Photography/Dunton Hot Springs
<strong>Importance of community:</strong> Dunton Springs also tries to create a sense of community: "All guests eat together at one long antique table in the Saloon," says Rossi. "A tradition dating back to the cattle ranching days."
Importance of community: Dunton Springs also tries to create a sense of community: "All guests eat together at one long antique table in the Saloon," says Rossi. "A tradition dating back to the cattle ranching days."
Courtesy Dunton Hot Springs
<strong>Wild landscape: </strong>Guests may be able to see wild animals while staying at Dunton, including: bald eagle, elk, deer, moose, black bear, coyote, fox, lynx and beavers.
Wild landscape: Guests may be able to see wild animals while staying at Dunton, including: bald eagle, elk, deer, moose, black bear, coyote, fox, lynx and beavers.
Courtesy Jack Richmond Photography/Dunton Hot Springs
<strong>Contradictions:</strong> Rossi says the town today thrives on contradictions -- it's got an old-time feel with modern-day luxuries.
Contradictions: Rossi says the town today thrives on contradictions -- it's got an old-time feel with modern-day luxuries.
Courtesy Jack Richmond Photography/Dunton Hot Springs
<strong>Meeting new people</strong>: Rossi wants guests to enjoy Dunton's community spirit and isolation: "We hope they feel like they visited great, incredibly interesting friends in an unimaginably beautiful location," she says.
Meeting new people: Rossi wants guests to enjoy Dunton's community spirit and isolation: "We hope they feel like they visited great, incredibly interesting friends in an unimaginably beautiful location," she says.
Courtesy Jack Richmond Photography/Dunton Hot Springs