I expected more for the price we paid. Ouray is a beautiful town, and Black Bear Manor is in a great location. It is on a quiet side street, and is an easy walk to the main street for shops and restaurants. I saw only rave reviews about Black Bear Manor, and was willing to pay the high rates for what I hoped would be a superb experience. I was disappointed. First, we were greeted with "how would you like to pay the balance?" Not the warm B&B hospitality I have grown to expect. Breakfast was terrific, but the rooms were small. Rooms have their own thermostat for heat, but even this mountain town can get hot in July, and the second floor rooms were stifling hot with no adequate cooling (I'm talking over 85 degrees in the room). There were fans, but all they did was move around hot air, which is still hot. There is an exterior entrance to the rooms that can be opened for air, but the only way to pull the cool night air in is to leave the interior entrance door to the open as well. So much for privacy. The rooms were advertised as each having a "private deck." This is false. The reality is a wrap-around deck on 2 levels, and there are people passing by your door to get to their door. Doesn't fit my definition of "private." On the second level, there were 2 outdoor chairs to be shared by about 6 rooms! So on those hot nights, you could stand out on the deck but it was first-come, first-served for the chairs. The choice of artwork on the bedroom walls was odd at best. I found myself yearning for photos or paintings of the magnificent scenery that was all around us, but this was not to be found. So, don't go to the Black Bear expecting "luxury" as they advertise. My advice is to save your money and try the less expensive lodging in town. You might actually find air conditioning, privacy, hospitality, and your own deck for a lot less.

This was our first stay ever at a Bed and Breakfast and we were overwhelmingly pleased!!!!! From the minute we walked in, we felt welcomed. Ken was the first to greet us and then came Carol, who then checked us in and took us to our room and showed us around. You have two options for breakfast, either the very good "Continental breakfast" at 7:30 or the LARGE and DELICIOUS breakfast at 9:00. You HAVE to have the large breakfast at least once during your stay. This home is beautiful and the views from the observatory room is breathtaking. I had to start and end my day with view from this room. If you are considering this as an option for your stay in Ouray, consider no more....MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS!!!

We stayed here for our 14th wedding anniversary and everything from the room to the breakfast was amazing. My wife and I have stayed in B&B's all over the U.S. and I would have to say this is in our top 3, by far best on the western slope. You couldn't ask for a more beautiful setting than Ouray. Phil and Lucie Thanks for your wonderful hospitality.

What a warm ,cozy, beautifully decorated "home!" We would stay again in a heartbeat. Lovely decks, public and private, to enjoy the views of mountains while listening to the babbling river nearby. Breakfast is worth every penny of the stay, as are the nibbly snacks available throughout the day and evening. Carol made our reservations for dinner at the Outlaw, also excellent, featuring local organic meats and wonderful western piano music throughout the meal. The observatory room at the Black Bear is a must see (and then will enjoy). If you're traveling through the San Juans, no trip would be complete without a stay at the Black Bear Manor.