Great breakfasts. Celeste and John were very accessible and extremely helpful. The room was tastefully decorated. The bed and comforter were so cozy that we slept with the heat off and window open. The hosts obtained our tickets for the Durango-Silverton Train ride. They show us were to board the train at a maintenance yard saving us an hour each way on the less scenic portions of the trip.

We spent four days at the Apple Orchard Inn, located 8 miles north of Durango, CO. It ranks among the top three B&Bs that we have stayed in anywhere. Our stay began with a warm welcome from innkeepers John and Celeste Gardiner, along with their dog and cat. We stayed in the Fireside Cabin, one of several individual cabins, which had a front porch, rear patio, jacuzzi tub, a skylight full of stars, a sofa in front of a gas starting/wood burning fireplace, and an enormous and comfortable bed. Just beyond the doors of the cabin were streams, ponds, ducks (fed daily by the Gardiners), commuting Canadian geese, aspens, and apple trees. Very romantic and beautiful environment. Celeste is in incredibly talented chef, providing delicious breakfast daily. The "wine, cheese, and cookies" around 5 PM provided a great opportunity to mingle with the other guests. The cookies were still available after we returned from dinner. The "over the top" addition was that, at a very reasonable price, Celeste will cook an incredible gourmet dinner, served in a small candlelit dining room, provided that this is arranged prior to arrival at the inn. The guests actually have the ability to select the menu from a list of selections provided by Celeste. The location, too, is ideal. Day trips to Mesa Verde, Telluride, Silverton (with or without the train), the Colorado Trail, and Durango are doable without exhaustion. The Apple Orchard Inn is truly a place to return to again and again. And again.
Ron and Helaine Mario, Longboat Key, Florida

We stayed at the Apple Orchard Inn for our honeymoon in the summer of 2004 and have been wanting to go back since! We made it back in September, 2006 and it was wonderful. The inn is absolutely beautiful, the grounds are spectacular, the cottages are super cute and romantic, Celeste makes wonderful breakfast (and cookies) and the location is beautiful. Apple Orchard is definitely the nicest place we have ever stayed and John & Celeste are SO friendly and helped us plan activities and restaurants. We also did the special dinner that Celeste prepared and it was delicious. I highly, highly recommend this B&B for anyone wanting a relaxing, romantic, wonderful trip in an idyllic setting!

The Apple Orchard Inn sets the highest standard for a B&B and we have yet to find another to compare. Celeste and John are wonderful hosts and make you feel at home the moment you walk in the door. It is like stepping into another world that is peaceful and beautiful as you drive through the orchards to the front door. Breakfasts are yummy and conversation lively. The afternoon social time is a great time for conversation with the hosts and other guests. It is also a time to watch the ducks as well as a fun time to play with Rowdy, the resident golden retriever. Every attention has been paid to detail at the Apple Orchard Inn in all rooms, the cottages and the grounds with the duck ponds and the babbling brooks. We continue to vacation in Durango and stay at the Apple Orchard Innas it is always a treat! It is truly "The Best of the Best"!