2012-07-16

Dunton Hot Springs is a small and exclusive resort nestled deep in the San Juan Mountains of the Colorado Rockies that has brought a beautiful historic corner of Colorado back to life.  This romantic ghost town resort thrives off its plethora of amenities including 12 exquisitely furnished hand-hewn log cabins and 1 luxury tent; a life-worn saloon serving local and regional culinary creations; a private spa and natural mineral-rich (sulphur free) hot springs; and more wilderness than can be reasonably explored in a lifetime.

Mason Rose interviews Edoardo Rossi, General Manager, Dunton Hot Springs.

How would you describe a typical day at work?

There really is no typical day at Dunton Hot Springs, because all our guests stays are customized. I may be in the saloon most of the day talking to guests, arranging activities or driving them to different trail heads for their hikes. Unless I am out of the country for vacation or work, I make sure I speak to all our guests individually and make them feel at home.

Which is your favourite cabin at Dunton and why?

My favourite cabin is Bjorkman’s. It is the oldest cabin on property and it has a great feel to it with a wood burning Stove, and the only cabin with views of the waterfall. A close second would be Christy’s Tent…named after my wife who was integral in designing and decorating it…I think I have to mention that one. All cabins here are truly wonderful and each one is different to the other.

What do you most enjoy about working at Dunton Hot Springs?

Dunton is as unique as it gets and we have fantastic guests who come here…people who truly enjoy the finer things in life but want to relax, explore and experience the wonderful area that we live in.  The owners of Dunton are some of the nicest people in the world…and that always helps!

What is your favourite activity winter / summer at Dunton?

During the winter I would have to say that it is a tie between dog sledding and snow shoeing.

In the summer it would also be a tie between fly-fishing (we have 8 miles of private river access) and hiking…there are wonderful trails all around us.

What part of Dunton’s history do you love most?

The fact that this was an actual mining town, and there is an authentic carving on our original bar of Butch Cassidy’s signature. He hid out here at Dunton after he robbed his first bank in Telluride in 1898. This is true Americana…and as authentic as it gets.

What would be your dream job? (if not at Dunton!)

Obviously other than Dunton, most probably own a small luxury property in the South East close to where my wife’s family is from in the Blue Ridge Mountains…also beautiful but very different to the Colorado Rockies.

Describe your ideal holiday?

We love to travel. For me a true holiday is where I can learn and experience a new culture. We are not fans of sitting by a pool and doing nothing. We love to explore, learn, eat the local foods and truly do something different.

What is the best hotel you have stayed in?

This is a difficult one. I think it is a tie between Makanyane, a small safari lodge in the Madikwe region of South Africa, Skibo Castle, now a private Member’s Club in Scotland, north of Inverness, and the Royal Mansour, a true Palace Hotel in Marrakech.

What made those spots the best in my mind was not necessarily the immaculate rooms, or food…but the actual experience and kindness of the staff…it makes a huge difference, and can’t wait to go back to them (even with so many great options out there..)

What do you take care to avoid on holiday?

Mass tourism. I don’t mind going to popular tourist destinations…there are the “must see places” like Rome or Paris, but still you can visit those without doing bus tours etc…

What do you always take with you?

My Ipad, where I have downloaded guides and restaurant guides (as I said, I love food…)

What is your top travel tip?

Do your research on where to go, and when you are there ask the locals what they recommend to see and where they recommend to eat. Their recommendations are always the best!

Where do you want to go next?

There are many options: Patagonia / New Zealand / Alaska / Cambodia

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