When I arrive in a beautiful place like Ridgway, Colorado, I usually think about where I’m headed next — the trail, the drive, the open space just beyond town. But on this visit, I found myself staying in. 

Under new ownership, Chipeta Lodge Resort + Spa has been thoughtfully refreshed, and the shift is something you feel right away. It reveals itself in the details, starting with a more welcoming arrival, a smooth check-in and yes, freshly baked cookies. It all sets an easy, relaxed tone. 

That intention is exactly what drew owner Shari Mezrah and her husband, Todd, to the property. 

“We found ourselves talking a lot about what was a great stay, how things could have been improved and what makes an exceptional stay away from home,” she says. “This love for searching for the ultimate guest experience motivated us to create something special that could be delivered at Chipeta Lodge.” 

What they saw was a place with “great bones,” and the opportunity to build something more meaningful around it. 

Throughout the property, that approach shows up in subtle ways. The Great Room and Sun Lounge feel like places you actually want to spend time, not just pass through. 

“Chipeta Lodge naturally lends itself to a retreat-style wellness experience because of its setting,” Mezrah says. “Surrounded by the San Juan Mountains, our guests are immediately invited to slow down, disconnect and reset.” 

Completely redesigned, Chipeta Lodge Spa by ISUN leans into a slower pace without forcing it. I didn’t feel like I had to follow a schedule or commit to a full reset. It was enough to step in, take a breath and let the space do its work. 

That flexibility is what stayed with me most. There’s no single way to be here. You can spend the day moving — hiking, biking, exploring — or not move much at all. Both feel equally valid. 

“It allows guests to engage as much or as little as they choose,” she says. “The combination of natural beauty, quiet pace and freedom of experience is what transforms a stay here into something that feels like a true retreat.” 

And then there’s the rooftop. The White Buffalo Rooftop Bar quickly became my end-of-day ritual. A drink in hand, the San Juans stretching out in every direction, the light shifting as the sun drops. It’s simple, but it lands. 

Even with the updates, the heart of the lodge is still intact. It feels familiar, just more dialed in. 

“While the resort has been modernized, the character and charm of Chipeta Lodge was retained,” Mezrah says. “That was important to us.” 

By the end of my stay, I realized I hadn’t rushed off property the way I normally would. I stayed for sunset. Then dinner. Then a slow morning the next day. 

For a place I’ve visited before, that felt like something new. 

Kim Fuller 
Publisher + Editor-In-Chief
@lifeinfull 

Originally published in the summer + fall 2026 issue of Well.