DURANGO, Colo. – As seems typical of Durango’s entrepreneurs, Linda Ward and her husband Mick have devised the perfect private hotel retreat in the heart of Historic Downtown Durango: “Nobody’s Inn.” And it’s likely, the only lodging establishment of its kind in existence.

An intriguing concept, Nobody’s Inn is all about making one’s self at home – literally. With no concierge or staff on site, the Inn offers four apartment-like suites – each with a different configuration and atmosphere. Self-service and privacy are the order of the day.

“The idea came about because my husband and I have reached the time in our lives that when we travel, we want to be alone,” said Inn proprietor Linda Ward. “Everybody is just so busy now… nobody has enough time to see their own friends, or even their own kids, so when you go away you don’t want to make new friends or make conversation with the people who are making the muffins at the bed and breakfast. So Nobody’s Inn is about solace and solitude. That’s how we developed the whole concept. Let’s give it a try and see if people like it – and they seem to be.”

The Main Avenue entrance to Nobody's Inn is subtle and discreet, and a curiousity to those who aren't familiar with the hotel.

Located at 920 Main Ave., with a discreet entrance between retailers Oohs & Aahs and Southwest Sound, Nobody’s Inn is on the second floor of what was originally Richey’s Book Store and Stationers, opened in 1885. The Wards purchased the building from Kirk Komick and his mother, Diane Wildfang, owners of the Rochester Hotel/Leland House, who had acquired the property with the original thought of using it as overflow for their popular East 2^nd Ave. bed and breakfast.

“It was very bare bones when we acquired it,” said Ward, who set about creating the eclectic décor about two years ago. Named “Somebody,” “Anybody,” Everybody” and “Homebody,” the rooms vary from an efficiency size/studio apartment with a kitchenette and washer/dryer, to a full one-bedroom apartment, with a living room/kitchen. Private telephones, televisions and cable/computer connectivity are also available in each room.

“So different sizes, different accommodations, different looks,” she said, explaining she discovered many of the rooms’ furnishings on an antiques “road trip” where she traveled only county roads and highways.

“This place has a really good ‘feel’ about it,” said Durango resident Sheri Amass, as she toured the Inn, evaluating it for a possible family reunion. “I just love it. What a wonderful way to experience living in Downtown Durango.”

Reservations are made completely on-line, and, according to Ward, “As soon as you reserve the room with your credit card, as fast as the server can handle it, you receive your confirmation.”

Elise Smith is the Inn’s “virtual” manager, and she does contact those who book on-line reservations to make certain guests understand that Nobody’s Inn is an atypical hotel, with no one on site. Emergency phone numbers are available in every room, and a cleaning crew, which endeavors to be invisible, does attend to duties.

"Somebody," featuring a king bed and double fold out sofa bed, is the room overlooking Main Ave.

Parking is available to the rear of the building off the alley (along with interior storage for ski equipment and bicycles). Arriving guests punch in the entrance code, provided via email approximately two weeks prior to the arrival date, and the keys to their rooms are waiting in the doors. Seeking a mint on your pillow at night? A tray is available at the uninhabited hallway “check in” desk – help yourself.

While the Inn emphasizes privacy, it can also be about camaraderie. The four units may be reserved in total or in part for families, a retreat or a gathering of friends or business associates. Two of the suites, “Anybody” and “Everybody” are adjoining, christened, “A Whole Bunch of Bodies” when reserved together.

“I just read in the Durango Herald about the growing trend of ‘getaways for girlfriends,’” said Ward, whose background was in publishing before “retiring” 16 years ago to raise her children. “Nobody’s Inn is ideal for this type of adventure.”

Indeed, given the trend, the Inn is in the process of putting together a variety of “girls’ getaway” packages. The first will include a spa experience, in partnership with neighboring Spaaah Shop & Day Spa. Additional “themed” girls’ getaways that will be put in place in coming months are likely to include, art instruction, wine tasting, genealogy, knitting, quilting and more. All combined, the Inn can sleep 14 in 8 separate beds/sleeper sofas.

“We are also hoping to familiarize locals with the various possibilities,” added Ward. “At Nobody’s Inn, we can put a personal touch into a private stay for visiting guests of Fort Lewis College, or the trustees, or job candidates coming in to interview and explore Durango. What better way to enthuse a potential high school administrator, or city director or college professor, than provide them with a private apartment in the Historic Downtown, which we all know is one of the charms of Durango. Nobody’s Inn is also a good home base for visiting business people.”

For locals, Nobody’s Inn can provide the perfect alternative to driving home after a night on the town. Ward has found that holiday party evenings and other prime nights in the Downtown are booked far in advance. Booking “Somebody,” the room that overlooks Main Ave., is at a premium for the Snowdown Parade.

As part of its commitment to community, the Inn has placed local sustainability and environmental awareness high on the priority list. Beyond the “virtual” reservation process, avoiding use of paper and physical mailing, once guests arrive, the car can remain parked, as walking, cycling and local public transportation facilitate visits to anywhere in the town.

"Anybody" is the coziest unit, designed for a single or couple, but can be joined with "Everybody" to become "A Whole Bunch of Bodies."

To reduce water usage and runoff to the Animas River, bed linens are not changed out during a short stay, and towels are replaced daily only upon guest request. Cleaning solvents are natural and non-toxic, and ceiling fans (complete with energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs)) help naturally control the interior environment.

“We also like to partner with our local independent businesses,” said Ward, noting that one aspect of local sustainability is to reduce product transport. “In-room, we offer bottled water from Nature’s Oasis, our home-grown natural foods store, plus natural skin/hair care products from the neighboring Spaaah Shop. And we’re exploring additional opportunities.”

French press coffee makers are available in every room, along with packets of Steaming Bean coffee to brew, but guests also receive coupons to Steaming Bean coffee house, conveniently located across Main from the Inn. Likely, according to Ward, when The Irish Embassy opens (in the old Scoot’n Blues location two doors down), guests will receive some kind of coupon/discount as well, especially since Ward’s husband Mick is one of four partners in the endeavor. The Irish Embassy, Durango’s first authentic Irish Pub, is slated to open around Memorial Day weekend.

As to the name, it stems from Mick Ward’s favorite book, The Diary of A Nobody, a novel written in the late 1800s and set in Victorian England.

“The two main characters are Mister Cummings and Mister Gowing, so Nobody's Inn is a great home base for your comings and goings in the Durango area,” said Ward. “The book says to us, don’t take yourself so seriously, and it goes with our whole concept for the Inn. The idea is to keep this as simple and relaxed as possible.”

Copies of the book, which has been labeled a “cultural icon,” are available to borrow during one’s stay at the Inn. Ward enlisted the assistance of neighboring independent bookstore, Maria’s Bookshop, to find the out-of-print tomes.

“I don’t think Nobody’s Inn is necessarily what everyone is looking for,” said Ward, who notes that pets and smoking aren’t allowed, nor is the Inn a site for “after prom” or teen parties. “Obviously there’s a tremendous amount of faith and goodwill at how we’re going about this. But we want folks to come, stay, do your thing and enjoy Durango.”

Take a peak at Nobody’s Inn at www.nobodysinn.com. Rates and reservation information are available at the site.

indiana@durangodowntown.com

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