Best places to stay in Summit County, Colorado

Heading to the mountains and wondering where to stay? Here’s a local guide to Summit County, whether you’re visiting Breckenridge, Frisco, Dillon, Silverthorne, Keystone, or Copper.

Each town has its own feel, and most are only about 15–30 minutes apart, making it pretty easy to explore more than one area during your trip.

I spent more than a decade living and working as a photographer in Summit County, so I’ve gotten to explore and photograph all over the area. Below is my town-by-town breakdown of where to stay in Summit County, plus some of my favorite hotels and vacation rentals in each area.

Which Summit County town should you stay in?

There are several towns to choose from in Summit County, and where you stay can make a pretty big difference depending on what you want to do. Most are a short drive from one another, but some are better for skiing, nightlife, lake access, or exploring multiple resorts.

If it’s your first trip to Summit County, I’d stay in Breckenridge or Frisco. Breckenridge has the most restaurants, shops, and things to do within walking distance, while Frisco is quieter and more central for exploring the county. Keystone is great for a ski-focused trip, Dillon for lake views and summer concerts, and Silverthorne for easy I-70 access.

Here’s a little breakdown to help you decide:

• Breckenridge: The most popular town with a lively Main Street, ski resort, and lots of shops, bars, and restaurants.
• Frisco: A smaller, quieter alternative to Breck with a cute walkable downtown and easy access to I-70.
• Silverthorne: A growing local hub with amenities like Target, outlets, and newer restaurants. It’s a solid base near I-70 and close to hiking trails.
• Dillon: A quiet, lakeside town with incredible views of Lake Dillon. Peaceful in the winter, but busier during the summer with Friday farmers’ markets and concerts.
• Keystone: A ski resort village great for ski trips or a peaceful mountain getaway.
• Copper: A more low-key ski resort village than Keystone or Breck, and a great quiet base for ski days or summer hiking.

My quick picks for where to stay in Summit County

Best for	Stay	Area	View property
Best for Downtown + Ski Access	Gravity Haus	Breckenridge (Main Street)	View Gravity Haus →
Best for Ski-In/Ski-Out	Grand Colorado	Breckenridge (Peak 8)	View Grand Colorado →
Best for Luxury	Kindred Resort	Keystone	View Kindred Resort →
Best for Budget	The Block	Silverthorne	View The Block →
Best B&B / Most Charming	Ski Tip Lodge	Keystone	View Ski Tip Lodge →
Best for I-70 Access	AC Frisco	Frisco	View AC Frisco →
Best for Dillon Amphitheater	Homewood Suites Dillon	Dillon	View Homewood Suites →
Best for Families	Grand Lodge Peak 7	Breckenridge (Peak 7)	View Grand Lodge Peak 7 →

Breckenridge hotels & vacation rentals

Breckenridge is probably my favorite mountain town with something for everyone, whether you’re planning a ski trip, summer adventure, or just a relaxing weekend. Main Street is cute and charming, with great places to eat, shops, and bars, plus it is close to the slopes and trails.

If you want to be close to the action, look for places near Main Street or the base of Breckenridge Resort. Prefer something quieter and more remote? You’ll find plenty of cabins and vacation rentals just outside of town, especially heading toward Blue River.

Hotels in Breckenridge

Gravity Haus Breckenridge

Gravity Haus is a trendy, modern, boutique ski-in/ski-out hotel right at the base of Peak 9 and right off Main Street! The best of both worlds. They have modern amenities and an incredible restaurant and bar, coffee shop, dry sauna, and gear rental shop.

👉 If you’re looking for a similar spot, but more family-friendly? Check out The Village at Breck right next door for condos with kitchens and a classic resort feel.

Grand Colorado on Peak 8

Grand Colorado is the mecca for a ski trip experience! It’s a large resort right at the base of Peak 8. It’s tucked a few minutes away from Main Street, but a quick bus ride, drive, or gondola ride into town. They have slope-side hot tubs, a spa, a few bars and restaurants, coffee shops, and even a private movie theatre. This is one of my personal favorite staycation spots.

Vacation rentals in Breckenridge

If you’re looking for a little more privacy or want a little more room to spread out with a homier vibe, check out a vacation rental.

• Cute A-frame cabin in the woods (2 bedroom, 1 bath)
• Luxury, modern home for the whole family (5 bedrooms, 3+ baths)

👉 Check out more of my favorite places to stay in Breckenridge here!

Keystone hotels & lodging

Keystone is a cute little ski resort area/town that’s a little more secluded and peaceful! Keystone Village has more of a resort feel with lots of places to eat and people going skiing and snowboarding, and it can be a little quieter in the summer if there’s not a festival!

Best hotels in Keystone

Ski Tip Lodge B&B

Ski Tip Lodge is a gorgeous and quaint B&B that will make you feel like you’re in a European town! Tucked away from the main village in Keystone, this is such a quiet and unique stay! An amazing culinary experience, a cozy atmosphere, and unique touches all throughout.

Kindred at Keystone

Kindred is Keystone’s newest ski-in, ski-out, luxury hotel with an amazing location right next to the gondola.

Vacation rentals in Keystone

Keystone has anything from giant, beautiful, remote homes for the whole family to condos in the heart of the ski village.

• Luxury home for a large group (9 bedrooms, 8+ baths)

Frisco hotels & vacation rentals

Frisco is the perfect location, right in the middle of Summit County, and easy to get to Breckenridge or other towns. While Frisco’s main street is quieter than Breckenridge, it’s got a similar, unique mountain town charm with so much to check out. Take a stroll and window-shop along Main Street, find a fun hike, or walk toward Lake Dillon.

Best hotels in Frisco

Frisco Lodge

Frisco Lodge is a quaint Victorian B&B right off Frisco Main Street! Looking for something with historic charm and a family-owned atmosphere? This is your spot! Wine and cheese? Sign me up.

Hotel Frisco

Hotel Frisco is another gorgeous, small, and modern ‘hotel’ right off Main Street in the heart of Frisco.

AC Hotel

If you’re looking for a home base close to I-70, the AC Hotel is a perfect location to explore the surrounding towns.

Vacation rentals in Frisco

Frisco has anything from walkable townhomes to Main Street to more secluded mountain homes.

• Walkable townhomes near Main Street

Dillon hotels & vacation rentals

Dillon is a pretty quiet town with gorgeous views of Lake Dillon, close to grocery stores and I-70. It’s a little more lively in the summers with the Dillon Farmers’ Market (on Fridays) and concerts at the amphitheater.

Best hotels in Dillon

Homewood Suites on Lake Dillon

Homewood Suites is a perfect option if you’re looking for an easy hotel option! It’s got gorgeous views of Lake Dillon and an upstairs bar and restaurant, The Vue.

Vacation rentals in Dillon

You’ll find lots of condos right on Lake Dillon, but you can also find larger vacation homes if you’re coming with a crew.

👉 Check out more of my favorite places to stay in Dillon here!

Silverthorne hotels & lodging

Silverthorne is a growing local town with more commercial buildings, like Target. There are lots of cool new additions like Bluebird Market, coffee shops, and restaurants. It’s a good base area near I-70 if you want to explore Breckenridge, Keystone, Vail, Copper, and many of the other nearby towns.

Best hotels in Silverthorne

The Block (formerly The Pad)

The Block is one of Summit County’s newest modern boutique hostels! This spot is right in the heart of Silverthorne and close to Keystone and Copper Mountain. While it’s a hostel, they also have private rooms, daily activities (trivia is my personal favorite), and are right on the Blue River.

Hotel Indigo Silverthorne

One of Silverthorne’s newest hotels, Hotel Indigo, is a modern and trendy hotel in the heart of Silverthorne’s ‘downtown’ addition at 4th Street Crossing! While the ‘downtown’ area isn’t quite like Breckenridge or Frisco, there are a handful of cool places a short walk away for food, drinks, coffee, and anything else you need!

Vacation Rentals in Silverthorne

Silverthorne has everything from luxury condos near its newer downtown area to more remote mountain homes.

• Luxury riverfront condo (2 bedroom, 2 bath)
• Large home with gorgeous mountain views (5 bedroom, 4+ bath)

Copper Mountain hotels & lodging

Copper Mountain is a great option if skiing is the main focus of your trip. Unlike Breckenridge or Frisco, Copper is more of a resort village than a traditional mountain town, so most lodging is clustered close to the lifts, restaurants, and activities at the base.

If you want to be able to walk out your door and ski without driving around Summit County, staying in Center Village is probably your best bet. East Village is convenient for Super Bee and tends to be a little quieter, while West Village is great for families and beginner skiers.

You’ll find mostly condos and vacation rentals at Copper rather than a big selection of traditional hotels. For more restaurants, shopping, and a traditional downtown, I’d stay in nearby Frisco instead and drive or take the bus to Copper. Note that I-70 traffic can be heavier on weekends and holidays, so plan accordingly.

• Cambria Hotel
• Copper One Lodge
• Union Creek Townhomes

Hotel or vacation rental: which is better in Summit County?

Both hotels and vacation rentals can work well for couples, families, groups, ski trips, or longer stays. I’d choose based more on the amenities you want and how you plan to spend your trip.

Vacation rentals are great if you want more privacy and space. Even for two people, I love having a kitchen, living room, and sometimes your own hot tub, sauna, or fireplace instead of sharing hotel amenities. They can also be easier for groups traveling with multiple cars since many rentals include dedicated parking.

Hotels are great if you want more services and convenience. Depending on the property, you may have a ski shuttle, on-site restaurant or bar, front desk, housekeeping, ski storage, and other resort amenities. A shuttle can be especially helpful if you don’t want to drive or deal with ski-area parking.

Where should you stay in Summit County without a car?

If you’re visiting Summit County without a car, Breckenridge and Frisco are probably your best options. Both have walkable downtown areas with restaurants and shops, plus access to the free Summit Stage bus system. Breckenridge is my pick if you want the most within walking distance, while Frisco is a great central location if you plan to explore more of Summit County.

Staying directly in Keystone or Copper Mountain can also work well for a ski-focused trip since you can stay close to the lifts and spend most of your trip within the resort village. Wherever you stay, I’d check how close your hotel or vacation rental is to a bus stop before booking. It can make a big difference when you’re carrying ski gear.

If you’re flying into Denver, you’ll also need to plan how you’re getting to the mountains. Check out my guide to the best ways to get from Denver to Breckenridge for shuttle, rental car and transportation options.