Far View Lodge, located in Mesa Verde National Park, is a retreat that sits on a high shoulder of the mesa and is the only lodge located inside the park.
For that reason, we opted to stay there. But was it a good choice?
About Far View Lodge, Mesa Verde National Park
At the Far View Lodge, it’s easy to feel a connection to the indigenous culture and history of the American West. The lodge was designed to reflect the essence, freedom and solitude of Mesa Verde National Park – without the distraction of in-room TVs or cell phone service (read: there are no TV’s or cell phone service). The lodge has 150 rooms in 2 room types, Kiva and Kiva Deluxe View. All Far View Lodge rooms are non-smoking and feature semi-private balconies and various bed configurations. The Kiva Room is the standard room option at the Far View Lodge and features either one king, two queens, or two double beds.
Image: reservationstays.com
Image: reservationstays.com
Location & Parking
The Far View Lodge is located at the center of the National Park, 15 miles (24 km) from the park entrance (about a 40-minute drive), and features commanding views south over Mesa Verde into Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. The location of the lodge is perfect for exploring the ancient ruins and cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloan people. The lodge is open from spring to fall.
The Far View Lodge offers free guest parking. The lodge has a large parking lot that is easily accessible from the main road.
FHOP Tip: In truth, the drive into Mesa Verde National Park takes a while (40 mins to the Lodge alone), and requires a long drive uphill via a scenic but winding roadway. It’s not necessarily a drive you’d want to take many times over several days. For that reason alone, visitors to Mesa Verde should consider the Far View Lodge as it could be a massive time-saver.
Lobby
Front Desk & Check-In
Image: reservationstays.com
You might as well grab a local beer when you are checking in
Room Key
Kiva Room
The Kiva Room is decorated with custom handcrafted furniture and features either one king, two queens, or two double beds (in our case, the two double beds). The rooms have a bathroom and balcony with views of the Southwest plateau.
The rooms are equipped with a coffee maker and hair dryer and have a small refrigerator. The Kiva Room is perfect for relaxing and enjoying the beautiful views of the surrounding area.
Image: reservationstays.com
Image: reservationstays.com
Image: reservationstays.com
Kiva Room Walkthrough Tour
Kiva Room Entrance
Desk Area
Closet
Bathroom
The room’s vanity was separate from the shower/toilet room, which I actually prefer because it usually means two people can get ready at once.
The Far View Lodge provides complimentary toiletries including shampoo, conditioner, and soap. The toiletries were non-branded, but seemed to be of good quality.
Room Condition
Although the room was in good condition in general, the one spot that needed some TLC was the switch area which was missing a crucial knob for the heater, as well as the scummy shower-head.
Balcony
Image: reservationstays.com
View From The Room
Dining Options
The Far View Lodge has two dining options: the Metate Dining Room and the Far View Terrace Restaurant. The Metate Dining Room is an award-winning restaurant that is notable for its breakfast.
The Far View Terrace Restaurant offers American cuisine and is perfect for a casual meal.
Gift Shop & Far View Lounge
The lodge also has a gift shop and a lounge/bar.
We ended up having drinks at the Lounge’s bar. We went with the bar’s signature drink, the Gold Rush.
The Gold Rush
 The Business Center
The Game Room & Fitness Center
FHOP Tip: What’s Nearby: There are many things to do near the Far View Lodge including hiking, tours, biking, and driving. The lodge is located in the heart of the nation’s richest archaeological preserve, where amazing cliff dwellings bring to life the culture of the Ancestral Puebloan people. Guided bus tours are available that provide an in-depth historical overview of the ancient people and dwellings. The lodge is also close to many hiking trails that offer stunning views of the surrounding area.
The Bottom-Line Review: Far View Lodge, Mesa Verde National Park
The Far View Lodge is a peaceful retreat in the heart of Mesa Verde National Park. It’s notable for being the only hotel inside of Mesa Verde, making it the perfect home base for exploring the ancient ruins and cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloan people. The lodge provides dated yet clean and comfortable rooms and two acclaimed restaurants.
We enjoyed our stay there, in large part due to the location and the time we saved from driving into the park multiple times. That, coupled with the Far View Lodge’s reasonable prices make it a no-brainer when visiting Mesa Verde. Aside from its location, the service was OK, and the rooms were OK (just don’t expect a TV or cell phone service).
I’d easily recommend it to couples, families, and singles visiting Mesa Verde National Park.
Overall, I rate the Far View Lodge a 7 out of 10, and it’s location a 9 out of 10.
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