by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 11:15 AM ET, Mon July 22, 2024
Want to take a trip back in time? Head to Dunton Hot Springs in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, which recently refreshed its historic saloon that dates back to the 1800s.
The Saloon and Dance Hall—which has Butch Cassidy’s carved signature on its bar—has reopened after renovations led by architecture and interior design firm Waldo Works. The saloon upgrade is part of a broader, multi-million-dollar renovation of the property, which is located in an old mining town.
The saloon at Dunton Hot Springs (Photo Credit: Austin Mann)
“We were asked to completely redesign the way Dunton caters to its guests, and we are delighted with the results," says Tom Bartlett of Waldo Works. The new spaces effortlessly blend Dunton's historic charm with contemporary luxury, creating an atmosphere that is both timeless and innovative. Guests are in for an unforgettable experience.”
The saloon has a full-service restaurant and bar, and serves as the main lodge for guests visiting the Relais & Chateaux resort. The renovations include a new open kitchen, bar, wine room and guest bathrooms inside the warm, timber-clad space.
The new open kitchen and bar—which features oil-cloth bar fronts, cast-glass kitchen walls and zinc bar tops and range—gives guests a chance to watch Dunton’s skilled chefs at work. From there, they’ll head into the dining room, which has olive green director’s chair-style seating, as well as light fixtures made from repurposed red wagon wheels.
A cozy seating nook in the saloon at Dunton Hot Springs (Photo Credit: Austin Mann)
The dance hall was once a separate space inside the main lodge, but now blends seamlessly into the dining room. It features custom, upholstered banquettes in camel-colored leather and nailhead trimming, as well as barn doors that allow the space to be closed off for private events. The new wine room houses Dunton’s collection of fine wines.
The saloon’s cozy seating areas are separated by custom, floral-patterned drapery, which stand out against the vertically striped wallpaper and olive bead-boarding on the walls.
Designers also added a printed ceramic ceiling inspired by 1890s tile designs from New York City’s Hotel Chelsea. Honey-stained wooden beams and trimming, original metallic ceiling panels and molding, taxidermy and historic artworks help round out the space.
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