Sitting in the backyard garden at the Jewel of the Canyons Bed & Breakfast I feel the cares of “everyday life” slipping away as I sip some fresh sun tea and hear graceful hummingbirds dart around. And we’ve only been here for 10 minutes.
From the moment we walked up to the house to find owner Lyn Burnett scooping a few leaves out of the small front yard pond, we felt immediately at home. We were welcomed and given a brief tour of this beautifully restored 1890 Victorian home. After purchasing the house 9 years ago, Lyn & his wife Wendy invested a year and a half in serious restoration and remodeling before opening the B & B. Each of the 4 guest rooms, as well as the rest of the home, are decorated with rich colors and tasteful European antique furniture, immediately creating the feeling that you are about to be treated to a few days of luxury and relaxation. And you are.
Lyn & Wendy are perfect hosts, friendly and accommodating, happy to chat and always there to make sure you have whatever you need to make your stay perfect. They seem to know just when to check on you and how to be available while at the same time providing guests a good deal of privacy and freedom to wander.
I fell in love with our room, the Red Rock Canyon room, the moment we walked in. In addition to a European antique four-poster bed with gorgeous deep red plush bedding, there was a bouquet of fresh flowers, a basket of fruit, and caramels waiting for us. This is the only guest room on the main level, just off the sitting room. It has a gas fireplace and at night you can hear the happy gurgle of the garden fountain outside the window.
All 4 guest rooms have private baths, although 2 require a short walk down the hallway. It is worth the 20 foot walk, these are not your standard utilitarian bathrooms, one has the home’s original clawfoot tub and the other it’s own sauna. In addition to a home that is classy and comfortable all at the same time, the details are all covered in high style. High quality sheets, towels, shower head and even fantastically comfortable chenille robes increase each guests comfort level.
Quietly situated two blocks from historic downtown Canon City and only one block from the Saturday Farmers Market, you can’t beat the location. Another thing you won’t beat is breakfast. We started off by enjoying our morning coffee in a few of the front porch rocking chairs, waking up slowly to a beautiful day. When it was time for breakfast, we gathered around the large dining room table with the other guests. Lyn started us off with fresh strawberries and Devonshire cream and then moved us along to baked egg & cheese, sausage links, and the crowning glory, pecan-glazed French toast. Every bite was delicious.
One of the most immediately soothing places we’ve been to, Jewel of the Canyons, is a getaway in and of itself. Whether you are in town to explore the historic downtown, ride the Royal Gorge Route Railroad (which you can walk to), or raft the Arkansas River, Lyn & Wendy will be sure you are well-rested, well-fed, and well-relaxed during your visit.
