After several months of globe-trotting, it sounded refreshing to explore some of the gorgeous scenery closer to home. The beauty and diversity of the United States never cease to bring me joy. Few places in the country are as visually dramatic as the Rocky Mountains, and I realized it had been far too long since I’d last visited. In the interim, several compelling new hotels have opened in three Colorado towns with decidedly different personalities: Telluride, Aspen and Vail. And as luck would have it, almost all of them are pet-friendly. So this time, we brought our lumbering English Labrador with us. Dogs have it good here, welcomed on gondolas and in fine hotels alike, especially in Telluride, where we began our summertime journey. Our itinerary balanced panoramic hikes and fly-fishing with poolside relaxation and gourmet dining.

Lumière by Dunton

Telluride has long since evolved from a 19th-century mining town into a year-round leisure destination. Its downtown — chockablock with Victorian-era homes, historic taverns, outfitters and upscale boutiques — has plenty of rugged charm. But despite all the tourists and money flowing in, one thing remains surprisingly scarce: a true full-service luxury hotel.

Just a gondola ride away, the planned resort community of Mountain Village has more options. The Harper-recommended Madeline Hotel by Auberge Collection is justly popular with both families and couples. But with 153 accommodations, it’s hardly a hideaway. In search of a more intimate property, we chose the 18-residence Lumière by Dunton, part of the same group behind the estimable Dunton Hot Springs and Dunton River Camp, both about an hour from Telluride.