What do you get when you cross the sturdy bones of a 1950s motor lodge with updated decor and a sense of humor? The Amigo Motor Lodge, of course. This trendy motel is set just five minutes from happening downtown Salida, with easy access to Colorado’s nature and mountain views to spare.
At Amigo, you’ll find rooms with modern decorations, comfy beds and a minimalist vibe. After all, it’s a motor lodge, so minimalism is kind of their thing. But if that’s still too fancy for you, there’s more — they have a fleet of gleaming Airstream trailers (with names like Francis and Velma) that’ll make your Colorado glamping dreams a reality.
Everything at Amigo is infused with a sense of whimsy and humor. Rooms and trailers are decked out in fun Southwestern motifs punched up by geometric accents and sweet throw pillows. And let’s not forget the humor: Roll into the Amigo and the marquee greets you with fun messaging like “Fresh never frozen pillows” and “Dogs welcome! Well behaved humans, too.”
The laid-back vibe coupled with sustainable practices has our vote. When bringing the Amigo back to life, owners Philip and Kaitlyn donated furniture and fixtures to Salida locals and Habitat for Humanity projects. And as the Amigo continues its glow-up journey, Philip and Kaitlyn keep an eye toward being green, whether it’s through water-saving toilets and landscaping or LED lights.
For a minimalistic motor lodge, Amigo boasts some pretty swank amenities. Unwind in the outdoor hot tub and kick up your feet on the communal patio space as you gaze at jumping flames in the retro firepit.
“This is such a comfortable, stylish place to stay in Salida! The rooms are stunning, the staff was pleasant and we had an amazing stay. The hot tub was a great spot after a long day of biking. Salida is a beautiful mountain town, and this is the place to stay!” — Audrey D., Google
Have we got a list for you! Soak (or swim) in natural hot-spring waters at Salida’s Hot Spring Aquatic Center. Then, stroll the vibrant downtown — a Certified Colorado Creative District — where you’ll find an abundance of eateries, drinkeries, galleries and boutiqueries (not a word, but we needed to keep the flow going). Salida is notoriously dog friendly, so leash up those pupcakes and let them strut with you before some playtime at Loyal Duke’s Dog Park. Water babies can shoot the world-famous rapids of the Arkansas River, while powderhounds will holler with glee on Monarch Mountain’s varied terrain.
Photos courtesy of Amigo Motor Lodge
