The Palace Hotel in Salida opened in 1909. Photo by Pam LeBlanc

I’d much rather stay in a historic old hotel with creaky floors and stairs instead of elevators than at a modern, cookie cutter chain, so I knew I’d be happy as soon as I swung open the front door of the Palace Hotel in downtown Salida.

Here are 10 things I loved most about the place, which opened in 1909:

1. The lobby, decorated with historic photos of cowboys, a chandelier straight out of the Old West and old-fashioned tin type photos made by a local artist. I needed to do a little work, so I set up shop at the desk and logged onto the WIFI.
2. Free guest laundry, which I took advantage of since I’m burning through long underwear and ski socks like they’re made of kindling.
3. Breakfast, delivered. The chef himself dropped off a yogurt parfait made with yogurt, granola and fruit, along with the fresh-baked muffin of the day (I liked oatmeal best, but also tried cranberry orange and banana). Its breakfast delivered to your room at whatever time you request.
   

   The lobby of the Palace Hotel in Salida, where I spent three nights during a visit to Monarch Mountain. Pam LeBlanc photo

4. The environmental consciousness. No individually-packaged containers of shampoo or conditioner (it’s in a big pump bottle), a tiny bar of hand-made soap without a wrapper, and no daily maid service (really, who needs it?) unless requested.
5. A kitchenette. The Governor Hunt suite where we stayed ($195 per night) comes with a small kitchen complete with full-sized fridge, microwave oven, a tiny oven and stovetop, plus all the dishes you need to cook pasta, which we did one night. The Palace Hotel in Salida opened in 1909. Pam LeBlanc photo[/caption]
6. A gorgeous view of the mountains from all the windows.
7. A great downtown location across from a park, kitty corner to an old Victorian bar, and a block down from the bustling Boathouse Cantina, where you can eat a burger and watch the river roll past.
8. Walking distance to the amazing Café Dawn, which serves amazing soup for lunch (we had white bean and spinach), along with an assortment of bagels, quiches and coffees.
9. Plenty of room. Our suite, the Governor Hunt (Room 301) was spacious, with a king-sized bed, a kitchenette with a small table, and a couch arranged in front of a flat-screen TV.
10. An amazing staff. One night I was craving chocolate. We couldn’t find a nearby shop, so we asked the clerk at the desk. Everyplace nearby was closed, so she shared her own personal bag of peanut M&Ms with us. Breakfast is included in room rates. Pam LeBlanc photo[/caption]

The Palace Hotel in Salida opened in 1909. Photo by Pam LeBlanc

I’d much rather stay in a historic old hotel with creaky floors and stairs instead of elevators than at a modern, cookie cutter chain, so I knew I’d be happy as soon as I swung open the front door of the Palace Hotel in downtown Salida.

Here are 10 things I loved most about the place, which opened in 1909:

1. The lobby, decorated with historic photos of cowboys, a chandelier straight out of the Old West and old-fashioned tin type photos made by a local artist. I needed to do a little work, so I set up shop at the desk and logged onto the WIFI.
2. Free guest laundry, which I took advantage of since I’m burning through long underwear and ski socks like they’re made of kindling.
3. Breakfast, delivered. The chef himself dropped off a yogurt parfait made with yogurt, granola and fruit, along with the fresh-baked muffin of the day (I liked oatmeal best, but also tried cranberry orange and banana). Its breakfast delivered to your room at whatever time you request.

4. 4. The environmental consciousness. No individually-packaged containers of shampoo or conditioner (it’s in a big pump bottle), a tiny bar of hand-made soap without a wrapper, and no daily maid service (really, who needs it?) unless requested.

5. A kitchenette. The Governor Hunt suite where we stayed ($195 per night) comes with a small kitchen complete with full-sized fridge, microwave oven, a tiny oven and stovetop, plus all the dishes you need to cook pasta, which we did one night.
6. 

   The Palace Hotel in Salida opened in 1909. Pam LeBlanc photo

7. A gorgeous view of the mountains from all the windows.
8. A great downtown location across from a park, kitty corner to an old Victorian bar, and a block down from the bustling Boathouse Cantina, where you can eat a burger and watch the river roll past.
9. Walking distance to the amazing Café Dawn, which serves amazing soup for lunch (we had white bean and spinach), along with an assortment of bagels, quiches and coffees.
10. Plenty of room. Our suite, the Governor Hunt (Room 301) was spacious, with a king-sized bed, a kitchenette with a small table, and a couch arranged in front of a flat-screen TV.
11. An amazing staff. One night I was craving chocolate. We couldn’t find a nearby shop, so we asked the clerk at the desk. Everyplace nearby was closed, so she shared her own personal bag of peanut M&Ms with us.
12. 

    Breakfast is included in room rates. Pam LeBlanc photo