Inn at railway and main

It is not very often in life that you meet a kindred spirit. 

I met one of mine while working at Pine Cove. 

Sharon Young, formerly Sharon McKenzie, is a member of the founding family of Pine Cove. Her uncle, Bill McKenzie, acquired the land from her grandfather, Alex, or “Pop,” as everyone knew him. Sharon’s dad, Robert, was Bill’s first hire. He pretty much did everything Bill did not want to do. 

Sharon met her husband, Tom Young while working at Pine Cove Family Camp when she was only 18 years old. After getting married, they made their way to Dallas where Tom attended seminary. Sharon, being one of the most resourceful people I have ever met, began sewing clothing to pay the bills. From there, she built a successful clothing company. Let’s just say that everything she touches turns to gold! 

After serving 30+ years with Young Life in the Dallas area, Tom & Sharon decided to purchase a house in Buena Vista, Colorado, just down the road from Young Life’s Frontier Ranch. 

Buena Vista is the quintessential Colorado town. Mostly untouched by big business but surrounded by 14 different mountain peaks, it remains a favorite spot among Coloradans.  

While strolling through the unassuming streets of BV one day,  an old brick building caught Sharon’s attention. Three days later, the idea for an adorable boutique hotel on the corner of Railroad St. and Main St. was in motion.

Since Sharon and I had collaborated on various Pine Cove design projects throughout the years, she invited me to Buena Vista to help her with the installation of furniture and to help her achieve the interior aesthetic she was going for. 

This was a dream job! 

I cannot take any credit for the brilliant renovation of the building. Sharon was the mastermind behind it all. I was merely a sounding board for her as she selected lights, bedding, and furniture. However,  I was able to fully jump in alongside her as we collaborated on the final design of each unique room. The results are phenomenal! If you have never been to Buena Vista, you now have a reason to go. These 13 rooms are cozy and welcoming- a perfect blend of old brick walls original to the building, antiques acquired over many years, and original oil paintings, all mixed brilliantly with the right amount of modern elements to please even the most discriminating guest.

Book a stay here. You’ll absolutely love it!