We think our guests are as nice as...

...the wonderful notes they leave  in the guest books. It's been a while since we've shared our love notes, they are what keep us going after a long day. We think our guests are pretty special and when they leave us reviews on sites like Tripadvisor and Facebook, we love it. And while we may not be listed on those sites as the number one inn in the Grand Valley (yet), when they take the time to write us a handwritten note in our guestbook, it means more than all of that! Here is a sampling of some entries we've had during the slow season. Please allow us to toot our own horn...

Thanks again for an amazing weekend. Coming to Willow Pond is like coming home. Each time is a new experience with old friends. Breakfast was awesome, the conversation and stories so much fun. We will see you in August for Peach Festival and in October for "Tour of the Moon". Please don't change a thing. - Lakewood, CO

Thank you so much for your hospitality and making the Grand Junction part of our vacation so relaxing and refreshing. All of the food was delicious and we really enjoyed all of David's stories over breakfast. The suggestion to visit the Farmer's Market was really excellent, too. We definitely plan to be back! J&C

Next time we'll stay longer-This short visit, however, was just what we needed. Thank you for providing such a nourishing experience. All you need is LOVE! (Anon.)

Thanks for the wonderful experience at this B&B. We really enjoyed the location of it and a weekend without kids. Next time we will stay for breakfast and hopefully longer as well. We love this area & hope to be back soon. Thanks again for everything. -Cheyenne, WY

We have had a very enjoyable and relaxing "weekend" here at Willow Pond. Thank you for your great hospitality! The breakfasts were great, especially the pancakes and waffles! We wish you the best! Thanks again! -Denver CO

Thank you- again!! We so enjoyed this "home away from home." So nice after traipsing across peach country- and wine country- and God's good beauty country- to have such a comfortable, beautiful, welcoming place to come back to. Hope to see you next year- for Winefest instead~ Denver, CO

We enjoyed spending the night here after mountain biking on Grand Mesa. we were appreciative of the comfortable room,quiet setting...Santa Barbara, CA

We really enjoy our 3 nights at Willow Pond. We "porked out" on your tasty breakfasts. Your inn is beautiful and comfortable. We will definitely return.- Loveland, CO

It's so great to stay with you again after so long! Thanks so much for all you do, and for keeping us in such beautiful and peaceful surroundings. -Crestone, CO

We were relieved at the 11th hour, when we called to inquire about the availability of the room we'd booked for 10/20, was also available on 10/19! Willow Pond is a quiet oasis tucked away in Grand Junction, and we enjoyed your hospitality and flexibility, David! -Fort Collins, CO

When I looked online to find a B&B for my sister and I to stay at here in Grand Junction, yours looked the most charming...and your place more than met our expectations. Thanks for providing such a wonderful atmosphere for us to call "home" while visiting relatives here this weekend.- L.P.

Thank you for a wonderful stay. Everything was just perfect. We loved the breakfast gift cards...so yummy. A great setting here...loved it all. -Clinton, UT

Thank you for a wonderful stay! We enjoyed a fantastic breakfast every morning and loved the Bella Donna room. We appreciate the suggestions for restaurants and things to do. Hopefully we'll be back. Thank you! Longmont, CO

Thank you for feeding us so well- breakfasts were fabulous! And we enjoyed the space and peace of the Willow Room. - Waco, TX

Our stay at Willow Pond & the Grand Junction scene has made us true believers in Colorado! Maybe we will find ourselves neighbors in the near future! Thank your for helping make our "honeymoon" unforgettable! P.S. My husband is convinced that I need to learn how to make breakfast "Willow Pond" style! So good! Thank you again! Elk Mound, WI

Thank you for the lovely accommodations. Your help with dietary restrictions is appreciated as is your friendly nature and the bright and comfortable room. -Scottsbluff, NE

Wonderful, Comfortable and quiet. We enjoyed our stay at the B&B. Superb Belgian waffles, had a great time. We enjoyed the Dream Cafe on Main and the visit to GJ. Thank you for the conversation and reminisces' of the good old days with "Dick Dale". - Louisville, CO

(Laurie says this one gets the prize-hee-hee:)

Wow! What a wonderful place! This was a real treat and very relaxing. You have a little piece of heaven and are so generous to share it with so many. Thank you for your hospitality. Needless to say, we will be back.
Sarah is a beautiful hostess, cook and artist! A real pleasure to meet her. Dave is hysterical! Very sweet and friendly, made us feel right at home. Laurie- what a beautiful lady. You are wonderful.Thank you all so very much. See you again soon. Come to Glenwood Springs and visit anytime. -K&C

What a wonderful weekend in Grand Junction riding the Tour of the Moon bicycle tour and having this awesome home to stay in. Sarah and Dave are the best! The food was fabulous. We will be back for more. - Lakewood, CO

Thanks to Laurie for the best omelets and pancakes ever, and Dave for the impromptu discussion on photography, which I appreciated very much and immediately put to use during our visit to Colorado National Monument later that day. And we were very impressed with Bryan who can carry a tune and a 50 pound sousaphone while marching in step at 5000 feet. A very memorable visit and thanks again for your warm and wonderful hospitality. - Greenfield Center, NY

What a lovely and relaxing home, thank you for sharing it with us! And thank you, Dave for all your great recommendations! Le Maison was fabulous! L&K

Thank you for the lovely stay and delicious breakfast! We enjoyed our stay very much! We will definitely be coming back. T&K

Charming place and great hospitality! Thank you for making our trip to the Western Slope special! - Castle Rock, CO

Please view the links above for our reviews and more guest insights into staying with us at Willow Pond.

Thanks to all of our guests for sharing their experiences!! Come back soon!!

$40 a day the Willow Pond way

Hey! We know you all still want to get away, and times are tough, so we thought we'd give you some ideas for splurging on a getaway at Willow Pond while still getting to enjoy the absolute best the Grand Valley has to offer on as little $$ as possible, about $40 a day, per person. These are our suggestions for enjoying favorite local restaurants and activities that reflect our region at it's finest!!!

This is a low cost version of our "Things to do" page...

Remember, breakfast is complimentary, not to mention we serve complimentary afternoon goodies...So you only need $ for lunch (if you want it) and dinner, plus activities... All of the restaurants listed have some vegetarian options available.


Day 1 - $20 for two!
You will just be checking in and most likely will just want to head straight to dinner! Luckily, a McAlister's Deli just opened within walking distance of the inn, .65 miles away! Walk off dinner while you enjoy the countryside on your way back to the inn. Most of their menu items are in the $5-7 range, so two can eat for about $20 bucks including a beverage! Try one of their giant Spuds and their famous iced tea...

Day 2 -about $30 per person

Enjoy the Willow Pond grounds, sit by the pond, curl up with that book you've been putting off, watch a DVD, relax with some hot or iced tea... Play croquet on the lawn or enjoy some board games. Have lunch at Spoons (about a mile and a half from the inn) you'll enjoy a great lunch and support the local Hospice program at the same time! Don't miss the French dip sandwich, served with chips, order a miniature cheesecake and a drink, all for about $10...

If you are here on the first Sunday of the month, you can tour the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens, for FREE!!! $5 adults, $3 Seniors.

For dinner, drive or bike (it's only 2.5 miles to Main Street) to Pablo's Pizza, a Grand Valley favorite. Try the "La Chupacabra"pizza, about $27 with drinks. Walk off dinner on Main Street and take the Art on the Corner walking tour of over 100 sculptures. Walk to Enstrom's Candy and get a Toffee Lover's ice cream cone, yum!!! About $3 per person.

Day 3 about $38 per person, less for bikers and seniors!



Tour the Colorado National Monument, take a picnic lunch, park entrance fee by car ($7/ car) or if you are an experienced cyclist, $4/bike, the east entrance is only 4 miles up the road. Biking Guide You can spend all day up at the Monument, hiking and biking.
Stop at the Dinosaur Museum in Fruita ($4-7 per person).
Lastly, stop at Main Street Bagels, for a handmade challah bread sandwich with waldorf chicken salad, bring it back to the inn and enjoy it on the deck...our fresh baked afternoon goodies will be waiting!


Day 4 about $28-$47 per person.

In the morning, visit the Grand Junction Art Center, if you are here on a Tuesday, it's free! Otherwise $3.
Zen Garden for lunch, your choice of Japanese, Chinese or Thai, plus a great sushi bar! Don't be fooled by the mix, it's all good! Most lunches around $6...
Continue on to tour the Palisade wineries, for free wine tastings... Winery Tour Guide
There are a number of great local wines in the $10-15 range, make sure to pick some up on your tour!
If you are here June-Sept, make a stop at some of the orchards for fresh peaches and other fruit delicacies, especially the pies! Prices vary. Stop by the Slice o'Life Bakery for bread, pick up some cheese on the way back, have a picnic dinner at "the pond" and watch the dragon flies.

Day 5 about $25-40 per person
PLAN A
In the morning, the Museum of the West ($5)
In the afternoon, lunch at the Palisade Cafe, get the burger and fries with the homemade bread from the slice o'life bakery. Stop at the Blue Pig Art Gallery in Palisade.
Bike around the Palisade orchards and wineries or rent a tube and tube down the river ($15/day, $80 deposit)
Or in the afternoon, hit up the Thursday Farmer's Market in the afternoon (free) June-Sept.
For dinner, have a Navajo Taco and try all the free samples at the market, from kettle corn to peaches, yum!

OR PLAN B about $40
Drive the scenic loop from here to Paonia to Glenwood Canyon and back. Eat lunch at the Flying Fork Cafe, most meals around $10 with beverage, try their famous Gazpacho! Then go up to Glenwood Canyon for a dip in the hot springs. ($18) and dinner at the Glenwood Canyon Brewpub. (Their lunch menu is available for dinner, save $) This is an incredible drive in the Fall, with the color change, it is an all day trip, so plan accordingly.

Day 6
PLAN A about $30 per person
In the morning go out to Cameo and view the Wild Mustangs. (free)
Lunch at Fiesta Guadalajara in Fruita to fuel up for your afternoon mountain biking.
Mountain biking in Fruita (free), have dinner at the Hot Tomato. Free thursday night concert series in Fruita at the park.

PLAN B
Enjoy a "drop-in" yoga class at The Academy of Yoga ($14) Then it's lunch at Nepal Restaurant, Indian and Nepalese food, on Main St. Lunch buffet and chai tea for about $10! Then afternoon mountain biking in Fruita (free) and dinner at Hot Tomato...

Day 7

PLAN A about $47 per person, if you don't let your window shopping turn into real shopping.
After breakfast, take a hike to the Mica Mine at Bang's Canyon (free). It's only a 40 minute hike, each way, on a well-maintained trail that leads to a fairy land known as the Mica Mine, best in Spring with wild flowers, red rock canyon and a run off stream to dip your feet. Nice in Fall too.
A quick soak in the jet-tub, freshen up and head out to lunch at 626 on Rood, fish tacos and a flight of Spanish Wine will set you back $17. You're all ready for an afternoon of window shopping and gallery hopping on Main Street.
Dinner is your final splurge at Le Rouge, whatever you do, make sure you get our favorite chocolate mousse! Dinner & dessert $24+ per person

PLAN B: about $47 per person
Mica Mine in the morning, picnic lunch,
afternoon swimming at one of the local lakes $6 State Park entrance fee.
Splurge on dinner at Le Rouge $24+

And there you have it! Have fun out there! Have our cake and eat it too!

Willow Pond Welcomes Artist Barbara Churchley

Willow Pond Bed & Breakfast is proud to welcome Colorado artist, Barbara Churchley as a displaying artist at the inn! Barbara is best known for her pastel and oils of Colorado scenery. We are very excited to show her work at the inn and we know our guests will enjoy viewing and purchasing her work during their visit. We have several original oil and pastel paintings as well as prints and cards available for purchase.

From Barbara's website:
"Barbara Churchley's paintings reflect her personal connection with the western landscape she lives in.  Her  oil paintings are interpretive and impressionistic. Her passion for painting and the outdoors has taken her to the summit of all 53 ranked 14,000' peaks in Colorado and a few other unranked ones for fun. She has explored the landscape "up close and personal" through multiple marathons, hikes, and backpack trips.  She is a Signature Member of International Plein Air Painters, Plein Air Artists of both Colorado and New Mexico, Contemporary Fine Artists International, and an Associate Member of Oil Painters of America, American Impressionist Society, and Women Artists of the West."

Please visit Barbara Churchley's website  or read about her current news on her blog http://www.barbarachurchleyfineart.blogspot.com/  and please consider making a purchase during your visit and support local artists!